In the ongoing controversy over the anthem protests by NFL players, today is likely to be one of the most stressful. On Veteran’s Day weekend, many fans are planning to step up their own counterprotest by boycotting the games. The NFL has pledged not to change its policy in allowing the protests. ESPN and the networks been working with the NFL to shield the game from such counterprotests by not showing the anthem or the NFL players kneeling (or commenting on the large number of empty seats at many games). It has resulted in much criticism over the relationship of ESPN and the networks to the NFL as well as their uncertain role as journalists/commentators. In the meantime, the California NAACP has proposed a simple solution: get rid of the anthem. No anthem, no protests. It could bring new meaning to the anthem’s reference to “in dread silence reposes.”
I have previously said that I do not agree with the protests during the anthem. It has nothing to do with the merits of the underlying concerns over criminal justice in America. Rather, I view the anthem as the demonstration of our collective commitment to the Constitution and the values that it represents. We have not always lived up to those values but the anthem is to reaffirm both those values and honor all citizens (veteran and non-veterans alike) who have fought to make them a reality.
One of the most moving and heart-wrenching pictures in our history is the one above of Japanese-American children pledging allegiance to the flag despite being held in American concentration camps. With the support of the Supreme Court in its infamous Korematsu ruling, we denied the most basic rights to our fellow citizens in a racist program of internment. Nevertheless, those families remained true Americans and many would serve bravely fighting for the country imprisoning their families. Many would become our leaders in Congress. They understood that the values of the flag were unrealized and that we had failed to live up to our core beliefs. However, they fought to justice and to make this a better nation. They continued to recite that pledge until they could make those words true and real in their own lives.
Given the view, I obviously do not agree with the NAACP proposal. California NAACP president Alice Huffman insisted “This song is wrong; it shouldn’t have been there, we didn’t have it ’til 1931, so it won’t kill us if it goes away.” She also insists that the lyrics of the “Star Spangled Banner” is offensive: “It’s racist; it doesn’t represent our community, it’s anti-black.”
The racist allegation focuses on the third stanza:
THIRD STANZA (FULL LYRICS AT BOTTOM OF STORY)
And where is that band who so vauntingly swore,
That the havoc of war and the battle’s confusion
A home and a Country should leave us no more?
Their blood has wash’d out their foul footstep’s pollution.
No refuge could save the hireling and slave
From the terror of flight or the gloom of the grave,
And the star-spangled banner in triumph doth wave
O’er the land of the free and the home of the brave.
She says that the stanza celebrate the deaths of black American slaves fighting for freedom,
Ironically, I have never been a fan of the national anthem as a song. I think other countries have songs that are easier to sing and more rousing. I like songs like “Oh Canada” that anyone can sing.
However, there has long been a debate as to the meaning of this stanza. Critics charge that Francis Scott Key was referring to the roughly 6,000 African Americans who fled to the British during the War of 1812. They had reason to do so since the British were promising freedom and it would not be another roughly 40 years for the United States to fight a war that freed the slaves.
However, many historians have argued that the terms hireling and slave were used regularly at the time to describe British soldiers, which included mercenaries.
There is an interesting fact that supports the critics on the possible meaning of the stanza. Key actually fought in a unit against black Colonial Marines and his unit was defeated. Nevertheless, the meaning remains uncertain.
My opposition to the NAACP proposal is not any preference for the song, but notion that the solution to end anthem protests is to eliminate the anthem. I have always been moved at sporting events for my kids as everyone stands for the anthem, often played or sung by kids on the team. It is a feeling of shared values and purpose that I believe we need now more than ever.
What do you think?
STAR-SPANGLED BANNER FULL LYRICS
O say can you see, by the dawn’s early light,
What so proudly we hail’d at the twilight’s last gleaming,
Whose broad stripes and bright stars through the perilous fight
O’er the ramparts we watch’d were so gallantly streaming?
And the rocket’s red glare, the bomb bursting in air,
Gave proof through the night that our flag was still there,
O say does that star-spangled banner yet wave
O’er the land of the free and the home of the brave?On the shore dimly seen through the mists of the deep
Where the foe’s haughty host in dread silence reposes,
What is that which the breeze, o’er the towering steep,
As it fitfully blows, half conceals, half discloses?
