National Anthem

Patriot321

Active member
Jan 29, 2022
335
302
63
Maybe freedom of speech, freedom of expression, freedom to assemble, freedom to dissent, you know very American ideals. I do also stand up to pee.
There wouldn't be any of that without the wars and loss of life that the song was created for. If you don't understand that the things you mentioned are the exact things the national anthem stands for, freedom to do all of these, then, well nm
 

winloseortie

Joined Feb 21, 2007
Feb 21, 2007
5,834
22,628
113
I hear all this and it's good stuff. I can't disagree with any of it.

I guess a lot of people find it hypocritical for people to protest the most protest friendly country in the world. Most of the world has no constitution, no guarantees, subject to abuse by whatever entity is in power. People born and raised here are largely unaware.

As for the NFL, it wasn't just the protest of the Anthem. It was a full court press to preach to the fans. It became tiresome to turn on some escapist entertainment only to get lectured to by people whose basic premise I wasn't buying.
Couple of things

thanks for responding to why I don’t sing respectfully

you are correct we are a protest friendly country and there is still a lot of important stuff to protest. Stuff way more important, I think Jesus said something about straining gnats and swallowing camels

on a side note. My friend that I share season tickets to MBB and WBB worked for the Atlanta Hawks for 20 years. One of his jobs was to be in charge of singers for the national anthem. Management’s mandate was it had to be sung in 1:45 or shorter. He had to audition everyone before okaying them for a game. My friend has a beautiful voice and sings joyfully every game BUT he times every singer🤣🤣🤣 and will give brutally honest feedback on their abilities.
 
  • Haha
Reactions: The Reel Ess

Patriot321

Active member
Jan 29, 2022
335
302
63
I don’t think that not watching their games or buying their merch is demonizing them. I support the right to protest. But I also support my right to not have anything to do with a group whose protest I believe is political BS.
I haven't attended or watched a WBB since Dawn pushed the BLM narrative and our team started kneeling for the national anthem. When Dawn started taking the players to BLM rallies, it was too much, it was over the line. She has a right to her political beliefs, as does each player, but they represent the university, she is the head coach at the university, and it is improper for her to cause dissent within the fanbase over her personal belief. If players on the team disagreed with Dawn's views, they would feel pressured to kneel, attend rallies, or do whatever Dawn wants, or perhaps they wouldn't ever be allowed to be on the team?
 
  • Like
Reactions: OldCock and Maxcy

winloseortie

Joined Feb 21, 2007
Feb 21, 2007
5,834
22,628
113
There wouldn't be any of that without the wars and loss of life that the song was created for. If you don't understand that the things you mentioned are the exact things the national anthem stands for, freedom to do all of these, then, well nm
If you served, thank you for your service. If you do not understand the freedoms I am talking about please refer to the Declaration of Independence and our Constitution. We fought wars for them not the anthem
 
Last edited:

Prestonyte

Well-known member
Jun 1, 2022
5,261
5,214
113
The freedom to dissent is one the most powerful gifts given in democracy. It means I do not have to kowtow to a king or leader. It means I can disagree and not be punished for disagreeing.


why do we want to bully people for disagreeing? I stand for the anthem at games, I never sing the anthem! Why? I have citizenship in two places. The USA and the kingdom of God. My first allegiance is to the kingdom of God. I do not sing my national anthem to always remind me of where my primary allegiance lies.

Before 9/11 NFL players were NEVER on the field for the anthem and nobody gave a damn. Making the anthem a litmus test for patriotism and love of country is a poor tool of assessment
With the anthem protest stuff, what are you disagreeing with?
Are you protesting the country's anthem which provides you the freedom to protest or disagree? Does that make sense?
Seems we should all be celebrating the country (people) which makes it all possible, while also giving thanks to God who gave our founders the wisdom, strength and guidance to create such a great country.
 
