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NBC Sports: U.S. Flag at Baseball Games Too Political
Newsbusters.org ^ | April 16, 2017 | Jay Maxson

Posted on 04/16/2017 4:40:10 PM PDT by Kaslin

Everything is political to the overly sensitive mind of today’s leftist. When the Atlanta Braves unfurled a gigantic flag for the playing of the national anthem, it prompted an ultra sensitive member of the partisan media and his Twitter followers to express a whole host of ridiculous claims.

In a Twitter post this weekend, NBC baseball writer Craig Calcaterra complained that the presentation of Old Glory evoked overly political tones. He and his like-minded comrades used the occasion to attack the flag, the military, President Trump, conservatives and the singing of God Bless America:

Will you keep politics out of sports, please? We like sports to be politics-free.”

That was the first shot fired in what became a lively Twitter free-for-all between conservative patriots and hate America snowflakes. He also blogged about it here, stating the government had paid pro sports teams for the opportunity to promote patriotism and recruitment (of the people who will protect our freedom). He said his Tweet was an attempt to troll the “stick to sports” crowd. He said flag waving is a political strategy.

“How is the flag political? Matthew Weymar Tweeted to Calcaterra. The NBC writer responded that maybe a flag “in and of itself isn’t always political. A two-acre flag with a military flyover is saying something very specific, however.” Chris McAllister asked Calcaterra what an American flag for Democrats looks like?” Touche!

Rick Krahn commented, “I think there was a time when love for country wasn’t considered political. And a lot of people would like to return to that time.”

Calcaterra said it’s not so easy doing that: “Getting there requires people to accept that those who question our leaders and do not support all military ventures can still be patriots.”

Krahn told Calcaterra that those who oppose “often do so by cutting down country or those who serve it.” Joseph Daher added, “You can disagree with the leaders and still support the soldiers, marines, sailors and airmen who died under that flag.”

Calcaterra countered, “And you can support them in ways other than flying a two-acre flag, yet we routinely fail to.” He attached a photo of veterans protesting at a VA hospital along with the link to a story in The Nation about a lack of VA resources for vets. Daher called him out by asking: “Baseball shouldn’t have a flag because the VA is in shambles?”

Additionally, Calcaterra said “if you criticize their (sports teams’) use of the military you’re called unpatriotic.” And by not standing for the singing of God Bless America, Calcaterra dialed up his inner snowflake and said the reactions around him made him feel bad.

Mark Simon hit the NBC lib right between the eyes: “This is a left-wing screed. It is not about patriotism, rather what offends your politics.” Ryan Kantor explained to Calcaterra how his complaints are viewed: “You should applaud apolitical patriotism or everyone will mistake your criticisms for anti-American rhetoric.” Cameron Darnell argued, “People die for our rights in this country, so yeah we’re gonna layout the flag. We’re also gonna have a military.”

Calcaterra said, “Wrapping oneself in the flag is a common means of achieving political ends.” That may be true for the rainbow flag.

Calcaterra complained that his criticisms “in this realm will always, always be considered anti-American regardless of what else I say.” Without citing examples, he added: “Conspicuous patriotism is often used as a cudgel to silence/shame those who question our leaders.”

Using that logic, Krahn schooled Calcaterra by saying it was unfair to label criticisms of Obama as racism. “Cuts both ways.”

Additional Tweets further demonstrated the Hate America mentality. Mark Rittle wrote, “I’d like to attend sporting events without romanticizing the war machine.” And Shawn Drotar griped that at the average NFL game “jingoism comes with the ticket.”

What are we left to assume from Calcaterra’s remarks? For one, if we removed everything that offends leftists in the public square, it would be a bland, barren scene. Secondly, many in the partisan media are perfectly fine with organizations pushing far Left politics in our faces. Like withdrawing sports events due to religious freedom laws and with LGBT promotions at their games.

As Gary Deaton tweeted to Calcaterra, “stick to sports.”


TOPICS: Culture/Society; Editorial
KEYWORDS: liberalmedia; media; mlb; msm; nbc; oldglory; sports
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1 posted on 04/16/2017 4:40:10 PM PDT by Kaslin
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To: Kaslin

Just what you thought he'd look like.

2 posted on 04/16/2017 4:42:29 PM PDT by Troublemaker
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To: Kaslin
Calcaterra said it’s not so easy doing that: “Getting there requires people to accept that those who question our leaders and do not support all military ventures can still be patriots.”

No, they are parasites that exist on the blood of patriots.

