I stand whenever I hear the National Anthem. Furthermore ...

[11 Bravo]

I come to attention (although that part may be so ingrained as to be reflexive).

I also whole-heartedly support Colin Kaepernick, and those who have joined him, in their move to call attention to the blatantly unequal treatment of people of color by authorities in specific, and society as a whole, in these United States of America.

Surely there's a pigeonhole someplace wherein I can be safely tucked away.

(Or perhaps, we Democrats might be able to find consensus allowing for those who stand, and those who sit or kneel; to still be part of the same overarching vision.)

Probably not, but fuck it, I'm a dreamer.

[MicaelS]

1. I have been standing for over 50 years.

I do not plan on stopping anytime soon.

[tonyt53]

27. I'm standing beside ya!!!!!

[liberal N proud]

2. Here's a thought - before the national anthem is played, the announce usually says...

"Please Stand for the National Anthem"

Nowhere has any announcer ever said, you must rise and put your hand over your heart. This is a free nation because we are no forced to honor the flag and what it stands for, but that we are compelled to honor it because we are free to do so.

On edit, I stand as well.

[11 Bravo]

4. That's usually what I hear … something along the lines of ...

"Ladies and gentlemen, please stand for the playing of our National Anthem." I've heard that at numerous sporting venues all across the country.

[underpants]

12. I hear the "remove your hat" all the time

I think I have heard the instruction to put your hand over your heart too.

[liberal N proud]

31. I bet it was prefaced with a "Please"

You may just not be hearing it.

[underpants]

32. Yes there is a Please

I skipped over that

[lunatica]

3. It's written right into our Constitution

Freedom of speech. This freedom extends to expressing oneself.

It's your right to stand as much as it's Colin Kaepernick's right to kneel.

[Iggo]

5. I'm done standing. (n/t)

[11 Bravo]

7. And I respect your right to do so.

Furthermore, if some dipshit wearing a "Make America Great Again" hat were to assail you for not standing, I would come to your defense.

[etherealtruth]

6. I do not ... but respect those that feel differently about it.

[leftynyc]

8. I'm in the same place you are

I stand but I support what Kaepernick is doing. Anyone who thinks I'm dissing him by doing what I want can kiss my ass.

[clarice]

9. always.. always...ALWAYS. NT

[MohRokTah]

10. I stood every time I heard the National Anthem.

I haven't been to any event that played the national anthem since Colin Kaepernick started his protest, but the next time I am at such an event, I will not be standing out of solidarity with the BLM movement.

[clarice]

13. wow!!! nt

[MohRokTah]

14. why!!! eom

[clarice]

18. Just... wow !!! nt

[MohRokTah]

20. Just... why??? eom

[clarice]

22. For a lot of reasons......but I'm in a good mood today and don't feel like fighting.....

I respect your right to take such a stance. peace.

[mnhtnbb]

30. I will be going to an event tomorrow night where the National Anthem will be played

and I will not be standing.

I even wrote a LTTE about it which was published in our Raleigh paper last week.

I have explained it here:

http://www.democraticunderground.com/?com=view_post&forum=1002&pid=8163960

Personally, I would hope to see us--the US--change our tune and find a new national anthem, one which doesn't glorify
war and imperialism. I'd also like to see this country live up to its rhetoric when it comes to "liberty and justice for all". ALL. EVERYBODY. Not just white folks or Christians or males or heterosexuals.

[clarice]

11. I just wonder when"patriotism" turned into a dirty word? nt

[Throd]

17. Refuge of the scoundrel, blah, blah, blah....

Patriotism isn't bad in and of itself. It depends on how it is used.

[clarice]

21. good point. nt

[11 Bravo]

29. Because we let the cons do it!

They attempted to usurp the flag, and everything it stands for, and we let them get away with it.

Richard Nixon, who served honorably in WWII as a junior officer in the supply corps; attacked the patriotism of George McGovern, who flew B-24 bombers over Europe into the teeth of the most intense flak barrage in the history of aerial combat.

George W. Bush, who (maybe) completed his service in the Texas ANG, attacked the patriotism of John Kerry; a man who volunteered for duty in the RVN, and earned three Purple Hearts, a Bronze Star, and a Silver Star for valor in combat.

Over the years, I've posted about a couple of dust-ups with sidewalk patriots, and I won't re-visit those here, but I'm fucking sick of conservative armchair warriors trying to assume the mantle of American patriotism.

Fuck 'em! If they want to vote for a vulgar talking yam who equates not getting the clap at Studio 54 in the '80's as his "personal VietNam"; I will call them on it.

Every. Fucking. Time.

[Warpy]

15. One reason it's still worth standing

is that no protester has been arrested and thrown into prison for not standing. That is a really big deal and one of the reasons this country is still something to be proud of, the lack of government interference in matters of private conscience and public expression.

I'll stand if it comes up mostly because my knees are too bad to kneel on. Old age and RA are not a happy combination.

However, the consensus is that standees think the country is something to be proud of. The kneelers think there are things about this country that still need to be fixed. They are both right.

[clarice]

23. ^ this x 1000. nt

[arthritisR_US]

16. I'm not a nationalist but I stand to attention for you and your

respectful attitude towards those who protest inequity and your love of country.. Well done mate!

[underpants]

19. I stand

and always will. My brother, in his rebellious stage, used to sit. Man our stepfather would be steaming mad. I, frankly, was embarrassed. He wasn't doing it for any reason but to be obnoxious.

If someone has a real reason not to stand, that I am okay with.

[GeorgeGist]

24. Americans are so easily distracted.

[LanternWaste]

25. What use is it being pigeonholed...?

What use is it being pigeonholed...? Is there a mental convenience I'm missing here? Some people believe one thing, others believe something else, while yet others believe still another.

If someone believes something other than what I do, I see that not as a problem to be solved, but as simply part and parcel of the human nature.

[0rganism]

26. to me, standing when one hears the national anthem indicates...

... that one implicitly supports Mr. Kaepernick's right to not stand for the national anthem. or that one is a hypocritical (and possibly ignorant) douchebag. either way.

[WillowTree]

28. Take a breath. There are more of us than you think.

[Glassunion]

33. When "The Flag" stands for all, then all will stand for the flag.