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Multicolored Lemur

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Atheist / Agnostic
Nov 23, 2021
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Can you imagine President Reagan doing this?

Reagan might be a little bit corny, but also supportive. He’d probably say something like, Win, lose, or draw, we are with you. I know you’re disappointed, but your fans are not disappointed.

And he might give a little avuncular advice. [avuncular means “like an uncle”]
 
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as an example of good and realistic Patriotism:

the song “Born To Run,” by Bruce Springsteen—

“In the day we sweat it out on the streets
“Of a runaway ‘Merican dream
“At night we ride through the mansions of glory
“In suicide machines

“Sprung from cages on Highway 9
“Chrome wheeled, fuel injected,
“and steppin' out over the line . . . ”


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It’s patriotic because it embraces America, the messiness and all. And I love how he quickly says “Merican dream.”

In a similar way, a person might like a friend both because of their good points and because of their flaws. :)
 
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My first guess is maybe they think the team is too LGBT friendly or maybe they refused to stand for the US national anthem.

I'll read up more on this when I get home...
 
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think the team is too LGBT friendly or maybe they refused to stand for the US national anthem
As a man of the world, yes, you’re making a great judgment call as far as what’s motivating the criticism.

But regarding people taking an “anti-” view . . .

Holy Cow, it’s like being against a football team in the 1960s because they have a black athlete and they’re in favor of equal rights.

And then, the American team stood in a normal and respectful way during the “Star-Spangled Banner.” Just like I’ve seen many athletes stand during football’s Super Bowl and baseball’s World Series.

The anti’s might be remembering a previous time when the soccer team took a knee. Meaning, the anti’s are agitating themselves all up over something inaccurate. [and, what’s new on that count?]

The American team was criticized for not singing in unison like the Vietnamese team. But the New York Yankees and the Dallas Cowboys don’t sing the National Anthem in unison.

The anti’s are looking for things to be against.

Maybe as a former communist nation, Vietnam puts more emphasis on group activity. Vietnam in fact had their “glasnost” period several years before Gorbachev allowed this in the Soviet Union. Meaning, a long time ago. Vietnam’s economy is currently viewed as one of “Tiger Cub” economies in Asia. And more power to them. I hope things continue going well for them.

But, we don’t have to do things like them. If we have a broader view of a normal, respectful response to the Star-Spangled Anthem, that’s fine. You can either sing along [and some people are embarrassed about singing because they don’t think they sing well!]. Or, you can respectfully stand.

And since we put a lot of emphasis on the individual, it’s probably a good thing that a range of approaches are viewed as normal and regular. :)
 

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Can you imagine President Reagan doing this?

Reagan might be a little bit corny, but also supportive. He’d probably say something like, Win, lose, or draw, we are with you. I know you’re disappointed, but your fans are not disappointed.

And he might give a little avuncular advice. [avuncular means “like an uncle”]
I tried to read up on both sides of the reaction. I think it is wrong for Republicans, including Trump, to demonize the United States Women's National Soccer Team (USNWT). I mean no one is above criticism, but ironically, their charge of unpatriotic seems hypocritical when they attack an American team.

The American team was criticized for not singing in unison like the Vietnamese team. But the New York Yankees and the Dallas Cowboys don’t sing the National Anthem in unison.
But, we don’t have to do things like them. If we have a broader view of a normal, respectful response to the Star-Spangled Anthem, that’s fine. You can either sing along [and some people are embarrassed about singing because they don’t think they sing well!]. Or, you can respectfully stand.

And since we put a lot of emphasis on the individual, it’s probably a good thing that a range of approaches are viewed as normal and regular.
Yes, I think some on the team not singing the national anthem is what started the recent criticism by Republicans. I honestly, think some on the women's team did not sing out of protest as that is a common reason. If the goal is to keep the country united, then i think it is wrong to not do things at a moment that it supposed to show unity and pride in one's country. But yeah, getting back to the response of some Republicans here, it is very hypocritical. There is no American patriotism in cheering the loss of an American team.
 
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I honestly, think some on the women's team did not sing out of protest as that is a common reason.
Another possibility is that pro athletes don’t like pretending everything is okay when it’s not. And other than a Governor or a president, a pro athlete might be asked to engage in a patriotic display more than anyone other than a young person still in public school.

And then I’m going to say it’s like a prayer of Thanksgiving. Back when I was still a Christian, it might sometimes strike an emotional chord and it might sometimes not. And either way is perfectly okay.
 
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Another possibility is that pro athletes don’t like pretending everything is okay when it’s not. And other than a Governor or a president, a pro athlete might be asked to engage in a patriotic display more than anyone other than a young person still in public school.

And then I’m going to say it’s like a prayer of Thanksgiving. Back when I was still a Christian, it might sometimes strike an emotional chord and it might sometimes not. And either way is perfectly okay.
No debate from me there. Just my personal standard that I found works... at a bar, I don't expect talks of politics because you know where that can lead. I want to take crap like that off of my mind. If it doesn't lead to a serious argument, and you can make fun out of it, then maybe. I'm thinking of sports the same way. It's a time or event for people to have fun and hopefully be united towards a common goal (soccer: no pun intended). Just my opinion.

But nothing excuses the type of reaction that some Republicans are giving off. It's your typical politics. Really, they are getting worst, because they used to complain about that stuff when they weren't the majority party in Congress. Now they are cancelling and demeaning just as much as their opponents that they complain about.
 
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But nothing excuses the type of reaction that some Republicans are giving off. It's your typical politics. Really, they are getting worst, because they used to complain about that stuff when they weren't the majority party in Congress. Now they are cancelling and demeaning just as much as their opponents that they complain about.
I think what other people call “cancel culture,” I might call “feeding frenzy” or the bullying style of “piling on.”

I think it’s fine not liking a particular writer for example. Or, not liking a particular politician and fast-forwarding past him or her on the news.

But it’s a different matter telling other people what they should or shouldn’t watch.

Or, especially lying. And if I don’t like someone, it might be pretty easy for me to be sloppy about the reason and to end up basically lying about them. Might be better just to say, “Not my cup of tea.”

* these days I tape BBC [American news] and ABC News. I fast-forward through the commercials, and often to the end of segments that interest me less, or that I’ve heard enough.

Some days I don’t watch at all. But I like having it available.
 
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This is last year’s World Series.

About 1:00 into the video shows the athletes. They are standing with their baseball caps held respectfully over their hearts. But not a single athlete is singing.
 
This is last year’s World Series.

About 1:00 into the video shows the athletes. They are standing with their baseball caps held respectfully over their hearts. But not a single athlete is singing.
That doesn't count. You can remain silent just as long as you don't support LGBT causes. ;)
 
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