Well, Sundays are now shot

[GFC]

I’m and old fart, kind of along the lines of Mike Ditka, who recently shared his feelings about people who participate in professional sports and kneel during the National Anthem. Unlike Mike Ditka, it also offends me that they have taken to playing some other “anthem” before some games.


Ditka and I may be part of a dying breed of patriots who believe if you live here you should show respect for our flag, our National Anthem and our country. If you can’t do that then maybe this is not the right place for you to call home. If a person feels strongly that this country is so bad that they cannot stand for the 1:40 that it takes to play the National Anthem I’m sure they wouldn’t want to live here and could pick somewhere else.


I’ll be the first to say that our country is not perfect. But show me another country where people enjoy the freedoms we enjoy and the standard of living that is available if one is willing to work for it.


So with Sunday not being consumed by baseball (which I never watch anyway, it’s about as exciting as watching grass grow) or soccer or football that leaves me lots of time for new activities. I’ll think of something to do. Maybe watching the grass grow or paint dry.


What say you?

 

[menzies]

I give it half a day.

 

[RonR]

Agree, but I can't say I have watched any pro games in 10+ years.

But if you want to fill your days... you should get a boat that needs varnish!

 

[GFC]

Agree, but I can't say I have watched any pro games in 10+ years.

But if you want to fill your days... you should get a boat that needs varnish!

I'd rather watch 10 teams kneel! Just kidding. Sort of. One of the things I insisted on when we were boat shopping was no wood on the exterior.

I buy boats to USE them, not have them ABUSE me!

 

[catalinajack]

This rabid patriot is diametrically opposed to your opinion. But, I do respect your opinion and your right to hold it.

I’m and old fart, kind of along the lines of Mike Ditka, who recently shared his feelings about people who participate in professional sports and kneel during the National Anthem. Unlike Mike Ditka, it also offends me that they have taken to playing some other “anthem” before some games.


Ditka and I may be part of a dying breed of patriots who believe if you live here you should show respect for our flag, our National Anthem and our country. If you can’t do that then maybe this is not the right place for you to call home. If a person feels strongly that this country is so bad that they cannot stand for the 1:40 that it takes to play the National Anthem I’m sure they wouldn’t want to live here and could pick somewhere else.


I’ll be the first to say that our country is not perfect. But show me another country where people enjoy the freedoms we enjoy and the standard of living that is available if one is willing to work for it.


So with Sunday not being consumed by baseball (which I never watch anyway, it’s about as exciting as watching grass grow) or soccer or football that leaves me lots of time for new activities. I’ll think of something to do. Maybe watching the grass grow or paint dry.


What say you?

 

[ktdtx]

Sports, to me, are a diversion-entertainment. An escape of sorts from the real world where politicians have managed to insert themselves into nearly every facet of my life.
Now, they have stuck themselves and their political correctness and views into my diversions

 

[menzies]

Sports, to me, are a diversion-entertainment. An escape of sorts from the real world where politicians have managed to insert themselves into nearly every facet of my life.
Now, they have stuck themselves and their political correctness and views into my diversions

Just as well they haven't inserted themselves into your actual boating in any way, right?

Oh, wait...

 

[rsn48]

I’ll be the first to say that our country is not perfect. But show me another country where people enjoy the freedoms we enjoy and the standard of living that is available if one is willing to work for it.


Canada, England, and a host of other countries.

 

[catalinajack]

Australia, New Zealand, Switzerland, The Netherlands, plenty more. Many Americans are of the mistaken belief that we are the best of everything which is simply not true. Also not true is that everyone not American wants to be an American. Now, I love this country with all of its warts but the best? Certainly not. I am familiar with a number of folks who openly muse about becoming ex-pats. Why? I looked seriously into emigrating to Canada but Canada has no interest in retired folk who will likely be a strain on their far superior medical system.

I’ll be the first to say that our country is not perfect. But show me another country where people enjoy the freedoms we enjoy and the standard of living that is available if one is willing to work for it.


Canada, England, and a host of other countries.

 

[RT Firefly]

Greetings,
Mr. GFC. I think ANY citizens of ANY country should be proud to stand for their national anthem and pay suitable respect to their flags. There are many other forms of protest that don't crap all over national symbols.


I hesitate to mention but the Scandinavian countries have it pretty good. According to this site the US is ranked #13 BUT it's still #1 in a lot of ways.


https://worldpopulationreview.com/country-rankings/standard-of-living-by-country

 

[MYTraveler]

This rabid patriot is diametrically opposed to your opinion. But, I do respect your opinion and your right to hold it.

Maybe I have gotten confused by all of the double negatives, but THIS rabid patriot is diametrically opposed to your opinion, and in complete agreement with that of the OP. I won't be watching any kneeling or listening to any alternative national anthem (or even watching any movies staring leftists -- not because I am boycotting, but now that I know their extreme political views, they are type cast for me and I cannot believe them in the role of a normal person).
Edit -- having read more of your post, I think everyone would be better off if you moved away. Hopefully, you will find some country that will take you.

 

[menzies]

Here we go.

People just can't debate the issue without attacking the person.

 

[Lou_tribal]

I’ll be the first to say that our country is not perfect. But show me another country where people enjoy the freedoms we enjoy and the standard of living that is available if one is willing to work for it.

No offense and don't mind me but maybe you should travel a bit more to foreign countries so to be able to compare.

L

 

[Frosty]

Edit -- having read more of your [catalinajack] post, I think everyone would be better off if you moved away. Hopefully, you will find some country that will take you.

catalinajack,

Please don't move away unless you want to. I support the concept that one doesn't need to accept everything about their country to be a "patriot" and to be welcomed to stay. In fact, the people who stay and work to change things get my full respect. It always sounds a little off to me to hear "love it or leave it." What did people fight for? The right to say "yes sir, whatever you say sir, or I'll meekly leave my country"?

