Francis/Mobley National Anthem

Francis and Mobley own Houston so they can do what they want.
Alot of people in the crowd sit during the whole song so it wouldn't be fair to just single Cat and Wink out.

 

Any jerk who doesn't stand during the Star Spangled Banner should have their chest examined to see if there's a heart there.
And definately their head, cause they don't have brains either.

 

Right now is not the best time to bring this up but I have the balls. Whats the big deal with the National Anthem even being played at sporting events? I don't see what it has to do with sports, I am all for national pride but there is just no need for it with something as trivial as sports. Go ahead and get Ziggy's noose ready.

 

Ziggy,

It originated with baseball during WWII. It was just supposed to be a temporary thing to keep morale high. It, however, stuck.

There, then, has not been a point to it. Or, at least, one that had long since gone away.

It probably just became part of habit and even became entertainment value for special games (stars singing for Super Bowls, etc).

 

There are people alive that feel the way you do because they have not lived through major events and don't truely know what it means to be an American.

I am only 29 but I have always respected our country because I knew how many people gave their lives for our flag. I didn't understand it necicarily but I knew it. I am not very patriotic and I have no inclination to join the armed forces, but I have had a deep respect for those that do.

This tragic event serves as a lesson for younger people that it really is important to have pride in your country.

People want to kill me because I am an American. I have things many people do not have. I previosly "knew" that people gave their lives but now I understand. I am very thankful to be Ameircan and I know nobody can take that away.

Yes, it bothers me that Wink/Cat don't stand at attention. Everything they have (and they have a lot) they owe to this country. To not respect that is ignorance.

-krosfyah

 

I agree entirely. That shows just a total lack of respect for our country. I mean America has enabled them to make millions $$$ and they can't respect it for 2 seconds.

Sheesh

 

That burns me up. Right or wrong pro atheletes are role models for a lot of impressionable people. Sports are the perfect venue for showing respect for one's country. That is an amazingly poorly thought out argument.

 

Let me be the first to clear the misconception about this. I remember one time that mahmood abdul-rauf had a problem standing up for the national anthem, hakeem went and talked to him. Basically, he clarified that the national anthem is pride and being proud to be an American, it does not go against anyone's religion. After what just has happened, It would be very surprising if people don't take pride in where they live. It will be even more surprising if people listen to the anthem half-heartedly or don't show the due respect by standing up. I don't get it, why wouldn't anyone stand up for the anthem? Is it a lack of respect or is it their way of saying that they have something against how the system is run? I don't question the hearts of francis and mobley, but there's something really wrong with that picture. It's not that i'm bringing money, but what have they got to complain about?

 

Although I'm not a citizen I do respect the United States since i've lived there practically all my life. I pray for those victims and tend to stand tall at the fact that I have american pride. I live in a moslem nation and I hope people do not feel hatred towards all foreigners, moslems and hopefully asians if they are found involved in this. There were Indonesian's killed in those planes as well two of which are friends of my family. I pray for everyone and this great loss to our nation. Do not let the actions of these inept @$$holes affect your attitude towards all foreigners but instead concentrate our anger on these few jerks... let's kill those suckers.... this won't be revenge but JUSTICE

 

Wow, my first post. A little dissapointing that it would be in thread like this one, but now that I´ve registered I have to give Ziggy my support in this.

I think it´s nobodys buissnes whether you stand during the national anthem or not. I think it´s up to everyone to individually decide if they feel proud of thear country and most people probbably are at least in some ways. Anyway even if your not that proud, standing dring the national anthem isn´t such a hard thing to do. But on the other hand if you play the national anthem before every sports event it will lose it´s symbolical walue to everyone but the most patriotic. That´s what I think, but I realise it´s not my place to do so since I´m not an american. But it´s an opinion probably shared by some Americans so it´s relevant anyway

National pride is ok as long as it don´t mean that you think yor better than others because your an American, a Swede, a German or whatever. National pride is nice in some ways but it´s also the first step towards racism.

nilsrock

 

Why is it just the players and fans? I'd say most TV broadcasts do not show the anthem. Their time is too valuable? They need the money? The Networks need to stand up to.

