You have indicated that you feel that it is OK to say whatever you want, whenever you want but you have not pointed out any inconsistency in what I said. I have been very consistent in my belief that not standing for the National Anthem is an insult to this country. You may think my attitude is inconsistent. So be it. I feel your attitude lacks honor, respect and gratitude.

Baseball playoffs are not just about bats and balls and bases anymore. Now, social protest is in the ballpark. This is fair game.

The National Anthem has not harmed anyone. It is a traditional song. It is intended to be a unifying symbol. The intention of the lyrics cover players and fans, just and unjust people, fair and unfair folks, and everyone else. Oppressors and oppressed Americans are covered in the intention of the National Anthem. So dissing a song is not the same as addressing the perceived injustices or other issues. But what else is possible?

Sports are adversarial enough. Someone must win and someone must lose. This is pretty much like a battlefield. Does player protest need to be in the warlike game arena? Could there be another way to work on issues? Is there a better time or place for players to express their concerns about social issues?

Meanwhile, may the team with the most runs win, haha.

@Shop-et-al wrote:

The National Anthem has not harmed anyone. It is a traditional song. It is intended to be a unifying symbol. The intention of the lyrics cover players and fans, just and unjust people, fair and unfair folks, and everyone else. Oppressors and oppressed Americans are covered in the intention of the National Anthem. So dissing a song is not the same as addressing the perceived injustices or other issues. But what else is possible?

Many people assume that the national anthem is intended to be a unifying song, and it is, just not for everyone. Check out the 3rd verse which is rarely ever sung. "No refuge could save the hireling and slave
From the terror of flight, or the gloom of the grave". Historians (and I'm not a historian) have long interpreted this to negatively reflect on the slave population in the country, and slaves at that time were not primarily African Americans. The point that I am trying to make is that we have all been taught to respect the flag, if only we were all taught to respect each other no matter our differences.

The slave status will never disappear, imho. Unless and until all persons are independently wealthy and independently acting agents, there are always masters and slaves. These days we use terms such as employers and employees, volunteers and volunteer coordinators, and other phrases to express unequal relationships between persons. We also have laws that provide terminology that should guide us-- and none of these includes masters and slaves. But for now, there are unequal relationships. This is not necessarily better than the historically described relationships involving masters, mistresses, and slaves. Should we accept this and do something meaningful about the wrongs in the world?

For example, one player has pledged an entire season's earnings for educational purposes. If this money reaches the levels and places of need, some people will become more knowledgeable and more skilled. They may be able to ply these opportunities toward their own earnings. If they wish, they may choose to use their earnings for the benefit of others. I like this opportunity and intention. I hope that it works as intended.

I am doing small things for causes that I believe have a chance of helping people. I don't have a season's worth of professional sports earnings to distribute, but I hope that my little efforts will do some good where it is needed.

Meanwhile, may the team with the most runs win.

GO DODGERS, L.A. is going crazy.....

I wasn't at all gleeful about the 11-1 rout yesterday. I promise.

*keep fingers crossed while ROFLMAO*

Dodgers won 1st. game in 29 years....parties, city going wild....I was raised on Baseball. Father knew the Giants, didn't miss a game...this was in San Francisco many many years ago, memories still vivid.