Ashamed to be an American?

[zico20]

Here is an article listing a few instances where being patriotic is now considered offensive and inappropriate.

The most amazing one is from NY Daily News columnist Gersh Kuntzman, who says the following.

“Major League Baseball must permanently retire ‘God Bless America,’ a song that offends everyone.”

I would personally pay for a one way ticket to anywhere on the planet to get him out of this country. Liberals will do anything to bring down "Old Glory."

http://www.foxnews.com/opinion/2016/07/01/ashamed-to-be-american-towns-crack-down-on-american-pride.html?intcmp=hpbt3

[Clocker]

Kuntzman is the little girly-man who decided after the Orlando shooting that he would do an investigative journalism story on the AR-15. He quickly became the laughing stock of the internet.

It felt to me like a bazooka — and sounded like a cannon.

One day after 49 people were killed in the Orlando shooting, I traveled to Philadelphia to better understand the firepower of military-style weapons and, hopefully, explain their appeal to gun lovers.

But mostly, I was just terrified.

I’ve shot pistols before, but never something like an AR-15. Squeeze lightly on the trigger and the resulting explosion of firepower is humbling and deafening (even with ear protection).

The recoil bruised my shoulder, which can happen if you don't know what you're doing. The brass shell casings disoriented me as they flew past my face. The smell of sulfur and destruction made me sick. The explosions — loud like a bomb — gave me a temporary form of PTSD. For at least an hour after firing the gun just a few times, I was anxious and irritable.



http://www.nydailynews.com/news/crime/firing-ar-15-horrifying-dangerous-loud-article-1.2673201 (http://www.nydailynews.com/news/crime/firing-ar-15-horrifying-dangerous-loud-article-1.2673201)

[Marshall Bennett]

It's sickening, but unfortunately a reality. As each generation of disrespectful liberal degenerates gives way to the next, it just gets worse.
I highly doubt the damage already done and what awaits will ever be repaired or detoured.
The turning point imo was Vietnam and what was spawned from the protest and lack of control. Watergate and the mistrust in our government that followed didn't help any. Loss of dignity and moral discipline is the end result regardless the cause, there's no doubt about that.
This is what liberals ultimately wanted, and this is what they're getting. Blame them for the terrorist organizations and their advances as well. They're so soft with any kind of discipline, let that fall on their shoulders as well. When all is said and done, we'll all be laying in the same manure they created. Bastards. :ThmbDown:

[dartman51]

The recoil bruised my shoulder, which can happen if you don't know what you're doing. The brass shell casings disoriented me as they flew past my face. The smell of sulfur and destruction made me sick. The explosions — loud like a bomb — gave me a temporary form of PTSD. For at least an hour after firing the gun just a few times, I was anxious and irritable


I think it was just 'that time of the month' for him/her. :rolleyes:

[boxcar]

The recoil bruised my shoulder, which can happen if you don't know what you're doing. The brass shell casings disoriented me as they flew past my face. The smell of sulfur and destruction made me sick. The explosions — loud like a bomb — gave me a temporary form of PTSD. For at least an hour after firing the gun just a few times, I was anxious and irritable


I think it was just 'that time of the month' for him/her. :rolleyes:

Are you saying "it" is a goily man? :eek:

[Clocker]

After that story came out, there was a deluge of pictures posted on the internet of pre-teen girls happily blasting down-range with AR-15s. :cool:

[Clocker]

The smell of sulfur and destruction made me sick.

I love the smell of sulfur and destruction in the morning! :cool:

[Tom]

From now on, when you watch a baseball game, two things will make if much more entertaining:

1. Every time a player spits, imagine he is spitting on this horse's ass.
2. Every time a player scratches himself, imagine he is telling the LBGT community - look what I have, and I know how to use them!

[horses4courses]

Do any of you feel more American by singing "GBA"
as opposed to "TMOTTBG" after 6.5 innings?

[tucker6]

Do any of you feel more American by singing "GBA"
as opposed to "TMOTTBG" after 6.5 innings?
yes, and I don't understand why anyone wouldn't or why anyone would ask such a question. Anyone that feels otherwise is probably living in the wrong country.

