Oh, say can you shut up?

1) Marvin Gaye.
2) Everybody else.

 

Hendrix. (Unsanctioned. Not for Use During Actual Sporting Event.)

 

As a reporter/photographer, there are times when taking a photo during the national anthem is necessary to help tell the story. I took the photo below while the anthem was being played at a Veterans Day program hosted by a local high school. As I was snapping the photos, I kept thinking, 'I hope these people don't think I'm some unpatriotic jerk. I'm just doing my job.' No one complained. In fact, a lot of people thanked me for covering the event.

<img src=http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2262/2063066918_8c64ab0fc0.jpg?v=0>

 

Faithless: NICE SHOT!!!

Gold: Big is Big Kenny and Rich is John Rich they are Big and Rich, a country/rockabilly group that is in charge of the music mafia, which also includes Two-Foot Fred and Cowboy Troy - Get U Sum of That!

 

What the National Anthem has to do with ANY sporting event is beyond me. Pointless.

 

What about medal ceremonies?

 

Other than tradition.

 

And national pride.

 

And Patriotism.

But who needs any of that with our desire to become a world without borders ruled by the United Nations?

 

This reminds me of yet another story to tell about my minor league hockey game experience last night:

The 4-year-old and I were just settling into our seats - me with my pizza and big ol' $6 beer - when a little kid took the ice to sing the anthem. I quickly put everything down delicately in our tight little space and start positioning my kid like she was a mannequin: Arm over her heart, other hand down, face at the flag. Almost forgot to take my hat off.

When it was over, she looked at me like, "WTF?" I told her, "We put our hands over our hearts and look at the flag whenever we hear that song. That means we love America."

I can't put it any more simply than that.

 

WB, I would love to see the WTF face on your 4-yr-old. That must be priceless.

And now, another tale from Cadet's twisted childhood: I was that girl in school who was taller than the teachers in sixth grade and the rest of me developed accordingly. One day after the pledge, some boys accused me of feeling myself up with my hand over my heart. I was traumatized for life, and to this day I always stand with my hands behind my back during the pledge/anthem.

 

National Anthem before sporting events = total waste of time....false patriotism at its highest...standing with my hand over my heart doesn't mean I love America, it means I'm a robot who was told I should do that.

Yes, it is tradition...a tradition that should be abandoned.