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[Buttoneer]

This message was self-deleted by its author (Buttoneer) on Sun May 26, 2024, 08:28 PM. When the original post in a discussion thread is self-deleted, the entire discussion thread is automatically locked so new replies cannot be posted.

[LexVegas]

1. I like turtles. nt

[Stinky The Clown]

2. Why would you say that on Memorial Day weekend?

[Buttoneer]

3. Because our troops take an oath to protect and defend the Constitution and the rights

that are contained in it,

I have the right not to say the pledge of allegiance, nor stand for the national anthem.

[Stinky The Clown]

6. Well this Navy vet is offended by it, particularly on THIS weekend

[unweird]

8. Well, this Army vet isn't offended by it, on any weekend

[NanaCat]

19. This USAF vet isn't the least offended.

I served so that he would have the right not to slaver over some stupid bloody cloth.

[Buttoneer]

33. I am grateful for your defense of our country and Constitution

[A HERETIC I AM]

41. ...

[Celerity]

21. Far from being offended, you should revel in it. You served militarily for that very type of thing to occur.

[marble falls]

10. This Navy vet isn't upset by your decision, on any weekend. I enlisted and that's just one one of the ...

... Rights guaranteed in the the Constitution I swore to uphold just before I signed a waver to my access to the Bill of Rights and subjected myself to the Uniform Code of Military Justice. Your complete ease to exercise your rights only convinces me I made the right decision.

I believe in free speech. I believe in following your conscience. I have no argument (only personal qualms) with flying the Flag upside down, or burning it (though that will make me grit my teeth and ball my fists). It's your right and I would not have it any other way.

Forced shows of respect for the Flag only turns it into a rag and a litmus test.

What truly offends me are all those patriots who fly ragged flags from cars, car dealerships that fly a weather torn giant flag overnight or in the rain without lighting on them or repairing broken flag staffs no longer capable of hoisting or lowering a flag, those really frost my cakes. Watching TFG dry humping the Flag he'd never defended because we suckers and loser stepped up while he wouldn't really fried my cakes.

It stirs my blood when a color guard carries the Flag. I am sorry you don't know that feeling. For me it is the product and legacy from my family that were recognized heroes of the Revolution, A Medal of Honor winner from the civil war (for the Great Locomotive Chase where he was killed) and every war since. We are Navy, Marines, Army and my son in law is an Air Force Academy graduate.

[Permanut]

15. From one sailor to another..

Well said

[marble falls]

30. Still remember the "Cup of Java" film from boot camp?

[Permanut]

40. Somehow I missed that one..

Sounds like an Oscar winner for sure.

Boot camp for me was San Diego, Camp Nimitz, company 621, October '65.

[marble falls]

44. I'll bet you saw it. After all, "a cup of hot Java is the traditional way to welcome a new shipmate aboard!" ...

... as a machinist mate I learned the BTs would use hot water out of the ships boilers, which had Hagavap (for cutting mineral build up in the condensers) in it and would clean a guys gut out the same way. They'd have an immunity to it and they thought it was funny sending us new snipes to the head in a hurry.

That film was from WWII. I matriculated Camp Moffet, company 76. RTC Great Lakes. 'Feb 72. Went to MM "A" schools at Great Lakes, too.

[A HERETIC I AM]

45. Is that before or after....

they sent the newbs off to find the ships bowling alley and the pool hall?

[marble falls]

49. Not me. I was a mason's laborer from 14 till I was 17. I'd already been initiated for a lifetime. Buckets of head ...

... joints, brick stretchers etc had inured me to buckets of steam and bowling alleys by the time I enlisted at twenty.

Now if I had been on the right flat top (I was a boomer), there may have well been a bowling alley.

[Permanut]

47. Missed the whole thing..

But I was a cook, so I made the coffee - no hagavap added.

I was on a tin can, made a lot of coffee. The gunners mates had their own pot, back in their control room; I was on that ship for 600 and some days, and never saw that pot cleaned. Now THAT was a cup of coffee!

[marble falls]

50. Nothing like a 4.0 coffee mess! So, as a tin canner, didja get get twin screws tattoed on your butt? Part of the ...

... 7th Fleet Gulf of Tonkin Yacht Club?

I'd never be able to get on a sub, but I'd do it again. But I'd think I'd go DD.

[MarineCombatEngineer]

51. They say that Navy coffee isn't real coffee if it can't float a horse shoe,

I found that to be quite true.

