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

[Steve]

Originally posted by: 2Xtreme21

Originally posted by: Steve

Originally posted by: 2Xtreme21

Originally posted by: Steve
http://www.snopes.com/politics/obama/anthem.asp

I really hope the majority of Americans are unlike some of the posters in this thread - it's people like you that make me reconsider citizenship.

Because we don't worship a piece of cloth? It's people like you that make me reconsider citizenship.

Now I'm 😕

Woops! Sorry, read that wrong.

😀 No worries.

 

[ManyBeers]

Originally posted by: Bateluer
After witnessing several disgraceful displays by idiots at the PF Changs Rock and Roll Marathon this morning, I need to get this off my chest.

When the Star Spangled Banner is played, do you know what you should be doing? I'll give you a hint, if you have a hat on, are doing a thigh stretch, and are discussing the impending run with your buddy, you are WRONG!

I wish I had been able to snap a picture of this girl so I could label it with 'EPIC FAIL' and distribute it around the Internet, but I was actually rendering proper courtesy.

At the RNR AZ Marathon start this morning, I saw dozens of people in various positions when the anthem was played. Absolutely fricking disgraceful. Had anyone been stupid enough to do this during any US Military event, that individual would find themselves in world of hurt.

For those of you who don't know, TITLE 36 > Subtitle I > Part A > CHAPTER 3 > § 301 of the United States Code spells out very clearly what both civilians and uniformed service members are supposed to be doing during the playback or rendition of the Star Spangled Banner. Now, I already knew what needed to be done from 6 years of military service, I am merely posting this as a reference for those who do not know or uncertain.

(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) all present except those in uniform should stand at attention facing the flag with the right hand over the heart;

(B) men not in uniform should remove their headdress with their right hand and hold the headdress at the left shoulder, the hand being over the heart; and

(C) individuals in uniform should give the military salute at the first note of the anthem and maintain that position until the last note; 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.

When you fail to render the proper respect, you not only make yourself look like an idiot, you disrespect the United States and the millions of service people in the military, law enforcement, firefighters, etc, who put their lives on the line every day to make sure you get to sleep soundly at night.

The only part I don't like is the placing of the right hand over the heart . I think for civilians removing hats, standing at attention and facing the flag is sufficient. Just my 2 cents.

 

[oznerol]

The times, they are a-changin'.

 

[LS21]

Originally posted by: destrekor

Really? You REALLY don't get that tradition?

It comes from a time when men were men, were very noble and expressed plenty of chivalry.

the same time when it was okay to take blacks as slaves? its an anachronism

 

[Damn Dirty Ape]

Originally posted by: Skyclad1uhm1

Originally posted by: Bateluer
When the Star Spangled Banner is played, do you know what you should be doing?

Downloading porn?

i lol'd

 

[A Casual Fitz]

LOL I couldn't care less what people do during the star spangled banner. Nor would I care to change what I was doing at the time.

 

[WHAMPOM]

Originally posted by: Bateluer
After witnessing several disgraceful displays by idiots at the PF Changs Rock and Roll Marathon this morning, I need to get this off my chest.

When the Star Spangled Banner is played, do you know what you should be doing? I'll give you a hint, if you have a hat on, are doing a thigh stretch, and are discussing the impending run with your buddy, you are WRONG!

I wish I had been able to snap a picture of this girl so I could label it with 'EPIC FAIL' and distribute it around the Internet, but I was actually rendering proper courtesy.

At the RNR AZ Marathon start this morning, I saw dozens of people in various positions when the anthem was played. Absolutely fricking disgraceful. Had anyone been stupid enough to do this during any US Military event, that individual would find themselves in world of hurt.

For those of you who don't know, TITLE 36 > Subtitle I > Part A > CHAPTER 3 > § 301 of the United States Code spells out very clearly what both civilians and uniformed service members are supposed to be doing during the playback or rendition of the Star Spangled Banner. Now, I already knew what needed to be done from 6 years of military service, I am merely posting this as a reference for those who do not know or uncertain.

(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) all present except those in uniform should stand at attention facing the flag with the right hand over the heart;

(B) men not in uniform should remove their headdress with their right hand and hold the headdress at the left shoulder, the hand being over the heart; and

(C) individuals in uniform should give the military salute at the first note of the anthem and maintain that position until the last note; 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.

When you fail to render the proper respect, you not only make yourself look like an idiot, you disrespect the United States and the millions of service people in the military, law enforcement, firefighters, etc, who put their lives on the line every day to make sure you get to sleep soundly at night.

