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Post by gaetzchamp on May 1, 2006 0:07:10 GMT -5
Ok, usually I don't like to rant and rave about stuff, but I'm a little PO'ed about this.
Today I settled into/onto the couch for one of my favorite Sunday activities, ( Ok, Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, and Saturday) watching the Chicago Cubs on TV. The game was rain-delayed and from the looks of it a little chilly. When the man (I think his name was Henry Bessner...awesome singer by the way) came up to sing God Bless America and the National Anthem the crowd was still talking amongst themselves and having a good time. In every crowd shot there were people still wearing their hats and hardly anyone had their hands over their heart.
What's up with that America? People are dying daily for us and we can't even stop drinking our beers and chatting w/ our friends so we can pay proper respect for God and Country? Man this pisses me off! My uncle spent 3 years in a German POW camp and I'm guessing this scene would not make him too happy.
Take your #%^ hands outta your pockets (yeah they may get a little cold) and place the right one over your heart. Stop drinking your (#$($*# beers and look heaven-ward to the Stars and Stripes as it's being raised and think of how many people have died and are dying for IT and you. If you feel any love for Her, you may even have your lips move to the anthem as it's being sung.
Man, we've got to wake up!!!!!!!!!!!!
gaetz
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Post by sandsman1 on May 1, 2006 0:18:32 GMT -5
i hear ya man it's all the A-holes that are gettin the flag and the in god we trust out of everyones site that are killin the spirit of the U.S.A. i still say if ya dont love the way we doit leave BUT SHUT UP if your gonna stay here i never herd so much bull in my life--- the load for a prez we got should stand up and say thats the way we been doin it since the beginning so if ya dont like it leave or shut up
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inflight22
has rocks in the head
Member since January 2006
Posts: 710
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Post by inflight22 on May 1, 2006 0:28:53 GMT -5
Well, frankly, putting "under God" in the pledge of allegiance isn't the way we've been doing it from the beginning. That phrase was added during the 1950's when we were so damned scared of communists who were atheists that we had to cloak ourselves in religion to appear better than them.
However, I am damned pissed when we have a population of citizens who don't appreciate what we've got, and can't take the time to show respect for a few short minutes out of their lives. We are one of the only countries in the whole world who can speak their minds freely, and who can enjoy such a high standard of living - and yet it appears to me that we are the least faithful and proud and loyal (and the most spoiled) constituents in the whole world.
Whether or not you agree with what our president is doing (I don't!), we still need to be thankful of where we are and who we are.
jj
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Post by Cher on May 1, 2006 9:06:01 GMT -5
I totally agree with you Gaetz and would just once love to have the person singing the anthem stand there and scream ... "Take your %@$% hats off and listen to me" ... before they start singing. Game can't start until the song is sung. Should be mandatory!
I think it should be the way it was back when our first immigrants were pouring into Ellis Island. They were proud to learn to speak english, we didn't have to change everything to fit them.
It's quite simple .. love it or leave it. I'm so sick and tired of all these people who have nothing more to do than find things they think are wrong and try to change them. Americans or not, they should pack their freakin' bags and get out too.
You can't tell me they don't have more to do with their lives that could be much more productive than bitch about our kids saying the Pledge of Alligence in class.
Arrrggggghhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh morons!
(by the way jj I'm with you ... dub'ya's approval rating for me can't get any lower)
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Post by akansan on May 1, 2006 9:23:12 GMT -5
Growing up military really affected the way I view our country and especially our national anthem. My mom gets teary-eyed at every gold medal ceremony she sees on TV. I really think a lot of the younger ones just don't know proper etiquette when it comes to the national anthem. "Which hand do I use?" "If I remove my hat is that enough?" "You mean I'm supposed to face the flag?" Cher - we had someone do that at a football game last year. Our team is generally pretty respectful, but the opposing team was talking and laughing. One of the teachers stopped the music, grabbed the announcer's microphone, and told the team if they couldn't be silent out of respect for our nation, they could just leave now. Their principal was with them. They shut up REALLY quickly. They proceeded to beat us miserably, but that's nothing we aren't used to down here.
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themax
having dreams about rocks
Member since April 2005
Posts: 61
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Post by themax on May 1, 2006 10:14:37 GMT -5
I was at my daughter's high school swim meet last Saturday. A few minutes before the meet was to start a Marine Corp Color Guard entered the building. This was a pretty big meet, 21 teams I think. At any rate the Marines took their positions and the whole time they were making their preparations, you could have heard a pin drop. The announcer announced the Units Number which I don't recall and stated they would be presenting the colors. Without being prompted further, the crowd rose and was silent the entire time they marched the length of the pool. A recorded version of the National Anthem was played and following the anthem the crowd clapped and cheered until the Guard had exited the facility.
