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Who is taking 15 minutes to do that with this though?
Well I do know it seems to bother people when a reporter asks an athlete a question right after a game and they start with "First of all I want to thank my Savior Jesus Christ" Why? I don`t know buy probably for the same reasons they don`t want political statements.
For some reason, we* feel the need to have a little quasi-religious service before sporting events. Traditionally, that service has taken the form of performative patriotism. We stand up, take off our hat and either sing along with the national anthem or just stand there politely. Sometimes there's a color guard or a flyover. There's no real intellectual weight behind this activity -- it's just a little ritual that we perform that reinforces our oneness as a nation or something like that. It's a public sacrament, or more accurately, a liturgy.
Even the other...was barely mentioned in the lead in to the 2nd game last night. And they showed the one anthem only...barely showed the players (I think I saw one kneeling with a hand up). And the talk was then about the actual game.
This would be worse IMO. As a believer in Christ, I understand it's a belief and thus a choice which is why we'd correctly label it "dumb and alienating" as you do here. It's significantly different, in my view, to push a belief on someone than documented fact/reality. The best argument I've heard for keeping this stuff out of games is people don't want to mix politics and sports. That's cool. Get rid of all the ridiculous political faux patriotism tied to sports while we're at it...problem solved.
This seems like a classic right vs left difference. Same way it is puzzling to folks on the right why folks on the left have such a hard time supporting why America is great, folks on the right also have a hard time understanding why folks on the left consider patriotism and displays of patriotism, unity during our national anthem, etc....as fake.
I quickly Googled it and saw only references to Catholicism (specifically, the Eucharist).
I can't speak to the "left right difference". I don't think of this stuff in those terms. I know few people who refuse to acknowledge the great things about America. I know many people who take offense when people point out the places where America could use significant improvement, to the point that if you utter the mere suggestion that we aren't "the best country" their rebuttal is "why do you hate America...you can move" etc etc. Personally, I have no problem with people being patriotic until their heart's content...go for it. Do your thing. Love the country? Awesome...fly (properly) as many flags as you want! I can hold that position and the position that these displays at sporting events are completely forced and awkward simultaneously. I guess I'm saying it's my belief that there is a time and place for each. So to IK's point above that I was responding to, about keeping sports and politics separate, it stands to reason the way to do that is to keep the politics out of sports all together and that includes these forced events pregame. Want to flaunt your patriotism, have it it on Labor Day, Veterans Day, Presidents Day, Fourth of July, hell, create a "God Bless the USA Day" for all I care. In hindsight I'd probably switch out "political faux patriotism" with "forced displays of patriotism". If you take the time to think about them and get passed the "tradition" of it all, it's a really weird practice. Literally, the only time I think it's not weird is during the Army/Navy football game and even then my acceptance of it all has NOTHING to do with the game of football.
I understand your view and myself also do feel that certain "patriotic displays" are over the top and occasionally uncomfortable.
Non religious man here.......Carson Wentz, Zach Ertz and Nick Foles were three players on the Eagles who really seemed to wear their religion on their sleeves. On a personal level....that they attributed their success to Jesus Christ during post game interviews wasn't distasteful at all. It's what they believe. Prayer circles for injured players.....same thing. If there were a televized pre-game 15 minute service that the NFL decided to implement because an overwhelming majority of their players felt that they owed all to our Lord and Savior....I wouldn't watch the service.....but wouldn't be offended.
Have the same struggle and unfortunately, that struggle grows the more I dig into our nation's history. In my view, "tradition" shouldn't/doesn't overrule "what's right". So as I try and learn the different perspectives, I have no problem saying, "damn, that wasn't right...we need to fix that" even if it's at the expense of some tradition people hold on to. Our "tradition" needs to be self reflection, growth in self awareness and trying to do what's right for the country moving forward. We'll get things right and we can be proud of them. We'll get things wrong and not be so proud, but CAN be proud if we work hard to make the wrongs right.
To your last point, based on where the conversation is today it is certain that there will always be a huge number of people (in a nation of 300M) that are unhappy with something. Even if you believe America is "great", it certainly is not perfect or close to it (never will be anywhere on this planet).
Maybe that is what they want, but they aren't going to get it. That ship has sailed. If they are disturbed that much and get bent out of shape by a black national anthem, or players having a televised pregame moment of unity, then they should either turn off the game until after the kickoff, or find other viewing options.
Regarding the past, I don't subscribe to "either/or". It's easily both for me...many things to be proud of, many things not so much. How it affects your view is driven by your self awareness and understanding of our history. This is true of any topic. It's ok to admit there are systemic issues in this country. That doesn't mean I am not proud of the country overall. That's simply an area that needs some work. It's ok to admit that this country probably hasn't been a shining example of humanity in the eyes of African Americans...another area that needs work. It drives me up a wall to watch people make excuses for or try to downplay things like that. I simply don't get it.
The NFL is smarter than the NBA. When the money train stops (look at the horrible ratings even when absolutely nothing else was on TV this summer) the NBA will have a completely different tune. Kind of like them overlooking the Honk Kong stuff while preaching equality here in the states.
at unity.
And if it continues all this political stuff will stop too. Going to be all about the money one way or the other
Yes and no. Thursday night and Sunday night games were down about 25-30% but there was competing sports viewing options for the Thursday game (perhaps also Sunday).
If we're being honest, though, we have to acknowledge that it is unusual that the NFL Week 1 games compete with NBA and NHL playoff games. It is certainly possible that affected the ratings in a negative way.
Thanks for reminding me those were on. It is weird when i hear those score on the radio in the morning it seems like they are playing X-games. I used to watch the NHL playoffs as much as possible but have caught maybe one full game total this playoff season. Maybe 2-3 NBA game in total.
I absolutely agree with this too. I think people have realized sports just aren't as important as we thought. Personally, I've cut my sports watching, reading, and following way down over the past 5-ish years. Nothing to do with the sports (or politics in sports), just have found better, more important things to do.
You edited my quote, making it a partial quote, taken out of context to give a misleading impression of the point I was trying to make.
NoThunderlips said:
https://www.cnn.com/2016/10/14/politics/ruth-bader-ginsburg-apologizes-colin-kaepernick/index.html
Of course. You have to apologize for anything these days. Backtracking to "I should have declined to respond" clearly shows that.
Was it served? Those two white men weren't arrested for starting this it seems. The officer has no time served after pleading guilty to "simple battery".
Honestly... they didn't get off completely and go right back on the job. That's the closest thing you can get to "justice" in these cases nowadays.
I agree. And I'll certainly take it. As I said, it's a step in the right direction. In fact, from the officer's standpoint, I think it's about as good as we can expect. I'm more disappointed in the fact that they never followed up on the two individuals that brought all of this on. But for their actions, none of this happens.
I would imagine it is the same institution that is responsible for 99.5% of white people who are killed every year that are NOT killed by police.
You thought right.