Oh! Oh! Another fetish topic. You forgot "not legally binding on civilians or civilian groups".

 

[sandorski]

Just paying attention and singing the Anthem or being silent is enough for me. Hats off or Hand over the Heart is optional....although Hats off when indoors is always a good thing.

 

[Rudee]

Get a friggin life OP.

 

[Aluvus]

Originally posted by: TuxDave
Hah wow there's actually a law enforcing proper behavior during the Star Spangled Banner? I learned what you were supposed to do during it but I never actually knew you were bound by law to do it. Seems kind of wrong.

The Flag Code carries no enforcement clause and is essentially saying "this is what you should do, but the government can't make you". It has all the enforcement power of a non-binding "sense of the Congress" statement. It is the studied opinion of the Supreme Court that actions related to the flag should be protected especially strongly as a "freedom of speech" issue, even/especially where those actions may be seen as disrespectful or distasteful by others.

Despite the efforts of some in other branches of government, you may legally do virtually anything with the flag that does not break some other law, including burning it.

Originally posted by: EMPshockwave82
You have the rights but you do not deserve to have them. How exactly is that contradictory?


EDIT:
Defined:

Have - To possess, own, hold
Deserve - worthy of being treated in a particular way

The founders believed that all people intrinsically deserved certain rights.

The reality of the law at that time did not meet that standard, and arguably it still does not, but then they did also believe in working to build "a more perfect union".

Originally posted by: LS21
They tell you to take off your hat. What the fuckdoes a hat have to do with being patriotic? What possible relationship exists between the uncovered head and A FEELING THAT OUGHT TO LIVE IN YOUR HEART?

Removing your hat is a sign of respect toward the flag and what it represents, not dissimilar to removing your hat when you enter a building. I don't know the specifics of how this became embedded in our culture, but it's there. It is a symbolic act, in the same vein as stopping your car to allow a funeral group to pass. Certainly the corpse does not care if you stop or not.

Suppose you have a red, white, and blue hat? Suppose you have a hat made out of a flag? Why would you take it off to honor the flag? Wouldn't you leave it on and point it toward the flag?

As also noted in the Flag Code, the flag should not be made into a garment of any kind. If you have a red, white, and blue hat, then you just have a red, white, and blue hat.

Originally posted by: daniel1113
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?

The Star Spangled Banner celebrates a signficant American military victory in the War of 1812, without which the United States might no longer exist. It is about enduring in a struggle against a vastly more powerful opponent, in defense of one's ideals. This is a distinctly idealized perspective on the War of 1812, but such is the nature of national anthems.

Most people that sing it, or hear it, treat it as just another song. That is certainly true. But if a fraction are reminded of what is good in America, then there is value in that.

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.

They are exercising their freedoms, as they have every right to do. I very much dislike the trope that all sorts of acts are disrespectful toward veterans, both because it is often used inappropriately and because it suggests that everyone that has ever worked to protect American freedoms was carrying a gun.

But the rituals are not pointless. They are a reminder of the dream of what America is supposed to be. There is no king to declare America shall exist, no shared race or religion or thousand-year history to bind its people together. It survives only because its people believe it should. There is perhaps some symbolism in the fact that such rituals are voluntary.

personal liberty (which is, by the way, the only real principle upon which our country is founded)

Oh, surely you jest.

The founders were big on personal liberty, no doubt there. But they also saw the importance of the rule of law, equality before the law, and the principle that the court system and the government in general should be accessible to all. These were not universally held ideas at the time, even in Western Europe, and they still aren't. There were a lot of other important Big Ideas (separation of powers, checks and balances, equality of opportunity), but those are the most critical.

 

[darkdiablo]

Originally posted by: DisgruntledVirus

Originally posted by: darkdiablo
y so srs?

OMG ROFL

That is the only thing I took away from this thread.

Reps +3

I'm glad someone found that picture funny 🙂

 

[Suspicious-Teach8788]

I suppose we, the student section, really disrespect the national anthem by adding our own touch =)

Go Bears!

Ok, I'll stand and I won't be like those idiotic girls who can't handle sun and I'll take off my hat or whatever I'm wearing, sunglasses too, and put my hand over my heart while I face the flag.

 

[AstroManLuca]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cf1HMZbTcz0

 

[AnitaPeterson]

Well, look at it this way:

I'm a foreign national.
I attend a football game in the U.S., where the anthem is played.
I am not bound by the rules/code quoted in the OP.
It is not my anthem, and it's not my country.
I'm actually looking at the Americans around me, just to see what they do during the anthem.
They're giving me the evil eye, glaring at me for my (perceived) lack of respect - not facing the flag, no hand over chest etc. - just looking at them curiously.
I am amused.