That was the most elaborate presentation/singing of the National Anthem I have seen at a High School event of any type. I mentioned in the "Other Hobbies" thread that I officiate swim meets. I wasn't working this particular meet but by virtue of working other meets know most of the Coaches and Officials from other teams. I found the Head Coach of the Host Team after the meet and thanked him for such an awesome presentation of the colors and told him how much I appreciated their effort in arranging it. It was definitely a humbling and meaningful experience. When we all arrived back home and were eating supper, my daughter even commented on "How Cool!" their ceremony was.
Just wanted to share a positive Anthem experience.
The Max
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Post by gaetzchamp on May 1, 2006 10:56:09 GMT -5
Max- Great to hear that there are still some people w/ a sense of pride of Colors and Country! I'm sure it was a great sight to see. I'll never forget after 9/11 when the first baseball game resumed (I think it was at Yankee Stadium) where they had a NYC fireman sing the National Anthem. He had this unbelievable booming voice and I don't think there was a dry eye among the attendees or television viewers. I also despise those idiots who seem to throw their own spin on the anthem and ruin it....ie....Rosanne Barr. Here is a nice baseball/patriotic story that celebrated it's 30yr anniversary last week. I don't remember it as I was still a little too young, but loved reading this story. chicago.cubs.mlb.com/NASApp/mlb/news/article.jsp?ymd=20060424&content_id=1415977&vkey=news_chc&fext=.jsp&c_id=chcBe sure to look at the Photos link and even listen to Vin Sculley's call that day. Do any of you remember this event? Gaetz
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lithrick
no posts
Member since July 2006
Posts: 0
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Post by lithrick on May 1, 2006 16:27:18 GMT -5
It's more than about time that people stood up against the "this is the way it is and if you don't like it, leave!" attitude. We have a government that plotted and succeded to kill thousands of its own people(that's right... 9/11!) just to have an excuse to strip away individual rights and start a war that is about nothing more than protecting oil supplies. "In God We Trust"? "One nation under God"? Get real. The vast majority of people who claim to be Christian are just going through the motions. We have a nation that is rich in its religious diversity, and not all religions (Thank The-Gods!) are mindlessly monotheistic. This hat stays on.
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Post by Cher on May 1, 2006 17:17:09 GMT -5
You're saying our own government flew those planes into the WTC?
And you're saying you wouldn't take your hat off when the National Anthem is being played or when the flag is being raised?
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Post by pho on May 1, 2006 18:23:47 GMT -5
LithRick?...what damn country you from dude?.....I beleive in freedom of speech....but your comments have gone too far. None of those people who flew those airplanes into those buildings were Americans. ....I ain't gonna say any more about this..I am totally PO'd now....
Pho
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Post by krazydiamond on May 1, 2006 18:51:14 GMT -5
.......and that is what "Life, the Universe and Everything" is all about. i don't agree with Lithrick, but i bear arms to defend his right to post what he believes in.
it is our right, as free people to say what we want without fear. i don't speak out much about politics nor religion, but i believe in America, sometimes misguided, but always, her people are well intentioned if not their leaders.
this whole immigration protest today is an interesting bone of contention, especially in our hosehold. my husband jumped through all the hoops, filled out all the forms, paid all the fees and is proud to be an American. was all our effort, playing by the rules, following the law just silly when he could have just come and stayed illegally?
(by the way, he's been paying US taxes since 1981).
sorry to go off on a rant here.....but i can, i'm free!
KD
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Post by hermatite on May 1, 2006 18:58:00 GMT -5
I'm a poor immigrant girl and new to the ways of your country. I find the US frustrating at times, but hey,I found Canada that way too. Maybe I'm just hard to please. The thing is, not standing at attention during the national anthem isn't some sign of a larger protest. Its just boorish and illbred. Those peopl weren't saying we don't approve of our government, they were just, I suspect, waiting for what they perceived as "the boring part" to be over. It wasn't a philosophical social stand...it's just sad and it behooves someone to mention that its wrong...and I'm glad gaetz did.
