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ESPN panelist: Why are we playing a war anthem like “Star-Spangled Banner” before sporting events?
Hot Air ^ | November 8, 2013 | Allahpundit

Posted on 11/08/2013 8:36:37 PM PST by 2ndDivisionVet

Via the Blaze, a possible sneak preview of the left’s next sports-related cause celebre once they’re done making “Redskins” unfit for polite conversation among the enlightened. To be clear, it’s not all pre-game patriotic music that this guy objects to, just the national anthem, and not because it’s the national anthem but because it’s a “war anthem.” The theory, I gather, is that the glory of victory in sports reflects on the song, which in turn reflects on the subject of the song, which in turn conditions people to think that war is awesome and a big game. But all of that depends on the unlikely assumption that most people have the slightest idea what “The Star-Spangled Banner” is about. Here’s an idea for Jimmy Kimmel’s next man-on-the-street feature: Ask people to explain the meaning of the SSB in their own words. There’s something in there about rockets and bombs bursting in the air, and … that’s about as far as the average Frank Drebin can take you, I’d bet. In which case, how much of an ad for militarism is it really? Blackistone seems to think that it persists as a pre-game tradition because it’s about war when obviously it persists because it’s the national anthem, irrespective of its subject. This argument would make more sense as a critique of using sports to instill national loyalty than it does as a critique of militarism.

Fair point, though, in noting the occasional Air Force flyovers at football games. As a young Robert Downey Jr once warned us, football is a cryptofascist metaphor for nuclear war. Exit question: How come we don’t sing the national anthem before movies and concerts too?

(VIDEO-AT-LINK)


TOPICS: Constitution/Conservatism; Culture/Society
KEYWORDS: antiamericanism; nationalanthem; peacecreeps; sports
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---snip---

The Marsaillaise was banned in Vichy France and German occupied areas during World War II. Merely singing it was regarded an act of resistance. Since then the anthem has become controversial in France because of its lyrics. Some consider the French National anthem to be militaristic and xenophobic, and propositions have been made from time to time to change the lyrics or drop the song altogether...

http://www.midi-france.info/06141202_marseillaise.htm

1 posted on 11/08/2013 8:36:37 PM PST by 2ndDivisionVet
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To: 2ndDivisionVet

“Why are we playing a war anthem like “The Star-Spangled Banner” before sporting events?”

because liberals are stupid?


2 posted on 11/08/2013 8:40:00 PM PST by max americana (fired liberals in our company last election, and I laughed while they cried (true story))
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To: 2ndDivisionVet

ESPN is unwatchable. I haven’t watched those pretentious gasbags since the mlb network was launched. Wait - my alma mater had a football game televised by espn, and I watched that. it took me a couple of minutes to find the channel. I couldn’t remember where it was.

they need to go back to broadcasting sporting events and showing highlights. the rest of their broadcast schedule is sheer crap.

. . . And don’t even get me started on the x games.


3 posted on 11/08/2013 8:41:28 PM PST by JohnBrowdie (http://forum.stink-eye.net)
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To: max americana

Because we are war-like, duh! We should sing some sappy “Goodbye my Susianna” or something? Or “Let’s just all get along”?? I think NOT.


4 posted on 11/08/2013 8:42:04 PM PST by bboop (does not suffer fools gladly)
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To: 2ndDivisionVet

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RFcQo_duyJU


5 posted on 11/08/2013 8:43:21 PM PST by BenLurkin (This is not a statement of fact. It is either opinion or satire; or both.)
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To: 2ndDivisionVet

“How come we don’t sing the national anthem before movies and concerts too? “

Been there done that, for movies at least. Always on a military base.

Besides which, sports fans tend to be more patriotic than the average movie or concert attendee, especially the latter.


6 posted on 11/08/2013 8:43:26 PM PST by El Gato ("The second amendment is the reset button of the US constitution"-Doug McKay)
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To: El Gato

Except for country music.


7 posted on 11/08/2013 8:44:02 PM PST by 2ndDivisionVet (Ted Cruz/Sarah Palin 2016)
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To: 2ndDivisionVet

y’all are just tryin’ to make my head explode ain’t ya?


