Oh? A symbol of the KKK? I doubt you know the whole story behind that mountain.
I said that because the second KKK formed on top of the mountain. That's one of the reasons why MLK mentioned it in "I have a Dream" (at least, I think it is). Today the Georgians just use it for cheesey laser shows though.
We pay respect to those before us. If you can't respect the people who faught to preserve this countrie's freedom, you deserve no respect yourself.
So these people faught to preserve freedom? If we are so free, then why are we obligated to stand for something we don't agree with? What true american would ever get offended by someone expressing their opinion peacefully?
So these people faught to preserve freedom? If we are so free, then why are we obligated to stand for something we don't agree with? What true american would ever get offended by someone expressing their opinion peacefully?
I never said it should be illegal for people to sit during the National Anthem. It's rude and disrepsectful.
If that's your way of expressing freedom of speech, then you need to learn what it means to sit down. As far as everyone around you is concerned, you're trying to tell them that you hate America.
It's all about respect.
Should it be illegal to wear your hat inside someone's home? Of course not, but it's rude. If you burp while eating dinner at a restaurant, you don't have to say excuse me; you would just be a pig faced little kid who's parrents failed to teach you any manners.
I remember in highschool when everyone was forced to stand for the Pledge of Allegiance. Did I disagree with the rule? Of course I did! Did the people who talked and ran through the halls lose during the pledge lose my respect? Sure thing. The people who sat during the pledge lost my respect only if I thought they were doing it to be lazy. I never saw someone sit down trying to make a statement. All I could see was that they don't care. They posed as ungrateful. The least they could do is stand and remain silent. They don't have to put their hand on their heart or say the pledge. They should only stand.
Just because I think it's wrong to sit during the National Anthem and to talk during the Pledge of Allegiance does not mean I think it should be illegal though.
Laws should not justify what's wrong or right. That's why you should stand for the National Anthem, because you aren't being forced.
If you have a problem with America's government, show your freedom of speech in some different way. If you hate America... by all means sit down. Unless you are alone, symbolism isn't what you make of it, but what others make of it.
If you have a problem with America's government, show your freedom of speech in some different way. If you hate America... by all means sit down. Unless you are alone, symbolism isn't what you make of it, but what others make of it.
That is exactly what bothers me the most. We only act respectful when other people are watching. And these "others" probably don't even know the lyrics to the song. So why should their opinion influence mine?
"symbolism isn't what you make of it, but what others make of it." Well, that is a logical fallacy. For example, say that there is a room with two people in it. Person A believes that America is currently evil, and that the Star Spangeled Banner represents current American politics. Therefore, anyone who STANDS supports evil and corruption. Person B believes that the Star Spangled Banner represents both the virtuous ideals and the righteous history of America. Therefore, anyone who SITS hates America. Now, according to your logic, person A should STAND during the pledge because that's what person B would do, and A needs to respect B's opinion. But person B must SIT in order respect A's opinion. From someone else's perspective, I belong to the "others" category, thereby making my interpretation of the symbol "correct." You can't just look at the message sitting sends; you have to look at what message standing sends as well. It isn't like you can take a census right before the song in order to determine the current attitude of the audience.
If you have a problem with America's government, show your freedom of speech in some different way.
If you hadn't said that, I would have. Sitting is probably the worst political statement ever. It is so vaugue that no one will even know what aspect of america you are protesting against. But, if someone genuinely feels that standing for this song goes against their personal morals, then they shouldn't do it. And we shouldn't get offended. They shouldn't even have to explain WHY they are sitting. It is their right to interpret a symbol, and it is their right to react to their own interpretation. Personally, I choose to stand. But I would stand even if everyone else was sitting. Wouldn't you?
That is exactly what bothers me the most. We only act respectful when other people are watching. And these "others" probably don't even know the lyrics to the song. So why should their opinion influence mine?
You don't need to know the lyrics to stand and show your respect. Regardless if they know the lyrics or not, what they think doesn't have to influence you. If you want people to have a higher respect for you, you should stand. If you don't care, then people will see you as rude. If you honestly don't care if people see you as rude, there's nothing anybody can do. It's your right to sit.
"symbolism isn't what you make of it, but what others make of it." Well, that is a logical fallacy. For example, say that there is a room with two people in it. Person A believes that America is currently evil, and that the Star Spangeled Banner represents current American politics.
I think you missed the point. If you sit to preserve your right of freedom of speech, others aren't going to see that as the reason. They are going to see your sitting a disrespectful gesture. If you care about your image and if you want people to know where you stand with your opinions, you have to be careful with what symbolic gestures you make. If you aren't careful, people will read those gestrues the wrong way.
If you hadn't said that, I would have. Sitting is probably the worst political statement ever. It is so vaugue that no one will even know what aspect of america you are protesting against. But, if someone genuinely feels that standing for this song goes against their personal morals, then they shouldn't do it. And we shouldn't get offended. They shouldn't even have to explain WHY they are sitting. It is their right to interpret a symbol, and it is their right to react to their own interpretation. Personally, I choose to stand. But I would stand even if everyone else was sitting. Wouldn't you?
You shouldn't stand for the anthem just because other people might think ill of you if you decide to sit. You should stand regardless. For me, it's a moral issue. But if you do sit, that is the message you are sending. If you honestly don't care if people get the wrong impression of you, then obviously there's nothing I can say to that.
Yeah, it's legal. I'm pretty sure that's been said a lot already.
Should you stand? Yes, you should. Just do it. It's not going to hurt you. Not standing in certain places will probably get you lynched.
Yeah, stand. I'm not going to force you, but honestly, there's no point in not. It's only for a few minutes, tops. It's not that hard, it's not that bothersome.
But hey, it's your right. Just don't try to convince me to not stand.
Okay, I think that we just interpret the significance of this symbol differently. You "ro-respect" people seem to view standing as a social neccessity, like refraining from burping in a restaurant or holding the door open for other people. If that is the case, then you are right. Sitting essentially would be going out of your way to offend people. Most people probably share this viewpoint. Which brings me to:
I think you missed the point.
No, I just explained myself in a weird way. I understand what you are saying: because most people view standing for the anthem as a social custom instead of a polital action, they won't interpret sitting as anything other than rudeness. Which is what happens in reality. But that doesn't make it right. People don't even bother learning what the anthem is about. They don't stand to be respectful, they stand to be respected. But respecting someone for standing up waters down the meaning of "respect". If you're going to respect someone, do it because they are a good person. If you are the type of person who will instantly judge someone simply because they sit down, then I don't need your respect.
if that guy thats not standing up for the anthem and has a good life in the U.S he should at least show respect for the country that uts food on his table and a home.
