Senator Barack Obama and National Anthem

As with many things in sports, playing the anthem is TRADITION, and I see nothing wrong with it. Certainly nothing offensive LOL! If any of you watched the recent NFL game played in London between the Miami Dolphins and the New York Giants, you would have seen, and loudly heard the crowd singing Englands national anthem. It sounded (and looked) as if every single person in the crowd was singing, and singing loudly. You can bet that they don't have the same attitudes about hearing the anthem at sporting events as we appear to.

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Folks...there's no need to get personal on this thread. Discuss and debate in a civil manner without pointed personal attacks, or inflammatory comments/generalizations please. Sometimes it helps to go BACK and re read what it is you object to to give yourself another opportunity to understand not what you think the person was trying to impart...but what they actually were saying.

Also consider that we have posters from likely ALL religions/belief systems/faiths on this forum...from other countries and different areas of this one, with different backgrounds, upbringings, and beliefs.

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Sometimes he does put his hand over his heart and sometimes he doesn't, just like President Bush. I've seen pictures of both of them showing that that's true. This is a non-issue as far as I'm concerned. Since most people don't put their hand over their heart either it's just hypocrisy to expect our politicians to do so. And if Obama must do it every time to prove his patriotism then shouldn't Bush too?

banditxx99

As with many things in sports, playing the anthem is TRADITION, and I see nothing wrong with it. Certainly nothing offensive LOL! If any of you watched the recent NFL game played in London between the Miami Dolphins and the New York Giants, you would have seen, and loudly heard the crowd singing Englands national anthem. It sounded (and looked) as if every single person in the crowd was singing, and singing loudly. You can bet that they don't have the same attitudes about hearing the anthem at sporting events as we appear to.

I totally agree with NPR dude's take...it's a special song...play it on special occasions. 100+ baseball...80+ hockey...16+ football games...are not special. 

I admit to liking IT during Hockey games tho, because when they say the "Rockets red glare..." I get to yell RED WINGS to counter the lame-o Stars fans 'STARS!' But I am still holding my beer.

I don't know about you, but I don't go to 162 baseball games, 80 hockey games and 16 football games. I do go to 8 football home games and a few baseball games, and the anthem is something I look forward to. Seriously, how many times do you personally hear it at sporting events? Most television broadcasts don't show it, unless it is a playoff game.

So when you hear the anthem at a game it doesn't give you a good feeling? Or are you really that numb to it and wish it would just go away?

 If they completely eliminated the anthem from sporting events, nobody would miss it? I would.

maizysmom

       I feel he should hold his hand over his heart out of respect for our country and flag. If he does'nt like it here , than move to a communist country and see what it's like.  I don't understand why you don't have "unconditional love for your country and why you have a problem with"GOD".   Soldiers are getting killed for people like you and you don't feel you should love your country?  If you were my child's teacher, I would have a big problem with that.  My father fought for our country and every holiday we hung the flag to wave proudly and at dusk, took it down and folded it the proper way.My father loved this country and saw what it was like in war torn countries, and he instilled that in me.  Our poor Vietnam vets never got a warm welcome back, and I'm afraid it may be the same thing all over again for these men getting maimed for people who don't really appreciate their freedom.Our leaders should set examples!

These things are symbols and plenty of people fly the flag and do all sorts of outward things just so people will think they're patriotic but really inside they couldn't care less. And the converse is also true. You don't have to wave things around and be loud to have feelings of patriotism. But I am not a "My country right or wrong" type of person. If this country keeps going the way it is starting to go now, I feel no obligation to keep on loving it and I would not feel right swearing an oath that basically says that I will. That has nothing to do with the people who choose to join the military and how I feel about them as human beings.

How many people driving around right now with flags plastered all over their cars would be willing to join the military or have their kids join the military? I'm guessing a pretty small percentage. 

