The difference is a University or Pro athletic game are COMMUNITY events. Games are one of the rare occasion that the community gets together where the National Anthem can actually be played and be a unifying experience. Quite frankly, I wish they would do so at the beginning of graduations, plays, and other similar community events. Most City Council meetings and other governmental meetings will say the Pledge of Allegiance, but in those settings you don't have the opportunity for the National Anthem. It saddens me that the Pledge is not done at school anymore either. Patriotism is severely lacking in this Country right now.....
I remember daily in elementary school standing, placing my hand over my heart then reciting the pledge of allegiance in the morning after the bell rang. I do however not recall being told why. Only to do it, or the school would send me to the office and phone home. Forcing elementary school children do something like recite the pledge of allegiance when they can't comprehend why they're doing so... is not patriotism. I personally have no interest in being force fed anything in this world. Telling someone if they don't stand for the anthem they're not a patriot, or they're anti-american is bunk. Just like I have no interest in the media drivel that has been attempting to force feed the populace into one way of thinking.
I agree that they are community events. That's why it confuses me to why it has to be about a "Nationalistic" thing. I apologize if it seems I'm putting words in your mouth, so correct me if I'm wrong please. But to me it sounds more like a "this is a rare chance to get so many people in one area, to make a spectacle of it" to me that seems more superficial or "force fed" like @honkicracker mentioned in his post above. I'll give you governmental meetings, cause that actually has to do with government. But IMO, Graduation, starting a school day, a play, etc, has nothing at all to do with a nation, other than the fact that the gathering is happening within the borders of said nation.
I haven't been in the military, so I've been exposed to various "opinions", but as they say, "opinions are like ass holes: everybody has one." As long as someone isn't outwardly intending to disrespect the flag or the anthem (take off your damn, hat, though), I have little cause for complaint.
I hope you're not cereal. How does a country have thick skin and how is that at all relevant? Thick skin implies that the country is being insulted, so I guess you're admitting that it's disrespectful? I understand protests, but this is only protesting the flag/country. You want to protest racial inequality there are far more effective ways, ways that actually make sense. But I know this is a Blazer board so everything they do is awesome so I'll be alone on this island. I get it.
Patriotism is lame. We don't owe shit to this country or the people who built it. The people who "protect" this country? Yeah, they get compensated to do so. That should be enough. We live here now, fuck it. Its a vehicle.
I like to think that overecessive patriotism or dumb nationalism is a bad bad thing thing. But pride in one's community is not. The desire to protect you and your neighbor's property from being over run. That is a good thing. There's nothing wrong with being proud of some things you will automatically be identified with any way. It's like the Blazers are saying, "We are in this together." We don't owe this country anything. But we do live here. And our good or bad fortune rests on its continued existence. Even if it's soon to be presided over by Dwayne Elizondo Mountain Dew Herbert Camacho.... in the near future.
Not standing at attention in a protest of the flag that itself is supposed to stand for equality. Isn't protesting the heroes who fought and died for this country. Nor is it disrespectful to them. Actually I find it extremely respectful. (As do my great-uncle who was in Nam, and my grandfather who was in WW2. They fought for freedom and the right to exist. As well as equality for all. If I could talk to my great grandfather I'm sure he'd utter the same words as my uncle and grandfather) Disrespectful would be burning, spitting on their uniform etc ~. But no the protesters who don't stand at attention during the anthem are extremely peaceful. I don't like Kap, but I support his right to protest as long as it's peaceful. I don't like football, but I support those players who protest peacefully and those who aren't protesting equally. The flag doesn't represent what it's supposed to. Liberty and Justice for all.
This is what makes our country great. And you should be celebrating the ability fo them to do this. Not condemning. Its like the right wing Jesus freaks that want to ban certain movies.... Banning things like this is what will derail our country. What makes our country great is the freedom to CHOOSE to watch said movie. Or CHOOSE what you want to support without being tossed in a cement box for it. There is nothing here to celebrate other than how great our country is and the fact that we all have the ability to protest without being condemned. The fact the Blazers did it together is the best thing yet and the fact that anyone is upset, offended or annoyed is mind boggling. Second, there are many citizens of this country who have felt the wrath of our past mistakes and don't feel as patriotic as some of us do. Another great thing about this country!! You don't have to worship it to live here!!!! For those with their militaristic, narrow lines of what we should and shouldn't do. Keep that mindset in mind the next time someone forces you to do something you disagree with. Oh that doesn't happen to you because you live in a free country? Then don't do it to others! Don't tell others how to protest and don't tell others how to respect the flag. Everyone's opinion and viewpoint is different. Just sayin...
I'm saying that in context of "Every Man Will Gladly Give His First Born Son For Freedom..." That's a patriotic angle that has been taught since I was born. Public service should be a choice and a respected one.
They can do anything they want. I'll celebrate their right to be disrespectful but I'm not going to celebrate them being disrespectful. I get that they're not trying to be (duh), and they probably actually believe that their actions are doing something worthwhile, I just happen to disagree. It's not like I'm going to stop being a fan or lose any sleep over it. Maybe I really am an idiot, I just think it's misguided and disrespectful. It's pretty amazing how these days it's almost like being patriotic is a bad thing. It's much more hip to be self-loathing and hate 'the man'.
How exactly is it disrespectful? Showing unity and togetherness under the playing of the national anthem is anything but disrespectful. Just because they're not staring at the flag doesn't make it disrespectful.
So in your opinion, they don't appreciate our countries liberty, freedom, or armed forces because they decided to show unity instead of stare at the flag? Ridiculous... I gotta question for you. Do you Clap or cheer during or after the national anthem?
