Patriotism as a Cudgel

Filed in National by on November 2, 2009

I was watching the World Series game 2 the other night.  At the 7th inning stretch the announcer said over the loudspeaker that the stadium should rise and remove their hats for the singing of God Bless America.  As they started to prep for the song to start and the crowd was quieting down, I heard a shouted demand from the crowd.

“TAKE OFF YOUR HAT!”

“TAKE OFF YOUR HAT!”

I then saw an older guy along the 1st base line sort of realize that someone was talking to him.  I don’t know if he perhaps forgot he was wearing a hat, or didn’t hear the announcer, but honestly, it doesn’t matter.  He doesn’t have to remove his hat for God Bless America.

Yet some idiot, infused with beer muscles and patriotism felt that he had a right to demand that an old man do something to show his patriotism.  WTF?  I’m as patriotic as the next guy, but what’s with this pathetic excuse for a patriot doing screaming at a guy for not doing an optional activity.  Is this what we are coming to?  The incivility is disgusting.

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  1. a.price says:

    what do you expect from a nation filled with people who still think the president is part of some giant conspiracy to have Kenya take over and impose Muslim Gay Nazi Socialism? btw, do you remember the team affiliation of the shouter? I bet he was a fat slimy Yankees fan

  2. liberalgeek says:

    Probably, it was in NY.

  3. Scott P says:

    I think what he meant to say was, “Take off your hat, moran!”

  4. What an offensive person! What ever is this nation coming to. Next people will want hands over the heart during pledges.

  5. Roy Munson says:

    Yankees and “God bless America” have always had a strange past:

    http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2009/07/07/god-bless-america-yankee_n_227173.html

  6. a.price says:

    Listen ass wipe,
    NO one is allowed to force someone to show patriotism they way they feel it should be shown.
    “God Bless America” is NOT our national anthem. It is a pathetic xenophobic new exercise that did not exist in major league baseball until very recently. I bet you the old man stood up and took off his hat for the national anthem… at the beginning of the game
    It is a choice….we still have that here right? or would you rather forced soviet nationalism…. you fucking communist.

    and for the record, i never put my hand on my heart for the pledge… the Romans did that. I’m American… not Roman.

  7. lizard says:

    the word “patriotism” does throw the left into a tizzy.

  8. Roy Munson says:

    Well Biden did say paying higher taxes is being patriotic. So, I guess that is one way to force you to be patriotic. 🙂

  9. anon says:

    the word “patriotism” does throw the left into a tizzy.

    We also get all discombobulated when Republicans talk about “fiscal conservatism.” Funny how hypocrisy tends to upset people.

  10. liberalgeek says:

    Good link, Roy. It does seem like he mentality comes from the top.

  11. Another Mike says:

    I was at a Phils game this summer where they sang God Bless America before the game and a gentleman a few rows behind me did not take off his hat. Some dude started screaming at him and looked like he wanted to attack him. The other guy just stood there and said “I can leave my damn hat on if I want.” He was correct. Should he have removed his hat? Probably, but it shouldn’t be mandatory unless Glenn Beck says so.

  12. liberalgeek says:

    They sang God Bless America before the game? Did they also do the national anthem?

  13. a.price says:

    God bless America IS the national anthem! so is the star strangled banana. whichever faux patriotic hymn is currently being moaned by the masses of Beckian Terrorists is the national anthem at that particular moment. and if you disagree with that, you are just as bad as the illegal alien socialist gay nazi who stole the presidency! Everyone knows the bible says the office is reserved for the most patriotic christian white man!
    by the way conservapukes…. how does it feel to be pathetic cartoons?

  14. MJ says:

    Also, it is NOT required for one to place their hand over the heart during the playing of the National Anthem. Don’t know who started that ridiculous trend, but it is not required. And before gecko and DA David go off on me – I’m a veteran and an American Legion member, so I know what I’m talking about.

  15. Roy Munson says:

    I know placing the hand over the heart is not required. Because of my background, I’m usually standing at attention and facing the nearest flag.

    I thought the hand over the heart was for the pledge of allegiance, no?

  16. MJ says:

    Correct, Roy. But there is no requirement to stand for G-D Bless America or America the Beautiful. Just one more “you’re not as patriotic as me” BS from the SS, I mean beckians.

  17. Scott P says:

    What it comes down to is that patriotism is treated very much like a religion by a lot of people. In some ways, it can be a very good thing. It can act as a unifying force in a country of very diverse people and cultures. Unfortunately, some people go the ultra-religious route and say, “My way of being patriotic is the right way, and if you’re patriotic any differently or any less, then you’re wrong.” I think patriotism should be treated the same way I think religiousness should be. Whatever you believe, you should be able to express it however you want, so long as you are 1) not hurting anyone else, and 2) not forcing anyone else to believe the same thing you do.

