[QUOTE=caffeinated;3453534]
Is that supposed to be funny? Because usually I get jokes.[/QUOTE]
That would explain why you’ve never laughed at any of mine. :lol:
Except for the members of the older generation who learned “hand over heart for the pledge of allegiance, hands at your side and hats off for the anthem.” And even older - I never, ever remember my father putting his hand over his heart for the anthem.
Yes- my comment was meant to poke in stick at Fox News Toby Keith types. I assume that most of the gentle BB posters get that Barack Obama is a fine candidate not affiliated with AlQueada. And that there is little likelihood that McLain would take the job of VP with his fine string of horses to manage. Though he’d probably be a fine VP. Regardless of his forgetting to be all patriotic. But then - what is patriotism? I think it is actions not symbols…
I’ve just been really surprised/dumbfounded by the number of folks these days who seem to think it’s humorous to compare one of our candidates for president to a terrorist. Perhaps this has made me sensitive/defensive, but I find it a sad example of the state of our political discourse these days, and it makes me cranky (eta: probably why I reacted the way I did to that).
(sorry, got too serious for a minute there)
[QUOTE=bambam;3453512]
MGP- while I respect your opinion that it is proper to put your hand over your heart, I think your equation of where someone puts their hand during an anthem as being determinative of whether they are patritotic or respect their country is misplaced, as is your dismissal of people who disagree with you as being disrespectful :no:
Whether my hand is on my heart or at my side is no measure of my patriotism or respect for my country. I measure that by more substantive means and not whether someone goes through the motions during an anthem[/QUOTE]
MGP - While I respect your sense of patriotism, I gotta agree with bambam here. There are different interpretations of what is appropriate and respectful during the national anthem.
This reminds me of a cartoon that I saw recently. Two middle-aged guys are talking. One is in full military dress uniform, bedecked with medals, stars, bars, and all sort of indications of his accomplishments in the military service. The other guy, who is in a plain business suit, asks him “So where’s your flag pin?”
WJ
[QUOTE=magnolia73;3453525]
Let’s hope Osama does not pick him for VP.[/QUOTE]
Sarcastic or not, I have no idea what this means.
And prefer not to see political references on these boards in any event. There are plenty of other places where that is appropriate – not here.
Like others, I rejoice in the fabulous rides of the American team and offer hearty congratulations to them and all who made such great efforts.
And a special cheer for the Canadian team, especially Ian Millar, riding so well for 40+ years now, winning a first Olympic medal. Fabulous!
Caffienated-
Sorry- I will go back and revise. I know that sometimes that crap actually does work (yuck). Just assumed this audience was above being Karl Roved.
Well crap. Did anyone notice that Beezie and Laura left their hats on? :eek: Does this mean we have to give up the gold medal or can we just deport them to France too? 
And if so, can I have Cedric? :yes:
I just wanna sleep with Keith Olbermann.
I was about to say, just be happy he kept his medal on, but then it’s not usually gold-medal winners who throw temper tantrums.
Geez. I’m all for patriotism but it’s not like he was throwing the Black Panther salute or turning his back.
I was pretty sure I got the joke (though I thought it was also perhaps a typo). But what truly amused me was that Sen. Obama was criticized back in the fall for failing to wear a flag pin at a speech.
An Obama/ Ward ticket. Geez one won’t wear flag pins and the other forgets to cover his heart. What is this world coming to
[QUOTE=MyGiantPony;3453480]
Sheesh. So glad to see respect of flag, anthem and country is such a non issue for so many. :([/QUOTE]
I’d guess this is directed at me, since I was the one using the term “nonissue.” As many others have pointed out, putting your hand on your heart is not the equivalent of “respect for flag, anthem, and country.” As is clear from the dispute here, standard practice varies. One is not “more patriotic” than the other.
I am as flag-waving as any other person on here, and the position that McLain is somehow a traitor because he did the exact same thing that 90% of Americans do (and think is right) is absurd and offensive.
[QUOTE=caffeinated;3453602]
I’ve just been really surprised/dumbfounded by the number of folks these days who seem to think it’s humorous to compare one of our candidates for president to a terrorist. Perhaps this has made me sensitive/defensive, but I find it a sad example of the state of our political discourse these days, and it makes me cranky (eta: probably why I reacted the way I did to that).
(sorry, got too serious for a minute there)[/QUOTE]
Just for clarification, Magnolia was referencing news anchors who “mistakenly” say Osama when doing a story on Obama. She personally wasn’t comparing the two, but rather making reference to a supposed news organization’s continued inability to get the two names straight.
Don’t want to speak for her but I am guessing that she has the utmost respect for the presidential candidate, she like me thought it was common knowledge that FOX has been consistently mixing up the two names for months.
KS, I get that now, but I’ve had enough run-ins with people who really mean it, and think it’s funny, that my first reaction is to get annoyed.
Hurt yourself in that leap?
I find it disrespectful to not address the flag and anthem properly.
It sadly doesn’t surprise me that others don’t.
It did surprise me to see an American on the podium who didn’t put his hand over his heart.
Doesn’t mean I think he’s a traitor, doesn’t mean I don’t admire his abilities.
Caf, that is such a sad commentary on our country that we have all run into people who think that is truly funny. Kind of like the whole thing with his middle name too.
[QUOTE=DMK;3453621]
Well crap. Did anyone notice that Beezie and Laura left their hats on? :eek: Does this mean we have to give up the gold medal or can we just deport them to France too? And if so, can I have Cedric? :yes:[/QUOTE]
Excuse me, but propah ladies stay covered, so Beezie and Laura still love 'Merca like they should. Taking their hats off would make them hoors.
One can’t help but wonder a) whether there is a Pocket Trainer product that covers medal ceremonies and b) what the appropriate wine would be for kvetching about the lack of respect one’s Olympians display for their country during said ceremony.
How about McCain/McLain in 08!
It’s amusing how we all see things differently. Because I am WAY more shocked/offended by whatever poster said something like “I’d burn the flag before I ever do what someone else wants me to during the natl anthem” (paraphrase).
I find political candidates (on both sides) pretty much fair game since they do enough mud slinging to deserve the same in return.
The thing is, there are different views on what is “proper”- because a majority of people learned something differently or show their respect differently doesn’t mean (IMO) that they are disrespectful. Which I think is the point that everyone is making here.
