Playing of the National Anthem

Glorified KC

Appropriate for any sporting event or any international?

nicknyr15

None imo. I think it’s a silly tradition. 

Lerxst1992

I guess NHL is stuck with getting a national anthem, a true mix of international players in every game and almost a quarter of teams based outside the US, and the majority of teams that are US based playing a truly Canadian sport. Hockey is wonderfully international assuming Manitoba is not a secret US state in disguise.

I’d rather not have the anthems before games but it’s a chance for us to believe there is some sort of patriotic unity in the US, at least for a minute or two. 

There’s another thing that’s now a requirement for hockey games, standing ovation for a military member of the night. It used to be brutal after the Iraq and Afghan invasions, had a very political appeal/disgust for those of us against those US wars. Now not as bad but always a weird vibe because…  

a number of years ago, after the Iraq war ended, the islanders announced a true great, four time champion, hall of famer, was in the building for he first time in years, Bryan Trottier. Maybe half the crowd stood and cheered. Maybe less.

then an hour or so later was the nightly military appreciation moment, which is now almost a forced standing ovation, getting almost 100% of the fans on their (edit sp) feet . I am very thankful some are willing to risk their lives to protect the country, but it’s weird when a team legend who is almost never in the building gets half the recognition from fans

mickeyrat

https://www.history.com/news/why-the-star-spangled-banner-is-played-at-sporting-events

mcgruff10

Only international

Along the same path, We say the pledge of allegiance every day at school; I wish they could scale that back to like once a week.  It s just weird to me to say it every single morning.  

mickeyrat

mcgruff10 said:

Along the same path, We say the pledge of allegiance every day at school; I wish they could scale that back to like once a week.  It s just weird to me to say it every single morning.  

and you would be who again?

mickeyrat

its 50/50 on whether I stand and participate. I served.

mcgruff10

Only international

mickeyrat said:

mcgruff10 said:

Along the same path, We say the pledge of allegiance every day at school; I wish they could scale that back to like once a week.  It s just weird to me to say it every single morning.  

and you would be who again?

I hope all is well my friend.  

mickeyrat

mcgruff10 said:

mickeyrat said:

mcgruff10 said:

Along the same path, We say the pledge of allegiance every day at school; I wish they could scale that back to like once a week.  It s just weird to me to say it every single morning.  

and you would be who again?

I hope all is well my friend.  

Sept 21 entry
https://community.pearljam.com/discussion/243174/on-the-road-again-or-in-my-truck-v-2-0#latest

brianlux

I've never understood the connection.   I guess you could say I believe in separation of sport and state. 

lastexitlondon

None

mickeyrat

brianlux said:

I've never understood the connection.   I guess you could say I believe in separation of sport and state. 

mickeyrat said:

https://www.history.com/news/why-the-star-spangled-banner-is-played-at-sporting-events

read this.

gimmesometruth27

none.

stupid tradition.

eddiec

Only international

It feels like forced Patriotism. 

Smellyman

Only international

eddiec said:

It feels like forced Patriotism. 

It's made for the fake patriots to yell at people to take off their hat.

brianlux

mickeyrat said:

brianlux said:

I've never understood the connection.   I guess you could say I believe in separation of sport and state. 

mickeyrat said:

https://www.history.com/news/why-the-star-spangled-banner-is-played-at-sporting-events

read this.

That's an interesting story about that time.

Not to disparage that incident, but I still prefer to let sports be about sports.

josevolution

Smellyman said:

eddiec said:

It feels like forced Patriotism. 

It's made for the fake patriots to yell at people to take off their hat.

Yeah the same folks who think storming the Capitol is not a big deal! 

Gern Blansten

Only international

It's a strange ritual for sure.

I have season tickets to an ECHL hockey team so we attend about 35 games per year. 

I don't think I would mind the anthem as much if the delivery was consistent. I have always felt like they should just play the Marine Band performance. It is a quick tempo and instruments only.

At the hockey games they have a variety of people singing it. Honestly the middle school choirs that come in are generally the best. They sing it at a good tempo and there is no showboating. Individual singers tend to make it like an American Idol audition. They draw the fucker out about twice as long as it should be. One guy in particular gives it this country twang that makes me want to hurl myself off the balcony.

And then....every fucking game we have to listen to that stupidass Lee Greenwood song and have any former or current service member stand up to receive applause. To me it just demeans their service. I could see doing it on Military appreciation night (which we have once or twice a year) but every fucking game? It just cheapens it in my opinion. No way am I not impressed with or appreciative of their service....it's just another odd ritual.

OnWis97

Only international

I think "never" would be an appropriate option. That said, I'm OK with it for international (not the Maple Leafs vs the Red Wings, but France vs. Brazil).

It seems that in the United States, once you do something "patriotic" it's hard to go back. So now it's God Bless America in the seventh-inning-stretch on Sundays (maybe every game in some places). It's ultimately just socially pressured compliance with people ready to pounce on anyone that doesn't take off their hat or stand solemnly.  

I've had this discussion elsewhere and of course someone pointed out that our country (and what they think makes it great) is more important than some game. OK, well, it's more important than my breakfast, too but I don't sing it before I eat.

It's OK just to go to an event and not shed a manly, patriotic tear.

Gern Blansten

Only international

OnWis97 said:

I think "never" would be an appropriate option. That said, I'm OK with it for international (not the Maple Leafs vs the Red Wings, but France vs. Brazil).

It seems that in the United States, once you do something "patriotic" it's hard to go back. So now it's God Bless America in the seventh-inning-stretch on Sundays (maybe every game in some places). It's ultimately just socially pressured compliance with people ready to pounce on anyone that doesn't take off their hat or stand solemnly.  

I've had this discussion elsewhere and of course someone pointed out that our country (and what they think makes it great) is more important than some game. OK, well, it's more important than my breakfast, too but I don't sing it before I eat.

It's OK just to go to an event and not shed a manly, patriotic tear.

Yeah and there are people in line at the concession stands, people taking shits, etc., that don't stand while it's being played either.

Yes, technically you are standing in line at the concession stand but it's not like everyone drops what they are doing and streams back into the arena to listen.

Halifax2TheMax

Cancellers!