There, feel better?

Furthermore... if your righteous indignation is still fuming, ask yourself if you'd feel compelled to do the same things described above, while visiting another country.

 

[dbk]

Originally posted by: sandorski
Just paying attention and singing the Anthem or being silent is enough for me. Hats off or Hand over the Heart is optional....although Hats off when indoors is always a good thing.

Same here except I always take my hat off.

 

[StinkyPinky]

They can do whatever the hell they like, and no one can force them otherwise. As long as they are good law abiding citizens, they can do a sing and dance for all I care.

 

[Jeff7]

Originally posted by: destrekor

Originally posted by: Jeff7

Originally posted by: KeithTalent

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

Typically I go grab a beer.

KT

American beer, right? 😉

mmmm, I enjoy reaching for a Sam Adams whenever I'm doing anything remotely American.
It just feels *so right* to be drinking an American-owned and brewed beer, especially when it bears the name of a great Patriot.
I feel myself get more Patriotic whenever I sip said beer.

If I get to go back in time, I'll find Samuel Adams, and give him a bottle of Sam Adams beer.

Then I'll either come back to the United Breweries of America, assuming he's a fan of beer, and likes that particular beer. Or else it'll be New Britain, following his suicide at the thought that his main legacy will be that a beer will inherit his namesake. 😀

 

[darkdiablo]

Originally posted by: AnitaPeterson
Well, look at it this way:

I'm a foreign national.
I attend a football game in the U.S., where the anthem is played.
I am not bound by the rules/code quoted in the OP.
It is not my anthem, and it's not my country.
I'm actually looking at the Americans around me, just to see what they do during the anthem.
They're giving me the evil eye, glaring at me for my (perceived) lack of respect - not facing the flag, no hand over chest etc. - just looking at them curiously.
I am amused.

There, feel better?

Furthermore... if your righteous indignation is still fuming, ask yourself if you'd feel compelled to do the same things described above, while visiting another country.

qtf

 

[StinkyPinky]

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.

Oh the sweet irony of this. An anthem that celebrates freedom of expression...

 

[rh71]

wow i thought silence and the hat thing was done out of respect and not because there's a United States Code on it.

 

[nakedfrog]

I know exactly what to do--whatever I want. I didn't serve in the military so some clown could shove flag code in my face and tell me I'm a bad American if I don't have my hand over my heart.
🙂

 

[AstroManLuca]

Originally posted by: StinkyPinky

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.

Oh the sweet irony of this. An anthem that celebrates freedom of expression...

I don't think the anthem mentions anything even remotely related to freedom of expression.

That said, it's possible for security to remove people for being especially disorderly. They weren't police - during a game, the team reserves the right to remove people if they think it's necessary.

 

[Eli]

:laugh:

I'm sorry, but if I want to talk to someone, or text, or scratch my ass while the Star Spangled Banner is being sung by some horrible singer that thinks their little twist will make the song better.. I will.

It doesn't mean I don't support or respect our service people. That's silly. It's just a song.

It's also just a flag. I understand and respect the symbolism, but it's still just a piece of cloth. Again, that doesn't mean I don't honor and respect the men and women who have fought to protect our country. 😕

I don't think this makes me un-patriotic, and it certainly doesn't make me a bad person. I just don't identify with those types of things. Just like I don't identify with going bat-shit insane over sports teams.

 

[evident]

i think i agree with you, but you sound like a whiney self-righteous bitch so i dunno.

edit: nah don't agree with you. i think you're a whiney bitch, this is a free country and people can do whatever they want. if people were forced to gravel at the flag this would be north korea

 

[nakedfrog]

Originally posted by: Eli
:laugh:

I'm sorry, but if I want to talk to someone, or text, or scratch my ass while the Star Spangled Banner is being sung by some horrible singer that thinks their little twist will make the song better.. I will.

It doesn't mean I don't support or respect our service people. That's silly. It's just a song.

It's also just a flag. I understand and respect the symbolism, but it's still just a piece of cloth. Again, that doesn't mean I don't honor and respect the men and women who have fought to protect our country. 😕

I don't think this makes me un-patriotic, and it certainly doesn't make me a bad person. I just don't identify with those types of things. Just like I don't identify with going bat-shit insane over sports teams.

Get a job, you hippie! :|

😛