You have got to be kidding.

Earlier today I linked to the Wikipedia page about the band The Decemberists, to point out that in addition to warming up for Barack Obama in Oregon, the band is known for using the National Anthem of the Soviet Union as an introduction to their concerts.

That section of the Wikipedia page has now gone down the memory hole. Here’s what it looks like now: The Decemberists - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia.

The band is named in reference to an 1825 revolt over the Imperial Russian succession (Decembrist revolt). It is not related to the Bolshevik Revolution of 1917, although Meloy has referred to the historical Decembrists as a communist revolutionary group. [2] Their name is also a reference to the atmosphere associated with the month of December.

Here’s the page as it existed earlier today: The Decemberists - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia.

The band is named in reference to an 1825 revolt over the Imperial Russian succession (Decembrist revolt), and is not related to the Bolshevik Revolution of 1917. [2] Their name is also a reference to the atmosphere associated with the month of December. The band’s use of the National Anthem of the Soviet Union as an introduction at many concerts has sparked controversy as it is seen by some as an endorsement of the Soviet system.[citation needed]

Leftists scurrying around at Wikipedia and reacting to news stories by hiding things that make Barack Obama look bad? Say it ain’t so!

It gets pretty blatant when they start trying to hide facts that are completely uncontroversial and undisputed. I had heard about The Decemberists’ intro music long before seeing that Wikipedia entry.

Here’s a video, in fact, of the introduction to one of their shows in Pennsylvania a year ago, which captures the rousing Communist strains of the USSR anthem quite well.

If you feel like singing along…

Unbreakable Union of freeborn Republics,
Great Russia has welded forever to stand.
Created in struggle by will of the people,
United and mighty, our Soviet land!

CHORUS:
Sing to the Fatherland, home of the free,
Bulwark of peoples in brotherhood strong.
O Party of Lenin, the strength of the people,
To Communism’s triumph lead us on!

2.
Through tempests the sunrays of freedom have cheered us,
Along the new path where great Lenin did lead.
To a righteous cause he raised up the peoples,
Inspired them to labour and valourous deed.

CHORUS

3.
In the victory of Communism’s deathless ideal,
We see the future of our dear land.
And to her fluttering scarlet banner,
Selflessly true we always shall stand!

CHORUS

UPDATE at 5/21/08 3:44:23 pm:

Here’s the person who made the change. The IP address traces to Chicago, Illinois.

UPDATE at 5/21/08 4:01:47 pm:

The page has been reverted as of this writing…