National Anthems Before Sporting Events

[Shorty]

18 minutes ago, David in FL said:

Playing the anthem isn’t “making someone stand”.

Enacting a bill to enforce the playing of the anthem is worse than making people stand. 

It's a an attempt to curry favour with those who represent the worst political motivations and identify organizations who are not "patriotic".

Many of the most patriotic people in your great country would like to go to a football or hockey  baseball game and just watch the game without being glared at by someone hiding behind a flag and an anthem.

If they are veterans or have lost loved ones in war, they don't need to be told how to behave, may not want to be thanked for their service thirty times a day and they do great damage when they think they can force others to be "respectful".

Never has the term "patriotism is the last refuge of a scoundrel" been more apt.

We have seen that those who claim to be "patriots" are in many cases the absolute opposite. The term "patriot" is what has been devalued, not the anthem.

If you really want to restore the value of the anthem, play it on very special occasions. It is a very beautiful piece of music which, from what I can see is mangled by wannabe Mariah Careys and Celine Dions much of the time at sporting events anyway.

 

Edited May 30, 2021 by Shorty

[GolfLug]

I will never tire of hearing the national anthem. Great tradition and hope it never stops. And yes, it makes me think of the ultimate sacrifices (Two of whom I personally knew and was friends with) that have been made so I and my family stand free. National anthem or not, nothing will ever make me forget them. But at the same time I will never think of anyone not attaching the same sentiment to a sports event as un-patriotic. That would be wholly unfair and even silly to think so. They pay their taxes, they vote. They do their patriotic part, IMO. 

Do any golf tournaments start with the national anthem? 

I voted no. 

Edited May 30, 2021 by GolfLug

[iacas]

43 minutes ago, David in FL said:

Playing the anthem isn’t “making someone stand”.

As to the respect issues, I’m talking about the Marines, soldiers and sailors with whom I’ve served, and those who died. 

Sure it is.  And when people don’t stand they aren’t being patriotic, people will say. Yet playing the anthem doesn’t make people patriotic.

I’m glad you’re capable of respecting some of your fellow citizens.

[phillyk]

I voted No. 

Every time I hear it, I stand, take off hat, hands over heart too.  I think of those who have died to defend our freedoms.  But that’s me.  I know many veterans and think of them.  We all take our freedoms, in this country, differently.  We define patriotism differently and act upon it differently.  

The national anthem before a game has been tradition, but for what?  Why?  It has become a division at these games instead of a unison.  So get rid of it.  I want it to be a sign of unity and something special.

[David in FL]

1 hour ago, iacas said:

Sure it is.  And when people don’t stand they aren’t being patriotic, people will say. Yet playing the anthem doesn’t make people patriotic.

I’m glad you’re capable of respecting some of your fellow citizens.

If I didn’t respect my fellow citizens, I wouldn’t have spent an entire career in service defending them.

 

[mcanadiens]

I got no problem with playing the anthems before sporting events, but I don't think there ought to be a law.

It is basically a show of patriotism. Yes, it is socially taboo to not stand and remove your hat and people will judge you for it. But that's your right, just like it is the right of the sporting event's promoters to play the anthem.

That said, I don't think I'd support a major-league team or event where they choose not to play the anthem.

[iacas]

16 minutes ago, David in FL said:

If I didn’t respect my fellow citizens…

You aren’t. Full stop.

[David in FL]

3 minutes ago, iacas said:

You aren’t. Full stop.

Says someone who has no idea what it actually means to sacrifice for others...

That’s ok.  I served, bled, and sacrificed for you too.  👍

[iacas]

11 minutes ago, David in FL said:

Says someone who has no idea what it actually means to sacrifice for others...

You assume too much.

[Shorty]

41 minutes ago, David in FL said:

Says someone who has no idea what it actually means to sacrifice for others...

That’s ok.  I served, bled, and sacrificed for you too.  👍

You had a job in the armed forces. Great. Others are scientists, teachers and shopkeepers.

How dare you disparage others when you know sweet F all about what they have done.

Not everyone needs to be acknowledged on a daily basis and others don't want to be instructed to perpetually do so in a hollow and robotic manner. It doesn't diminish their love of country or humanity in general. It may surprise you to know that others have "sacrificed" a hell of a lot more than you. And seen worse.

 

 

 

Edited May 30, 2021 by Shorty

[Billy Z]

I wonder how many times people actually hear the National Anthem being played and say the last month, or longer?

[Hardspoon]

Ugh. I voted “no”. I have no idea why the connection between sporting events and honoring the military persists.

I think it’d be a lot more powerful and meaningful if they reserved it for special occasions like Memorial Day and Veterans Day. 
 

Of course, if teams want to play it, that’s their choice. A f***ing law, though...ugh. That seems to go against everything the military actually stands for. 

[boogielicious]

The National Anthem is not just for the military. I have no idea who perpetuates this idea. It is for ALL Americans. The man who wrote it was a lawyer. The song honors our nation, not just those who served in the military. Let’s not forget that. 

[imsys0042]

32 minutes ago, Hardspoon said:

Ugh. I voted “no”. I have no idea why the connection between sporting events and honoring the military persists.

I think it’d be a lot more powerful and meaningful if they reserved it for special occasions like Memorial Day and Veterans Day. 
 

Of course, if teams want to play it, that’s their choice. A f***ing law, though...ugh. That seems to go against everything the military actually stands for. 

Make it a law?  No.   Completely defeats the purpose 

Edited May 31, 2021 by imsys0042

[iacas]

1 minute ago, imsys0042 said:

Make it a law?  No.   Completely defeats the purpose 

It’s law in Texas now. Or will be? Maybe you saw it in the OP.

[measureoffsetinnm]

7 hours ago, David in FL said:

This is what happens when the flag is raised and lowered each day on a Marine Base.  No adults on hand.  Just well raised, respectful kids.

 

 

The National Anthem is played, not only before sporting events and ceremonies, but even before movies are shown in a theater.

It saddens me that people are so wrapped up in their own little worlds these days that they somehow look for more reasons not to celebrate this country, than to do so.

Tomorrow I’ll post my annual Memorial Day message yet again.  No, you won’t be forced to read it, but by God, it’s being posted nonetheless.  Out of respect for others.  Not for me or you.

Forcing people to perform displays of "patriotism" is what they do in despotic nations like North Korea. It is completely against the principles you and everyone else who has served in the armed forces fought to protect.

[David in FL]

12 minutes ago, measureoffsetinnm said:

Forcing people to perform displays of "patriotism" is what they do in despotic nations like North Korea. It is completely against the principles you and everyone else who has served in the armed forces fought to protect.

You would probably do better not telling me what I fought to protect…

If you don’t want to display patriotism, don’t. I’m OK with that. Hell, I pretty much expect it these days.  

[iacas]

2 minutes ago, David in FL said:

You would probably do better not telling me what I fought to protect…

Maybe he’ll stop doing that as soon as you stop telling me what I have experienced or know.

Irony be like…