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Post by Condor on May 1, 2006 19:19:36 GMT -5
I feel the same way too Gaetz. It ticks me off to no end to see people not stand up or take their hats off during the playing of our National Anthem. That said, and as a former Airborne Ranger Infantry Officer, I must say that the reason I served my country was for exactly people like LithRick. He has every right right to say and believe as he pleases because this is what our great country is all about. I may not like it, nor agree with it, but other countries with other governments would not tolerate him. He' d be executed. Our men and women are dieing in the war defending people like him all for the good in keeping our country a democracy. So as bad as it may seem, and as much as we may not agree with it, there will always be people who will dis their own country. One thing is for sure. I will gladly accept and polish rocks from any country no matter what their origin.
Condor
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Post by cpdad on May 1, 2006 20:28:15 GMT -5
as far as the national anthem goes...my son has been taught to respect it with great pride..as i do...he has been a part of sporting events all of his life..racing..all star little leaguer...attending minor league baseball games..minor league hockey games..arena football...and if at any time if he ever decided to not stop what he was doing once the anthem started...take off his hat..and put his hand over his heart...I WOULD TAKE HIS ASS TO THE WOOD SHED..RIGHT THERE..and i mean it...and if you were beside me at one of these functions...and didnt show the respect for the anthem...i would tell you in a minute how disrespectful you are...if my son ever showed disrespect to anyones religion..culture..anthem..or anything else...once again..I WOULD TAKE HIS ASS TO THE WOODSHED...just my thoughts on the national anthem.
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Post by gaetzchamp on May 1, 2006 22:43:44 GMT -5
Lithrick-
That's a pretty bold statement about the government plotting to cause planes to slam into buildings, running the stock markets into the ground, and wasting billions of dollars on security measure after security measure (all by-products of the "alleged" American plot.) You are probably one of those guys that thinks we never landed on the moon too, huh?
Think what you may, say what you want, but I'm still trying to determine why you won't properly address the colors and anthem? Don't you love our country, our freedoms, our principles even if you don't agree w/ our leadership or policies? We can lose hope on our leaders but I surely hope we don't love hope on our fellow citizens and our nation as a whole.
Sorry you feel the way you do. I hope the next time you see the raising of the stars and stripes and the person singing the anthem is a vet, policeman, fireman, or other public servant (that he/she's protecting your rights and freedoms) and that maybe you should give them the respect they deserve.
I've got to go now and take another look at the footage of Tranquility Base and see if I can see the freaky studio lights in the shadows and the fake volcanic ash. You have made me start to question lots of things now!!!! HMMMM maybe the Tsunami and hurricane Katrina were caused by the damned US government too. I've heard that contrails can affect climates, oooh this is all starting to make sense now!!! Off to Google I go.
gaetz
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lithrick
no posts
Member since July 2006
Posts: 0
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Post by lithrick on May 2, 2006 13:49:17 GMT -5
Gaetz, You make a good point that even if one distrusts their government, they certainly don't have to dis everything about their country or give up hope in its people. Thank you for that. It concerns me that sometimes patriotism/nationalism can go too far, though, to the point that one often fails to look outside of their own country's perspective. Thousands of our troops have died over in Iraq and Afghanistan, but there are reports claiming that for every one Usamerican killed, there are tens of Iraqis and/or Afghanis slaughtered. We never hear anything about them, yet they are our brothers and sisters too. A song that was written and popular over 20 years ago is today more relevant than ever. Check out the lyrics to the old Iron Maiden song "2 Minutes to Midnight". It is chock full of powerful, symbolic statements about the causes and costs of war.
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Post by Cher on May 2, 2006 15:05:13 GMT -5
Rick, I would hope in the future you will consider showing respect for our flag and National Anthem. Disagree or disrpect our government if you wish, but there's absolutely nothing wrong with showing you respect the "country" you are from. Patriotism is very important, if you're not in the service, the least one can do is to show that we are united.
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inflight22
has rocks in the head
Member since January 2006
Posts: 710
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Post by inflight22 on May 2, 2006 17:02:50 GMT -5
I agree with Cher.
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lithrick
no posts
Member since July 2006
Posts: 0
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Post by lithrick on May 3, 2006 14:20:27 GMT -5
I would be selling my soul and my conscious if I showed respect to the national anthem, pledge of allegience, or to the flag itself. I will not bow to evil to simply please the majority.
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Post by pho on May 3, 2006 14:26:37 GMT -5
Then you must be a commie. You are un-American and do not deserve to live in this country. I guess you don't beleive in God either eh... It is people like you who will try their best to bring this country down. Well..forget it commie...it will never happen because there are too many people willling to fight and die for this country and what it stands for. Love it or leave it...
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