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cosmicone

(11,014 posts)

98. You are confusing anthem sung at official events

Sun Nov 9, 2014, 10:45 AM

Nov 2014

with anthem sung at sporting events. The latter is not some expression of American power but simply a sociological symbol of "American-ness" because the league is on American soil. There are no speeches glorifying our wars in the middle east nor is anyone asked to join the military to go fight.

In that sense, anthem sung at sporting venues is just pop music.

The anthem itself glorifies the struggle of the revolutionary war and has nothing to do with foreign invasions. It should be objectionable to the British far more than Muslims.

Burning of flag etc. are political free speech primarily used by the weak, poor and powerless because all it costs is a flag and a couple of matches. Waiters is a person of means and he can easily launch a protest organization, have a website, place ads on TV/in Newspapers and use all mainstream means of dissent. Thus, what Waiters did was a publicity stunt.

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NBA player Dion Waiters informs he is a Muslim and plans to skip national anthems [View all] pettypace Nov 2014 OP

Yet another reason not to give a fuck about basketball. paper boy Nov 2014 #1

Does it make you mad, boy? RandiFan1290 Nov 2014 #32

Not mad, just uninterested. paper boy Nov 2014 #69

"another reason"? amuse bouche Nov 2014 #46

It's boring and stupid and turns jack asses like Dion Waiters into role models for children. paper boy Nov 2014 #70

Children shouldn't be independent thinkers? Ash_F Nov 2014 #85

so are you saying celebrity role models don't influencethe development of impressionable children? paper boy Nov 2014 #86

I find you completely ridiculous Ash_F Nov 2014 #88

I notice you were unable/ unwilling to answer the question paper boy Nov 2014 #89

Bested by the paper boy... Ash_F Nov 2014 #90

The paper boy is here to deliver the news paper boy Nov 2014 #91

Less news, and more simply an unsupported editorial. LanternWaste Nov 2014 #140

I guess you didn't recognize the levity. paper boy Nov 2014 #144

who needs a reason. olddad56 Nov 2014 #51

not true. People are interested in various things for various reasons paper boy Nov 2014 #74

I stopped watching all sports after the first baseball strike, ballyhoo Nov 2014 #57

The steroids scandal ruined baseball for me. paper boy Nov 2014 #73

Me too occasionally... ballyhoo Nov 2014 #78

i love my country but there's no need to like or sing the national anthem CreekDog Nov 2014 #145

That's seems a lot like saying I love my spouse but there's no need to tell him/her. paper boy Nov 2014 #147

stupid response. the national anthem is not saying "I love you to the country" CreekDog Nov 2014 #148

...... paper boy Nov 2014 #150

Way to hijack ... mallard Nov 2014 #94

Bush and Cheney shouldn't get the entire blame cosmicone Nov 2014 #107

Why would skipping a national anthem be "another reason"? What is wrong with doing that? uppityperson Nov 2014 #114

he has a right to disrespect his country and I have a right to not observe it. paper boy Nov 2014 #125

How is avoiding a national anthem "disrespect his country"? uppityperson Nov 2014 #127

refusing to show reverence for one's country is a statement especially in such a high profile manner paper boy Nov 2014 #131

In your view, is standing for the anthem while supporting invading other countries showing "respect" uppityperson Nov 2014 #133

Standing for the anthem is a show of reverence for one's country. paper boy Nov 2014 #134

You look down upon those who do not participate in public displays of revering their country? uppityperson Nov 2014 #135

You would prefer that I look up to such people? paper boy Nov 2014 #137

I judge on what people do vs mere public displays. Regarding "infinite" amounts of money. uppityperson Nov 2014 #138

Dion plays a game, gets paid a lot of money to do it, and then disrespects the country paper boy Nov 2014 #139

Bumper-sticker patriotism is little more than a bumper-sticker. LanternWaste Nov 2014 #141

and bumper sticker unpatriotism is somehow better? paper boy Nov 2014 #146

So... Scairp Nov 2014 #2

What has attending the anthem got to do with Islam? cosmicone Nov 2014 #3

+1!! Another great post. And read the last sentence of that article 7962 Nov 2014 #4

Well said. (nt) Shemp Howard Nov 2014 #5

+1 840high Nov 2014 #15

He's making the shit up as he goes along. MADem Nov 2014 #53

Good one, cosmicone. I agree completely. ballyhoo Nov 2014 #60

There have been several prominent Muslims in sports DAngelo136 Nov 2014 #66

I wonder that too treestar Nov 2014 #100

No more and no less than attendance for an anthem has to do with playing basketball. LanternWaste Nov 2014 #142

