That's America to me

[Vt-Freeheel]

Just saw this and feeling great to be an American, enjoy!

[PassTheDutchie]

Is there a western 'democracy' that engages in a level of nationalist propaganda on the same level as the U.S.? I am actually curious if this kind of thing goes on regularly in other places. Seems where a bit off the chart in this regard.

[stfu&gbtw]

Is there a western 'democracy' that engages in a level of nationalist propaganda on the same level as the U.S.? I am actually curious if this kind of thing goes on regularly in other places. Seems where a bit off the chart in this regard.

Are you figuring the dude with the 'stache is a CIA operative?

You know what we're off the chart in? Lack of ability to correctly use the word "we're".

[Benny Profane]

My guess is that was performed on a stage in Utah. Texas is second guess. Branson, Mo., third.

[PassTheDutchie]

Are you figuring the dude with the 'stache is a CIA operative?

You know what we're off the chart in? Lack of ability to correctly use the word "we're".

That's just the thing. We've been so bludgeoned with the USA! USA! nonsense that it has become completely imbued in our culture. To the determinant of everything else, e.g. proper word usage. Just wondering if other places have this rah-rah-rah crap bleeding into facets of seemingly non-political/nationalistic spheres. Do we really need the national anthem before every baseball game, then "God Bless America" during the 7th inning stretch? How about a loyalty pledge in there somewhere for good measure?

[GeezerSteve]

That's embarrassing. Fucked up that they co-opted the line from this

https://youtu.be/EWxW2Z5znWQ

[stfu&gbtw]

That's just the thing. We've been so bludgeoned with the USA! USA! nonsense that it has become completely imbued in our culture. To the determinant of everything else, e.g. proper word usage. Just wondering if other places have this rah-rah-rah crap bleeding into facets of seemingly non-political/nationalistic spheres. Do we really need the national anthem before every baseball game, then "God Bless America" during the 7th inning stretch? How about a loyalty pledge in there somewhere for good measure?

What exactly are you arguing with? There are places all over the country where you can choose not to experience this sort of thing. It's incredibly naive to say that baseball - our National Pastime - is a non-political/nationalist activity. Many people in this country derive some sense of personal value from a nationalistic ideology... no one has to tell them to. Is that a good thing? No, not really. But would the people who subscribe to those ideas suddenly embark on a personal search for the true meaning of their personal experience of life were they showed their folly? No, not really. One thing everyone in this country actually has is the opportunity to think and believe what they want. If that's how they choose to spend their time, or if they abdicate responsibility for making that choice for themselves, then so be it. I find blind dedication to ideology to be pretty nauseating in any context, including anti-theist and anti-nationalist ideologies, despite the fact that I agree with the principles of those more than most. But it's just not realistic to say that this nonsense is part of some government conspiracy.

[::: :::]

Is there a western 'democracy' that engages in a level of nationalist propaganda on the same level as the U.S.? I am actually curious if this kind of thing goes on regularly in other places. Seems where a bit off the chart in this regard.

the canadian flag gets its fair share of display
but that might be more of a "hey, don't shoot/kidnap me; i'm not american!"

[Timberridge]

Freedom of speech aside, there's probably some happy artistic medium between this and an expletive filled Kayne West performance at the Billboards.

And since you know the national anthem and God Bless America is coming at the baseball game, you could always head to the bathroom while they're playing it, if its offensive.

[Benny Profane]

And since you know the national anthem and God Bless America is coming at the baseball game, you could always head to the bathroom while they're playing it, if its offensive.

Believe it or not, after 9/11, some people were actually stopped from doing that at a few games.

[Tippster]

Come on. Jingoism has been the main element of our National Identity for 200 years. Ever heard of "Manifest Destiny" or "American Exceptionalism?"

[digitaldeath]

back 2 back world war champs


we piss on other nations and call it altruism

[Timberridge]

Believe it or not, after 9/11, some people were actually stopped from doing that at a few games.

It was one incident at Yankee Stadium...cost the city $10,001. The man was an atheist Red Sox fan.
Apparently it's ok now. KQ googled it for me.

[The AD]

Do we really need the national anthem before every baseball game, then "God Bless America" during the 7th inning stretch?

I've got no problem with the National Anthem being played/sung, but "God Bless America" has no place in a public event like this.

[PNWbrit]

I've got no problem with the National Anthem being played/sung

Does it have to be at every fucking game though?

[stfu&gbtw]

I've got no problem with the National Anthem being played/sung, but "God Bless America" has no place in a public event like this.

It's not a public event.

And, when the issue was actually referred to the legal system for comment, it was found to be unconstitutional to try to force people to act patriotically. The issue of jingoism is with our fellow citizens (as in, the ones you buy your baseball tickets from), not with our government.

Just to clarify - while I am a confirmed life long Yankee fan who doesn't see a ton of harm in singing songs, I thought our team's policy was absurd, narcissistic, childish, and probably illegal, and I'm glad it was confirmed as such.

[Benny Profane]

The man was an Satanic Red Sox fan.

FIFY

[stfu&gbtw]

Redundant

FIFY

[Timberridge]

I've got no problem with the National Anthem being played/sung, but "God Bless America" has no place in a public event like this.

I don't know what other parks it's played in but Yankee stadium is owned by the Yankees. So, if Hank and Hal want to do it, they can...whether you or I feel its appropriate or not.

[The AD]

So, if Hank and Hal want to do it, they can...whether you or I feel its appropriate or not.

Of course they can. They could also play Ice T's "Cop Killer" over the PA if they wanted to, but not sure it would be a great idea.

[that dude who did that thing]

Do we really need the national anthem before every baseball game, then "God Bless America" during the 7th inning stretch? How about a loyalty pledge in there somewhere for good measure?

Uh, what the fuck do you think the Pledge of Allegiance is? It's a loyalty oath. I find it fucking offensive in a nation that adopted, as its official doctrine (i.e., the one we all agreed to) the notion of personal sovereignty in speech, belief, and association. That particular bit of crass hypocrisy seems to bother me more than most, even in a culture that consists of little else other than crass hypocrisy.

[stfu&gbtw]

Uh, what the fuck do you think the Pledge of Allegiance is? It's a loyalty oath. I find it fucking offensive in a nation that adopted, as its official doctrine (i.e., the one we all agreed to) the notion of personal sovereignty in speech, belief, and association. That particular bit of crass hypocrisy seems to bother me more than most, even in a culture that consists of little else other than crass hypocrisy.

That doesn't bother me nearly as much as these white douchebags driving around the mid-west with NATIVE stickers on their cars. Couldn't tell you why exactly... As bullshit goes, this is all pretty egregious.

I once contacted the company that makes those to see about a custom order, but they balked at making 10,000 of them that said DOUCHEBAG. Would have been awesome.

[GeezerSteve]

but "God Bless America" has no place in a public event like this.

Amen, brother

Anybody hear this guy on NPR or read his book?

[buttahflake]

choreography is TOP-NOTCH.
the move, with the two guys 'fighting', that shit is Bob 'fucking' Fosse, good.

[splat]

That doesn't bother me nearly as much as these white douchebags driving around the mid-west with NATIVE stickers on their cars. Couldn't tell you why exactly... As bullshit goes, this is all pretty egregious.

I once contacted the company that makes those to see about a custom order, but they balked at making 10,000 of them that said DOUCHEBAG. Would have been awesome.

I have a guy that could prolly fill that order. He did a small order for someone I know that said 'I hate cops, blacks and mexicans'. Those were for the car bumpers of people that pissed him off.