[QUOTE=Madeline;3453532]
We bitch about riders showing no respect for the sport by not wearing hairnets. [/QUOTE]
I didn’t say they didn’t have respect for the sport…
I just said they looked fugly.
lol
[QUOTE=rileyt;3453501]
Respect for your country is nothing to laugh about. Equating that with whether or not someone puts his hand on his heart for the anthem is.[/QUOTE]
I like that reply. That goes for every country, religion, doctrine, law or personal decision that anyone makes.
My brother’s reaction…
A bunch of rebellious Poms, Krauts, Clog Wog’s, Iti’s etc who fled from being told what to do and how to do it are COMPLAINING because someone (not thinking of political correctness at the time) forgot to put his hand over his heart while listening attentively and emotionally to the national anthem of his country?
Wouldn’t be from the US would they? LOL no offence intended but look how long this thread is.
Having now had an opportunity to watch the medal ceremony, I noticed that it took Will a bit to put his hand over his heart as well and like another poster said, I think it had to do with being caught up in the moment and having the flowers in their hands. No one looked like they were disrespecting our country and no one didn’t look like they were proud. I think McLain was actually quite overcome with emotion. He looked both proud to be an American, proud of his personal accomplishment, proud of his team and truly humbled by the experience. I can’t even imagine how surreal it must feel to be up there. I’d surely do something idiotic to cause the entire world to talk about it (not like I’ll EVER make it anywhere NEAR where he has).
Yes, women traditionally keep their hats on – because back in 18th and 19th century in Europe women’s hats were tied on and/or pinned into their hair and couldn’t be quickly removed without damaging the 'do. Whereas men’s hats or caps could be easily removed. (Women didn’t wear hats at night, so it wasn’t an issue then.)
So the tradition was and is still all about hat/helmet hair. 
But the important question is, do belly dancers wear hats? And if so, when and how do they remove them? 
[QUOTE=Anyplace Farm;3454585]
He looked both proud to be an American, proud of his personal accomplishment, proud of his team and truly humbled by the experience.[/QUOTE]
Well, I AM TOO (proud of him). And of the entire team. I hope that’s certainly the message that’s being conveyed to him and all the team: WELL DONE. We’re all so proud ,and THANK YOU.
Not only do I put my hand over my heart, I stand at attention.
As a veteran, I’m not offended by McClain’s action today. Instead, I could see he was taken by the moment and not being a jerk. It’s forgivable. :yes:
OK, normally I hate it when people post and haven’t read the thread, but damn, eleven pages because someone didn’t put their hand over their heart when FSK’s Ballad of Fort McHenry played? I can’t do it, sorry.
I just want to know if the offender has been tearing Wallace stickers off the bumpers of cars, and if he even has a garage, with a communist flag tacked up on the wall?
I think we should start a thread on belly dancing. Now that would be worth 11 pages.
Talk about core strength.
Portia is correct about helmet hair back when women wore hats - but women often did take their hats off indoors. So maybe in the next Olympics we can kvetch about a hairnetless female equestrian with her hands in her pockets or and her helmet held under her arm.
ok, show of hands…who actually CARES what he did on the medal stand?
Now…everyone who raised their hand needs to go out right this moment and get a life. :lol:
No, I haven’t read the whole thread…don’t plan to.
carry on 
Let me apologize for not reading all the replies. I am using my blackberry to stay in touch with the show jumping while we are on vacation in Maine (no Cable or Internet)… But I saw this thread and I have to jump in.
First, congradulations to Mclain, Bezzie, Will and Laura. You have made countless of horse people back home SO PROUD of you!!! Thank you for all your hard work and dedication.
Second - I can not believe that someone is jumping on Mclain’s case for not putting his hand over his heart… How dare you try to deminish this moment for Mclain and the other members of the team. Heart covering or not… I am proud of Mclain and the team.
Finally, I am proud to live in a country that had Freedom of Speach, Freedom of Press and many other freedoms that our Founding Father gave us… Let’s not take being American for granted and Slam people for the little things. People need to stop being so critical…
-MFP
PS- I don’t recommend posting a reply using a Blackberry…
For the record McLain did put his hand over his heart. Will was the one who stood to attention. Bear in mind that that these guys looked definitely unpracticed - trying to shake hands, decide whether to do it before or after the medal was hung around their necks, where to put the helmet, how to hang onto the flowers and shake hands (again) and still put their hand over their heart - and don’t forget one kiss or two for Princess Haya. Then they had to decide how to turn in unison to wave to the other side of the arena, cope with the emotion, wave with or without flowers held high, hug each other - not easy - you get the picture.
Whatever ---- the whole jump off is one for the history books.
Must be the best feeling in the world for Will to go clean and know he saved their fourth rider from having to go.
Sapphire - what a doll, snaffle mouth, looked like a hunter - if ever I hear anything more about that chestnut mare prejudice, I’ll puke.
