Oh, say can you shut up?

She had the right to do it, and as many have said, the military have fought for her to have the right to do it. It was a powerful political statement, but I would not have done it.

 

There's a real difference between a protest and not caring enough to be polite.

 

It's just the weird way that SportsJournalists.com threads evolve.

Everyone's decided that the original kerfuffle wasn't going to keep this thread going so FB kindly threadjacked it.

 

that would be kind of funny if accountants and lawyers and construction workers had to sing the national anthem before work.

but seriously, this is the best argument for why it should not be sung or played before all sporting events. its overuse has caused it to lose most meaning to most people. if it were reserved for special occasions - say just playoff games - it might have a greater sense of importance.

 

A good dose of the Sex Pistols will always liven up a theater.

 

We mean it, MAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAN! ;D

I'm picturing lots of stuffy junior hockey parents in Thunder Bay singing along with gusto during the "no future" part at the end.

 

No future for YOU!

 

If you don't like the anthem or the ritual, just leave the room... go into the dining area and get something to drink or whatever. That's what I do.

 

Just once, I'd like to hear someone sing the second, third or fourth stanza (or verse or whatever) of "The Star Spangled Banner." Then everyone half-listening would say, "What the hell is that guy singing? Doesn't he know the words?"

 

The Star Spangled Banner
By Francis Scott Key


Oh, say can you see by the dawn's early light
What so proudly we hailed at the twilight's last gleaming?
Whose broad stripes and bright stars thru the perilous fight,
O'er the ramparts we watched were so gallantly streaming?
And the rocket's red glare, the bombs bursting in air,
Gave proof through the night that our flag was still there.
Oh, 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! Oh 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 washed out their foul footsteps' 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!


Oh! thus be it ever, when freemen shall stand
Between their loved home and the war's desolation!
Blest with victory and peace, may the heav'n rescued land
Praise the Power that hath made and preserved 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!

 

I'm listening to the fucking song.

 

Ever been to a Big and Rich concert? Well they don't play the anthem, they get everyone up to say the Pledge of Allegiance.