Remember the 1968 Olympics?
Two American runners were vilified for "politicizing" the Olympics by bowing their heads and holding up their fists.
Now, you have to realize, they were standing on a platform with the flags of the countries of the winners being raised, while the national anthem of the gold medal winner is being played, and in this jingoistic moment, these athletes were accused of being too political.
Well, that was the 60's.
Now we have crowds in Indiana and Foxboro, Mass chiding the black football players and screaming "Stand up!" when the players knee down during the playing of the national anthem.
Sometimes the Air Force or the Navy or the Air National Guard flies over the stadiums just after the Star Spangled Banner is played, a wonderful melding of government and commerce. Oh, such patriotism. A moment to compete with Nuremberg, for sure.
As if the Olympics isn't one of the largest commercial scams ever.
As if all those flag and marching soldiers at the stadium are actually something to do with patriotism.
What is it about flags, anyway?
My wife, who is an Army brat, for Pete's sake, the daughter of a guy who had a "flag rank" which meant he could ride around with a little red flag with two stars on it attached to his car, and she now refuses to allow me to fly even a state flag on our property.
"Flags are all fascist," she says. "They are no good and they are stupid."
Well, maybe she has a point.
Two American runners were vilified for "politicizing" the Olympics by bowing their heads and holding up their fists.
Now, you have to realize, they were standing on a platform with the flags of the countries of the winners being raised, while the national anthem of the gold medal winner is being played, and in this jingoistic moment, these athletes were accused of being too political.
Well, that was the 60's.
Now we have crowds in Indiana and Foxboro, Mass chiding the black football players and screaming "Stand up!" when the players knee down during the playing of the national anthem.
Sometimes the Air Force or the Navy or the Air National Guard flies over the stadiums just after the Star Spangled Banner is played, a wonderful melding of government and commerce. Oh, such patriotism. A moment to compete with Nuremberg, for sure.
As if the Olympics isn't one of the largest commercial scams ever.
As if all those flag and marching soldiers at the stadium are actually something to do with patriotism.
What is it about flags, anyway?
My wife, who is an Army brat, for Pete's sake, the daughter of a guy who had a "flag rank" which meant he could ride around with a little red flag with two stars on it attached to his car, and she now refuses to allow me to fly even a state flag on our property.
"Flags are all fascist," she says. "They are no good and they are stupid."
Well, maybe she has a point.
Do you not find it even more amazing that Donald the Draft Dodger is now wrapping himself in the flag and shouting about being a patriot?!! When his country called on him, he paid for a medical excuse and went off to party. Talk about hypocrisy!! The guy is a joke - and a bad one at that!!
ReplyDeleteAnon,
ReplyDeleteActually, this just the opposite from surprising. He protests too much.
The very people who do the least for their country cry the biggest tears when the national anthem is played, and hands go over hearts.
Mad Dog