Does the National Anthem mean anything...anymore...

BBUK

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I was at my oldest daughters graduation last Saturday. (In Miami). The National Anthem was playing. A man was walking his daughter (She seemed about a year old.) up and down the stairs for no particular reason and making noise doing it.
I was at attention with my hand over my heart. (I usually salute but didn't this time for some reason.) I had enough of this man's disrespect and was getting ready to say something when...

...my son came walking down the stairs with his son, my grandson acting the same way. I was demoralized. I couldn't even speak. My son is a six year Iraqi vet... I am still not over this. The country is not the same. I really hurt to this day and I know I will for a long, long while.

I've failed in many things but this hurt more than all of them other than my children not being as close to God as I hoped and tried to influence. I am not sure if anyone can know my love for this country and the failure I have felt since this day.
 

DaBossIsBack

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It's been going on for years. I can't tell you how many times I've went to my daughter's cheerleading competitions and people don't take off their hats or be quiet and face the flag. Some also keep walking around as well. I was taught at an early age to respect the flag and the National Anthem. Maybe they need to have mandatory classes in school about etiquette when the National Anthem is playing since people evidently aren't being taught anymore.
 

WildcatfaninOhio

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One the most wonderful things about these here United States of America is that we enjoy many freedoms. We are free to stand during the anthem, or not. We are free to honor the flag, or burn it in protest. We are free to participate in a religion, or to live without religion.

The flag, the anthem...those are just symbols. Be happy for all the freedoms that they represent. Don't cherish the symbols. Cherish the freedoms that they represent.
 

BBUK

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One the most wonderful things about these here United States of America is that we enjoy many freedoms. We are free to stand during the anthem, or not. We are free to honor the flag, or burn it in protest. We are free to participate in a religion, or to live without religion.

The flag, the anthem...those are just symbols. Be happy for all the freedoms that they represent. Don't cherish the symbols. Cherish the freedoms that they represent.

Yeah or you can just cop out... much easier...
 

jameslee32

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Please continue to honor the flag and what it represents. Specifically the blood lost to help create it and keep it flying.

But I'll be the first to admit, questioning authority is also a time-worn American tradition upon which this country was founded.

Actually, it goes much deeper than just respect for the flag. It's blatant disrespect for anything and everything. Simple common courtesy is disappearing also. smh
 

Supreme Lord Z

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The game is rigged and the people know that so don't expect them to genuflect over nostalgic nonsense that hasn't meant a thing in 40 years thanks to your devastated middle class that no longer feels obliged to bow before the oligarchy.
 
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Dig Dirkler

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The game is rigged and the people know that so don't expect them to genuflect over nostalgic nonsense that hasn't meant a thing in 40 years thanks to your devastated middle class that no longer feels obliged to bow before the oligarchy.
If only you'd not hit "Post Reply" so quickly, I'm confident you could have added 5-7 more clauses to your run-on sentence.
 

BBUK

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It sounds like your son realizes what ******** gets tied to unquestioned idol worships after he saw time in the sandbox.

Nah, just thinking about what our freedom cost and those that died defending it. (They still deserve our thanks and respect.) Silly me to consider something beside myself and consider those who I never met that gave their lives defending something or someone...(The present doesn't matter much in the big picture if you allow the big picture at all. Sigh... Not sure many even consider anything but the here and now but, I digress...)
 

slick rick.ksr

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Nah, just thinking about what our freedom cost and those that died defending it. (They still deserve our thanks and respect.) Silly me to consider something beside myself and consider those who I never met that gave their lives defending something or someone...(The present doesn't matter much in the big picture if you allow the big picture at all. Sigh... Not sure many even consider anything but the here and now but, I digress...)
I have travelled this country for 30 years. Thankfully those who disrespect the memory of those who have sacrificed so much are in the minority.
 

Anon1711055878

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How bout you just call out your son for being rude and quit being a melodramatic ***** falling victim to the nostalgia fallacy?

There were no ******** back in your day, I'm sure. :rolleyes:
 
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420grover

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Did you discuss your opinion with your son or just come on here to ***** about it to total strangers?
 

elwood_blue

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I kind of get the OP. It bugged me when I saw one of my sons talking and laughing with a player beside him during the anthem before a baseball game earlier this season. I just told him that guys a hell of a lot better than us died for that symbol and the least we can do is shut up and be still for the short time it plays. It worked.
 
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BBUK, I and my kids put our hand over our heart. I usually pray during the song. It still puts chills on me every time. I suggest you keep on being an example and also talk to your son and express your feelings to him. Good job and be encouraged. FCC.
 

JDHoss

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I always remove my hat for the anthem and stand at attention. Also, in spite of the fact that I am not religious, I always remove my hat or bow my head out of respect for others around me if there is a prayer. That said, I respect the rights of others, and don't expect everyone to do as I do. On a side note, I've always wondered what the reaction would be if after a prayer was said, someone wanted to recite a passage (or whatever it's called) out of the Koran. My guess is that it wouldn't be a pretty scene.
 

Ukbrassowtipin

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I always remove my hat for the anthem and stand at attention. Also, in spite of the fact that I am not religious, I always remove my hat or bow my head out of respect for others around me if there is a prayer. That said, I respect the rights of others, and don't expect everyone to do as I do. On a side note, I've always wondered what the reaction would be if after a prayer was said, someone wanted to recite a passage (or whatever it's called) out of the Koran. My guess is that it wouldn't be a pretty scene.
Somewhat similar, I know the town I grew up in was in the news a few yrs ago because the high school had decided to not do the Lord's prayer before graduation. In typical fashion people went insane claiming oppression and their religious freedom violated (not knowing what the definition is), when actually the reason was because not everyone was christian so actually they were the ones having another religion forced on them, and the fact that it's a school, a government entity, a place that should be religion neutral. Of course the Christians forced their way. No word if they kept in mind the other religions in mind.
 

rmattox

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It's been going on for years. I can't tell you how many times I've went to my daughter's cheerleading competitions and people don't take off their hats or be quiet and face the flag. Some also keep walking around as well. I was taught at an early age to respect the flag and the National Anthem. Maybe they need to have mandatory classes in school about etiquette when the National Anthem is playing since people evidently aren't being taught anymore.

Maybe we need to make it mandatory for moms and dads to teach their kids how they should behave. It's the parents job to teach proper behavior.
 

rmattox

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I always remove my hat for the anthem and stand at attention. Also, in spite of the fact that I am not religious, I always remove my hat or bow my head out of respect for others around me if there is a prayer. That said, I respect the rights of others, and don't expect everyone to do as I do. On a side note, I've always wondered what the reaction would be if after a prayer was said, someone wanted to recite a passage (or whatever it's called) out of the Koran. My guess is that it wouldn't be a pretty scene.
IMO, if a prayer was being said to allah or there was a reading from the koran, I'd simply sit quietly and not interrupt their "worship". No need to make a seen.