Comments on: Why do we sing the National Anthem at sporting events?

By: painkiller

painkiller — Sun, 24 May 2009 00:22:00 +0000

Joanna, by your “logic” and im using that term loosely in your case; the statement you criticize is about indoctrination not band geeks in wool uniforms. You do not qualify for Quod erat demonstrandum and are hereby banished to Rhode Island for the rest of your miserable existence.

By: confused

confused — Fri, 26 Sep 2008 09:32:52 +0000

Wait, Bush is the one that started replacing Take Me Out to The Ballgame with God Bless America at sport events? What presidential act was that, must have missed it. Thought it was up to the stadium what they play when…

By: tiredofit

tiredofit — Thu, 25 Sep 2008 15:20:45 +0000

they have cheapened all things patriotic by having such a constant barrage of it. When they started replacing Take Me Out to The Ballgame with God Bless America I knew we had gone too far. It’s just more of Bush selling fear for a profit of his corporate buddies

By: KP

KP — Mon, 08 Sep 2008 19:02:10 +0000

I am fortunate enough to live in a city with a Major League Baseball team and I get to go to a few games each year. I have sung along with the anthem every game since 9/11 and still choke up every time… even 7 years later. I don’t support my country blindly, but I do enjoy the anthem with pride at each game I go to.

By: brogers

brogers — Mon, 08 Sep 2008 01:31:16 +0000

Good article. I’m glad someone made clear the history of this practice. It makes sense that in a time of war and in an era before truly mass media that this type of patriotic expression would develop in large gatherings. I guess what I fail to understand is what modern sporting events (with the exception of the Olympics) have to do with patriotism or love of country. Surely there are better ways to honor those who serve and better examples of the greatness American ideals than getting drunk and watching millionaires play a children’s game. This is coming from someone who both loves sports and is a proud American. I just don’t get the connection.

By: Lynn

Lynn — Sun, 07 Sep 2008 23:33:38 +0000

I think we should keep the National Anthem at every sporting event! Its our love for our country, our freedom and supports our men and women that are in the service to protect us! Everyone should know the words and they SHOULD sing it along with what ever celebrity is named to sing it! Have you ever watched a Hockey game against a Canadian team? We (Americans) just stand there looking bored! And the Canadians are bursting with pride, singing as loud, and together as they can! Other countries are the same as the Canadians! I am embarrassed at times like those! I say sing it LOUD & sing it PROUD!!!

By: mrathel

mrathel — Tue, 08 Jul 2008 16:03:40 +0000

Excellent Article. I am glad someone could tackle the issue without getting too political.

By: Addie

Addie — Mon, 07 Jul 2008 18:32:51 +0000

I think that a song that was originally a pub drinking tune is quite fitting for sporting events.

By: Joanna

Joanna — Mon, 07 Jul 2008 17:09:04 +0000

rougy: By your logic, as a former marching band member who performed the anthem many times during my high school career, I should be conditioned to association patriotism with stinky wool uniforms, cold metal bleachers and fart jokes. Oddly, this is not the case.

Besides, since the anthem’s performance would also be associated with the venue, the “conditioning” you describe would only affect the fans of the home team, thereby meaning the opponent’s fans’ reaction would cancel it out. Q.E.D.

By: rougy

rougy — Sun, 06 Jul 2008 19:07:52 +0000

Singing the anthem is all about conditioning. It conditions most sports lovers to love their country right or wrong, and to hate anybody who disagrees with them.