  • Love
Reactions: OldCock

Patriot321

Active member
Jan 29, 2022
335
302
63
If you served, thank you for your service. If you do not understand the freedoms I am talking about please refer to the Declaration of Independence and our Constitution. We fought wars for them not the anthem
I assure you, I am well versed on the history and interpretation of the Constitution, the Declaration of Independence, and the meaning(s) of the national anthem.
 

The Reel Ess

Joined Feb 3, 2005
Feb 3, 2005
1,650
1,951
113
Couple of things

thanks for responding to why I don’t sing respectfully

you are correct we are a protest friendly country and there is still a lot of important stuff to protest. Stuff way more important, I think Jesus said something about straining gnats and swallowing camels

on a side note. My friend that I share season tickets to MBB and WBB worked for the Atlanta Hawks for 20 years. One of his jobs was to be in charge of singers for the national anthem. Management’s mandate was it had to be sung in 1:45 or shorter. He had to audition everyone before okaying them for a game. My friend has a beautiful voice and sings joyfully every game BUT he times every singer🤣🤣🤣 and will give brutally honest feedback on their abilities.
My wife is a good singer. Sings in church and karaoke and anywhere else. She does the same.
 

winloseortie

Joined Feb 21, 2007
Feb 21, 2007
5,834
22,628
113
With the anthem protest stuff, what are you disagreeing with?
Are you protesting the country's anthem which provides you the freedom to protest or disagree? Does that make sense?
Seems we should all be celebrating the country (people) which makes it all possible, while also giving thanks to God who gave our founders the wisdom, strength and guidance to create such a great country.
Clearly, you love the anthem. You also have fetishized the anthem to such an extent that no answer or explanation given about not standing will satisfy you.
You seem to view those who do not stand as somehow disloyal. People of good conscience can disagree and still be faithful/loyal/patriotic.

my experience with those who do not stand, is they want America to do better not tear it down.
 
Last edited:
  • Angry
Reactions: OldCock

Ilovesarah77

Member
Jun 9, 2021
92
187
33
I attend a fair amount of sporting events, and rarely see what you are describing here. On occasion, people are quietly walking to their seats. Talking? Not really. Taking selfies? I've never once seen that happening during the anthem.

And even if this was all happening as you suggest, I'd chalk it up to apathy rather than protest. The apathetic tend to eventually grow up. The protesters deserve to be called out for their extreme ignorance. Otherwise, they may never learn.
Extreme ignorance? Why because they don't think the same way as you do? Great way of thinking!
 
  • Like
Reactions: winloseortie

Maxcy

Joined Jun 20, 2011
Jun 20, 2011
1,419
2,645
113
I disagree. I was taught that disrespect is disrespect. One isn't lesser than the other. And honestly, I think those that think that way are a big part of the problem.

Look up both words in a dictionary. They are very different.

There is motivation behind a protest. There is no motivation in being apathetic, which is inherent in the definition of the word itself.
 
  • Like
Reactions: OldCock

USCBatgirl21

Joined Sep 5, 2006
Sep 5, 2006
7,328
19,499
113
Look up both words in a dictionary. They are very different.

There is motivation behind a protest. There is no motivation in being apathetic, which is inherent in the definition of the word itself.
I don't need to look up anything. I stated my position quite clearly. BOTH are forms of disrespect.
 

Maxcy

Joined Jun 20, 2011
Jun 20, 2011
1,419
2,645
113
Extreme ignorance? Why because they don't think the same way as you do? Great way of thinking!

Nope...ignorance and disagreement are not the same. Were folks skipping school the day that dictionaries were distributed?
 

Maxcy

Joined Jun 20, 2011
Jun 20, 2011
1,419
2,645
113
I don't need to look up anything. I stated my position quite clearly. BOTH are forms of disrespect.

You certainly don't need to look up anything. But if you did, you'd see that your subjective argument can be refuted with an objective definition.
 
