Tank McNamara by Bill Hinds for September 17, 2016

The Mets and Yankees “sponsor” the National Anthem over the air, then run ads while it’s being played.

I’ve long held the belief that the time has come to cease playing the National Anthem before a game unless it involves a National team.

The scary thing is, this actually could be happening right now!

Play the national anthem before the teams come out onto the field.

The playing of the National Anthem before sporting events was unusual until WWII, when it became common as a display of patriotism and support of the war effort.

I will joyfully be part of the movement to not watch any games involving any teams with even one overpaid-protester.

Kaepernick has quite a interesting life story, with major changes in the last few years. Read up on him before you go supporting his protest.

Think of all the valuable ad time they gain by getting rid of the Anthem. That’s the driving force.

If you don’t have a DD-214 (and if you don’t know what that is, this means you) then shut up about patriotism. You have nothing to say.

timbob2313Read better sources. The US had no official national anthem until 1932. Columbia, the Gem of the Ocean was the most commonly used until the military forced through the one they had been using since 1901. It was associated with the US sufficiently that Puccini quoted it in Madama Butterfly, but hardly official in 1903.

@Steve DutchPerhaps you should be looking for a little boy to plug that hole in your head……The idea that only veterans can be patriotic is, simply, idiotic. Just as much as thinking that veterans are somehow or other “better” than other people. Both Benedict Arnold and Tim McVeigh were veterans of the United States military, after all. Like EVERYTHING in the world, you have to take things on a case by case basis.

@Brewingbiker and the rest of you:if this nation were as racist as the agitators say, why are so many people trying to get in here, one way or another?And if the cops were as racist as the agitators say, why would they care about black-on-black crime (like West Baltimore)?

The Alameda County Sheriff (Oakland, CA) has challenged the self-righteous Kaepernick to come find out what it’s like to be a policeman. Not surprisingly, the coward Kap has avoided that invitation.

The really ridiculous one is that US soccer player who stood for the Thai national anthem but knelt during the US anthem. Obviously, she is ignorant about how Thailand treats homosexuals — and insulting the rulers. As usual, liberalism requires hypocrisy.

And don’t get me started about the stupidity of “3/5 no more.”

I like America and all, but the idea one has to “Pledge Allegiance” is absurd.

We love a pledge when it is the perceived good guys and hate a pledge for perceived bad/evil.

The idea of a pledge is nothing but a brainwashing propaganda technique.