Why do we do play the national anthem at some sporting events and not others? How about golf, cycling, and triathalons? And why just sports? Why not every movie screening as in India? Why do it at all? If you research its history (which a lot of people did recently) it has a very choppy history... And, if you must, please sing "America the Beautiful" instead of that awkward, belligerent "Star Spangled Banner".
Let's get rid of any anthem ... it's just music. And the Pledge of Allegiance ... it's only words. And our flag ... it's just a piece of cloth. An marriage vows ... and oath of office ... and baptisms ... and, of course, the Constitution!
Now, now... Political posturing aside, the custom of playing the anthem at selected sporting events is not a global behavior. It could just as easily (and i'll bet someone does it soon) be the opening act at every concert. Every movie showing, every play, every school day, every work day, every church service. Gets spooky if you do it a lot.
Also note that in recent years, the military paid several billion to the NFL to do patriotic shows as well as have the team show their allegiance to the anthem and the flag. So DJT just kinda short circuited that conduit to recruitment.
The most patriotic American thing you can do is peaceful protest. Without it, we might as well be living in North Korea.
ReplyDeleteExcept if you are right-to-lifers peacefully protesting in front of abortion clinics? (Could even be carrying signs saying Black Babies Matter!)
DeleteBang!! Collision at the corner of hit-a-nerve and hit-a-nerve!
ReplyDeleteCan't have two streets named the same. How about "synapse" as the second one?
DeleteWhy do we do play the national anthem at some sporting events and not others? How about golf, cycling, and triathalons? And why just sports? Why not every movie screening as in India? Why do it at all? If you research its history (which a lot of people did recently) it has a very choppy history... And, if you must, please sing "America the Beautiful" instead of that awkward, belligerent "Star Spangled Banner".
ReplyDeleteLet's get rid of any anthem ... it's just music. And the Pledge of Allegiance ... it's only words. And our flag ... it's just a piece of cloth. An marriage vows ... and oath of office ... and baptisms ... and, of course, the Constitution!
DeleteNow, now... Political posturing aside, the custom of playing the anthem at selected sporting events is not a global behavior. It could just as easily (and i'll bet someone does it soon) be the opening act at every concert. Every movie showing, every play, every school day, every work day, every church service. Gets spooky if you do it a lot.
ReplyDeleteMy fuzzy memory suggests that there was some sort of patriotic ceremony during the big war(s) before movies ...
DeleteAlso note that in recent years, the military paid several billion to the NFL to do patriotic shows as well as have the team show their allegiance to the anthem and the flag. So DJT just kinda short circuited that conduit to recruitment.
ReplyDelete