I am a veteran and I am more likely to stand for a Black Sabbath song than I am the anthem.
You sir, are my hero....
Sabbath Rules!!! Well, you know...
I believe that it is a matter of personal preference, not a mandate. Are we truly a free society or not? I feel the same way about reciting the pledge of allegiance, the removal of hats, praying at public ceremonies such as graduations, weddings, etc.
I don't unless I happen to be standing.
No reason to - can't dance to it.
The anthem is dated and the extended verses are racist. Forced patriotism does not represent a democracy. People don’t feel proud of our country under a racist, out of control President. People should always have the right to stand or not by their own choice.
If you're forced to stand for an anthem, then all the fingers pointing towards 'North Korea' become hypocritical fingers.
Being forced to stand for an anthem is the kind of thing that happens in dictatorships.
I always thought it was a terrible anthem. America the Beautiful would have been the better choice. When the country actually becomes what it professes to be l will stand. No place for it at anything other than govt. events.
Down here just east of Albuquerque on old route 66 is the 'singing road'. Grooved strip plays America the beautiful when you drive over it.
@Slappy_Longarms Very cool. I lived in Taos in the 90's. I love N.M.
I absolutely agree with you right up to the point where it goes, "America, America god shed his grace on thee" the rest of it is perfect.
@AmelieMatisse l forgot about that part. Why do countries need a theme song anyway? They always suck. Nobody ever requests it at a gig. ?
@Sticks48 if it is a fundamentalist gig they might. But I guess you wouldn't be playing at that
@AmelieMatisse Not likely. ?
I believe protesting is the most American thing we can do.
Forced patriotism, distraction, and old white guys whining about 'uppity blacks.'. I'm so done with the whole thing. I wouldn't stand if they held a gun to my head.
I stand for the anthem, and when the colors are passing by in a parade. If I'm on a military base I pause at attention and face the flag as it's lowered when retreat is sounded. But, that's my culture, and my choice.
Here is my humble opinion or perhaps it is more of an observation: have you ever watched a football game at a bar, or even with a group of people in someone's house? Have they ever stood up and put their hand over their heart? No??? Surprise, surprise. They only do it when everyone else is because they are part of the sheeple mentality
I do stand and quietly sing it. I’m a horrible singer so I try not to let anyone hear me lol.
I fully support those that choose not to stand.
I became agnostic/atheist in high school and would stand for the pledge but not recite it. I was too timid to stay seated. I would now though.
When at work follow your employer's instructions unless they are illegal. If you don't like your employer's instructions, do your best to find another job.
Agree %. (Not sure what happened here, my comment had words chopped off and the context was changed... I've just removed it but the beginning, I still agree with above statement)
@OroLee This. Exactly this.
If you want everyone to stand then ensure that everyone is equally represented under the flag. Today, that's simply not the case. If you're white, male, Christian and financially secure, then you may have a very different view than someone not in that cohort.
By forcing folks to stand for the anthem, you're effectively installing Nationalism into our country, not patriotism.
None of this would be happening if the NFL players would be doing their entitled political statements on their personal time. They are hired and get paid to play football.
The job you are hired to do doesn't negate your right to an opinion. I haven't seen a kneeling football player fail to do the job he was hired to do. Expressing opinions shouldn't be a reason for sanction.....
Kneeling doesn’t bother me in the least, but if my employer wanted me to stand at attention I would, on company time only.