Now what brought this on was looking at the ice and seeing 12 players lined up and at attention for the anthem, but only one of the players was a U.S. citizen. The other 11 players were all Canadian citizens. Why do the Canadians have to stand at attention for our anthem before they can play a game? Why do I?
What good does it do?
And it’s not like it’s a good song, or anything. Most people who try it butcher it. And we get those divas who insist on doing the Whitney Houston version of the thing, or we get those rocker types who want to outdo Jimi Hendrix.
It’s not that I’m anti-American, or anything. I just don’t get it. Doesn’t singing the song before every meaningless event just devalue the song? And doesn’t destroying the song devalue it even further? I mean, we don’t want our national song becoming as cheap, hokey and clichéd as a Lee Greenwood song, do we?
So my proposal’s simple: Let’s save the National Anthem for truly important events, like a presidential inauguration, or the burial of a soldier, or Dick Cheney’s trial for treason, or the destruction of Minute Maid Park.
And if we want to celebrate America before every insignificant sporting event, let’s try a good song, a rocking song, a song that speaks of America.
I can hear it now: “Ladies and Gentlemen, please rise and remove your hats as John Cougar Mellencamp performs ‘Pink Houses.’”
I think even the Canadians would get into this anthem. – John Royal
This has got to be the most retarted article I ever wasted my time reading. Why do we sing the national anthem before every sporting event? Because it's tradition, because it is a symbol of our national identity. Singing it no matter how badly is a sign of respect to the people of the country and the people that serve to protect it. It doesn't mean you are agreeing with certain politicians policies at the moment. Canadians stand at attention because they would expect you to do the same when they sing the Canadian national anthem in Canada. Save the national anthem for important evetns? How many times do you have to say it a day? Yeah let's save it for an event that happens every four years. I can't beleive this article even go posted. It really is a rediculous question. Isn't there anything more important to complain about? Like gas prices? College tuition? How you can't show affection? If you need some material I can write about the poop I took today, boy it was a doozy. Come on find something relavent to complain about. One love and peace out!
Posted at: April 4, 2008 8:29 PM