The National Anthem

[gregintenn]

Every time lately when I'm at a ballgame, I get mad enough to fight. There is an announcement made that the National Anthem will be performed. There are always some who keep right on talking, paying no attention or showing any respect for our flag or our country. If it were only one, I'd speak up. It seems there are several, and I'm the only one who seems upset about it. Does this enrage anyone else?

[Guest friesepferd]

yep. that pisses me off too.

[daddyo]

It's a sign of the times. You can thank OBozo for some of that, since before he was even POTUS he would not salute or pay respect to our flag.

[Raoul]

I think a ball game is an inappropriate place anyway. It just further trivializes the national anthem by playing it in a stadium full of drunk sports fans. It should only be played for serious business. The national anthem is very special, a ball game is not.

just my grouchy old .02

[gregintenn]

I think a ball game is an inappropriate place anyway. It just further trivializes the national anthem by playing it in a stadium full of drunk sports fans. It should only be played for serious business. The national anthem is very special, a ball game is not.

just my grouchy old .02

I do follow your logic here, but it's a long standing tradition. However, I'm referring more to Little League games than pro sports. Very few drunks there, and I've never noticed a drunk being guilty of this anywhere. It's usually loud, obnoxious fat women to put it bluntly.

[Guest bkelm18]

To me it's the freedom of choice. This isn't Soviet Russia where you honor the flag and anthem or get sent to the gulag. If people want to talk through the anthem, that is their right and choice. People have died protecting our rights, and one of those rights is to not pay homage to them.

[mav]

It doesn't bother me in the least. Why? If I got mad at every instance where I witnessed someone disrespecting their country I would be a miserable person 24/7. When I see such distasteful displays I usually say to myself, "What a piece of s**t," and go about what I was doing.

Edited April 25, 2011 by mav

[Guest Bronker]

...talking, paying no attention or showing any respect for our flag or our country...

Amen.

[gregintenn]

To me it's the freedom of choice. This isn't Soviet Russia where you honor the flag and anthem or get sent to the gulag. If people want to talk through the anthem, that is their right and choice. People have died protecting our rights, and one of those rights is to not pay homage to them.

That's a bull s**t answer. For the most part, these are the same people who are on the public dole for their subsistence. I don't think we should tell everyone what to think, but a little respect for our country, what it stands for, and the people who've fought for it isn't too much to ask from the sorriest bedwetting liberal there is.

[strickj]

I think you're making too much of it. It's just a song. :gasp: Don't jump on me yet... let me explain...

The Star Spangled Banner has been bastardized. It get's played at sporting events like "Take Me Out To The Ballgame", and "Who Let The Dogs Out" :stomps feet:

I find that offensive. The song should get the respect that it deserves and it can not get that respect when it's gets slung around like some floozy at a party (do you respect that girl?).

Save it for the important things.

Also keep in mind, that for some, taking during the song may not be disrespectful in the least. Take showing respect to God for instance.

Some chose to show respect to their God by going to church 3 days a week. Others chose to go shopping during church but pay respect to their God by other actions.

For me, I respect the reason the song was written and I remember that each time I hear it. I respect this country. I respect the people that fight for this country. The song itself.... is just another song...

[Guest bkelm18]

That's a bull s**t answer. For the most part, these are the same people who are on the public dole for their subsistence. I don't think we should tell everyone what to think, but a little respect for our country, what it stands for, and the people who've fought for it isn't too much to ask from the sorriest bedwetting liberal there is.

Notice I said "To me". That makes it my opinion, and I'm glad you think it's a bull**** one. I guess it's off to the gulag for me. Give me a break. If people choose to ignore the anthem that is their RIGHT. I put that in big bold red letters so you could see it. Are you for some rights and not others? If I choose to say "Go to hell" to every single grave stone in Arlington, there isn't a thing you can do about it, because that is my right. I can choose whatever political, theological, ideological stance I choose. It's irrelevant what your opinion or conjecture of what they may or may not take from society is. Is it disrespectful what they do? Maybe. Does it make it wrong? Maybe. But don't get your knickers in a wad when people exercise their right to choose when you don't agree with it.

Edited April 26, 2011 by bkelm18

[Guest Oaklands]

It may be a right but it is disrespectful. These don't give a s**t attitudes are part of the mess we have now days.

[Guest bkelm18]

It may be a right but it is disrespectful. These don't give a s**t attitudes are part of the mess we have now days.

Does that make it less of a right? Some would say carrying a firearm is dangerous and disrespectful of others' safety...

[Mike.357]

when did the national anthem start being played at little league games? Is it to make little Johnny feel all important or something?

Who care what people do while that is going on? It freaking little league for gods sake. Definitely trivializes the song.

[Guest 6.8 AR]

Out of respect people should at least consider what the song means. Unfortunately, as their

right they can disrespect. Some of the people in our country have different value systems

than others. It will come back to bite them in the ass, one of these days, but it is their right.