  18. None of it is required. Be a slouch if you want. It is a free country. As for hand over the heart at the national anthem, I believe I wrote the flag. Wait, I did. It is yet another attempt at misdirection. It is funny, but we used to get harrassed at certain college campuses when we set up College Republican booths back in the late 80;s and early 90’s until one of our numbers decided to put up an American Flag. It worked. To quote my late friend, “An American Flag drives a leftist away like a cross did Dracula.” I don’t know why it worked but it did.

    There are liberals, many of whom love America and leftists who don’t. The problem with liberals is that they spend so much time with the leftists that they become influenced by them and ashamed of America and open patriotism. Too bad.

  19. Liberal Elite says:

    Patriotism is just another form of nationalism. And nationalism has a very ugly history. In it’s worst form, it dictates conformity and squelches dissent. It’s a favorite tool of fascists to keep a population in check. Hitler was a master at fomenting patriot fervor.

    In America, patriotism is oft used by people with evil or manipulative intentions… and that’s why you have the pullback from many liberals and independent thinkers. It’s fairly transparent.

    And on the face of it, why should the nation be the unit deserving of maximum loyalty? What about the state? or the city? How about the county? It’s all rather arbitrary, except when it comes to family… and there’s the rub. Without putting the Nation ahead of family, few would go fight poorly justified and badly planned wars.

  20. lizard says:

    MJ,

    you are correct, no law compels you to stand for the national anthem, show respect for the flag or recite the pledge of alliegence.

    These are things that civil society expects, this and more. No law compells you to vote or treat your neighbor with curtousy or respect. “Women and Children First!” is not a dictate of law, it is the expectation of a civilized society.

    You are all free to proceed with your boorish behavior, it allows the rest of us to know you better.

  21. Brooke says:

    Are you reading something I can’t see, lizard? Aren’t we talking about standing for God Bless America, which is NOT the national anthem of any country that I’m aware of.

    I’m not standing for “not the anthem”, which demeans the respect I show to my ACTUAL anthem. I’m also not saluting flag blankets people drape across their couch.

    I hope “civil society” isn’t expecting us ALL to be stupid and uninformed. That would be tedious.

  22. pandora says:

    Funny how the ones screeching the loudest about what people should do, are the same ones screaming socialism. We get it (actually we always did). You guys are a-okay with telling people to do what you want them to do.

    Note to David: I’m not sure what is with you lately. Do you even realize how insulting and, yes, crazy you sound? The way you’re labeling people is embarrassingly sophomoric.

  23. Liberal Elite says:

    David doesn’t get it. Not at all.

    Rape is a crime of violence, not a crime of passion.

    Fervent expression of patriotism is likewise a symbol of violence, not an expression of “love of country”.

  24. rhubard says:

    “Civil society” should not be confused with “jingoism.” “Civil society” regards manners. A flag, being inanimate, cannot be “insulted.”

  25. I have found the leftist. comparing patriotism to rape….and declaring it a symbol of violence is way out there. It proves my point about leftists v. liberals. Liberals work within the American system and mean to strengthen it even though they harm it in my judgment. Leftists just want to tear it all down and start again. In Washington’s ruling regime, we have both. That is what is bothering me. It is like they do not know they are riding the tiger.

  26. jason330 says:

    It is a stupid, cloying, shallow song. I never stand up for that bullshit.

  27. MJ says:

    Dissent Protects Democracy. If one doesn’t want to stand for some “patriotic” song, that is their right. And why the hell do they play the National Anthem at sporting events anyway? I know some guys in Southwest Virginia who think the last words of the National Anthem are “gentlemen, start your engines.”

  28. MJ says:

    Why is the GEICO Gecko even commenting on here?

  29. jason330 says:

    The “Halls Refresh” (link) commercial that so freaked out some wingnut that they had to write a letter the the NJ was just on. That letter (link) made more sense than Republican David 8:10 comment.

  30. delacrat says:

    It’s been over 20 years since I’ve been to a baseball game. But my recollection of the 7th inning stretch was it was just a “stretch”, and maybe a chance for a bio-break or trip to the concession stands.

    I don’t remember any patriotic ritual involved.

    Could it be that since 9/11, the “Star-Spangled Banner” before the game, no longer has the staying power to last beyond 7 innings ?