3 posted on 04/16/2017 4:43:24 PM PDT by pfflier
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To: Kaslin

Patriotism is NOT politics.


4 posted on 04/16/2017 4:44:14 PM PDT by BenLurkin (The above is not a statement of fact. It is either satire or opinion. Or both.)
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To: Kaslin

NBC stands for “National Broadcasting Corporation.”

It was founded by David Sarnoff, who emigrated to the United States from Russia when he was nine years old.

David Sarnoff was incredibly patriotic, a totally enthusiastic American, who went from dirt-poor to fabulous riches because he took advantage of every opportunity America offered.


5 posted on 04/16/2017 4:44:59 PM PDT by Steely Tom (Liberals think in propaganda)
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To: Kaslin

He kept mentioning questioning leaders but never actually questioned those leaders. Instead, he moaned about the flag and the military.

The only thing worse than a Trump hater is a poorly disguised Trump hater.


6 posted on 04/16/2017 4:45:00 PM PDT by relictele (`)
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To: Kaslin

I’m sorry but he should not be allowed on the air. We need to stop tolerating dangerous kooks.


7 posted on 04/16/2017 4:45:30 PM PDT by Williams (Stop tolerating the intolerant.)
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To: Troublemaker

I think he looks like somebody whose only interest in sports is as a platform for his personal politics.


8 posted on 04/16/2017 4:45:43 PM PDT by BenLurkin (The above is not a statement of fact. It is either satire or opinion. Or both.)
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To: Kaslin

These folks are all NUTS! Since when does the Flag represent politics? Holy crap...I am so fed up with these goonies.


9 posted on 04/16/2017 4:45:57 PM PDT by ataDude (.)
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To: Kaslin

Suck it up, snowflake. In other countries, you’d be thrown from the upper deck.


10 posted on 04/16/2017 4:46:31 PM PDT by Texas Eagle (If it wasn't for double-standards, Liberals would have no standards at all -- Texas Eagle)
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To: Troublemaker

He looks like a limp wristed faggot. Why would this metrosexual have anything to do with sports?


11 posted on 04/16/2017 4:46:39 PM PDT by caver (Trump: Home of the Winner)
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To: Kaslin

I guarantee you this article explains what this is all about.

https://www.usnews.com/news/blogs/washington-whispers/2011/07/20/shock-study-us-flag-only-boosts-gop


12 posted on 04/16/2017 4:46:50 PM PDT by E. Pluribus Unum (Some people consider government to be a necessary evil, others their personal Ponzi scheme.)
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To: relictele

NBC has a lot of nerve after unleashing Bob Costas and his anti-gun screed upon a non-political sporting event saying the simple flag is too political. It’s been at sporting events since before NBC was...
What they are really saying is they want sports to be colored by THEIR politics and not by out politics.


13 posted on 04/16/2017 4:48:13 PM PDT by ez ("Abashed the devil stood and felt how awful goodness is." - Milton)
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To: Troublemaker

LOL!


14 posted on 04/16/2017 4:51:59 PM PDT by samtheman (Trump++)
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To: Troublemaker

Does he have an earing and make up?


15 posted on 04/16/2017 4:53:52 PM PDT by BBell (calm down and eat your sandwiches)
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To: pfflier

I don’t have Twitter but I would ask this moron if he said the same things when we criticized obunghole?


16 posted on 04/16/2017 4:55:10 PM PDT by raybbr (That progressive bumper sticker on your car might just as well say, "Yes, I'm THAT stupid!")
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To: caver

He gets a hardon watching male athletes......


17 posted on 04/16/2017 4:55:23 PM PDT by JBW1949 (I'm really PC....PATRIOTICALLY CORRECT!!!!)
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To: Troublemaker

Sort ah but I thought he would have a scrotum on his chin....


18 posted on 04/16/2017 4:55:55 PM PDT by CGASMIA68
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To: Kaslin

I do not believe it is a practice anymore but the Pentagon has paid the NFL millions of dollars to promote patriotism and the NFL accepted it. I believe they paid back several hundred thousand but there are issues with the NFL that bother me. http://www.npr.org/sections/thetwo-way/2015/11/05/454834662/pentagon-paid-sports-teams-millions-for-paid-patriotism-events


19 posted on 04/16/2017 4:56:38 PM PDT by katiedidit1
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To: JBW1949

Oh geez, I didn’t want to hear that.


20 posted on 04/16/2017 4:57:05 PM PDT by caver (Trump: Home of the Winner)
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