[zico20]

Do any of you feel more American by singing "GBA"
as opposed to "TMOTTBG" after 6.5 innings?

I am already as American as you can get. Maybe you should try singing GBA sometime. ;)

[Clocker]

Do any of you feel more American by singing "GBA"
as opposed to "TMOTTBG" after 6.5 innings?

Makes no difference to me. But it's great fun to mock a girly-man who gets PTSD from shooting a small caliber rifle and who gets his panties in a wad about a song that he thinks 'offends everyone'. :D

If he is offended by the song, he can just go to the restroom during the 7th inning stretch. If he can figure out which one he belongs in. :rolleyes:

[Tom]

I wouldn't expect YOU to understand anything at all about the topic of this thread, and guess what? Right again.

It has nothign to do with US feeling American, it has to do about this POS NY Compost writer making that stupid comment and want to tell us how to live.
You and him belong together. If anyone is ashamed to be an American, it is because people like him and you live here.

[horses4courses]

I am already as American as you can get. Maybe you should try singing GBA sometime. ;)

Who says I don't belt it out at the top of my lungs?

There's nothing like "in your face" patriotism :rolleyes:

[horses4courses]

When's the last time any of you attended a MLB game?

Three weeks ago for me. Dodgers/Giants June 12th.

I love baseball.
I don't love "in your face" patriots.

[johnhannibalsmith]

hEThRlUcby4

6fGH0B2EApo

I don't really understand why you would even pose such a question when the answer would seem evident.

It's a beautiful song and I prefer it to the national anthem, honestly. Should we sing Put Me In Coach (Centerfield) instead of that one too? Or The Boys Are Back instead of the Canadian anthem before hockey games?

Why would any of it be 'in your face' patriotism? Why have the flag flying anywhere? Is that 'in your face'?

I'm usually not the one making these sorts of arguments but the counterpoint here is so awful as to beg for it.

[horses4courses]

hEThRlUcby4

6fGH0B2EApo

I don't really understand why you would even pose such a question when the answer would seem evident.

It's a beautiful song and I prefer it to the national anthem, honestly. Should we sing Put Me In Coach (Centerfield) instead of that one too? Or The Boys Are Back instead of the Canadian anthem before hockey games?

Why would any of it be 'in your face' patriotism? Why have the flag flying anywhere? Is that 'in your face'?

I'm usually not the one making these sorts of arguments but the counterpoint here is so awful as to beg for it.

Why sing a patriotic song during a sporting fixture?
We sing the national anthem beforehand.
"Take Me Out to the Ballgame" is a baseball tradition.
"God Bless America" became common after 9/11.

There's a lot to be proud of about this nation.
I'm not sure I need reminding during the 7th inning.

[Clocker]

There's a lot to be proud of about this nation.
I'm not sure I need reminding during the 7th inning.

You could always just go to the restroom of your choice. :p

[johnhannibalsmith]

...
There's a lot to be proud of about this nation.
I'm not sure I need reminding during the 7th inning.

I don't really understand your position then. It doesn't seem to actually bother you, and it can't even begin to understand why it would, but you think there's something wrong with playing it? Who cares? Who is it offending? And why? Its safe to say that I hate 8 out 9 rattly songs played as walk-up music, but not to the point where it upsets me or anything. I'd tell someone complaining about some rap song in that context to shove it too. Don't listen. Don't attend. Take a leak. Grow a set. Whatever. In what world is this even remotely cause for concern?

[dartman51]

Makes no difference to me. But it's great fun to mock a girly-man who gets PTSD from shooting a small caliber rifle and who gets his panties in a wad about a song that he thinks 'offends everyone'. :D

If he is offended by the song, he can just go to the restroom during the 7th inning stretch. If he can figure out which one he belongs in. :rolleyes:


If he's offended by God Bless America, he's not American enough to understand baseball, anyway. :faint:

[horses4courses]

I don't really understand your position then. It doesn't seem to actually bother you, and it can't even begin to understand why it would, but you think there's something wrong with playing it? Who cares? Who is it offending? And why? Its safe to say that I hate 8 out 9 rattly songs played as walk-up music, but not to the point where it upsets me or anything. I'd tell someone complaining about some rap song in that context to shove it too. Don't listen. Don't attend. Take a leak. Grow a set. Whatever. In what world is this even remotely cause for concern?

