Thursday, August 17, 2006

Utter Disrespect

Bubba and I went to the Yankees/Orioles game last night. We always make it there for the National Anthem (those of you who know Bubba well know that bad things happen if you don't!), and I continue to be amazed at the lack of respect people have for our National Anthem. Sure, they stand and take their hats off, but no one sings (they don't know the words) or puts their hand over their heart, and few people ACTUALLY look at the flag (I know, I've cheated and looked around out of curiousity and using my peripheral vision) throughout the entire song. I know it's challenging to sing (believe me, I'm a singer, I know), but come on, people! Show some respect! Your grandfather (who likely served his country in the armed forces at some point) would yell at you if he saw your behavior! This is nothing new, it happens at every event I've ever been to. But it still chaps my hide.

And then, THEN! The 7th inning stretch rolls around, and the Yankees have a moment of silence for our service men and women, then play God Bless America (thankfully no one sings it anymore). Been doing it since 9/11 (and frankly, I'm sick of it....just one more thing to squeeze in to an already too-long game). And EVERYONE takes their hats off and sings the ENTIRE song! Yes, it's easier to sing AND the words are simpler, AND they put them up on the jumbo-tron, but IT WAS WRITTEN FOR A BROADWAY MUSICAL AND IS NOT OUR NATIONAL ANTHEM!!! On top of all that, you ARE NOT required to remove your hat! Bubba removes his for the moment of silence, then puts it back on for the song (which I've started not singing out of protest). He actually got yelled at last night that it was disrespectful by some jack-ass behind us. He turned around and asked if it was our National Anthem, and the guy said 'everyone else is doing it!' which, frankly, is not the answer to the question. And, it shut him up pretty quick.

I have friends and family that have served or are currently serving in our armed forces, and I think they would agree with me that it is disrespectful to our country and to them to remove your cover (hat) for anything other than the National Anthem or the presentation of the Colors (which is basically what happens when we sing the National Anthem).

On a similar topic, Bubba attended the ground-breaking ceremony for the new Yankee stadium (which he's been working on the design for) yesterday morning. He said NO ONE took their hats off for the presentation of the Colors, by men and women actually in uniform! People sometimes surprise me with their ignorance.

Can you tell this REALLY chaps my hide? I suppose I should be used to it, but people never cease to amaze me. It brings up an interesting question....how many of YOU out there in cyber space actually know the words to the National Anthem and sing them (more or less) when it's played? How many of you know all the words to God Bless America? I hope you surprise me, but I'm not too optimistic.

5 comments:

Jillie Bean (AKA Bubba's Sis) said...

This chaps my hide, too!! People are so ignorant. I know the words to the National Anthem, and I get really peeved when I see people not remove their cover when it plays (sometimes if they are close enough to me I will say something to them - but not yell at them!). Maybe it's because we have connections to the Armed Forces, maybe it's because we're Southern ladies, and maybe it's just because we were raised right, but you and I know the proper respect when it comes to our flag and have every right to be peeved at those who don't!

Another thing that bothers me - men who don't remove their hats at the dinner table. RUDE!

Editor in Chief said...

The dude had some liquid courage. He was rather quiet until the 6th inning when he got enough beer in him.

Bubba's Mom said...

Showing disrespect for the National Anthem can only be topped by disrespect for the flag. I hate seeing old, ratty, tattered flags left hanging outside in the weather - NOT LIGHTED - either. If you are going to fly the colors at least take it in at night and when it gets all tattered and torn, destroy it and spring for a new one - or just don't bother. And if you don't know the words to the Star Spangled Banner, you should be ashamed of yourself.

japruf said...

I kind of take the word 'hide' to connotate a dead skin, like a big piece of leather. I believe this is why the saying is "chaps my ass." Gentility aside, it is very hard to chap a hide, the thing is already tanned.

This issue chapped my ass back in Houston a number of ears ago, it was the same thing. Drove me nuts.

Jillie Bean (AKA Bubba's Sis) said...

I've always said "chaps my hide"....