Dion is getting some bad advice. BillZBubb Nov 2014 #6

+1 n/t jaysunb Nov 2014 #8

Thats what I thought too. FarPoint Nov 2014 #30

That's a non sequitur. Igel Nov 2014 #56

bet he won't turn his back on money nt msongs Nov 2014 #7

The green, green, and green always trumps the red, white, and blue! KansDem Nov 2014 #26

"bet he won't turn his back on money" workinclasszero Nov 2014 #68

I imagine he earns the money for playing the game rather than attending to symbolic gestures. LanternWaste Nov 2014 #143

Message auto-removed Name removed Nov 2014 #9

I'm not a Muslim and I prefer to skip the National Anthem. SheilaT Nov 2014 #10

You're not alone, not by any means. Many people have believed this way for generations. n/t Judi Lynn Nov 2014 #21

Why? whathehell Nov 2014 #35

I find the singing of the National Anthem at every sporting event SheilaT Nov 2014 #49

Oh, okay... whathehell Nov 2014 #64

I was forced to say it when I was in elementary and middle school. Alittleliberal Nov 2014 #111

Think of it this way: It's a prayer. SheilaT Nov 2014 #120

Agree JonLP24 Nov 2014 #121

Worked at a thrift store where the boss would gather us all together before the store opened Jake Stern Nov 2014 #112

And I'm guessing you don't run around telling people you are one, and using that as an excuse. MADem Nov 2014 #106

Fine .... he isn't that good and I am sure that his contract has a behavior clause in it too. Botany Nov 2014 #11

I don't deify anything or pretend its sacred. bravenak Nov 2014 #12

Anyone who does is not well balanced. Thanks. n/t Judi Lynn Nov 2014 #22

So these guys were not "well balanced"? EX500rider Nov 2014 #108

They didn't JonLP24 Nov 2014 #115

Right. EEO Nov 2014 #13

This should end well. n/t SpankMe Nov 2014 #14

Bet he doesn't skip the national currency, though nt Dreamer Tatum Nov 2014 #16

Bingo! whathehell Nov 2014 #36

Yep And it still says in God we Trust treestar Nov 2014 #101

Post removed Post removed Nov 2014 #17

Post removed Post removed Nov 2014 #18

I recall what Hakeem Olajuwon (also a Muslim) had to say on the issue back in 1996. hughee99 Nov 2014 #19

No one should be required to stand, recite, sing, etc ANYTHING they do not want to IdiocracyTheNewNorm Nov 2014 #20

Your post is very deeply appreciated. Thank you, so much. Welcome to D.U. n/t Judi Lynn Nov 2014 #23

I only stand if the anthem is accompanied by fighter jets screaming through the sky overhead... tontonmacoute Nov 2014 #24

I would not call anyone a coward for making a personal choice IdiocracyTheNewNorm Nov 2014 #34

How about if they are willing to sing the national anthem AND die for the country? whathehell Nov 2014 #31

I don't care just don't bully those who don't partake. IdiocracyTheNewNorm Nov 2014 #39

Awww...Poor widdle million dollar "victim" whathehell Nov 2014 #40

"How about if they are willing to sing the national anthem AND die for the country?" amuse bouche Nov 2014 #58

They die for the freedom NOT to sing the national anthem? whathehell Nov 2014 #62

Yes, believe it or not...freedom not to be a mindless sheep amuse bouche Nov 2014 #83

I served in a deployment, received combat pay JonLP24 Nov 2014 #117

Love your post amuse bouche Nov 2014 #47

As an individual citizen, yes. As an employee who is part of a commercial endeavor BeyondGeography Nov 2014 #76

If contractually obligated then mandatory participation is required but I doubt National Anthem IdiocracyTheNewNorm Nov 2014 #92

Sacrifice is part of adult life; it is not being a sheep BeyondGeography Nov 2014 #95

Exactly. Thank you for your post, welcome to Du. uppityperson Nov 2014 #116

Good post. Nationalism is not the friend people think it is. harun Nov 2014 #130

I don't see the big deal. NaturalHigh Nov 2014 #25

Post removed Post removed Nov 2014 #27

Should we deport everyone NeoConsSuck Nov 2014 #55

Oh, sure...Except I didn't say a damn thing about "deportation", duh whathehell Nov 2014 #63