Now it catches the gleam of the morning’s first beam,
In full glory reflected now shines in the stream,
‘Tis the star-spangled banner – O long may it wave
O’er the land of the free and the home of the brave!And where is that band who so vauntingly swore,
That the havoc of war and the battle’s confusion
A home and a Country should leave us no more?
Their blood has wash’d out their foul footstep’s pollution.
No refuge could save the hireling and slave
From the terror of flight or the gloom of the grave,
And the star-spangled banner in triumph doth wave
O’er the land of the free and the home of the brave.O thus be it ever when freemen shall stand
Between their lov’d home and the war’s desolation!
Blest with vict’ry and peace may the heav’n rescued land
Praise the power that hath made and preserv’d us a nation!
Then conquer we must, when our cause it is just,
And this be our motto – “In God is our trust,”
And the star-spangled banner in triumph shall wave
O’er the land of the free and the home of the brave.
Please: it’s “O Canada”, not “Oh Canada”, as if the country’s name were something you had just remembered in a trivia contest! 🙂
Singing O Canada was another in a string of failed efforts to persuade the Quebecois to be loyal to Queen and Country. Time to kick the frogs to the curb, take down the Stop – Arret signs, bring back the red ensign, sing The Maple Leaf Forever, and consign the Trudeapian parody constitution to the round file.
What amazes is the sheer gratuitousness of the whole dispute and the injury the NFL has done itself for no good reason. ESPN has also trashed its brand for no good reason. The only explanation that makes sense is that what Glenn Reynolds calls ‘the administrative class’ is so psychologically insular they cannot help themselves.
As for the players, the whole Black Lives Matter discourse is utter humbug. The social position the players occupy is such that they add gracelessness on top of stupidity.
First of all, as a veteran, I’m not watching NFL on TV today. Might not make a difference; but, then, it might. Secondly, I’ll look for the list of NFL sponsors on ESPN and let them know I will not buy their products. (Yes, I have too much time on my hands. Unlike some other veterans who gave their lives to protect the freedoms of those whinning millionaire players.)
WHAT IF: I rally a few thousand veterans to publicly protest the NAACP at NFL games (or NBA, or MLB)? Could I then get public support for barring the NAACP as a way to resolve the ongoing protests?
In most civilised nations the Flag
represents identity,culture and tradition.
Vereran’s Day has a special meaning.
If you can’t respect our FLAG please get a
One way ticket out of here.
Our freedom has been given to us at a very costly price.
“I view the anthem as the demonstration of our collective commitment to the Constitution and the values that it represents.”
Then let’s sing about the Constitution and the values it represents, not about bombs, explosions, death and destruction.
Chris, “bombs, explosions, death and destruction.” had a lot to do with the founding of this nation along with keeping it free.
I lived in the Philippines for a while…people there stand for their national anthem before motion pictures run in every movie theater in the country. If one fails to stand, then one risks life and limb…literally.
This whole thing is utterly trivial. We engage in huge uproar over bodily position during ceremonial recititations, presence of statutes, names on buildings, and we do nothing that will actually change anything.
If we want to change the way we are governed, we must make those who govern feel they are endangered, either at the polls or personally from mobs with pitchforks and torches. Not, “we’re going to camp in your parks and sing songs,” or sit during your songs of tribute, but we are going to tear down your houses and beat you bloody.
No, that would be rude. We are all about making our emotions feel better. Either we have sat for the national anthem or we have cursed for those who did, and so we are righteous and noble in either case. A pox on both sides. Sounding brass. Empty noise.
Meanwhile: America’s 400 richest individuals have more total wealth than the nation’s bottom 64%.
The three richest billionaires are wealthier than the bottom 50%. The bottom 1% of Americans have a negative net worth of $196 billion. The top 1% has a combined net worth of $33.4 trillion.
But let’s not talk about such unpleasant things. Let’s focus on the National Anthem and such.
who cares what the 40 richest people have? Envy is poison. Work harder. Work smarter. Develop gratitude for what you have. What they have is nun yo b’ness……..
Yeah, if you don’t like your situation, climb back into the womb and find a different womb where you can inherit a fortune.
What is your solution, Chris?
