Irritation

[Sooner Cal]

I’ve bit my tongue since the first game last year. I realize these are 18to 22 year olds. But I remember that at their age, I faced the draft with a very low lottery number. Like the vast majority of students my age, I opposed the Vietnam War. But I served (fortunately not in Vietnam). I have many friends who did go. As I saw it, if you believe in what America strands for you do your duty.

Last year, we had some players who didn’t salute during the Anthem. This year we a a few as well. I’m not including the foreign student. But worse, 2 of the 3 referee at the last home game didn’t salute either. That was totally unacceptable.

I think SC made a mistake allowing players to just bow their heads. I don’t think it teaches the women the right message. John Wooden would never have permitted it. If a player wanted to protest, ok, just not during basketball events. If they had protested at a game, they wouldn’t have played.

 

[soonerstar]

I’ve bit my tongue since the first game last year. I realize these are 18to 22 year olds. But I remember that at their age, I faced the draft with a very low lottery number. Like the vast majority of students my age, I opposed the Vietnam War. But I served (fortunately not in Vietnam). I have many friends who did go. As I saw it, if you believe in what America strands for you do your duty.

Last year, we had some players who didn’t salute during the Anthem. This year we a a few as well. I’m not including the foreign student. But worse, 2 of the 3 referee at the last home game didn’t salute either. That was totally unacceptable.

I think SC made a mistake allowing players to just bow their heads. I don’t think it teaches the women the right message. John Wooden would never have permitted it. If a player wanted to protest, ok, just not during basketball events. If they had protested at a game, they wouldn’t have played.

You are spot on. I noticed the Belmont and SMU players all stood with their hand over their heart, not looking down. The OU players have been doing exactly as you stated for many years now. I am sure the Belmont and SMU players were instructed on what to do by their coaches.

 

[sybarite]

I was also drafted out of graduate school in 67. I didn't go to Nam. I was stationed at Edgewood Arsenal, the nerve gas research center in Maryland. It was a time of change, a time of questioning of the national conscience. But, the anthem and the pledge had been used somewhat inappropriately to advance personal political objectives. The code is simply advisory, not law.

There are many reasons that people have for not participating in the anthem coded behavior. Some religions object to it and do not participate. But, there is a reason that the African-American community may object. Francis Scott Key was a slaveholder and fervent anti-abolitionist. Originally, there was a third verse to the anthem that some interpret as his celebration that slaves and hirelings didn't escape slavery by their deaths in battle.

I don't know the truth. I do know that it is not law, and that it defiles the idea of the flag to require an absolute loyalty, rather than having the freedom to protest. I would simply like to believe that everyone on both sides of the issue would have researched it and have a reason for their opinions.

 

[euphguy]

I was also drafted out of graduate school in 67. I didn't go to Nam. I was stationed at Edgewood Arsenal, the nerve gas research center in Maryland. It was a time of change, a time of questioning of the national conscience. But, the anthem and the pledge had been used somewhat inappropriately to advance personal political objectives. The code is simply advisory, not law.

There are many reasons that people have for not participating in the anthem coded behavior. Some religions object to it and do not participate. But, there is a reason that the African-American community may object. Francis Scott Key was a slaveholder and fervent anti-abolitionist. Originally, there was a third verse to the anthem that some interpret as his celebration that slaves and hirelings didn't escape slavery by their deaths in battle.

I don't know the truth. I do know that it is not law, and that it defiles the idea of the flag to require an absolute loyalty, rather than having the freedom to protest. I would simply like to believe that everyone on both sides of the issue would have researched it and have a reason for their opinions.

+1 Beautifully put, Syb. Some may not understand why some of choose to act in ways that violate norms during the anthem, but chances are they don't know how we feel on a daily basis, either. That doesn't mean that we disrespect you, necessarily. Meanings and implications are subjective.

 

[Oliver Hardy]

Of all the problems this coach, team, program have, this is the least of them.

I understand why it might bother people. Patriotism is a personal thing and takes many different forms.

They are free people with the liberty to do what they want. Let’s focus on the real problems, folks,


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[Sooner Cal]

I didn’t say it was the law. It is simply a belief that the country stands for something. You can call it political, I call it respect. We don’t need a law, we need people to understand what America stands for. We need professors and coaches who understand this.

The vast majority never gave a day to their country, but they expect the country to meet their standards. They will be disappointed 7ntil the day they die. They just don’t get the idea that freedom is a work 8n progress, they take it for granted.

When you don’t appreciate what you have, you will lose it. Take it for granted, you will lose it. Since you served, you know what life without liberty is like. These kids have no clue.

Final point. Why would you want to offend those who served? Who taught them this was a good strategy for success. Whoever it was, he’s a fool. Those who are offended just stop supporting you. They don’t hire you.

When you say that this isn’t disrespect, you don’t get to decide that. Those offended decide it. Have you been taught anything? Perhaps you’ve missed out on the levels of 0ver 7 billion other citizens of this planet. Your life is a million times better than most so stick your “ you don’t appreciate my life” crap. You sound like spoiled children.

Hey, that’s ok. Those folks who served and respect the country will pass you by while you sit in self pity.

 

[Sooner Cal]

I think this is very much why this team underperforms. They can’t get on the same page regarding the Anthem, they can’t get on the same page on most things. It shows. Tolerating this is no different that to,stating lack of conditioning or making the same mistakes again and again.