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PSA: Do you know what to do when the Star Spangled Banner is played?

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Pomp and circumstance is mostly ignorant horsecrap. Rampant nationalism is a danger, not a glorious tradition. Only the stupidest and most vile individuals would become aggressive against those who were not participating in such an event.

Mind you, I generally choose to participate in this particular ritual, though not over the last 8 years as protest. As a former military member I assure you you aren't disrespecting me if you choose not to be a slave to ritual, though I do appreciate an individuals acknowledge of, and participation in, their nation.
 
A visitor from Holland was chatting with his American friend and was jokingly explaining about the red, white and blue in the Netherlands flag. ?Our flag symbolizes our taxes,? the man said. ?We get red when we talk about them, white when we get our tax bill, and blue after we pay them.? ?That?s the same with us, the American said, ?only we see stars, too.?
 
In retrospect I hated having to be forced to do this everyday at school.

Nationalism and brainwashing FTL.
 
I have a hard time seeing why it is a bad thing for you to show respect to the country, principles, and people that have given you the right to be as bone headed as you wish.

Its almost sickening how people have died to give others the right to spit on their graves.
 
While I love my country and am proud for what it represents, I think people put too much into the flag and national anthems. Sure, it's a representation of our country, but our actions depict who we truly are, not if we stare at some object with our hats off and hands on our chest. I know most of you will disagree, but whatever. It's my opinion. And for the record, I do take my hat off and do not talk during the national anthem. But that sole fact doesn't define me as an American, not even in the slightest.

Originally posted by: Bateluer
Its almost sickening how people are died to give others the right to spit on their graves.
Click to expand...

Someone not giving 100% attention to the flag during a national anthem is not spitting on a veteran's grave. You, and others, have a twisted way of looking at things.
 
Originally posted by: Bateluer
I have a hard time seeing why it is a bad thing for you to show respect to the country, principles, and people that have given you the right to be as bone headed as you wish.

Its almost sickening how people are died to give others the right to spit on their graves.
Click to expand...

Personally I am glad we do not have such rituals here. I have a strong respect for those that fought for my country, but having to salute a flag and celebrate its greatness gives me the feeling of 'Deutschland über alles', which is something a lot of people gave their lives for to defeat it.

It's a kind of enforced nationalism which may give immigrants the feeling of belonging to the nation sooner, but can fuel nationalism to a dangerous point in others.
 
Originally posted by: Bateluer
I have a hard time seeing why it is a bad thing for you to show respect to the country, principles, and people that have given you the right to be as bone headed as you wish.

Its almost sickening how people are died to give others the right to spit on their graves.
Click to expand...

First of all, it's a meaningless song. The vast majority of the people that sing it do so because it's the thing to do, not because it has any real meaning to it. You consider that an honor?

Second, people that choose not to take part in singing or any other pointless rituals are not spitting on the graves of others, as you put it. They are being individuals in a sea of excessive nationalism.

It's actually a beautiful thing, and anyone that really believes in personal liberty (which is, by the way, the only real principle upon which our country is founded) should support it 100%.
 
Originally posted by: Sentrosi2121
While I agree with the OP that failing to render honor to the American Flag is disrespectful, I also know that there are individuals in this country who have no honor.
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I concur.

 
I hope that "girl" goes on to do more for her country than you ever have.
Just because she didn't respect the national anthem doesn't automatically mean you have to rage against her.
Sure, to you maybe respecting the anthem is important, but there is much more which can be done to honour and show respect to your country than stand around when the anthem is played.
 
Originally posted by: Sentrosi2121
While I agree with the OP that failing to render honor to the American Flag is disrespectful, I also know that there are individuals in this country who have no honor to this country based upon their individual beliefs. And because of the men and women serving in uniform today and in the past have given themselves to protect that honor, I cannot in good sense force my beliefs upon those who will not listen.

In short, I will render appropriate honor to the American Flag and try not to look down my nose at those who fail to.
Click to expand...
Bingo.
I was in the Navy for 9 years. I do what I do because I was ordered to. And now I do it because I want to.
One of the most important rights I protected (and I believe in) is that folks dont have to cry for their country or get all wrapped up in the flag.

They do what they want. And that freedom is much more important that a song or a piece of cloth.
Symbols are just that: Symbols. They are freedom. Excercising freedom is what matters.

I like that we live in a country where people can question their government and interpret it as they see fit. We seem to have lost a lot of that since the attacks of September 11th.
If you get all bent out of shape over a flag you are missing the big picture. The flag will just be a memory of things past if you start with the "You-have-to-believe-this" nonsense.

EDIT:
Sorry for the rant. Looks like 5 other people beat me to it. Several of which were servicemen.
 
I agree with you that what they were doing was disrespectful. I'm not sure that the law is unconstitutional, because there is no punishment for breaking it (for civilians).
 
The last Vikings game I was at some Douche Bag started screaming shit about his team (I can't remember who they were playing, but the Vikings won) during the Anthem. Security came up and everyone pointed him out. Never saw him the rest of the game.
 
Originally posted by: blurredvision
While I love my country and am proud for what it represents, I think people put too much into the flag and national anthems. Sure, it's a representation of our country, but our actions depict who we truly are, not if we stare at some object with our hats off and hands on our chest. I know most of you will disagree, but whatever. It's my opinion. And for the record, I do take my hat off and do not talk during the national anthem. But that sole fact doesn't define me as an American, not even in the slightest.

Originally posted by: Bateluer
Its almost sickening how people are died to give others the right to spit on their graves.
Click to expand...

Someone not giving 100% attention to the flag during a national anthem is not spitting on a veteran's grave. You, and others, have a twisted way of looking at things.
Click to expand...

This.
 
Originally posted by: TwiceOver
The last Vikings game I was at some Douche Bag started screaming shit about his team (I can't remember who they were playing, but the Vikings won) during the Anthem. Security came up and everyone pointed him out. Never saw him the rest of the game.
Click to expand...
Supposedly Viking fans have a reputation for being the loudest.

18 years in MN and I never went to a game. Did see one Twins game though. Wasnt impressed. Never went back.
 
Sweet, so if I want to incapacitate an entire army of US soldiers for a few minutes, I simply have to start playing the Star Spangled Banner? Awesome.

I agree with showing some sense of respect, but geez, enough with all the rituals. Hats off, hand on heart, what's with it? You don't feel pride in your heart; the damn thing is a hydraulic pump. And what is the deal with hats anyway? I loved George Carlin's bit on hats. Some cultures say hats on is respectful, some say hats off is respectful, others say hats off is ok sometimes but not other times.....why not gloves? Or socks?

I'm also not a fan of excessive nationalism. Too often, national boundaries serve as a way to divide people, not unify them. "United we stand, divided we fall."


 
Remove hat, stand in attention. I never did understand the hand of heart thing.

But I agree that worship or symbols and objects as opposed to principles and ideas is counterproductive at best. If only people would display the same fervor when their rights are violated (last 8 years as mentioned above) as they do with shallow gestures.
 
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