“Opportunity is missed by most people because it is dressed in overalls and looks like work” Thomas Edison. Here is just a few of the wealthy people who came from poverty or very modest Income families. Edison, Jeff Bezos, Oprah, Steve Jobs, John D Rockefeller and Henry Ford. Today there 21 billionaires in the world that came from virtually nothing. Why do the people at the bottom think they have the right to reach into the pockets of people who begin just like them but succeed. The majority of the wealthy in addition to jobs give a lot back to society to help the less fortunate.
” Why do the people at the bottom think they have the right to reach into the pockets of people who begin just like them but succeed. ” ?
Envy.
People at the bottom do not think that. If you review ‘Chris P. Bacon’s contributions to these threads, the common theme is seething resentment at people who have skills and accomplishments he does not have and cannot have.
Indeed, but the jobs that Bill Gates and Steve Jobs created via their companies for literally tens, if not 100s of thousands of people in this country are more valuable than their charitable contributions. Income re-distributionists, like billmcwilliams, fail to see that.
You got it Cape Cod.
Chinese proverb
“Give a man a fish and he’ll eat for a day. Teach him to fish and he’ll eat for life”.
Maimonides paraphrased:
“1. The highest form of charity is to help sustain a person before they become impoverished by offering a substantial gift in a dignified manner, or by extending a suitable loan, or by helping them find employment or establish themselves in business so as to make it unnecessary for them to become dependent on others.”
2 Thessalonians 3:10English Standard Version (ESV)
10 For even when we were with you, we would give you this command: If anyone is not willing to work, let him not eat.
Of the 20 wealthiest individuals in the United States, perhaps 7 had an inheritance or parental distribution which amounted to more than a small sliver of their current assets. The other 13 are fabulously wealthy as a result of entrepreneurial efforts.
At least four of the seven heirs have been actively employed in family businesses.
Such brainwashed nonsense, Chris. I have no clue whose womb I came from – foster care was my gig growing up. This is the USA for gods sake – build your own fortune. I am the epitome of the American dream – against all odds. I have a fortune by some standards and am moderately middle class by others.
It is completely baffling why you and Bill care what I or anyone else earns/saves/spends/invests. It effects your life not even a little. In fact, not at all. Well, except that you’ve destroyed your own with envy and resentment. What a waste.
Seriously, fix your head.
Womb envy of a womb that comes with gold otherwise Chris feels he has too hard a road to climb. You climbed out and maybe he thinks that is unfair.
billmcwilliams,
What country on this planet has the economic model you prefer? Then let’s discuss their strengths and weaknesses.
Olly OOP,
I’m talking about the economic model of THIS country. Please give your opinion of its strengths and weaknesses – or do you feel that the statistics I cited are proof that our system has no weaknesses?
Thank you. I’ll wait.
That’s a dodge. What do you believe to be the root cause of the creation and concentration of wealth then? What would you propose be done to increase the wealth of the many relative to that of the few?
I’ll wait.
Olly,
What about TARP?
It seems to me such things make ours more of corporatist than a capitalist system.
Not a root cause, but perhaps an element.
Agreed. Not a cause but a symptom.
Olly,
“What would you propose be done to increase the wealth of the many relative to that of the few?”
Better financial education.
That would simply increase the number of people knowledgeable about the ways a corrupted government could benefit them.
LOL!
I meant making sure people understood compounding interest, crazy financial and insurance jargon, bookkeeping and budgeting, etc.
“The three richest billionaires are wealthier than the bottom 50%”
Let’s get rid of the three richest billionaires. How does that help the 50%?
Allan,
Do you really believe we should “get rid of” the three richest billionaires? Their wealth would simply pass to their heirs. How would that help the 50%?
billmcwilliams – I could get behind deporting the 3 richest men in the United States and confiscating their assets.
PAUL
Why?
billmcwilliams – you REALLY have to ask why?
Those who produce should have, but we know that those who produce the most – that is, those who work hardest, and at the most difficult and most menial tasks, have the least.” eugene debbs
I am opposing a social order in which it is possible for one man who does absolutely nothing that is useful to amass a fortune of hundreds of millions of dollars, while millions of men and women who work all the days of their lives secure barely enough for a wretched existence.
When great changes occur in history, when great principles are involved, as a rule the majority are wrong.
Ignorance alone stands in the way of socialist success. The capitalist parties understand this and use their resources to prevent the workers from seeing the light.
