National Anthem at the olympics

Status
Not open for further replies.
lizzie ann

lizzie ann

Well-Known Member
Dec 12, 2007
650
373
63
springfield
www.truecolorsfloral.com
State / Prov
illinois
Am I the only one that has notice that very few of our athletes seem to know the words to the national anthem? AND, a whole lot don't know to put thier hand over thier heart when it is played. Perhaps someone should give them some "practice" time to learn it. just an observation:)
 
I thought that was for the Pledge of Allegiance.

I am Canadian I thought you put your hand over your heart for the Pledge of Allegiance, do you also do it for your National Anthem?

Doug
 
I do for the Pledge but not the Anthem, maybe I'm bad....
But did notice the Women's BB team singing, Lisa Leslie quite enthusiastically too!
 
Doug Hatcher said:
I am Canadian I thought you put your hand over your heart for the Pledge of Allegiance, do you also do it for your National Anthem?

Doug
Click to expand...


That's my understanding as well. Although hats must be removed.

V
 
well,

Why would they care?? Things that intrest younger people are Paris Hilton, Brittany,
bling, ipods, wii, how small their cell phones are.... Blah Blah Blah...
Well at least until a new cooler thing comes out..

I'm only 37 years old, not so old if you ask me. But I tell ya, I see so many young people that just don't have a clue about the real world. They have this sense of entitlement that just blows me away.

Oh and small kids... Not all kids I should add, but I see so many with their hands out for something always. Never wanting to work for it themselves.
Their parents let them run around restaurants, They let them bring their video games to the table, with their knees up on the table, no manners what so ever. Screaming at their parents, making horrible scenes at restaurants or really in public anywhere.
Seriously, if I had acted like thses kids......... I don't ever remember any kids acting in such a way when I was a kid. It rarely happened. If you did you were likely compared to Nelly Olsen!!

So I do think it's sad that these things, such as learning the Star Spangled Banner, just doesn't mean anything to these kids today, and young adults either for that matter.

It's a pity, what do we do?????
 
I just read on Wiki Answers

You stand at attention and hold the salute from the first note to the last.

The salute is made by placing your right hand over the heart. But please do not take my instructions for what is supposed to happen.
 
*Here is what I was able to find as far as "U.S. Law" and not just accepted behavior in regards to the National Anthem:

"According to U.S. law, a civilian is supposed to stand up when the anthem is played, take off his hat, face the flag, and put his right hand over his heart. Singing is most appropriate. When in uniform, members of the military can keep their hats on and salute instead of placing their hands on their hearts."

As a proud parent of a Combat Medic I was curious if our daughter felt our olympic delegates were disrespectful to the American flag. She had a strong opinion. In her presence during the Star Spangled Banner I would encourage all to put their hands over their hearts and sing!

Warm regards, :usflag:
 
  • Like
Reactions: 2 people
OK,
Now I have a little problem with it being a "LAW".

I support the rights of people to decide for themselves to sing or not to sing, hand over heart or what have you...
But to have it be a law, I don't know about that.

I even support the rights of people to have unruly children, Just don't come crying to me when you can't deal with their behavior later in life!
 
I hesitate to tell you all about an experience I had in Palmer, Alaska, lest you think me really unAmerican, but I will tell you anyway.

I have a good woman friend from Calgary. We visit each other most summers, but last year we decided to meet in Alaska and tour around. One of our stops was Palmer, for the state fair.. which was awesome. We checked into our hotel and then decided to pop down to the bar for some nachos and a beer. Now, mind you, I never go to bars, but I guess in Calgary she does.. they're called pubs and may be more civilized, but I'm not sure. So she wanted to, so we did.

We walked into a rowdy scene. Lots of people already half drunk, and a live performer named Hobo Jim. He was onstage and in a pro-Bush and pro-War frenzy. God bless America, and kill the Iraqis!! It turned me right off, and frankly scared me a little. We had just barely ordered our beers and nachos and Hobo Jim started singing his version of God Bless America. Well, we were in the front of the room, sat there listening, and didn't realized EVERYONE else in the room had stood up and had their hands over their hearts. By the time I realized, the song was 3/4 over, and I decided to stay sitting. And Cyndi is Canadian, so WHY would she stand up? She wouldn't.

Anyway, H.J., being the kind soul that he is, added a new line to the end of this song, "God bless America, even those who don't stand up", which lead to much boooing. Yikes. I guess we screwed up. We felt VERY intimidated, especially my friend. She was actually afraid to leave, thought we might be attacked (that's how gung ho this group was), and/or H.J. would point out our leaving to the crowd, or maybe even APPLAUD it! I said heck no, we have food coming, let's leave when the band takes a break.

So we listended to several more songs, realized even H.J. was drunk, and slid out when the band took a break. No one attacked us, or even seemed to notice. Thank goodness. Altho I WAS looking to make sure no one followed us, or saw which hotel room we went into, and I WAS happy to check out the next day.

I felt the way we were treated was WRONG. In hindsight, I wish I had stood up, but I felt like I was expected to, and I didn't like that. And what was my friend to think? I don't think it elevated her impression of Americans.

The other thing I thought weird... Alaska hosts travellers from all over the world. How did they even know we spoke English? How did they know we weren't from Lapland or B.F. Egypt? Why expect us to stand up?

Anyway, maybe I was wrong, but I thought I had freedoms, and it left a really bad taste in my mouth.
 
  • Like
Reactions: 1 person
Beth, you were not wrong. God Bless America isn't the anthem, The Star Spangled Banner is. Bar behaviours are sub-standard at best oft times... and brainless and mean at their worst. That is what you experienced.

V
 
  • Like
Reactions: 1 person
This discussion has been going on since I was a child.
 
Beth,

If I was Hobo Jim, I would have just assumed you were from Egypt. I mean your picture is pretty Egyption looking! At least you did'nt chug your beer, slam it down and yell Jihad.
:drunk:
 
Chezbloom said:
Beth,

If I was Hobo Jim, I would have just assumed you were from Egypt. I mean your picture is pretty Egyption looking! At least you did'nt chug your beer, slam it down and yell Jihad.
:drunk:
Click to expand...


Really, I look Egyptian? Wow.. I'm mostly English and Irish.

Thanks, Chez, you're right.. it could have been worse! Had I yelled "Jihad", I'm sure I wouldn't have left there in one piece!

Thanks for the laugh!
 
Victoria said:
Beth, you were not wrong. God Bless America isn't the anthem, The Star Spangled Banner is. Bar behaviours are sub-standard at best oft times... and brainless and mean at their worst. That is what you experienced.

V
Click to expand...


Thanks, V. Just reconfirmed my dislike of bars. Bigtime!
 
Beth said:
Anyway, maybe I was wrong, but I thought I had freedoms, and it left a really bad taste in my mouth.
Click to expand...

Not at all - you considered the source.

If some loudmouth probush prowar drunken azzho was singing it I wouldn't have either.

Now when Ray Charles sings God Bless America I would stand on my chair.
 
Status
Not open for further replies.
Top Bottom
Back