You're right.
It doesn't bother me.

What does bother me a little, though,
is that Tom, and those like him,
believe that Cub fans at Wrigley are
inferior Americans for singing "TMOTTBG".

That's not right. :ThmbDown:

[dartman51]

Why sing a patriotic song during a sporting fixture?
We sing the national anthem beforehand.
"Take Me Out to the Ballgame" is a baseball tradition.
"God Bless America" became common after 9/11.

There's a lot to be proud of about this nation.
I'm not sure I need reminding during the 7th inning.

If it bothers you, stay the hell home. Let the real Americans enjoy it. :rolleyes:

[tucker6]

When's the last time any of you attended a MLB game?

Three weeks ago for me. Dodgers/Giants June 12th.

I love baseball.
I don't love "in your face" patriots.
So now the test for being an American is when we last attended a baseball game?

[tucker6]

You're right.
It doesn't bother me.

What does bother me a little, though,
is that Tom, and those like him,
believe that Cub fans at Wrigley are
inferior Americans for singing "TMOTTBG".

That's not right. :ThmbDown:
What a pathetic post. Why do you care what Tom thinks?

[horses4courses]

So now the test for being an American is when we last attended a baseball game?

Well, that seems about as relevant a measurement as any mentioned before.

[horses4courses]

Why do you care what Tom thinks?

Because he is the quintessential far right zealot.
He would make it mandatory at all sporting events, if given the chance.

[Parkview_Pirate]

When's the last time any of you attended a MLB game?

Just twice since the '94 strike. Damn commies.

[johnhannibalsmith]

...

That's not right. :ThmbDown:

I can't disagree. I'll defend flag-burners and self-proclaimed socialists and whatever else might cause someone to call them anti-American. You can even say the Constitution would make better toilet paper than a blueprint for governance and I'll disagree monumentally but not question your patriotism. Too many people ripping one aspect of America or the government and claiming to be patriots and then questioning the Americanism of someone ripping another aspect of America or the government. Of all the things it stands for is rule by the people. Even the Constitution itself gives people the power to scribble out what's written and write it over. Because what makes an American is individual as well as collective.

Off the soapbox and back to the ballgame. I just think that its a nice thing. We are all still Americans, for the most part. Baseball is quintessential Americana. Look around. Even with prices what they are today, there is still a wider cross-section than you'll find at almost any other large event. Whether it is race, ethnicity, socioeconomic status, whatever. I don't play Lee Greenwood for kicks either, but I think there's something really nice and pleasant about everyone uniting for that few minutes and speaking as one, as Americans, before they resume life outside the park as just another subset of some label or another. I think its a mighty good thing.

[riskman]

There are 195 country's in the world.
GBA should mandatory at all of them. Let's introduce a resolution
to the UN. HFC could petition his buddy Samantha Power to make it official.

[MutuelClerk]

The game takes long enough as it is. People can't sing. Especially drunk people. Just skip the tradition and really shake it up.

[Tom]

There's nothing like "in your face" patriotism

And you call me sick.
If you interpret the anthem at a ballgame as in your face, you are not right in the head. Maybe they should abort a few babies at home plate to get you in the mood for the game? They could have celebrities throw out the first lungs. That should please your kind.

Personally, i find it offensive that they force a baseball game on nus after the National Anthem. Baseball is a commie game - I NEVER watch BB. NEVER.

[Tom]

What a pathetic post. Why do you care what Tom thinks?

The goofball doesn't even know what I think.
I think TMOTTBG is just great for the 7th inning stretch.
The guy can't even carry on an argument without getting it wrong! :lol: :lol: :lol:

[horses4courses]

Baseball is a commie game - I NEVER watch BB. NEVER.

