Good Night Irene

[Benton]

(08-16-2018, 11:53 AM)bfine32 Wrote: Yes, not rendering courtesy during the playing of the National Anthem disrespects an entire nation. As I said they are throwing the baby out with the bath water.

Because wherever fighting men/women go in this world to protect our freedoms or assist the oppressed the flag is their standard. You come over the hill and see a US Flag, you know you have an allied. Those not fortunate enough to come home vertical come home with one draped over their coffin and full courtesies are given every step of the journey. When you purposely choose to not show courtesy when it is presented in public you are not honoring those men and women.

As I have said: I don't feel (many do) they are intentionally disrespecting and every time someone tells them they are not, they are more emboldened to do so. But make no mistake they are disrespecting the flag and those who fight for it. 

Why is it mutually exclusive?

I'm against a big military and most of our interventions (I like a small government). But I thank veterans when I can (volunteer and help promote local Veteran's Day luncheons, if I see a veteran or active duty in a bar I buy the guy a round, little things). Maybe — as someone who didn't serve — I won't be able to understand the mindset that protesting against a government or a mindset is the same as protesting against its employees.