To me the spirit of the USA (if there is one spirit) is a certain vibrancy and energy to change, improve, go-and-do-and-be. That's when we shine. Not marching lockstep.

I'm sure there are many US citizens here who don't think as I do. I would never say we would all be better off if they moved away, even if I might think to myself at certain moments. Diversity is one of our strengths (and could be even better).

(Of course we did score big time when certain scientists, doctors, and intellectuals left their own country and came here to the US, so I guess if people like you leave, other countries will reap the benefit.)

 

[Kawini]

I don’t agree that America would be better if CatalinaJack moves away. I think he should stay. Isn’t the idea of our “great nation” that we are free to have and to express our opinions, no matter how unpopular? MYTraveler can stay too, just so long as he learns to play by democracy rules.

 

[Northern Spy]

What exactly is the point of playing the national anthem prior to a sporting event anyways?

It's actually a holdover from WW2 baseball.

Maybe it's time to stop the tradition. Pull the stage from the actors. Judge them on how well they play the sport and not their politics. Heck a lot of them aren't even Americans.

Play the national anthem at functions and occasions where it is appropriate.

 

[MurrayM]

What exactly is the point of playing the national anthem prior to a sporting event anyways?

It's actually a holdover from WW2 baseball.

Maybe it's time to stop the tradition. Pull the stage from the actors. Judge them on how well they play the sport and not their politics. Heck a lot of them aren't even Americans.

Play the national anthem at functions and occasions where it is appropriate.

Bit of history:

https://www.huffingtonpost.ca/entry...-sports_n_5afc9bcfe4b06a3fb50d5056?ri18n=true

Always thought it was weird having Canada's national anthem played before local gymnastics competitions.

 

[MurrayM]

Then again...it's always uplifting to hear Canadian hockey fans out singing Russians and Americans on their own soil

 

[ktdtx]

Canada has no interest in retired folk who will likely be a strain on their far superior medical system.

I have no first hand knowledge, only anecdotal but I'm not sure this is totally correct. Of course it might depend on which parameters you are comparing.

 

[O C Diver]

I don't pay to attend sports events and almost never watch them on TV. Having spent my working career in a leisure recreation industry (scuba diving), I'm a strong proponent of participate sports and activities as opposed to spectator sports (12 ounce curls [beer drinking] while watching the NFL isn't a sport).

That said, I pray that the NFL plays this fall and there is a super bowl. The absolute safest boating day in the USA is super bowl Sunday. There is nothing else that keeps the brain dead alcoholics and no boating idiots off the water like the super bowl.

Ted

 

[Andy G]

Well Mr GFC you certainly stirred up a nest of hornets.

Personally, I am against commercialisation of national anthems, seems to cheapen the concept.

I have always thought that France has the best anthem.I don't know what exactly makes a great anthem but the french hit the bulls eye with the marseillaise.

Courtesy of one of my favourite movies.

 

[RT Firefly]

Greetings,
Mr. AG. Your post prompted me to look into other national anthems. Here is one person's opinion. I must say, they're all good but take particular note of the South African anthem. Interesting, laid back (to me at least) song.

 

[MurrayM]

Greetings,
Mr. AG. Your post prompted me to look into other national anthems. Here is one person's opinion. I must say, they're all good but take particular note of the South African anthem. Interesting, laid back (to me at least) song.

Hi RT...your post prompted me to look into the history of O Canada and was much surprised by what I didn't know:

 

[Woodland Hills]

Can anyone explain why the national anthem is played before sporting events in America? What does patriotism have to do with sports, professional or otherwise? I fail to see what playing a stick and ball game has to do with love of country......

 

[RT Firefly]

Greetings,
Mr. WH. Answered in post #'s 16/17, I think.

 

[cardude01]

Just FYI, the kneeling during the anthem is not about the flag. The aim is to bring attention to systemic racism in our country.

 

[O C Diver]

The NFL and it's teams are a business. The players are hired under contract. Find it hard to believe there isn't a moral turpitude clause in the contract regarding behavior on and off the field. Simply make it known that standing and proper observance of the national anthem procedures is required as part of employment. While waivers may be granted at the discretion of the team and league, violators will be fined 1/2 a days pay (annual salary ÷16) for unauthorized variances.

Ted

 

[Northern Spy]

Yes it is about the flag and the anthem. This is how they get a reaction from the spectators.

They are using the flag and anthem as a political tool. One could say that the team owners are also using the flag and anthem as a tool.

If they really wanted attention that involved actual personal sacrifice, they could kneel when the football is snapped, when a pitch is thrown, during a jump ball,a face off or a scorching serve. Kneeling during the flag and anthem is Kabuki theatre.

The American flag and anthem has turned into a jingoistic sales gimmick or anti-establishment lever.

Just FYI, the kneeling during the anthem is not about the flag. The aim is to bring attention to systemic racism in our country.

 

[MurrayM]

Just FYI, the kneeling during the anthem is not about the flag. The aim is to bring attention to systemic racism in our country.

I would like to point out that kneeling has worked, because people are talking about it and once in a while the original reason percolates through the noise.

 

[Woodland Hills]

Greetings,
Mr. WH. Answered in post #'s 16/17, I think.

That’s why we started 75 years ago, but why are we still doing it in 2020? Is it because we feel a need to overcompensate? Like those “we’re number 1” chants when we haven’t been number 1 in much of anything good in decades?

It is sad to see a country so obviously in decline while it’s citizenry loudly proclaims that things are just fine and that nothing has changed.