[marble falls]

55. Dint know sea horses had shoes! I still have a big ol' mug everymorning. My consession to being old is a blop ...

... of heavy cream. Still no sugar. And I French press it. Put too much grind in and let it steep too long and have an inch of mud at the bottom of the mug when I'm done.

[Permanut]

52. 6th fleet out of Norfolk Virginia..

No tattoos, figured I'd be too easy to identify in a lineup.

I was a smoker, so glad I wasn't assigned to a sub.

[HAB911]

24. Very well stated, marble falls, very well stated

[marble falls]

31. Hooah, Army!

[demosincebirth]

62. "the last refuge of a scoundrel is Patriotism." Samuel Johnson.

[marble falls]

64. Favorite saying of mine ...

To them, the Flag is nothing but a prop.

[Melon]

11. Shameful....really

[tazkcmo]

25. This Army vet doesn't give a hoot wether you stand or not.

I don't do the pledge sitting or standing myself and on those rare occasions when I'm some where the anthem is played, I use that moment to hit the concession stand or go to the restroom. It's all garbage as far as I'm concerned and has nothing to do with "loving your country" on Memorial Day, 4th of July, Veteran's Day, Christmas, Easter, etc. In fact I equate much of the "patriotism" I see on these holidays with the faux
kindness many people dust off for the Christmas season only to re-shelve it on Dec 26th and resume being the normal a-hole they really are.


You do you, I'll do me.

[FarPoint]

26. Well don't stand then.....

just move along....we have enough shit stirring going on and this is so very irrelevant.... Productive discussion is what I crave.

[MarineCombatEngineer]

27. Yeah, you do have that right thanks to the men and women who died making sure

that you do have that right.
Quite frankly, I find your thread offensive, another right I have because of the men and women who died to protect it.
Have a great weekend remembering those who chose to defend and give up their lives protecting our Constitution.

[AnrothElf]

4. I stand, but I don't salute. Not even my hat, and I almost always have a hat.

[marble falls]

12. I refuse to do the Texas Pledge of Allegence. Pisses me off to no end.

[tritsofme]

22. Texas has its own pledge? Good lord.

[marble falls]

29. Yes and the morons treat it just like the Pledge of Allegence. The first time I heard it in '99 ...

... I was shocked. I've heard it a LOT since. I pledge nothing to Texas. I came here for Austin and a great job. I used to say to people who asked me, "Why Texas?" and I'd say "Austin is in Texas, but it's not Texas." And that has changed; now we're old, too old to start out over again and with a MiL who's 94 and as MAGA as they come except for vaxxing.

Marble Falls used to be Austin's country cousin. Now it is MAGAd out. Not happy, but am resigned. And I still don't stand for the Lone Star rag.

[LeftInTX]

42. I don't even know the Texas pledge. My kids had to do it in school.

Fortunately, besides their school activities, I have not encountered it. Their last graduation was 2011.

Yes, I stood, because I'm their parent.

I was at the Texas lege in Jan 2023. I can't remember if they had it then. (It was opening day, not for governor, but for state reps and senators) I was sitting in a senator's office during the actually swearing-in ceremony because there were not enough seats. If I would have been at the ceremony, I would have stood etc. I personally think the Texas pledge is just another form jingoism. However, at the capitol, I'm am represented by two Democrats and I support my representatives who work to resist the nuts who are running this place.

[marble falls]

46. They do it almost at every meeting of anything out here. When I lived in Austin, I was an asscociate member of AIA ...

... CSI, and one of the builder's groups. I had to stand there with crossed arms three times a month minimum. After I retired and started working as a caterer here in Marble Falls I'd have to stand or escape into the kitchen three or four times a week. I have no idea of the words except "pledge"

Heres a cut and paste from the intertubes:

https://www.wideopencountry.com/state-pledges-know/

“Honor the Texas flag; I pledge allegiance to thee, Texas, one state under God, One and indivisible”.

Texas is one of 17 states with a state pledge.

Alabama

"Flag of Alabama I salute thee. To thee I pledge my allegiance, my service, and my life."

Arkansas

"I Salute the Arkansas Flag With Its Diamond and Stars. We Pledge Our Loyalty to Thee."

Georgia

"I pledge allegiance to the Georgia flag and to the principles for which it stands; Wisdom, Justice, and Moderation."

Kentucky

"I pledge allegiance to the Kentucky flag, and to the Sovereign State for which it stands, one Commonwealth, blessed with diversity, natural wealth, beauty, and grace from on High."

