Mclain during medal ceremony

[Glimmerglass]

So we (the US) win a gold medal in team showjumping - wonderful - which saves a shred of respect for our collective equestrian programs, but instead people first bitch about McLain do and/or not doing something, then turn on anyone who doesn’t salute the flag like they’re recreating the scene from Iwo Jima, then get into some exchanges over of all freaking things Obama. Folks need to get off the computer and do something else sometimes.

Bottom line: I’m very pleased with the gold medal!

From this picture I suppose removing helmets during the National Anthem is not required for all

[caffeinated]

but glimmerglass, it’s ok for the wimminfolk to keep their hair properly covered. At least, I’m pretty sure someone said that on the last page and I’m going with it.

[Ghazzu]

@LexInVA;3453425

Not everyone does the heart over hand thing anymore. It’s fallen out of fashion I guess, though I believe there is actually a Federal law on the books that makes it mandatory. Don’t know if it’s ever been enforced though.

Sounds pretty far-fetched to me–if there were a federal law like that, I’d push to have it tossed on the basis that it is unconstitutional.

A wonderful thing about this country is that you aren’t required to perform certain acts deemed by others to display “patriotism”.

[flshgordon]

@Glimmerglass;3453711

Bottom line: I’m very pleased with the gold medal!

DITTO!

[Ghazzu]

@MyGiantPony;3453480

Sheesh. So glad to see respect of flag, anthem and country is such a non issue for so many.

Ther’s a big difference between posing during the national anthem and loving one’s country.

Personally, I’m offended by all the lazy ass folks who fly a flag but can’t be bothered to raise it at dawn and lower it at sunset.
Too inconvenient, I guess.

[Madeline]

@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:

I was always taught that the national anthem, for women, was like church. If you’re wearing a hat, keep it on. Men: If you’re wearing a hat, take it off.

No hands on hearts.

[DMK]

@loshad;3453694

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.

Yes, but shouldn’t they also be barefoot, pregnant and in the kitchen in order to qualify? None of this pesky representin’ your country on equal footing with the menfolk, right?

I am troubled that MGP sees fit to worry about McLain’s patriotism and yet not Beezie and Laura’s though… There seems to be so little concern for their etenal souls. Are there enough flag pins to cover for this? See, so much to worry about. It’s overwhelming. But I’m sure if I could get a hold of some of that exceptional wine that Pocket Trainer would undoubtedly recommend for such an occasion, I’d worry less. Unless of course she recommended a French wine? :eek:

[SuperSTB]

[QUOTE=Ghazzu;3453736]

Personally, I’m offended by all the lazy ass folks who fly a flag but can’t be bothered to raise it at dawn and lower it at sunset.
Too inconvenient, I guess.[/QUOTE]

Oh crap!
(shuffles off to take flag down for this evening…)

This thread is cracking me up BTW- must be the hot topic for the day

What else can we throw in the mix?

[DMK]

@Madeline;3453740

I was always taught that the national anthem, for women, was like church. If you’re wearing a hat, keep it on. Men: If you’re wearing a hat, take it off.

No hands on hearts.

Well, sure you were taught that, I was taught that, judging by any playing of the Anthem at every sporting event in this country, over half the damn citizens were taught this… But clearly there is a law and mortal souls are in peril if we are to judge by MGP’s concern, right? :lol:

[DeLovely]

Maybe it is a generational thing. I’m in my early thirties. I’m just as patriotic as the next person, and I stand behind the good things about the U.S. and support my country—but as a free thinker, I don’t like having to participate in gestures of allegiance. The hand over heart thing seems cultish to me and I don’t think it is in any way representative of character whether someone does it or not.

[danceronice]

@flshgordon;3453703

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 would have to agree here. I’m a lot more offended by the people who argue that the best way to demonstrate patriotism is to trash your own country or act ashamed of it (and no, it is not a recent Bush years thing; these people have been like this all along.)

[fordtraktor]

[QUOTE=MyGiantPony;3453683]
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.

QUOTE]

Didn’t hurt me as badly as it hurt you in sentences 2 and 3 of your response. Again. Will some people never learn? Or are you just too stubborn to admit that maybe he wasn’t being disrespectful? That maybe what you have learned as respectful is not what others know? That should be OBVIOUS given the difference of opinion on this board alone over whether hand-over-heart is appropriate or not.

[BLBGP]

[QUOTE=MyGiantPony;3453683]

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.[/QUOTE]

I take it this is the only sport you watched and the only Olympic year you’ve watched? And you’ve never been to a baseball game? I was also raised with the “hand on heart for pledge, hands at sides with hat off for anthem” mantra. I thought he was appropriately respectful and I can’t understand getting so worked up about it. He was still, eyes slightly glistening, staring at the flag. That, to me, is respect. Hell, he could have been chewing gum, laughing, and trying to talk to the riders next to him for the way you’re carrying on.

[gottagrey]

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.

I don’t usually put my hand over my heart, and quite frankly from time to time would like to put my hands over my ears due to some people who need to add various octaves to the Anthem when they sing :lol:

[Josey_sMom]

Did anyone else notice the caption in the picture Glimmerglass posted? Apparently, both Beezie and Laura rode Authentic. Cedric didn’t jump at all. Poor Authentic must be so tired, lol. (Yes, I know it was a typo, just thought it was kinda funny and trying to lighten the mood of this thread)

[MyGiantPony]

@Ghazzu;3453736

Personally, I’m offended by all the lazy ass folks who fly a flag but can’t be bothered to raise it at dawn and lower it at sunset.
Too inconvenient, I guess.

well, I’m with you on that. (we alway had a spot light on it at night if it didn’t come down…)

[MyGiantPony]

@fordtraktor;3453784

[quote=MyGiantPony;3453683]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.

QUOTE]

Didn’t hurt me as badly as it hurt you in sentences 2 and 3 of your response. Again. Will some people never learn? Or are you just too stubborn to admit that maybe he wasn’t being disrespectful? That maybe what you have learned as respectful is not what others know? That should be OBVIOUS given the difference of opinion on this board alone over whether hand-over-heart is appropriate or not.

Riiiiight. Because the majority posting on this particular board disagree with me means I’m wrong.

If it’s majority rule, I’ll stick with the opinion on the Marine Mom board.

[Coreene]

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 $$.

[MyGiantPony]

@BLBGP;3453790

I take it this is the only sport you watched and the only Olympic year you’ve watched? And you’ve never been to a baseball game? I was also raised with the “hand on heart for pledge, hands at sides with hat off for anthem” mantra. I thought he was appropriately respectful and I can’t understand getting so worked up about it. He was still, eyes slightly glistening, staring at the flag. That, to me, is respect. Hell, he could have been chewing gum, laughing, and trying to talk to the riders next to him for the way you’re carrying on.

Nope. And when I’m at a ball game or other place, I don’t hesitate to tell men to take their hats off, people to stand quietly, etc.

[BLBGP]

[QUOTE=MyGiantPony;3453822]
Nope. And when I’m at a ball game or other place, I don’t hesitate to tell men to take their hats off, people to stand quietly, etc.[/QUOTE]

But he did have his hat off. And he was standing quietly. And you didn’t have to tell him.