Originally Posted By EPCOT Explorer >>>Now while I still do it in honor of our troops I resent it and most times feel uncomfortable. Sadly I feel ashamed at times. It's become such a symbol of the "right wing" and their way of thinking that I no longer feel I'm apart of THAT America.<<< How so? Patriotism has no faction...it's about pride in your country, and that's it. Regardless of who is in office, and who you vote for, the National Anthem is ALL of ours.
Originally Posted By mele <<it's about pride in your country>> Right...and that is what has suffered...our pride in our country based on it's actions and it's people. There are things to be proud of...but there are also many things I personally am ashamed of and, sadly, those things are much larger than the things I'm proud of at this moment in time.
Originally Posted By Lisann22 A public park is for everyone but if the majority is holding signs says nasty things about me, I'm not feeling too welcome! So while I might sit on a far away bench and enjoy the trees, I'm playing in the sandbox, swinging on the swings or comfortable laying on the grass so to speak.
Originally Posted By EPCOT Explorer >>>Right...and that is what has suffered...our pride in our country based on it's actions and it's people. There are things to be proud of...but there are also many things I personally am ashamed of and, sadly, those things are much larger than the things I'm proud of at this moment in time.<<< That, I can not disagree with. Our History is a long, and though celebrated one, it is a dark one, at times. I think, however, in moments of patriotism, which are subsequent to when the NA is played, it is time to reflect on the good, and to also understand that it is possible to better ourselves, our nation , and it's future for the sake of making up for our past. We are anything but perfect...but that doesn't stop me from feeling pride in what we have done, in what is good. I don't associate that with politics, either. I cheer at the end of the Anthem as loud as ever, and that didn't change when Bush was in office, nor will it change if I disagree with the policies of the current office.
Originally Posted By EPCOT Explorer >>>That's how you feel EPCOT.<<< Right...I'm wondering why you disagree.
Originally Posted By mele I'm quiet out of respect but, no, right now, I do not identify with the lyrics. I guess I'm glad you do...but the reasons I don't (and many people I know do not) strike me as more patriotic than being content with things as they are or ignoring them just because of a song at a athletic event.
Originally Posted By utahjosh I always stand, put my hand over my heart, and sing along if appropriate. I love the chance to be part of something bigger than myself. I love the unity it fosters. The gratitude I feel. I love to celebrate the countless marvelous things this country has hosted and been witness to. I don't use that time to dwell on the truly awful things that the USA has participated it. I don't use that time to think of what I don't like about our government or society. That has a time and a place, but for me it's not during a performance of the national anthem. It's wonderful to take that moment to stop and reflect upon the founding of this great nation. I think about my great, great, great (etc) grandfather William Bradford and the pilgrims that came to this land. I think about the farmers who fought the British and won, and God's hand in their victory. I think about the brave Americans who have given their life to give and preserve our freedoms.
Originally Posted By EPCOT Explorer >>>I'm quiet out of respect but, no, right now, I do not identify with the lyrics. I guess I'm glad you do...but the reasons I don't (and many people I know do not) strike me as more patriotic than being content with things as they are or ignoring them just because of a song at a athletic event.<<< Was this directed to me? Sorry... That I can understand, but the fact that you are respectful immediately grants you subsequent respect from me.
Originally Posted By ecdc Being a liberal, I naturally sit in defiance and sing Gimn Sovyetskogo Soyuza at the top of my lungs.
Originally Posted By EPCOT Explorer >>>Being a liberal, I naturally sit in defiance and sing Gimn Sovyetskogo Soyuza at the top of my lungs.<<< I guess I am not THAT liberal. LOL. And well said, utahjosh.
Originally Posted By ecdc In all seriousness, I don't get the National Anthem being played before sports games either. Otherwise, I tend to agree with the sentiments of others. It can be a moment to feel unity and reflect that, critical as I am of our country sometimes, we have done great things. Even with the focus on Park51, the truth is, Muslims in the United States find a more welcoming culture than most anywhere else in the world. For a superpower, we have acted with remarkable restraint, despite our screw-ups at times. But I also understand mele's sentiment. Especially in a time when a whole segment of our country insists that there's two sides to everything - their side and the wrong side - and they hijack our national symbols and patriotic expressions, it's hard to feel all that inspired. So...basically I'm a loser who's afraid to commit to anything on this topic.
Originally Posted By EPCOT Explorer ^ No, I agree totally with that. In times of downturn and confusion, it is hard to be patriotic and proud. But we have to look beyond that, as those making the downturn all the bigger are truly winning if we can no longer be optimistic and know that in due time, our country will fix itself. Also agreed on it being played at sporting events. Never complained, though. I guess the whole "national" scope of it fits?
Originally Posted By DAR <<Being a liberal, I naturally sit in defiance and sing Gimn Sovyetskogo Soyuza at the top of my lungs.>> Kind of like Nikkolai Volkoff before a big match.
Originally Posted By mawnck >>I'm quiet out of respect but, no, right now, I do not identify with the lyrics.<< "Oh say does that star spangled banner yet wave o'er the land of the free and the home of the brave?" Nope. Actually, it's waving o'er the land of the greedy and self-entitled, and the home of the wacky tea partiers quaking in their made-in-Bangladesh Nikes because the big bad Muslims are out to get them.
