Posted on 05/27/2018 2:45:11 PM PDT by EveningStar
... We might suggest American (and Canadian, for that matter) professional sports leagues can it with national anthems before every last game or race but save it for games played on significant national holidays. Would it be terribly un-American if "The Star Spangled Banner" was saved for opening baseball games played on Memorial Day, Independence Day, and Labour Day, to name the three major such holidays occurring during baseball season? Before football, basketball, and hockey games played on Veteran's Day, Thanksgiving Day, and Presidents' Day? Before NASCAR races run on most of those holidays? (For that matter, would Canada consider it terribly unpatriotic if its home sports teams limited "O Canada" to their home games played on Canada's national or provincial holidays?) ...
(Excerpt) Read more at throneberryfields.blogspot.com ...
It started out that way and was so popular that it was played before every game.
Hint, hint, Jeffy.
Read the whole article. I excerpted one of the last few paragraphs.
You are much too rational.
This is a completely unsurprising take by any given Leftist.
It is what they all want anyway, the eradication of any display of gratitude or pride in what our nation is or does.
That must all be reserved for the personalities of The State.
No.
We aren’t ashamed of our country or its anthem.
I am ashamed of and disgusted by many of its athletes.
America stopped the national socialists. It took longer, but America stopped the Soviet socialists. Recently, America stopped Bernie’s socialists. The political Left hates America because we keep stopping them. They are searching for any excuse to oppose our National Anthem.
It’s not only tied to our traditions, it should be a litmus test to sort idiots from patriots. Like in the NFL. They don’t want our money. It is an act of patriotism to deprive them of it.
I pray that it continues!
I remember starting my public school day with the Pledge of Allegiance and the Lords Prayer, it didn’t hurt me, didn’t brain wash me or make me a minion to something or someone.
It did I think make me a better citizen.
This daily routine taught me that a civilized society only functions well if it has a shared basic morality and a healthy respect for the work and sacrifices of those who have passed before, efforts that made possible the freedoms we share and enjoy to this day. It instilled a sense of duty that I upon maturity would become responsible to defend and protect that which was given to me for those that followed.
The Bible puts it well: “Render to all what is due them: tax to whom tax is due; custom to whom custom; fear to whom fear; honor to whom honor.” Romans 13:7
So to show a little honor and respect to those that made and make it possible to gather together in peace and safety to share a fine spring, summer or fall day sporting event seems fitting and right and to begrudge it very small and petty.
Sadly I will add that small and petty seems to be the order of the day.
Many sports teams are filled with non-citizens. That's one of the things that make this country unique.
Patriotism doesn't need advertising!
Having said that, keeping the flag and anthem in international competition is OK.
Please don't try to flame; it's a waste of bandwidth with me, and I won't respond. Just an observation.
Here’s the deal: Kneel, raise fist, lock arms, protest.
I have yet to see any of these people articulate what the protest is really all about. What is it that they want?
Then expect the audience to clap and cheer for you? I think not.
Yes, it would be if the reason is to avoid opportunities for individuals to show their disrespect to the flag and anthem. The flag and anthem should not have to be hidden away.
Is it too much to ask that customers to athletic contests shed their egomaniacal self-centeredness and spend a few seconds in appreciation for a nation that caters to their every whim?
We need MORE patriotic demonstrations as an example for the young. We most certainly do not need LESS, simply to aid and abet the idiots trying to destroy our country. CONFRONTATION is needed to show them this country loves and respects our symbols of sacrifice—our flag, our military, and our national anthem. Sacrifice made by hundreds of thousands so that millions may live free.
From an anthropological point of view: 1) for millions of years human evolution has been driven by tribal warfare, and 2) team sports like football are really practice tribal warfare. So yes, patriotic rituals before battle is a good thing to practice.
All things being equal, if one team (sports or combat) is patriotic as well as religious and the other side is not, the patriotic religious side will win about 2/3rds of the time.
The "filled with non-citizens" claim is most insightful.
Here is an article on the history of the National Anthem and it’s playing at sporting events.
https://www.history.com/news/why-the-star-spangled-banner-is-played-at-sporting-events
Why the Star-Spangled Banner is Played At Sporting Events
snip
The Star-Spangled Banner officially became the U.S. national anthem in 1931,
and by the end of World War II, NFL Commissioner Elmer Layden ordered that
it be played at every football game. The tradition quickly spread to other sports,
aided by the introduction of large sound systems and post-war patriotism.
Ummm... Fraud, deception, cheating (my favorite being decertifying Bernie delegates by simply mailing in a voter registration form to put them in the other party...) Like the Democrats who want to undercut strong families, strong churches, those who believe in their rights, they also grossly manipulated the election process (and then screamed that the Russians did, well, pretty much what they had already done.)
Eliminate it every day,....except Joseph Stalin’s birthday.(/S)
U.S. Code Title 36 Subtitle I Part A Chapter 3 § 301
National anthem (a) DESIGNATION.The composition consisting of the words and music known as the Star-Spangled Banner is the national anthem. (b) CONDUCT DURING PLAYING.During a rendition of the national anthem (1) when the flag is displayed (A) individuals in uniform should give the military salute at the first note of the anthem and maintain that position until the last note; (B) members of the Armed Forces and veterans who are present but not in uniform may render the military salute in the manner provided for individuals in uniform; and (C) all other persons present should face the flag and stand at attention with their right hand over the heart, and men not in uniform, if applicable, should remove their headdress with their right hand and hold it at the left shoulder, the hand being over the heart; and (2) when the flag is not displayed, all present should face toward the music and act in the same manner they would if the flag were displayed.
This law does exist, obviously, and it only defines how to react to the anthem. But there is no defined penalty for violating it, so nothing can happen. It is just a way to make trouble and step on the people that got the athletes and their highly overpaid contracts for them. Just trash cutting their own throats.
rwood
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.