  • Like
Reactions: OldCock

Prestonyte

Well-known member
Jun 1, 2022
5,261
5,214
113
Clearly, you love the anthem. You also have fetishized the anthem to such an extent that no answer or explanation given about not standing will satisfy you.
You seem to view those who do not stand as somehow disloyal. People of good conscience can disagree and still be faithful/loyal/patriotic.

my experience with those who do not stand, is they want America to do better not tear it down.
Again I ask, by not standing, what are you disagreeing with? The national anthem of the country giving you the right to disagree? How are you making it better by not honoring the country making it all possible.
As a comparison, if you went to a funeral for a coworker and was asked to stand to honor them, would you stand, or sit because you had some disagreement with the person being honored.
 

Spinal Tap

Well-known member
Jan 22, 2022
775
773
93
I'm one of those guys that customarily stands with hand over heart when it's played in a public gathering. I was taught that when I was young. It was a part of our upbringing. This thread started out because of a team's no show courtside before a game. Maybe that's not common, but it's not unusual.

Playing the NA isn't codified. It's not required. I do get miffed by the apparent disinterest going on around me by some fans at games, but there are some who just don't care as much as I do. I'll withhold comments about protesters. Different subject.
 

winloseortie

Joined Feb 21, 2007
Feb 21, 2007
5,834
22,628
113
Again I ask, by not standing, what are you disagreeing with? The national anthem of the country giving you the right to disagree? How are you making it better by not honoring the country making it all possible.
As a comparison, if you went to a funeral for a coworker and was asked to stand to honor them, would you stand, or sit because you had some disagreement with the person being honored.
You are asking me to read the minds of those that don’t stand. As I CLEARLY STATED I DO. I would again say standing for the anthem is a poor assessment of who loves this country. But for you it seems to be the only qualifier for love of country, a very myopic view and standard.
 
  • Angry
Reactions: OldCock

Silverspur02

Joined Jan 26, 2006 • Garnet Trust Supporter
Jan 26, 2006
4,919
12,031
113
I don't know the reason why the A&M team was not on the floor, but he is Coach Williams' stance on veteran's day and the playing of the National Anthem a few years back....

 
  • Like
Reactions: Maxcy

winloseortie

Joined Feb 21, 2007
Feb 21, 2007
5,834
22,628
113
Well, they did last year.
Funny how you left out the most cogent piece of the article. Did you think we wouldn’t read it?

The majority of our players has sat during the playing of the national anthem every game this season – a decision made by our players to bring awareness to racial injustice in our country. If opposing teams choose to play the anthem during the time we’re in the locker room, then we choose to stay in the locker room.

I talked to [South Carolina associate] Coach Lisa Boyer about this on Wednesday. She told me, ‘I love our country. That’s why I stand, because I love our country. I wouldn’t want to live in any other country.’

I love our country, too. I don’t like what our country has come to, or what our country has been, but I’d like to think that there are people in our country that’s going to lead us more in a unified way than a divisive way, and I’m here for that.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Goody

Goody

Joined Apr 14, 2017
Apr 14, 2017
810
1,019
93
Well, they did last year.
Sorry Bud, that happened one time and it was not intentional. So keep digging son! I’m sure you will eventually come up with something or at least the truth about the game with Louisville!! 💣💥
 

The Reel Ess

Joined Feb 3, 2005
Feb 3, 2005
1,650
1,951
113
Funny how you left out the most cogent piece of the article. Did you think we wouldn’t read it?

The majority of our players has sat during the playing of the national anthem every game this season – a decision made by our players to bring awareness to racial injustice in our country. If opposing teams choose to play the anthem during the time we’re in the locker room, then we choose to stay in the locker room.

I talked to [South Carolina associate] Coach Lisa Boyer about this on Wednesday. She told me, ‘I love our country. That’s why I stand, because I love our country. I wouldn’t want to live in any other country.’