– The Republican and Democratic parties are alike capitalist parties — differing only in being committed to different sets of capitalist interests — they have the same principles under varying colors, are equally corrupt and are one in their subservience to capital and their hostility to labor.
Socialists were not born yesterday. They know how to read capitalist newspapers; and to believe exactly the opposite of what they read.
– These are the gentry who are today wrapped up in the American flag, who shout their claim from the housetops that they are the only patriots, and who have their magnifying glasses in hand, scanning the country for evidence of disloyalty, eager to apply the brand of treason to the men who dare to even whisper their opposition to Junker rule in the United Sates. No wonder Sam Johnson declared that “patriotism is the last refuge of the scoundrel.” He must have had this Wall Street gentry in mind, or at least their prototypes, for in every age it has been the tyrant, the oppressor and the exploiter who has wrapped himself in the cloak of patriotism, or religion, or both to deceive and overawe the people.
The master class has always declared the wars; the subject class has always fought the battles.
– [T]he class which has the power to rob upon a large scale has also the power to control the government and legalize their robbery.
– I am opposing a social order in which it is possible for one man who does absolutely nothing that is useful to amass a fortune of hundreds of millions of dollars, while millions of men and women who work all the days of their lives secure barely enough for a wretched existence.
E.Debbs
billmcwiliams – Debs was an effective idiot. Excellent labor organizer, lousy Presidential candidate.
Paul,
you are entitled to your ignorant, uninformed BS. Seems to be a habitual feature of your “fertile” mind.
“I am opposing a social order in which it is possible for one man who does absolutely nothing that is useful to amass a fortune of hundreds of millions of dollars” —-
Define “useful”…because if this statement refers to greedy, seedy politicians like the Clintons, lobbyists and most cable news political analysts? Then I completely agree.
“Do you really believe we should “get rid of” the three richest billionaires? Their wealth would simply pass to their heirs. How would that help the 50%?”
Your question was my question. It doesn’t help anyone but could jeopardize the economic stability of many in the 50%, Remember, the money of the richest isn’t under the mattress rather it is in the economy providing jobs and a higher standard of living for everyone.
One might want to consider whether or not those very rich people became that way through unfair advantage. If so correct the things government does that provides the richest opportunities that would otherwise not be provided in the free marketplace. Some thought government intervention through Obamacare would alleviate the problem in the healthcare sector. All it did was permit the largest companies to get larger and disallow entry in the marketplace of competition by smaller entities. The entire country is paying for it and we are worse off than ever.
You need to supply solutions because it is better to have a very rich person owning a huge corporation that supplies lots of jobs than that company not existing and a lot of people on unemployment.
Allan,
Is that the best you can say for very rich people? Come – let us praise famous, and RICH people.
Bill, you have suggested nothing and are being of no help in solving a problem that you brought up. I suppose that means you have no solutions suggesting that what we have is the best we can do. I think we can do better, but that wouldn’t suit the desires of the left.
I gave an example of what the left did to aid the rich, something that could be corrected, but did you respond? No. You continued to complain without adding substance.
.
He’s usually babbling about fantasy conspiracies. You expect better?
DSS, I am willing to give him a chance to think and learn. Not everyone remains in the dark counting their toes.
From your mouth to God’s ears.
‘Fraid Bill McWilliams’ pathologies pretty much define him.
We are born ignorant of the world. Sometimes worldly growth ceases, but that doesn’t mean growth stops forever. It can always start again.
‘fraid your naivete and gullibility pretty much define you.
“In all thy getting, get understanding” – Malcomb Forbes
Not subscribing to your witless delusions is neither naive nor gullible.
What fantasy conspiracies are you whining about – or are you intentionally ignorant of all of the important conspiracies beginning with the coup d’etat in Dallas and up to the Drills at Sandy Hook and Las Vegas? And I suppose you still believe that 19 men, directed by Usama in a cave, defeated the entire National security defenses of this country. If it’s any comfort, you aren’t the only naive, gullible sheep in the herd.
There are no ‘important conspiracies’ and there are no man-eating bananas in your john, bill.
Allan,
You must be part of the far left…field. So far out in it that the only solution you offered is to “correct” something.
“You must be part of the far left…field. So far out in it that the only solution you offered is to “correct” something.”