At least the song is getting played.

[enfield]

In a free country, people are free to make asses of themselves. The disrespect bothers me, but I don't dwell on it. Life's too short . . .

[Guest monkeyhumper]

Soon, it won't be 'The Star Spangled Banner', it will be 'The Frito Lay Star Spangled Banner™' and they will hand out chips to everyone, and ask them all to open the bags at the finale, as cannons rain cheese dip into the grandstands.

[gregintenn]

:DIt appears I'm just, a not that old, grouchy old fart.

[Dolomite_supafly]

If the stadium owners/managers had a set of balls they could enforce the standing and be quiet during the playing of the national anthem. It is private property so they could easily say stand or you will be asked to leave. If they refuse to leave after asked to then they are trespassing.

It is private property and as such the freedom of speech doesn't apply. Now they can't physically make you shut up but you can be asked to leave and if needed forced to leave private property once you have been asked to do so and you refuse. Only on public, not private, property or on grounds that receive public moneys does the freedom of speech apply. I have seen several instances where people have been "ejected" from private property, restaurants for example, for not shutting their mouths.

Dolomite

[Guest bkelm18]

If the stadium owners/managers had a set of balls they could enforce the standing and be quiet during the playing of the national anthem. It is private property so they could easily say stand or you will be asked to leave. If they refuse to leave after asked to then they are trespassing.

It is private property and as such the freedom of speech doesn't apply. Now they can't physically make you shut up but you can be asked to leave and if needed forced to leave private property once you have been asked to do so and you refuse. Only on public, not private, property or on grounds that receive public moneys does the freedom of speech apply. I have seen several instances where people have been "ejected" from private property, restaurants for example, for not shutting their mouths.

Dolomite

My point being that it is not law, correctly so, that we are forced to honor the anthem. Therefor, it is their right to ignore it. Could the property owner force them to shut up? Sure, but that doesn't make it law.

[gregintenn]

My point being that it is not law, correctly so, that we are forced to honor the anthem. Therefor, it is their right to ignore it. Could the property owner force them to shut up? Sure, but that doesn't make it law.

No one said it is law, nor should it be. It should, however, be a common courtesy to keep your mouth shut during the National Anthem. Just because you can legally do something doesn't make it a good idea. The bunch who likes to demonstrate at soldiers' funerals are free to do so legally, but I couldn't convict anyone who kicked their a$$es for doing so.

[Jonnin]

That's a bull s**t answer. For the most part, these are the same people who are on the public dole for their subsistence. I don't think we should tell everyone what to think, but a little respect for our country, what it stands for, and the people who've fought for it isn't too much to ask from the sorriest bedwetting liberal there is.

Its not a BS answer. Respect is not too much to ask, but it is too much to DEMAND. The line is drawn there, and people have the right to stand or not, to talk or not, etc. Freedom gives folks a lot of rights that can lead to questionable actions or poor choices, this is just another example of it. Do I approve of people sitting or not taking a hat off or yapping on a cell phone during it? Not at all. Do they have the right to do that without my approval? Yep.

[leroy]

....It doesn't bother me in the least. Why? If I got mad at every instance where I witnessed someone disrespecting their country I would be a miserable person 24/7. When I see such distasteful displays I usually say to myself, "What a piece of s**t," and go about what I was doing. ....

Amen brother!! Right on target. The sixties hippies made it ok to disrespect everything. Now they have cut off their stinkin greasy hair, took a bath, and raised children. They have replicated themselves. Dont worry about it; make them irrevellant at the polls.

Keep up the good work!

leroy

[Guest ab28]

If the stadium owners/managers had a set of balls they could enforce the standing and be quiet during the playing of the national anthem. It is private property so they could easily say stand or you will be asked to leave. If they refuse to leave after asked to then they are trespassing.

It is private property and as such the freedom of speech doesn't apply. Now they can't physically make you shut up but you can be asked to leave and if needed forced to leave private property once you have been asked to do so and you refuse. Only on public, not private, property or on grounds that receive public moneys does the freedom of speech apply. I have seen several instances where people have been "ejected" from private property, restaurants for example, for not shutting their mouths.

Dolomite

Kinda scary in a way that someone would think that your rights may or may not apply depending on which piece of land you are currently standing on. If I won't allow the government to infringe on my rights, I sure wouldn't allow a private citizen to either. I am not commenting on the lack of standing for the anthem, or someone being loud and obnoxious. I have the same issue for not being able to carry in restaurants for the same reason.

The reason I have for this is if all land ever became private, your rights would in effect vanish.

[Raoul]

:DIt appears I'm just, a not that old, grouchy old fart.

Welcome to the brotherhood. Now do you have any idea where your car keys are? How about mine?