I love our country, too. I don’t like what our country has come to, or what our country has been, but I’d like to think that there are people in our country that’s going to lead us more in a unified way than a divisive way, and I’m here for that.
You skipped right over this paragraph to try to make your own point. Am I misreading this? Is it incorrect? Mind you, I support their rights and I'm not trying to score points. I'm just trying to get the facts. If this article is wrong, then I'd like to know what as well.

Gamecocks head coach Dawn Staley and her team have been protesting the national anthem in some form for more than a year. They’ve remained in the locker room for the national anthem all season long.
 

The Reel Ess

Joined Feb 3, 2005
Feb 3, 2005
1,650
1,951
113
Sorry Bud, that happened one time and it was not intentional. So keep digging son! I’m sure you will eventually come up with something or at least the truth about the game with Louisville!! 💣💥
I'm just trying to establish fact here. This article says the same. If they're both wrong, I'd like to know that as well.
 

Maxcy

Joined Jun 20, 2011
Jun 20, 2011
1,419
2,645
113
Playing the NA isn't codified. It's not required. I do get miffed by the apparent disinterest going on around me by some fans at games, but there are some who just don't care as much as I do. I'll withhold comments about protesters. Different subject.

Yep...1000%
 

Goody

Joined Apr 14, 2017
Apr 14, 2017
810
1,019
93
I'm just trying to establish fact here. This article says the same. If they're both wrong, I'd like to know that as well.
If memory serves me correctly, the National Anthem was play +10 minutes before tipoff of the Louisville game when our team was still in the locker room going through their pregame ritual. No one informed our staff of this decision! Next thing you know some young reporter got a hold of this and the pot was stirred. What sporting event do you go to or watch and the National Anthem is played then the teams or gladiators continue to do 5 or 7 minutes of warmups Bottomline the pregame clock hits triple zeros, all introductions are made and next it’s let get it on time!
 

The Reel Ess

Joined Feb 3, 2005
Feb 3, 2005
1,650
1,951
113
If memory serves me correctly, the National Anthem was play +10 minutes before tipoff of the Louisville game when our team was still in the locker room going through their pregame ritual. No one informed our staff of this decision! Next thing you know some young reporter got a hold of this and the pot was stirred. What sporting event do you go to or watch and the National Anthem is played then the teams or gladiators continue to do 5 or 7 minutes of warmups Bottomline the pregame clock hits triple zeros, all introductions are made and next it’s let get it on time!
Yes, I'm not really talking about that game. These articles both claim or imply they did it most of that season.
 

Goody

Joined Apr 14, 2017
Apr 14, 2017
810
1,019
93
Yes, I'm not really talking about that game. These articles both claim or imply they did it most of that season.
The game I attended as a season ticket holder was either a sit or take a knee thing! I can only tell you what I saw!!
 

The Reel Ess

Joined Feb 3, 2005
Feb 3, 2005
1,650
1,951
113
From Fox News
That's about one game. I'm talking about the season. Again, from both those articles:

Gamecocks head coach Dawn Staley and her team have been protesting the national anthem in some form for more than a year. They’ve remained in the locker room for the national anthem all season long.

If that's wrong, fine. But I didn't just make it up.
 

winloseortie

Joined Feb 21, 2007
Feb 21, 2007
5,834
22,628
113
That's about one game. I'm talking about the season. Again, from both those articles:

Gamecocks head coach Dawn Staley and her team have been protesting the national anthem in some form for more than a year. They’ve remained in the locker room for the national anthem all season long.

If that's wrong, fine. But I didn't just make it up.
No you don’t make it up just refuse to look at context and believe the coach’s word
 

atl-cock

Well-known member
Jan 18, 2022
2,600
1,359
113
Before 9/11 NFL players were NEVER on the field for the anthem and nobody gave a damn. Making the anthem a litmus test for patriotism and love of country is a poor tool of assessment
I've read that when Bud Grant coached the Vikings, they would have "National Anthem practice."

Which leads me to believe that it was common for players to be on the field for the National Anthem. My question is when did it stop?