Mclain during medal ceremony

[Glimmerglass]

[QUOTE=Ruby G. Weber;3453951]
I am of the generation who put their right hand over their heart and said the “Pledge of Alligence” every morning in grammar school.

For the generations born into a United States public school system which no longer allows children to Pledge Alligance to our flag and threatens to remove …Under God…from that Pledge, I say it’s our fault McLain didn’t “properly” display his patriotism.[/QUOTE]

Let’s be clear - at the Olympics they play the NATIONAL ANTHEM it is not the pledge of alligance

If anyone wants to moan about a level of disrespect I’d say the vast majority of ALL US Athletes who have won a gold are guilty of not making an attempt to sing the national anthem. For goodness sakes NBC has not mic’d them so even if you couldn’t hum a tune you damn well should be able to sing that. But if you’re unable to recall so much as one stanza of our National Anthem but were selected to represent the US in the Olympics then I think that’s sad.

Whatever you do don’t sing the lyrics of “My Country, 'Tis of Thee”, when they play God Save The Queen for the Brits - something which is semi-easy to do as we pilfered that medly

[Coral]

[QUOTE=KSevnter;3453967]
Wait a sec, “Under God” was injected into the Pledge in the 1950’s, it shouldn’t be there to begin with. Take that out and I bet very few would take issue with it in the public schools again, its that whole separation of church and state thing that caused the pledge to be taking out of public school rooms.[/QUOTE]

How dare you bring logic into this high-handed discussion of what is RIGHT? (that was sarcasm, just in case anyone missed it)

I could go on about this, but I’m just going to let it go since this isn’t a political debating forum, it’s a horse forum. Much <3 to the HORSES and RIDERS involved in getting the United States a gold medal in this fabulous international event, and I can’t wait to see it on rewind tonight, including the apparently scandalous medal ceremony.

[caffeinated]

@To the MAX;3454016

Hmm, I read that post as a sarcastic response to the one that it quoted.

Just so people know, I totally caught the sarcasm that time. :yes:

[Anyplace_Farm]

I haven’t gone thru every page – but I have to say, I’ve been watching the Olympics a lot and now that I think about it, I have not seen one athlete on the podium without their hand over their heart during the anthem (read my post above if you think I’m bashing).

Will be interesting to see if the media makes any mention. Actually, I honestly don’t think I can remember ever seeing any athlete at any sporting event not put their hand over heart.

I actually would bet it was not a conscious thing on his part. Maybe he realized it part way through and felt like it’d be awkward to change it? Maybe it just isn’t his custom?

[Coreene]

Overo Kid, thanks for the PT, my bad for misunderstanding your sarcasm! :yes:

[FEIwannabe]

Ok, to flip this on it’s head a little:
I was offended by the ‘lack of knowledge’ displayed by the US athletes that did put their hand over their heart during the anthem (which I was always taught was only for the pledge - because you are pledging, swearing your alegence and loyalty to the flag and country). Yet at the same time I never saw one of them singing the words.
Athletes from other countries seemed to know and sing the words to their anthems…

So there…

[Overo_Kid]

No problem, Coreene–hey, I’m glad that you spoke up if you thought I meant it!

[huntrpaint]

[QUOTE=Coreene;3453420]
Have watched many medal ceremonies. No other country besides the US puts their hand on their heart. And a lot of the US doesn’t either. Doesn’t make a person any less patriotic.[/QUOTE]

When you are military or have been military and are in civilian clothing you stand at attention rather than hand over heart. If you’re in uniform you salute.

[Anyplace_Farm]

The beauty about this country is that we are free to express ourselves – or not.

[Coreene]

@Overo Kid;3454058

No problem, Coreene–hey, I’m glad that you spoke up if you thought I meant it!

I am, too! As for MLB, sadly have not been to a game for years. Must change that!

[Anyplace_Farm]

@huntrpaint;3454059

When you are military or have been military and are in civilian clothing you stand at attention rather than hand over heart. If you’re in uniform you salute.

I love how when you go to places like the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, when they do the change of the guard, you see the WWII vets – these snowy-white, sometimes withered souls, standing as erect as they can muster AND saluting. Always gets me…

[Stubborn_Mare]

@MyGiantPony;3453865

Women remain covered.