I guess you have difficulty with the English language. Do you have a preference for a second language or has this been a problem of yours since you entered kindergarten?
You complained about something and offered no solutions. I offered a way of thinking about solutions and the meaning behind the problem along with a partial solution. That effort was rewarded with a response from one who apparently can de-codify words for repetition but doesn’t understand the underlying meaning of what those words are trying to say. We see this type of problem in certain learning disabilities. Is that your problem?
Meanwhile: America’s 400 richest individuals have more total wealth than the nation’s bottom 64%.
That’s because the bulk of the income generating assets in this country consist of human capital. When you speak of ‘wealth’ you’re not measuring human capital.
Wealth is an accumulation of money or possessions which is what Bill I believe was talking about not recognizing its artificiality. He doesn’t seem to take into account human capital, both physical and intellectual is what generates an economy. That is a common mistake because a $100 bill is near worthless unless it is backed up by human capital. Bill should think about being on an island with one other person and having to exist off the land. Suddenly all his $100 bills are worthless while human capital suddenly becomes the new currency.
Allan –
are you seriously suggesting/implying we should destroy hundred dollar bills since human capital is more important?
“are you seriously suggesting/implying we should destroy hundred dollar bills since human capital is more important?”
You are not reading carefully nor are you demonstrating any understanding of the world you live in. A $100 bill is merely an efficient form of transferring the end product of human capital. In some countries, the leadership didn’t recognize this and suddenly they ended up with hyperinflation where that $100 bill was in short time worth 1 cent.
On that island I was talking about, that $100 bill might represent a lot less than one match from a small book of matches. You are hung up on money and the amounts of money others have rather than trying to learn what creates money and value. In general, that is what differentiates you from many of the rich.
Billmcwilliams, I see you can’t explain your ideology. Your ideology seems to be all over the place as if ideology is like a Chinese menu where you pick from different columns. The strongest affiliation you seem to have is socialism, but you don’t seem to know much about that either.
Cuba is an example many people use as an example of a successful socialist state. Why are the people so poor and the Castro family so rich?
Billmcwilliams, I see you can’t explain your ideology. Your ideology seems to be all over the place as if ideology is like a Chinese menu where you pick from different columns.
He doesn’t have an ideology. His is a psychological type, not a political one.
DSS, I know that you are likely right, but I want to see if billmc has any guts to actually provide his solutions without weaseling out.
I am going to file a lawsuit against the kneelers and sue them for my season ticket costs. I am not going to any more games. I want my money back. Punitive damages are in order.
Here’s a parody of a chain-gang song that’s easy to sing and neither the NFL players nor NFL owners, nor DJ Trump will protest.
For The Love Of Money
The OJAYS
Money money money money, money [x6]
Some people got to have it, yeah, some people really need it
Listen to me y’all, do things, do things, do things, bad things with it
Well, you wanna do things, do things, do things, good things with it, yeah, uh huh
Talk about cash money, money
Talk about cash money, dollar bills, y’all, come on now, yeah, yeah
For the love of money, people will steal from their mother
For the love of money, people will rob their own brother
For the love of money, people can’t even walk the street
Because they never know who in the world they’re gonna meet
For that mean, oh mean, mean green
Almighty dollar, cash money
For the love of money, people will lie, rob, they will cheat
For the love of money, people don’t care who they hurt or beat
For the love of money, a woman will sell her precious body
For a small piece of paper it carries a lot of weight
For that mean, mean, mean, mean, mean green
Almighty dollar, talkin bout, talkin bout
I know that money is the root of all evil
Do funny things to some people
Give me a nickel, brother, can you spare a dime
Money can drive some people out of their minds
For the love of money, no good, no good, no good
For the love of money, don’t sell your soul for the money, no, no
For the love of money, lay down, lay down, women will
Money is the root of all evil
Do funny things to some people
Give me a nickel, brother, can you spare a dime
Money can drive some people out of their minds
For the love of money, got to have it, I really need it
For the love of money, give it up, give it up, give it up, yeah
For the love of money, got to have it, some people really need it
For the love of money, give me, give me, give me, cash money
For the love of money, I need, I need
For the love of money, give me, give me, give me
For the love of money
For the love of money, how many things have I heard you say
For the love of money, don’t let it, don’t let it, don’t let money rule you
For the love of money, how many things have I heard you say
For the love of money, don’t let it, don’t let it, don’t let money fool you
For the love of money, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah
For the love of money, got to have it, I really need it
Save your soul, save your soul, don’t sell it
For that mean, mean, mean, mean green
People know that money, don’t let money change you
Almighty dollar
Keep on tellin you, people know that money, don’t let money change you
Almighty dollar
Keep on, changin, yeah, changin up your mind
You keep on, you keep on, changin, yeah, changin up your mind
People know that money, don’t let money change you
Almighty dollar
Keep on tellin y’all, people know that money, don’t let money change you
Almighty dollar
Keep on, changin, yeah, changin up your mind
Changin, yeah, changin up your mind
If one can say “I know that money is the root of all evil”, then they can also say that money is the root of all good. Money is nothing more than a totally neutral and nonhuman facilitator that ignorant people do not understand.
