[fdpaq0580]

Originally Posted by rustyp

My question was specific to the pledge of allegiance. Given you spent a lot of time in Canada how did you handle standing to give an "oath" to a foreign country's flag ? Standing for an anthem is not the same as taking an oath.

How did you handle it ?

Simply stand
Stand and remove your cap
Stand with hand over heart
Stand with hand over heart and pretend to mouth the words

How often did this happen to you ? At what kind of events ? Here in TV this realistically could be a daily event to a Canadian home owner participating in rec activities.

Spoiler alert - Canadians do not have a pledge of allegiance to their flag.

Did you know our pledge of allegiance was invented as a marketing ploy to sell magazines ?

Never had to be concerned with any foreign "oath". Just anthems.

[fdpaq0580]

Originally Posted by vlm790

Thank you !! I was talking about the pledge of allegiance

Which version? I learned it before the "under God" part was added as a sop to the Christian right. Still don't say that part. I'm such a rebel.

[blueash]

Originally Posted by fdpaq0580

Which version? I learned it before the "under God" part was added as a sop to the Christian right. Still don't say that part. I'm such a rebel.

There was no Christian right back in the mid 50's, rather the Under god was added by the power of the Knights of Columbus as a way to promote their view of how we should differ from "godless" Communism. It was during the peak of McCarthyism and blacklists and checking for Commies under your bed that we got the additional verbiage.

[Boffin]

Originally Posted by OrangeBlossomBaby

"proud to be an american" is not a nationally recognized official song for this country and it's an insult to America when people DO stand for it. It puts it as equal to the National Anthem, which IS an officially recognized song of this country.

Just like you don't stand and salute the flag of Iowa when someone drives down the road with that flag poking up from their golf cart, or when someone sings Kumbaya.

I will not stand for that song until/unless the Nation selects it to replace the National Anthem.

As for the pledge of allegiance, it seems to be political posturing to recite it before a musical entertainment show and degrades the significance of it.

I wouldn't stand then, either.

It is called freedom. Specifically freedom of choice.

[golfing eagles]

Originally Posted by blueash

There was no Christian right back in the mid 50's, rather the Under god was added by the power of the Knights of Columbus as a way to promote their view of how we should differ from "godless" Communism. It was during the peak of McCarthyism and blacklists and checking for Commies under your bed that we got the additional verbiage.

But the real question is: Did anyone in that era ever find a communist under their bed?????

[Laker14]

Can't I just go to a show and not have to deal with this stuff?

[EdFNJ]

Originally Posted by vlm790

The band Hayfire played a great show at Brownwood last night. They had a little girl about 7 do the Pledge of Allegiance and then they sang the Proud to be an American song by Lee Greenwood. It was stunning to see the people who remained seated and didn’t even show respect. Where has American pride gone?

. For a little girl reciting the Pledge of Allegiance .... MAYBE I'd stand just to make her feel special, but not for a commercial song just because it's become a "thing".

[Pairadocs]

Originally Posted by OrangeBlossomBaby

"proud to be an American" is not a nationally recognized official song for this country and it's an insult to America when people DO stand for it. It puts it as equal to the National Anthem, which IS an officially recognized song of this country.

Just like you don't stand and salute the flag of Iowa when someone drives down the road with that flag poking up from their golf cart, or when someone sings Kumbaya.

I will not stand for that song until/unless the Nation selects it to replace the National Anthem.

As for the pledge of allegiance, it seems to be political posturing to recite it before a musical entertainment show and degrades the significance of it.

I wouldn't stand then, either.

And yet... for many decades people have stood, hand over heart, IN MASS at public gatherings and events when Kate Smith's "God Bless America" is sung. Are ALL those millions "unpatriotic" ? Certainly it is not the national Anthem, and NO ONE should be criticized for NOT standing, but Greenwood's rendition has become an "unofficial" national anthem and what harm is done if many come to their feet, or continue to sit ? The, "political posturing" by saying the pledge of allegiance to our country ? Posturing by a young child ? Posturing by a band who (if you think about it ) may just actually have a deep love of country ? Perhaps all members are veterans ? Don't know, but there are many possibilities !
Have you not seen people come to their feet at the playing of a college anthem, or at hearing a hymn like Amazing Grace ? Would those who stand, or sit, be considered "better", or "worse" Christians ? What is the REAL harm in emotionally reacting at a public entertainment, who is actually harmed ? And exactly does that indicate a lack of respect, or patriotism ? Perhaps a more accurate measure would just be the percentage of people who turn their back on the flag and anthem when presented ? The logic is missing here, we KNOW what is customary (standing in respect), but certainly there is NO flagrant disrespect for country, or God, by also reacting emotionally to many melodies !! Also, no one has the same experiences, but, I HAVE seen people (truckers in this case) going down the highway and saluting a passing flag. I did not, and do not, judge them disrespectful or non-patriotic for that ! Have also seen many salute the flag covering a casket, including my father's.