Louisiana

"I pledge allegiance to the flag of the state of Louisiana and to the motto for which it stands: A state, under god, united in purpose and ideals, confident that justice shall prevail for all of those abiding here."

Michigan

"I pledge allegiance to the flag of Michigan, and to the state for which it stands, two beautiful peninsulas united by a bridge of steel, where equal opportunity and justice to all is our ideal."

Mississippi

"I salute the flag of Mississippi and the sovereign state for which it stands with pride in her history and achievements and with confidence in her future under the guidance of Almighty God."

New Mexico

"I salute the flag of the State of New Mexico and the Zia symbol of perfect friendship among united cultures."

North Carolina

"I salute the flag of North Carolina and pledge to the Old North State love, loyalty, and faith."

Ohio

"I salute the flag of the state of Ohio and pledge to the Buckeye State respect and loyalty."

Oklahoma

"I salute the flag of the State of Oklahoma. Its symbols of peace unite all people."

Rhode Island

"I pledge allegiance to our State Flag, and to the Republic of which Rhode Island forms a part; one Union inseparable, with honor and reverence for both State and Nation."

South Carolina

"I salute the flag of South Carolina and pledge to the Palmetto State love, loyalty and faith."

South Dakota

"I pledge loyalty and support to the flag and State of South Dakota, land of sunshine, land of infinite variety."


Tennessee

"Flag of Tennessee, I salute thee. To thee I pledge my allegiance with my affection, my service and my life."

Texas

"Honor the Texas flag; I pledge allegiance to thee, Texas, one state under God, one and indivisible."

Virginia

"I salute the flag of Virginia, with reverence and patriotic devotion to the 'Mother of States and Statesmen,' which it represents—the 'Old Dominion,' where liberty and independence were born."

This story originally ran on Feb. 22, 2016.


I lived in Ohio until my thirties and I never knew Ohio had one until today. I am shocked any other state besides Texas had one.

[LeftInTX]

48. Just watched video of a recent SA City Council meeting....Only pledge was to the US flag.

Invocation was non-religious by Aylisa Rawze, performer from Drag Haus


I bet the GOP and RW orgs do the Texas pledge.

Public schools are required by Texas law to recite the Texas pledge. I guess the pledge has not been forced on Texas cities, or if it is, not everyone is biting.



https://sanantoniotx.new.swagit.com/videos/305473

[marble falls]

53. I love SA. If you squint your eyes it's a lot like Austin in the 90s, pre-dotcom ...

... I'm in MAGA central. They're more serious about Texas than the nation.

[CTyankee]

56. I am a 3rd generation Texan who left to go off to college and never went back (except to visit relatives)

My roots went deep and there were members of my family I loved dearly in Austin and Brownwood.

Oddly, my former Boston granddaughter has taken a job in Austin and she just loves it. At first, I was fearful for her because of the strict ban on abortion but I know that she is fortunate enough to have a family to get her back to Boston if she ever needs abortion care. She tells me she can't find a gynecologist because the good ones have fled the state.

[marble falls]

58. It's a great place if one has a good education and a great job. My wife remembers it from the sixties ...

... when the population was under 300,000 and the town died when UT let out for the summer and if it was an off year for the Legislature.

I got here in the nineties about when they should have closed the gates cut off anymore of us. It was fun while it lasted, the thing that did it for me was when they realigned Lloyd Doggett's district, cutting Austin into three districts, the two new ones went GOP and the GOP felt that Doggett would fall in the next election or two. He's still standing, but by 2005 or so rents went through the roof.

[RockRaven]

5. It's a lousy song. Embarrassingly bad. Why can't we swap it for a better one?

As it stands, I change the channel when a sportsball or whatever event tries to make me listen to it before getting down to their business.

[ITAL]

9. You'll never get 100% agreement

Most of the ones that I have heard floated as potential replacements are not ones I care for. I rather like the Star Spangled Banner.

I read a book not too long ago that said the most popular patriotic tune for several decades was actually Yankee Doodle. That would have been an interesting Anthem - LOL.

[pfitz59]

16. I vote for "This Land is Your Land"

good Socialist tune

[marble falls]

32. I could stand for that. And be inspired to help make it so. I could stand for My Country Tis of Thee, too.

[mobeau69]

34. God save the Queen/King? America the Beautiful would work for me.

[marble falls]

35. I could stand for that, too. The music's the same as 'My Country Tis of Thee" but the lyrics ...

God save our gracious Queen
Long live our noble Queen
God save the Queen
Send her victorious
Happy and glorious
Long to reign over us
God save the Queen
...not so much at all! And a lot shorter.