No anthem, no protests.
Do you seriously believe eliminating our National Anthem will end protests? It will only validate in their minds that their protests were just and they would find another symbol of America to target. Eliminate this ceremony from the pregame lineup and the NFL will be taking a giant step towards: Not For Long.
I agree with Bob Costas: “The reality is that this game destroys people’s brains.” All of this controversy will just speed up the inevitable demise of the game of tackle football. More and more parents are paying attention to the reality of concussions and brain injuries and are pulling their kids out football. The trend is clear and the NFL is imploding. So go ahead NFL…protest away and bar the anthem…because the game is eventually going to fade away anyway and you are just hurrying its extinction along.
Eventually, there will be high priests to interpret anthems, constitutions, and other sacred stuff. Perhaps, just as the Catholic, Jewish, and Muslim holier than thou, direct line to god claimers, etc they will wear costumes. Religion organizes and controls humanity through a ‘divine’ interpretation of what started out as common sense and mythical explanations; all together to create ideals for life.
The constitution has been amended when necessary, based on common sense. However, it continues to be perversely interpreted base upon biases in society, whether they be ideological or practical. Our common history, that from which we all come, is now being scrubbed clean of what really happened, that from which we learned and should continue to learn. That a reference to slavery remains does more to teach us about this disgusting practice, that was supported by the holiest of the holies, than to remove it. That the freedom to dissent is greater than a quasi religious moment of self gratification for the mere fact of existing in this nation, whether by birth or by foot, is the real issue here. Most Americans have little to no idea of their past beyond that which has been portrayed by John Wayne and now Mel Gibson. White washing the past only leads to those dark ways to return.
This has never been as evident than when we are ‘under attack’. Mickey Mouse could have run this country after 9/11; America was that galvanized; we made do with Bush. Now Trump is creating a new 9/11 around which to rally the ilk that drags this country back. That ilk, ironically, can be found coming from the right and the left. The right exaggerates the threat and justifies the atrocities. The left just wants to stick its collective head in the sand.
America needs to be reminded of its shortcomings as well as its triumphs. Perhaps the ideal celebration of America is to express its faults while singing its praises. Or is it who’s right to dictate how we should pray, cheer, celebrate, etc. Sounds a little extreme, a little Middle Eastern.
issac,
I agree with much of what you posted. That being said, there is a massive hole in your story that has allowed the elephant to come into the room. What was Obama’s contribution that gave rise to the right’s exaggeration and the left’s collective head in the sand?
Olly
There is a hole but it isn’t in my ‘story’. The problems and solutions are American. Obama, Trump, Bush, Clinton and the rest of us are American. Pull in that bipolar radar. Problems are quintessentially to be found in the extremes; the left and the right, as I stated. However, defending faults because of ideological bundling is where the real problem lies. Perhaps there is no greater tribute to America than to take a knee in protest during the national anthem. Perhaps that tribute will remind Americans of a past that seems to want to resurrect itself from time to time. Perhaps that tribute will make the allegiance to the flag, anthem, and country even greater, if not more credible. It is the mindless ideology and nationalism that gets people into trouble. That mindlessness is found on the left as well as on the right.
Spoken by an individual who isn’t an American citizen and has never taken up as much as a BB gun to protect anyone or anything. Yes. Let’s all hang on his words regarding American patriotism and pride. A malcontent, peering over the Canadian border, disgusted and disgruntled by and with the direction of his miserable life.