8 posted on 11/08/2013 8:44:07 PM PST by Shadowstrike (Be polite, Be professional, but have a plan to kill everyone you meet.)
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To: 2ndDivisionVet
I was gonna mention La Marseillaise‎. I've read articles that described it as pretty much the "perfect" national anthem. Very martial, upbeat rousing theme, and extremely nationalistic. And there are *far* better reasons for replacing the SSB than the notion that it is a "war anthem". Being a "war anthem" is a large part of why it was selected in the first place. Being extremely difficult to sing is probably the best reason to replace it, if anyone really needs a reason.
9 posted on 11/08/2013 8:44:26 PM PST by Little Pig (Vi Veri Veniversum Vivus Vici.)
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To: bboop

Libtards wage war on America every damn day and they’ve got their panties in a twist? Imbeciles and traitors that need to be hanged, these bastards.


10 posted on 11/08/2013 8:45:26 PM PST by max americana (fired liberals in our company last election, and I laughed while they cried (true story))
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To: max americana

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GRxr_vzc5m4


11 posted on 11/08/2013 8:49:06 PM PST by BenLurkin (This is not a statement of fact. It is either opinion or satire; or both.)
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To: Little Pig

Personally I like YOU’RE A GRAND OLD FLAG BY George M Cohan.

You’re a Grand Old Flag
by George M. Cohan

You’re a grand old flag,
You’re a high flying flag
And forever in peace may you wave.
You’re the emblem of
The land I love.
The home of the free and the brave.
Ev’ry heart beats true
‘neath the Red, White and Blue,
Where there’s never a boast or brag.
Should auld acquaintance be forgot,
Keep your eye on the grand old flag.

You’re a grand old flag,
You’re a high flying flag
And forever in peace may you wave.
You’re the emblem of
The land I love.
The home of the free and the brave.
Ev’ry heart beats true
‘neath the Red, White and Blue,
Where there’s never a boast or brag.
Should auld acquaintance be forgot,
Keep your eye on the grand old flag.


12 posted on 11/08/2013 8:51:48 PM PST by Ruy Dias de Bivar (Sometimes you need 7+ more ammo. LOTS MORE.)
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To: 2ndDivisionVet

It’s not hard to understand why the Marsaillaise has stood the test of time as the French national anthem: it’s one of the most stirring of anthems. And over the years anthems gain tradition. As for the US anthem, it may be hard to sing, but it can be sung, and played by a good band it too is stirring. It also has 83 years of tradition going for it. If the progressives stay in power long enough I fully expect them to try to change it to something “more peaceful.” Can’t think of what that might be. Any ideas?


13 posted on 11/08/2013 8:52:42 PM PST by luvbach1 (We are finished.)
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To: 2ndDivisionVet

Because we hate blacks and Mexicans. THERE, that’s what you want to believe, isn’t it? Does it even matter what anyone answers at this point?


14 posted on 11/08/2013 8:53:58 PM PST by servo1969
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To: Ruy Dias de Bivar

The song I’ve seen most often suggested as a replacement is “America The Beautiful”.


15 posted on 11/08/2013 8:54:42 PM PST by Little Pig (Vi Veri Veniversum Vivus Vici.)
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To: bboop

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2msbfN81Gm0


16 posted on 11/08/2013 8:54:59 PM PST by BenLurkin (This is not a statement of fact. It is either opinion or satire; or both.)
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To: luvbach1
America the Beautiful, This Land is Your Land or some other milquetoast thing.
17 posted on 11/08/2013 8:55:48 PM PST by 2ndDivisionVet (Ted Cruz/Sarah Palin 2016)
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To: Little Pig

Please record my vote to retain the Star spangled Banner as our national anthem. It has tradition. And it can be sung if one starts in a lower key.


18 posted on 11/08/2013 8:56:01 PM PST by luvbach1 (We are finished.)
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To: luvbach1

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WtGrp5MbzAI


19 posted on 11/08/2013 8:57:07 PM PST by BenLurkin (This is not a statement of fact. It is either opinion or satire; or both.)
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To: bboop

I wrote that idiot an email. Asked him why he hated America and our military. Asked what if the Nazis had won the war and would he have liked for his patents and possibly him to be in the death ovens. No reply. Chicken lying liberal.


20 posted on 11/08/2013 8:57:16 PM PST by shankbear (The tree of Liberty appears to be perishing because there are few patriots willing to refresh it.)
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