You got me there.
That proves it - I know absolutely nothing about you.
I thought soccer was the commie game. :rolleyes:

[Jess Hawsen Arown]

I didn't read the whole thread, but I was attracted to it because of the title.

It is an appropriate topic for July 4th. There are many Democrats who are not liberals. They have automatically been voting Democrat for so long that they have no idea how far left of the American way of life that party has become.

For Democrats and Republicans, alike, here is an absolute fool proof way to identify a liberal. They are incapable of saying the words, "I'm proud to be an American."

[mostpost]

I agree with some of what Kuntzman has written. "God Bless America" is not a great song. It's as if Irving Berlin wrote it in his sleep. It is very short; only three stanzas including the introduction which is frequently not sung. The melody was stolen from the British anthem "God Save the Queen" or king.

If you want to sing a song with America and God, America the beautiful is a far better choice.
O beautiful for spacious skies,
For amber waves of grain,
For purple mountain majesties
Above the fruited plain!
America! America! God shed His grace on thee,
And crown thy good with brotherhood
From sea to shining sea!
There is a lot of nice imagery in the first four lines of this stanza.
"God shed his grace on thee and crown thy good with brotherhood" both acknowledges the blessings this country has received and asks that we be worthy of those blessings.
O beautiful for pilgrim feet,
Whose stern impassion’d stress
A thoroughfare for freedom beat
Across the wilderness!
America! America! God mend thine ev’ry flaw,
Confirm thy soul in self-control,
Thy liberty in law!
The fifth line is key here. "God mend thine ev'ry flaw." This country has flaws, which we work to overcome. Some here seem to think we are perfect and every other country is the abode of the devil.

O beautiful for heroes proved In liberating strife,
Who more than self their country loved,
And mercy more than life!
America! America! May God thy gold refine
Till all success be nobleness,
And ev’ry gain divine!

O Beautiful for patriot dream
That sees beyond the years
Thine alabaster cities gleam,
Undimmed by human tears!
America! America! God shed His grace on thee,
And crown thy good with brotherhood
From sea to shining sea!

In many ways "God Bless America" is not a perfect song, but that is not a reason to ban it. There is no reason to ban it. I am fine with it being played at any event I am attending and I will stand and listen respectfully.

I was thinking that Kuntzman's idea was the dumbest in this thread, turns out I was wrong.

[mostpost]

There are 195 country's in the world.
GBA should mandatory at all of them. Let's introduce a resolution
to the UN. HFC could petition his buddy Samantha Power to make it official.
This is the dumbest idea. I'm hoping it's tongue in cheek.

[therussmeister]

I didn't read the whole thread, but I was attracted to it because of the title.

It is an appropriate topic for July 4th. There are many Democrats who are not liberals. They have automatically been voting Democrat for so long that they have no idea how far left of the American way of life that party has become.

For Democrats and Republicans, alike, here is an absolute fool proof way to identify a liberal. They are incapable of saying the words, "I'm proud to be an American."
I never say I'm proud to be an American because I only take pride in my own accomplishments and I have contributed such an infintesimally small bit to what makes America great that such a statement would be a form of false pride.

[Marshall Bennett]

No, you're either proud to be an American or you're not. Why spin it off into some personal play on achievements? It's not quite the same as a proud dog owner or proud grandpa either. It's a matter of patriotism.

[Ocala Mike]

Not about Kuntzman, but an interesting take on the history of the song:

http://www.csmonitor.com/Books/Book-Reviews/2013/0822/God-Bless-America

I always knew the part about Woody Guthrie penning "This Land is My Land" as the anti-GBA song.

[Clocker]

No, you're either proud to be an American or you're not. Why spin it off into some personal play on achievements?


My dictionary says:

proud: feeling deep pleasure or satisfaction as a result of one's own achievements, qualities, or possessions or those of someone with whom one is closely associated.