As far as the pledge of allegiance and the under god line, well I am an atheist so why would I be swearing that kind of oath regarding something I don't believe in? Again, it has nothing to do with anyone in the military and how I feel about them as human beings. All human beings deserve respect and I definitely feel for our service men and women right now as they are fighting and dying for a very ill-conceived and murky purpose that really doesn't' have much to do with protecting anyone in this country. I wish they weren't being asked to do that and I definitely wish they could all come home to a big warm welcome tomorrow. Nothing would make me happier. 

There are other patriotic songs that move me FAR more...and no not that awful Koby Teef one. They should rotate between the other nice patriotic tunes out there...or heck even throw in a state song now and again for variety.

I will say this tho...if they played the Hendrix version I would SO be rockin' and enjoyin. Every time.

I think driego said it all----If you come from a military backround or were taught to appreciate what our fathers fought for, you will feel especially strong about our country and flag .I also detest seeing the flag  being burned.  No one is happy about this war and how our country is going to pieces,but we still need to support everything it stands for and be united.

Frankly, I think it's completely ridiculous that this has become such a big deal. Who cares whether or not he sings along with the national anthem or puts his hand over his heart for the pledge? I don't do either of those things, and it would have absolutely zero bearing on who I voted for one way or the other. There are far more important issues to be concerned with, like, you know...that whole war that's going on in the middle east.

It's still early in the game, but based on what I've seen so far, my vote is going to Barack. He's awesome.

houndlove

If this country keeps going the way it is starting to go now, I feel no obligation to keep on loving it and I would not feel right swearing an oath that basically says that I will.

   I cannot help but think that the country is going in the direction it is going because of lack of committment and personal sacrifice and honor and courage and morality. That is my opinion and is not meant to suggest that you are lacking.

houndlove

All human beings deserve respect

a basic respect is needed for all humans, just because they are human, but otherwise I think respect is earned and is not a given.

houndlove

fighting and dying for a very ill-conceived and murky purpose

 This could be said for any war and all wars. I am still glad there were those willing to go and to serve.

houndlove

How many people driving around right now with flags plastered all over their cars would be willing to join the military or have their kids join the military?

I have served and would again (they will not have me since I am old now), my husband served and would again, my oldest joined the Marines and was rejected due to a large knot on his knee. He is still getting over the fact that he is unable to serve. My youngest wants to join the Navy and be a fighter pilot.

 As a mother my heart stopped a beat when my oldest went down to enlist. There is a war and I was afraid, but I never told him that, and I am proud that he was willing.

I stand at attention when the anthem is played.  I don't put my hand over my heart.  But I darned sure don't stand there with my hands clasped in front of me either.

If Obama wants to be the commander in chief of our military services, he better show some respect to the flag.  Those stars and stripes are one common denominator for all our boys overseas.  It's a symbol, true, but a powerful and emotive symbol to those of us that have worn a uniform and faced conflict in the name of our country and underneath of that piece of fabric.  

I don't think he disrespects this country by doing that, but I think he disrespects the boys in uniform whereever they are serving.  JMO. 

IDK, I was raised to show things like the flag, the National Anthem, The Pledge, etc, respect.  I had/have family members who served/are serving.  To not show respect, regardless of whatever feelings I had (not everything is all about me and how I feel), would be like spitting in the eyes of my Grandfathers, my brother-in-law, and my step brother.

That will be the message that is passed along to my kids as well.... 

sillysally

IDK, I was raised to show things like the flag, the National Anthem, The Pledge, etc, respect.  I had/have family members who served/are serving.  To not show respect, regardless of whatever feelings I had (not everything is all about me and how I feel), would be like spitting in the eyes of my Grandfathers, my brother-in-law, and my step brother.

That will be the message that is passed along to my kids as well.... 

Very well spoken Christina.  That's what I was trying to say. 

Xerxes

sillysally

IDK, I was raised to show things like the flag, the National Anthem, The Pledge, etc, respect.  I had/have family members who served/are serving.  To not show respect, regardless of whatever feelings I had (not everything is all about me and how I feel), would be like spitting in the eyes of my Grandfathers, my brother-in-law, and my step brother.

That will be the message that is passed along to my kids as well.... 

 

Very well spoken Christina.  That's what I was trying to say.