 

I live in NY and until 2 weeks ago I was working a second job on the 56th floor of WTC 1 at a small law firm (and the only reason I'm bringing up my proximity to the buildings and the city is because I get the feeling that things here are a little more intense here than in Houston, and that peoples behavior here is just a little more amplified than most places) and I have to say this-I am hating it everytime right now when someone feels the need to testify to anyone who can hear how they gave blood, or what work they did to volunteer, or how many friends they lost. I'm not talking about the people on tv, or those people who are with friends, but those that are talking to a friend but behaving as if the crowd of strangers around them are part of the conversation as well.
I'm not saying that its wrong, its just a very different way than my own of dealing with the recent events. I think the way each person deals with this event, or how they choose to act during the National Anthem, is a very personal matter. It may have been a relatively meaningless choice once before they themselves had any real context to put respecting the flag in, but after this event, no one will sit or stand during the anthem without being compelled to really think of why they choose to stand or not.
I personally think its offensive when people don't stand for the anthem without having a very good reason as to why, but I think its just as offensive when people stand without any real thought of why they do that either-when they do it just because everyone else is doing it or because if you don't your not 'a good American'.

If someone should sit, so be it. Its their experience and as long as they don't oppress my civil liberties we shouldn't supress theirs. Oppression occurs in all kinds of forms. Terrorism being one of the worst and to verbally or physically attack someone because they don't respect the same symbols you respect, or pray to the same God that you pray to, doesn't give anyone the right to practice terrorism.

A person standing, or not standing, at the National Anthem should be an act of individual meaning.

If you really don't like it that a certain NBA player doesn't stand, then maybe you should write them or the front office a letter asking why. Just ask why and if they can't provide a good reason then they might change their pracitice on their own accord, which is how it should be, or they might actually give you a good reason why they don't.

Sorry if I rambled on and didn't make that much sense. I love the Rockets and I'm glad that this forum is here.

 

They did last year in section 126 because thats where my dad bought me season tickets and it was atleast 2 or 3 people sitting during the entire song or half of the song. I don't think it makes them a bad person if they choose to sit. Some people feel this country dosent really treat them fairly so why stand. I respect that 100%.

 

Yeah I understand what you are saying but honestly do you think Bush and the rest of the people in the government actually care about any of us? I don't sit during the song but I completely understand why some choose not to.

 

I'll split the cost with you.

If you have a point, I must have completely missed it. I do not as you state "completely understand why some choose not to." If someone is that disenfranchised from the system, but makes enough $ to afford an NBA game, perhaps the problem is theirs.

I have never watched a European sporting event (I prefer watching grass grow to watching soccer). If they play national anthems at European sporting events and I was in attendance, I would stand as a matter of respect. If a nation has any form of democracy, they have earned my respect.

I would also as a matter of respect stand during the Olympics when the medals are awarded and anthems are played.

I very vocally opposed our involvement in Viet Nam. That never stopped me from standing and being respectful at sporting events. I used this time to meditate and reflect on the ideals of what a democratic society could become when impacted peacefully.

Thomas Jefferson had slaves, but Jefferson also believed that every American should be educated and it should be paid for the government. We have (among other modern ideals) the advantage of historical perspective to see that he was surely on the wrong side of the race issue. So, should we demonize Jefferson? Or should we focus on the possible? I prefer the latter when I'm meditating during The Star Spangled Banner.

The system is far from perfect, but I'll take over whatever is in second place.

 

Nearly all of those in the government that 'could care less' about you could make a hell of a lot more money doing private sector jobs. That they have no feelings or compassion is age old 'conventional wisdom' but obviously it has little basis in fact.

Tell us some more 'bright' conventional wisdoms like you have to be black to be a good basketball player and other brilliant assumptions.