[Pairadocs]

Originally Posted by EdFNJ

. Do you put a hand over your heart every time a golf cart (or big azz truck with 6' high wheels) passes you with an American Flag flying from it? DO you stand every time The National Anthem is played on TV?

For a little girl reciting the Pledge of Allegiance .... MAYBE I'd stand just to make her feel special, but not for a song just because it's become a "thing".

Well the greatness of our country, a democratic REPUBLIC, is you, others, myself, we can all react as individuals. People do sometimes stand when the National anthem is played on TV, you've just not had that experience is all. When in the world is the connection between the SIZE OF WHEELS on a truck and having RESPECT for a symbol of our country ??? SIX FOOT Wheels ? SIX FOOT ? I did see those once at a demonstration of OFF ROAD MINING EQUIPMENT made by an American company, but have never seen six foot wheels on a big highway truck, not denying they are out there and running regularly at all.

[firefighter4u]

Originally Posted by OrangeBlossomBaby

"proud to be an american" is not a nationally recognized official song for this country and it's an insult to America when people DO stand for it. It puts it as equal to the National Anthem, which IS an officially recognized song of this country.

Just like you don't stand and salute the flag of Iowa when someone drives down the road with that flag poking up from their golf cart, or when someone sings Kumbaya.

I will not stand for that song until/unless the Nation selects it to replace the National Anthem.

As for the pledge of allegiance, it seems to be political posturing to recite it before a musical entertainment show and degrades the significance of it.

I wouldn't stand then, either.

My wife and I were just having this conversation. I couldn't agree with you more!

[Pairadocs]

Originally Posted by fdpaq0580

You would get no "stink eye" from me. I would be busy eating my dinner, too.

But if I am interpreting this all correctly, the focus seems to be would/did you, a veteran, think LESS of those who did stand, I know my hubby, a marine who saw combat, would not, even if he continued to eat, he would not consider those who did stand a non-patriotic at all. That's the part that just doesn't make sense. It makes me think of something I never considered; are those who quietly bow their heads without fanfare, and SILENTLY say a pray before a meal in public, actually judged by those around them ? Never considered that, but it's the same category of comparison.

[Pairadocs]

Originally Posted by fdpaq0580

Which version? I learned it before the "under God" part was added as a sop to the Christian right. Still don't say that part. I'm such a rebel.

That's the beauty of our nation, you don't have to. If we all lived in China, or in North Korea, none of us would dare refuse, and we'd all keep a picture of the "dear leader" in a prominent place in our homes. Here we can chose to NEVER have any picture of any politician in our home if we choose, yes, I am so lucky to be an American. Just to throw it in, I also like that our justice system differs from many other democracies in that here you are innocent until proved guilty, not the opposite !

[Bilyclub]

I would stand for the Pledge and don't think there is anything wrong with the band doing what they did. If some don't stand, so what.

[DonH57]

Originally Posted by collie1228

I am a proud veteran, love my country, served in a war, member of the American Legion, and a volunteer for Honor Flight. I feel I am a true patriot. I will proudly stand for the pledge and the national anthem, but I do not make a special effort to stand for the Lee Greenwood song. I was eating dinner once in the bowling alley restaurant in Spanish Springs when karaoke was going on, and the DJ played the Lee Greenwood song and expected everyone to stand. I did not. I got some stink-eye looks from neighboring tables, but I won't be intimidated by anyone. There are any number of patriotic songs that can be played. Only the national anthem deserves special respect.

Exactly. I'm a vet too and the only song I'll stand for is the national anthem. Standing for Greenwood's song spread in the villages like a cult.

[JMintzer]

Originally Posted by EdFNJ

. For a little girl reciting the Pledge of Allegiance .... MAYBE I'd stand just to make her feel special, but not for a commercial song just because it's become a "thing".

That was the point of the original post... Standing for the Pledge...