If we live in a country where respect is compulsory, is it really respect?
If we live in a country of free expression, can you really force someone to show respect to something?
Rather than attacking someone for not standing for the National Anthem, show you grasp what this country stands for and support their choice even if you don't support their reasons.
Whatever happened to "I disapprove of what you say, but I will defend to the death your right to say it?"
Have we really divided so much as a nation that we will put aside the values that make us so love this country in the name of finger-pointing and high-horse riding?
Our politicians often hide behind rhetoric which suggests not doing something means the terrorists win, but if we are so willing to put aside our values, haven't they already won? What exactly are we defending if we are going to force someone to stand for a song? That isn't Patriotism; that's Nationalism.
12 comments:
The individual is free to choose. It's reasonable for others, just the same, to scrutinize his motives. There are many false prophets out there using the suffering of others to promote their own narcisstic agendas. If he is being truely sincere then I admire him for his courage, even though I don't agree with the way he did it. Football brings people from all walks of life together and is a sanctuary of sorts for those who wish to escape for a few precious hours the divisive world we live in. From my perspective that's what people seem to resent the most. Now I suppose I'm a racist for saying that . . .
How does one person ruin the good time in a crowd of over 30,000 simply by sitting? And football is divisive as well as bringing people together...ever see opposing team fans get together after a few drinks?
Fact is that this is a nothing story being used in an election year to further divide us and create an impression that the races are at war or they should be if they aren't. It is election year drama and nothing more. Shame on everyone for devoting such energy on such a trivial matter.
. . . If it's so trivial why are you devoting so much energy towards it?
I'm not. I have devoted energy into the response, not the action...very different animal I am talking about.
i'm curious . . . How would you feel if you went to a pink Floyd concert and about halfway through the first set Roger waters goes on an antisemetic rant about Israel as occupiers and promoting investment boycotts blah blah blah . . . . It's the same thing to me. Roger waters has a right to his opinion but I don't believe it's fair to inject his own personal views on to unsuspecting fans who are just there for the music. I would feel betrayed on some level . . . Ripped-Off/Used. If the dude wants to use his fame to promote his political beliefs than do that but respect the fans and leave that shit at the door. IMHO thanks for the dialogue
Funy you bring up that specific example. I saw Roger Waters twice; once in 2010 and in 2012. Both times he performed the Wall and in 2010 after Another Brick in the Wall Part 2 he did go on a rant about treatment of Palestinians by Israel. Know what? Afterwards he sang Mother. And I went back in 2012 where he did he rant again. I wasn't ripped off and didn't feel like shit. I also enjoy Clint Eastwood movies although I hate his politics and still rock out to Ted Nugent classics like Cat-Scratch Fever.
Politics ain't that important and our opinions of it is even less. I won't stop anything because of a political point of view. One of my best friends is a rabid Trump supporter and he is still one of my best friends.
Wow . . . You're so evolved. I have a way to go. All the best!
Maybe more..maybe less. Enough to spot sarcasm, but not enough to respond in kind. I am on the path you helped set me on so many decades ago via the music and books you introduced me to, so I have to thank you in part for who I am today and the views I hold most dear. I would love the you of yesteryear to see the me I became. I think he would be proud.
I'm sorry you feel that way. No sarcasm intended. You are more evolved, more tolerant, more accepting of other people's faults. I am not and I have a way to go in the department. I am more judgemental. We are different. Roger waters is a first class jew-hater. Even if I wasn't Jewish I would be offended by his antics. But I respect your capacity to separate his art from his personal views.
With regards to all the other commentary . . . I wish you made an effort to get to know me first before you arrived at your conclusion. It's never too late. Just let me know. All the best🐿
. . . . If you presume that I was being sarcastic then you really don't know me. I didn't get back in your life so I could "put you down". I've always said you have a wonderful perspective to see things from both sides. This quality is uniquely yours. I, too, have so much of you in me and I cherish those things. Like seeds planted so long ago they live and grow inside me. Even when we are apart we are together. I wish you would have asked me what I meant besides assuming you knew; you took offense when none was intended. I don't agree with you, but I respect your willingness to look beyond the outrageous rants from Roger Waters, you have truely evolved in ways I haven't. I would like to continue you to get to know you if that's what you want too. Peace & Love
I think we should both follow the words of the great Dave Mason:
Let's just leave it alone
Because we can't see eye to eye
There ain't no good guy
There ain't no bad guy
There's only you and me
And we just disagree.
When I said I won't lose anyone over politics, that included you.
Thank you.
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