O Lord our God arise
Scatter her enemies
And make them fall
Confound their politics
Frustrate their knavish tricks
On Thee our hopes we fix
God save us all

Thy choicest gifts in store
On her be pleased to pour
Long may she reign
May she defend our laws
And ever give us cause
To sing with heart and voice
God save the Queen

Not in this land alone
But be God's mercies known
From shore to shore
Lord make the nations see
That men should brothers be
And form one family
The wide world over

From every latent foe
From the assassins blow
God save the Queen
O'er her thine arm extend
For Britain's sake defend
Our mother, prince, and friend
God save the Queen

Lord grant that Marshal Wade
May by thy mighty aid
Victory bring
May he sedition hush
And like a torrent rush
Rebellious Scots to crush
God save the King

[marble falls]

59. Want to hear a worse one that uses the tune to 'Oh Christmas tree? ...

?si=7cLXtGU4wEhTZIqw

[msongs]

7. nobody is required to stand for the old british drinking song repurposed as the US anthem nt

[usonian]

13. Oh, some of the renditions are dreadful.

I can’t say great or dreadful to the Star Spangled Banner played on koto at a Giants game recently.

I’m still wondering.

P.S. They left town soon thereafter.

[SoFlaBro]

14. I stopped singing the fucking song once I found the fuck out that it sings about slaves and other bullshit.

[LeftInTX]

17. I don't have to sing the National Anthem, or read it or look at it or memorize it....

This is so profound and illuminating!

[Elessar Zappa]

18. Ok, so?

Memorial Day is to honor veterans who died in service to our country.

[Buttoneer]

61. ...and I am grateful for their sacrifice that allows me to be controversial in my opinions.

[Hekate]

20. So?

[LeftInTX]

43. Thread winner! LOL

[tritsofme]

23. You don't have to, but when you hear Jim Corneilson belt it out at the United Center, you can't help but scream!

I hope they have him for the DNC this summer! That would be a treat for the whole nation!

[Bucky]

28. You don't have to. I kind of like to. I think ceremonies are valuable

But yes, the whole point of liberty is that nobody has to do nothing they don't wanna do.

Except pay taxes, of course

[BannonsLiver]

36. Thanks for the update.

[brooklynite]

37. No you don't. HOWEVER...

from a political perspective, expressing a lack of pride in and support for your nation is a great way to lose the support of middle of the road voters.

[dweller]

38. Oh well

https://m.

&pp=ygUZTGFkeSBnYWdhIG5hdGlvbmFsIGFudGhlbQ%3D%3D





✌🏻

[Ping Tung]

39. Patriotism is the passion of fools and the most foolish of passions. Schopenhauer

I haven't stood for the national anthem since 1965.

I am a vet and a pacifist.

My country is the world, and my religion is to do good. Thomas Paine

[Eko]

54. Hey, thanks for posting this.

Dont worry about the naysayers. The Anthem is like the flag to me, symbols that don't really represent if you are a patriot or not and were misused as much as not. It may to others and I dont have a problem with that just like they should not have a problem with us. I have a feeling that ol' Ben Franklin would be sitting right there with you and I.
Keep on keeponing.
Eko.

[Deuxcents]

57. I am forever thankful for all who stood up and signed up to serve in our military.

I am not a vet but I do understand we are bound by our Constitution, not a flag or an anthem. I take our rights seriously as some gave their everything so I can have the life I have. This is a most interesting thread as opinions are passionate and I respect the honesty from those who served and those who did not.

[northern light]

60. Thirty year military vet.

Non-comissioned officer, NCO Academy and Senior NCO Academy graduate. I served under 7 presidents from LBJ to Clinton. I was never ashamed of any of them but I am ashamed of Trump. Every oath of enlistment I took was to the Constitution not to a person. I don't care if someone sits during the National Anthem. I think the pledge of allegiance to the flag means actually nothing. I hate false patriots and idiots that put on BDU's and walk around like they actually wore them in the service. My retired ID says Air Force but the majority of my time was full time Air National Guard. When I retired I received the Air Force Meritorious Medal.

[MarineCombatEngineer]

63. 35 year Marine vet here

thank you for your service.

[JI7]

65. Is there anyone saying you don't have that right ?

[Sky Jewels]

66. I absolutely hate that that damn song is imposed on everyone

at sporting and other events. It’s like something out of Nazi Germany or the Soviet Union.

I find jingoistic displays childish and embarrassing.