Nonsense.
Bam Bam-or cartoon character
No, spoken as an American citizen, by choice, something that took over fifteen years, as opposed to happenstance. Spoken as someone who places something above citizenship, that of common sense and universal truth. I peer from within, with a perspective nurtured from without, unfettered by mindless ideology and vitriol. You seem to peer, not at all, simply respond. You must be Trump fodder, mindless reaction to your insignificance. There’s a lot of that going on.
You are a perfect example of why the vetting, by the US, is not up to snuff. Interlopers, such as yourself, have no right to be in the US. You should have been stopped at the border before you were ever allowed to step foot onto soil that you despise.
“No, spoken as an American citizen, by choice”
Issac, why would you choose to change your citizenship status? You could place something above citizenship in Canada as well, right?
He was probably chased out of his home country by individuals brandishing pitchforks and torches.
Well said, and accurate, issacbasonkavich.
issac – spoken as a true Canadian. I would never take a knee for the Maple Leaf because of men far better than you died for that flag. You have not shed blood for the American flag, you have no say carpet-bagger.
You do not get to determine who is worthy! What have you ever done? Teacher, if true, I pity the students who had to suffer your high opinion of yourself and lack of education.
YNOT – I graduated with over 200 semester hours, you only need 126. I have 3 majors and several minors. My masters was 36 semester hours, you only need 24. I had more education than any student I graduated with at either ceremony. This did not include the religion classes the school did not recognize at all. My department ran out of courses to offer for my masters and started offering me independent studies. I took courses with the Medieval and Renaissance department, English department, Education department, history department. I took the courses I thought necessary to prepare me to teach, not the minimum they were going to push me out the door with.
So you went to school a lot. Took loads of courses. But what have you done in the real world? 50 semester hours in basketweaving are ok, but have you worked 40 for 52 doing anything of note?
andrewworkshop – I have spent my entire life being a drag on society. I am a male version of a welfare queen.
So tell me, once the anthem is banned or replaced what song takes its place? Do you know what the previous anthem was?
YNOT – I earned my students’ respect, I did not demand it. I took every bad teacher I had ever had and I made sure I did NOT do what they did. Then I took every good teacher I had and tried to do what they did. I also tried to make it my own, so it fit my personality. You would have been lucky to have me. 🙂
Who here can remember singing or even hearing someone sing the 3rd stanza? In fact, who here remember all the words to the first stanza? The NAACP clearly has run out of things to do. These are not the people who supported Thurgood Marshall and fought lynchings. The organization should abolish itself since it has outlived its usefulness. It is now an organization in search of a cause.
I will agree that O Canada is easier to sing, it only requires you to use an octave, where The Star-Spangled Banner requires an octave and a half. Amateur vs. trained singer.
“NAACP clearly has run out of things to do. ”
What does an organization do when they reach their goals, dissolve? That doesn’t seem to happen because the leaders are then left without a job. What is the NAACP actually protecting? Their own self-interest.
Are there other things the NAACP could be doing to enhance the lives of those the organization was created to help? Yes, but that doesn’t advance the self-interest of the leadership as much as this tripe does.
When Bruce Gordon was the executive director of the NAACP, he attempted to re-orient the organization toward practical social work programs (rather like the Urban League). After two years of tangling with the board, he resigned. Gordon was an accomplished business executive who had better things to do with his retirement. They hired some professional NGO apparatchick named Benjamin Jealous and then committed themselves to that utterly pressing task, a federal hate crimes bill.
It’s an organization run by and for fools.
We are facing a possible nuclear war, climate change, endless wars, 20 Trillion in debt, a totally corrupt political system, outdate and failing infrastructure and massive in equality and this is what you folks are up in arms about…really. F
Apparently so, FRANK. And notice how most of those folks get all flabbered in the gastric regions if you even dare to point out the truths you mentioned.
The left is conducting their version of Mao’s Cultural Revolution. It also has a hint of Taliban w/ all the destroying of historical monuments.
Nicko-
who is “the left” that you refer to? Anyone that knows that most terrorist groups are supported by the U.S., Izzarul, and Saudi Arabia? Terrorism? Check your RIGHT sources.
You are a liar and a racist and you probably support Harvey W too.