I am lucky to be an American. I did nothing to accomplish that. It was an accident of birth, and I am happy as hell about that.

I am proud of my ancestors who came here from Europe and endured hardships and worked hard to make me who and what I am. I have been riding that gravy train most of my life. Thanks, folks, I'm proud of you.

[incoming]

My dictionary says:



I am lucky to be an American. I did nothing to accomplish that. It was an accident of birth, and I am happy as hell about that.

I am proud of my ancestors who came here from Europe and endured hardships and worked hard to make me who and what I am. I have been riding that gravy train most of my life. Thanks, folks, I'm proud of you.

Can't add too those thoughts......Thanks for the reminder!!! :ThmbUp: SAYS IT ALL

[Marshall Bennett]

My dictionary says:



I am lucky to be an American. I did nothing to accomplish that. It was an accident of birth, and I am happy as hell about that.

I am proud of my ancestors who came here from Europe and endured hardships and worked hard to make me who and what I am. I have been riding that gravy train most of my life. Thanks, folks, I'm proud of you.
So in staying by the definition of the dictionary, there are no proud Americans, or at least very few.
In the case of patriotism and what "proud American" means to most, I highly doubt they give a shit what your dictionary says. Just saying. :)

[Fager Fan]

Why sing a patriotic song during a sporting fixture?
We sing the national anthem beforehand.
"Take Me Out to the Ballgame" is a baseball tradition.
"God Bless America" became common after 9/11.

There's a lot to be proud of about this nation.
I'm not sure I need reminding during the 7th inning.

It's odd in this forum that we're talking about baseball given we start each racing day with the national anthem. I think it's a great way to start the day.

[MutuelClerk]

No, you're either proud to be an American or you're not. Why spin it off into some personal play on achievements? It's not quite the same as a proud dog owner or proud grandpa either. It's a matter of patriotism.

I'm not so sure this is true anymore. The line Love my country hate my government comes to mind. I'm proud of my country. But not proud of my government. Does patriotism represent country or government? If you think they are one in the same. Then I guess we just disagree.

[Tom]

I am proud to be an American and I am embarrassed by my government and 47% of the population.

[barahona44]

I'm not so sure this is true anymore. The line Love my country hate my government comes to mind. I'm proud of my country. But not proud of my government. Does patriotism represent country or government? If you think they are one in the same. Then I guess we just disagree.
Patriotism has precious little to do with government, although government will use patriotism to accomplish its goals.The problem with government is that people pay too much attention to it thus giving politicians an inflated sense of their importance in the grand scheme of things.

[riskman]

This is the dumbest idea. I'm hoping it's tongue in cheek.

It was, even though you had to make a dumb comment.

[MutuelClerk]

Patriotism has precious little to do with government, although government will use patriotism to accomplish its goals.The problem with government is that people pay too much attention to it thus giving politicians an inflated sense of their importance in the grand scheme of things.


Appreciate your reply. For me personally the government has lessened my patriotism. I still love it here and think we have the best country. But the government has really lowered the bar. 100% agree politicians have an inflated sense of importance. Especially because it seems money usually makes their decision for them. They've whored out our country. But I think we need to pay more attention to them. We've been too trusting and politicians haven taken advantage. I think the rise of Trump stems from contempt for our politicians. It's a shame only one parties followers ( not leaders) see it.

[Tom]

I am proud of our founding fathers who had the courage to look a a corrupt, evil government and kick it in the ass.

I would love to think that spirit still lives on today, because we now face a far worse government the old King George ever thought of being.

[MutuelClerk]

I am proud of our founding fathers who had the courage to look a a corrupt, evil government and kick it in the ass.

I would love to think that spirit still lives on today, because we now face a far worse government the old King George ever thought of being.

Proud of all those things too Tom. Agree on it being far worse today than the KG3'rd days too. Disagree on the spirit living on though. Too many people wrapped up in themselves and not what's around them. They don't care.

[Tom]

Proud of the past, ashamed of the present.
Nothing to be proud about here anymore.
We are just another banana republic run by perverts and thieves.