[QUOTE=MyGiantPony;3453401]
Maybe it’s just me being a fussy old woman, but I’m very patriotic.
In all the pictures I’ve seen, Mclain is the only one without his hand over his heart during the National Anthem.
I didn’t get to see the actual ceremony - did anyone notice?
Anyone close enough to him to give him a little lesson on proper behavior during the National Anthem?[/QUOTE]
who CARES!! The action of putting your hand approximately directly over top of a big, beating, blood pumping organ does not in any way affect a geographical location. NOT ONE SINGLE WAY! I hope MORE PEOPLE stop putting their hand over their heart during the national anthem since it will signify man finally overcoming superstition.
sorry if that was hostile, but the fact that someone would care about something so trivial makes so mad.
[QUOTE=J Swan;3454648]
I think we should start a thread on belly dancing. Now that would be worth 11 pages.[/QUOTE]
It still would be a fraction of the total pages and energy expended to date bemoaning the amount of women’s volleyball coverage given to date on this BB
This is a strange thread to me - not because of the OP’s comment/question, but because of the responses, which imply the idea of holding your hand over your heart during the national anthem is ridiculous. For real???
I noticed that he didn’t as well as well. This is event distinctive in that the only reason Mclain is riding in Beijing is to represent his country in an international comptetition… and it’s not often you get to see your riders on top of the podium with the U.S. anthem playing. Am I disappointed that he didn’t do it? A little, but I really don’t think anything different of him (I like the guy). I am disappointed the people who think showing respect is stupid and playing the anthem is a waste of time at sporting events. We’re very lucky to live here, despite all of this country’s shortcomings. I also think it’s pretty great tradition, and a nice expression of respect for what we’ve got. It’s sad to see traditions like this start to fade off…
Jeez, OP, I bet you weren’t expecting these responses. I didn’t think it was a ridiculous question, nor did I think you were trying to diminish/taint his (their) well-deserved gold. I guess the answer to your question is that this tradition is losing it’s value/point among our citizens.
And for whoever said the olympics doesn’t involve patriotism…um, it doesn’t? It kind of seems like a great display to me…from all countries…
Kind of a non-issue, IMHO. Sort of like the choice to go with hunter hair. The unbraided horses probably bother me more for some reason, but maybe they don’t like having their hair done.
[QUOTE=gottagrey;3453793]
Until the US Code was posted here I had no idea there was a CODE! I have never received a copy of this code ? Has anyone received a copy of the Congressional Codes? I would think MAYBE someone who was studying for their citizenshiop would certainly know about the code. If you make the US Olympic team do they give you a handout of the CODE? I’m from a career Marine family and I don’t recall anything about the “Code”. but then again perhaps my father was a little over mililtary protocol after being in 3 wars.[/QUOTE]
The US Code is the set of Federal Laws. You know when someone says, “Congress oughta pass a law”? The result is the US Code. 
http://www.findlaw.com/casecode/uscodes/
This Code isn’t exactly something you can stick in your wallet, ya know. It’s a big bigger than a condom.
[QUOTE=Coreene;3453818]
Well, since this pot is a-stirrin’, lemme just add that when I say the Pledge, I say “One nation … with liberty and justice for all” and leave out “under God,” which I think has no place in the Pledge (which was of course only added in 1954), same as I think “In God We Trust” has no business being on the $$.[/QUOTE]
You’re kidding, right? Are you also one of those people who protests Christmas?
And BTW… Andrew Shephard WASN’T a real president. I hate to break it to you!!!
[QUOTE=jlf;3454728]
I am disappointed the people who think showing respect is stupid and playing the anthem is a waste of time at sporting events. We’re very lucky to live here, despite all of this country’s shortcomings. I also think it’s pretty great tradition, and a nice expression of respect for what we’ve got. It’s sad to see traditions like this start to fade off…
.[/QUOTE]
I think the national anthem at sporting events trivializes the anthem. The national anthem should be played in parades, ceremonies, and the like, certainly the Olympics–but why at a baseball game? Maybe national championships–the world series or the superbowl–but at every MLB all year long?
It’s all about show–play the anthem at a game, put your hand over your heart, wear a flag pin. But heaven forbid somebody criticize, somebody say, “shouldn’t there have been a little more outrage over Abu Ghraib? Shouldn’t some heads have rolled?” Criticism is patriotic, wanting the U.S. to be the best it can be is patriotic–only through criticism do you grow strong. That kind of thing is more patriotic than the anthem at MLB games, holding your hand over your heart, or flag pins–for some, those things are about blind loyalty and just for show. Citizenship is action.
[QUOTE=Drvmb1ggl3;3453443]
I’ve got a 6’x 9’ flag pin, beat that. It’s got wheels and a hitch on it. Bought an F350 just to haul it around.[/QUOTE]
LMFAO! i saw someone that actually had one of these. in VERMONT. his f350 was bright yellow. and loud…
too funny.