Does anyone else find this phrase hilarious in this context?! I mean, over in this part of the world we’re all making laws against women remaining covered!

On a more serious note, I’m a historian and I specialise in wartime society… I want to tactfully and cautiously point out that to the rest of the world (especially parts of the world that have seen the devastation that comes from blind national pride) American displays of “patriotism” can sometimes be perceived as over the top, and lead to wrongful impressions of arrogance (not so much at this Olympics, but remember Salt Lake City?). Since the Olympics are an international event, I think it is appropriate for displays of national pride to be subdued, or toned down from the norm. I guess the point I am trying to make is that when riders compete internationally their actions become international ones, not strictly american ones if that makes sense. Sooo, international showjumping should be first and foremost about the sport - the horses, the riders, the skill involved and the cooperation and dedication… and nationality less so. What happens on the podium should reflect these priorities IMO.

[LKF]

http://www.everlifememorials.com/v/flag-cases/american-flag-etiquette.htm

Hopefully this link will help folks who don’t know or understand American flag etiquette. As for ladies who stand in front of the flag, they don’t remove their hats.

Can we start talking about horses again?

[Jasper_sMom]

[QUOTE=Drvmb1ggl3;3453463]
What I personally find more offensive is the dude has a good honest to God surname as a first name!
That’s an affront to humanity.
I suppose it’s really his parents fault. I knew there was something I didn’t like about his Dad.[/QUOTE]

ROFL. Yes! That must be it. Or maybe it’s that Barney doesn’t wear a flag pin? I bet he’s a terrorist.

Seriously. I didn’t read through everything, but I can tell you that watching the jump off and the medals ceremony this morning had me brushing away the tears. And if I’m not mistaken both Laura and Beezie wiped away some tears, too and the guys looked like they were doing their very best not to cry. Beezie in particular strikes me as a tough cookie and that tear really made me smile. I couldn’t have been prouder of our team. What a bunch of brilliant rides they put in for Team USA! Can’t wait for the individual competition.

[Jasper_sMom]

Oh - and I was also delighted to see all of the riders on our team giving big hugs and what looked like very genuine smiles of congrats to the Canadian and Norwegian riders. That made me proud. And did anyone notice GW give a big pat on the back to a couple of the Norwegians? Wish we could have heard what he said.

[vineyridge]

@Tiramit;3453454

Isn’t it awful when our gold medalists refuse to show how much they care about their country after winning team competitions? Sure, anyone could go out and jump all those clears for the country; it takes a true American to remember to hold his hand up! I agree, let’s kick him out - I think the Germans would take him. :winkgrin:

Don’t think the Germans would take him on a sterling silver horse. :winkgrin:

[Janet]

Quote:
Or
[I]

What I personally find more offensive is the dude has a good honest to God surname as a first name!
That’s an affront to humanity.
I suppose it’s really his parents fault. I knew there was something I didn’t like about his Dad.

[/I]

Even worse, rumor has it that he was named after a HORSE (McLain Street), that was named after an actual street, that I drive across, if not on, when I visit my father.

[Heineken]

I haven’t read this whole thread…and I don’t plan to. But I watched the entire ceremony this am and I also watched McClain congratulate and cry as the team won a gold medal. I also watched him cry on the podium. I also have met him only a few times and he STILL remembers my name each time he sees me (maybe 2x a year) and always says hello. He is a GOOD MAN who works very hard to the better of this sport and takes FABULOUS care of his animals. It is NOT his fault that his father is a jerk(and I’m SURE Barney Ward feels pretty shitty right now that he couldn’t be there). It is NOT his fault that he has to continually fight against rumor and libel. Leave the poor guy alone and let him enjoy his moment of glory. I don’t see any of YOU on the podium.

[Kerrysmom818]

MyGiantPony - count me in with you and if that makes me an old fussy woman, so be it. I attend MLB games quite often and it makes me furious when I see people who do not remove their hats (men or women) or place their hands over their hearts during the National Anthem. To me it is hugely disrepectful - to our nation, to the people who gave their lives so that I can live as I do and to those who are still fighting . . .

[zahena]

Maybe he didn’t know what to do with his flowers… He’s a dude after all…

I’m a belly dancer in my other, other life and I thought they were a lot filled with drama over things. Glad to see that’s not the case!