Second stanza, fourth line:
As it fitfully blows, half conceals, half discloses?
The NAACP wants to get rid of the anthem? How about we get rid of the NAACP?
No. The predicament we’re in is practically perfect in every possible way. It doesn’t get any better than this:
Foobaw players protesting the national anthem; foobaw fans booing the foobaw players instead of singing The Star Spangled Banner; foobaw owners wringing their hands, beating their breasts, pulling their hair, flapping their arms helplessly at their sides; foobaw sportscasters and foobaw commentators hemming and hawing like students who didn’t do the assigned reading because they thought the subject would be foobaw instead of politics; a President of the United States who has a registered trademark on the phrase “you’re fired,” and who has sued untold numbers of people for interference with a contract, demanding that the foobaw owners should fire the foobaw players, only to be told that not even the POTUS can interfere with a contract; all while the crowds of foobaw fans at the foobaw stadiums keep getting smaller but louder.
No. It can’t get any better than that. It is absolute perfection on Earth. I would not change one jot nor tittle of the whole lame-brained farrago. It’s brilliant. Colin Koepernick is an artistic genius–The Poet Laureate of Foobaw. So many opposing groups of big burly men on and off the field condemning themselves to be sorely afflicted with traumatic brain injuries butting heads together in a farcical pantomime of male sexual rivalry over the possession and advancement of a pigskin toward the goal of defending of the land of the free and the home of the brave under that star spangled banner as it fitfully blows [and] half conceals, half discloses.
I agree with you. The National Anthem celebrates our national values, which, compromised and uncompleted as they are, still reminds us of those truths that are self-evident. After all, in this country, we have the right to protest which would be a crime in other countries. As for the song itself, I would prefer “America The Beautiful”.
Yes. America the Beautiful is far more appropriate. Celebrating nature’s beauty makes sense. Celebrating violence does not.
Chris, No gripe against America the Beautiful or even changing the national anthem, but I find your desire not to celebrate the fallen soldiers that ensured your freedom appalling,
I find appalling your belief that killing people and destroying cities on the other side of the world ensures anyone’s freedom.
Your continual posturing and displays of vicious historical illiteracy are pretty appalling too.
Chris, I didn’t discuss aggression or its definition. What I discussed was that in protecting this nation including your life and the life of your family some Americans were injured or died. I find it appalling that you are reluctant to celebrate the fallen soldiers that ensured your freedom and your life.
Instead, you posture while others have to take your place defending your family.
When has this country’s freedoms ever needed soldiers to ensure our freedom? “since the United States was founded in 1776, she has been at war during 214 out of her 235 calendar years of existence. In other words, there were only 21 calendar years in which the U.S. did not wage any wars.”
Key word: “wage” any wars.
“When has this country’s freedoms ever needed soldiers to ensure our freedom?”
I’m shocked that a person of your apparent age cannot even think of one war. Have you been so ill-schooled?
But, I disavowed the idea of aggression only referring to acts to defend the nation. Soldiers get killed just in training to protect you and your family even if they never fight in a war. Let’s deal only with the soldiers that were injured or died and not the politics behind the events. Are you that self-centered that you can’t recognize someone that directly or indirectly gave his life saving you or one of your family members?
No, that’s an insipid song.
Your aesthetic judgment is as bad as your judgment in every other realm.
DSS – have to agree with you about America the Beautiful. Easier to sing, but has no zing to it. The Star Spangled Banner is about blowing s**t up. 🙂 And surviving.
Is surviving bombardment more important than this:
O beautiful for heroes proved
In liberating strife,
Who more than self their country loved
And mercy more than life!
Or from the 1904 version:
O beautiful for glorious tale
Of liberating strife,
When valiantly for man’s avail
Men lavish precious life.
Diane – you clearly have to lighten up.
That which is insipid is sweet without providing nourishment. Take a sip of this from the second verse.
America! America!
God mend thine ev’ry flaw,
Confirm thy soul in self-control,
Thy liberty in law.
The Constitution is the real target. Leftists want it destroyed. They’ve been at it for all of my 66 years
Reggie – old boy. Who told you that?
ESPN has been a vocal participant in attacks on Pres. Trump.
They are also complicit in hiding the fallout from the players political actions.
Not much of a”news organization”.