Born in Philadelphia JonLP24 Nov 2014 #118

Sports jocks make for poor political commentators. Being famous has nothing to do with being smart, Fred Sanders Nov 2014 #28

So do a lot of posters on blogs like this one.. whathehell Nov 2014 #33

What? Fred Sanders Nov 2014 #38

I don't teach remedial reading.. whathehell Nov 2014 #42

It's a stupid move Android3.14 Nov 2014 #29

I wish they would quit playing the national anthem or America the beautiful rurallib Nov 2014 #37

Completely agree Strelnikov_ Nov 2014 #44

Dion who? Vinca Nov 2014 #41

But he does have an allegiace to United States money. Rhinodawg Nov 2014 #75

the intolerance heaven05 Nov 2014 #43

I would have expected better of so-called liberals. alarimer Nov 2014 #124

Can any juror (or alerter) post the jury results for the 2 hidden posts above? muriel_volestrangler Nov 2014 #45

Ya think? cosmicone Nov 2014 #61

uhh those posts are not merely "critical" of Muslims... alp227 Nov 2014 #71

I don't think it is dehumanizing. cosmicone Nov 2014 #77

"disrespect the very institutions"? Oh really? alp227 Nov 2014 #80

You are confusing anthem sung at official events cosmicone Nov 2014 #98

In what way are they 'dehumanizing'? muriel_volestrangler Nov 2014 #96

+1 n/t cosmicone Nov 2014 #97

I didn't find them hide-worthy either treestar Nov 2014 #102

IMO, staying in the locker room is preferable... 3catwoman3 Nov 2014 #48

i try to avoid the anthem and the pledge dembotoz Nov 2014 #50

I prefer loyalty oaths myself. Preferably signed in blood RufusTFirefly Nov 2014 #72

That's a load of horseshit. MADem Nov 2014 #52

Good post. There is something ironic about this ballyhoo Nov 2014 #59

Thanks to Jehovah's Witnesses.. Feron Nov 2014 #99

Look, he's the one that blamed Islam for his bout of diarrhea, or whatever his problem was. MADem Nov 2014 #104

National anthem is somehow religious? packman Nov 2014 #54

If its okay with the fans of this insanely boring "sport" and his product endorsement checks Rowdyboy Nov 2014 #65

He should just stand silently, not disappear. rocktivity Nov 2014 #67

Looks like it is not true...Dion Waiters denies missing national anthem for religious reasons NordicLeft Nov 2014 #79

I find it implausible that the reporter would fabricate those quotes Enrique Nov 2014 #81

I don't get why he'd suddenly make the move in his third season in the NBA JonLP24 Nov 2014 #119

Maybe he had a Cat Stevens moment. randome Nov 2014 #151

I was 3 when that happened so I don't understand the controversy JonLP24 Nov 2014 #152

Actually, it looks like it is true and he is now trying to cover himself oberliner Nov 2014 #93

Probably when someone pointed out that Kareem and Ali didn't mind, and there's no "rule" against it, MADem Nov 2014 #105

what religion go to do with it rafeh1 Nov 2014 #82

Bad move on his part. roamer65 Nov 2014 #84

I don't remember Kareem Abdul Jabbar doing this. KinMd Nov 2014 #87

LOL! Politicalboi Nov 2014 #103

I have no idea why you think this is funny leftynyc Nov 2014 #126

Wait... what does the Star Spangled Banner have to do with religion? Nye Bevan Nov 2014 #109

Complete lyrics from the Smithsonian site truthisfreedom Nov 2014 #110

OK, well he could stay for verses 1 through 3 (nt) Nye Bevan Nov 2014 #113

I'm sure he hurt the National Anthems feelings... ileus Nov 2014 #122

Everyone should skip it. alarimer Nov 2014 #123

I might have had more respect for him had he said he did it for political reasons... Blue_Tires Nov 2014 #128

ISIS is Muslim, too. I guess this guy spends most of his free time in bathrooms and locker rooms. randome Nov 2014 #149

lol, man people love controversy. he will not be playing in the nba long. n/t. okieinpain Nov 2014 #129

Conscientious objection is honorable, by definition, principled. He's obviously closeupready Nov 2014 #132

They'll end up trading him. WhoWoodaKnew Nov 2014 #136