I’ll volunteer to sing it for the Mavs (if I can use my own lyrics).
Oh say have you heard
What the NBA wants?
Just to prove to our fans
That they’re SOOOO patriotic
They’ve sent down this decree
(With complete nonchalance)
That we’ll play this here song
Even if it’s robotic
‘Cos in Dallas one time
They did not hear that rhyme
And then some snowflakes
Thought it was a huge crime!
Oh say, does the Star-Spangled Banner still sound?
When symbolism’s at stake
We can’t give…any…ground!
Interrupting you with my…
Applause
WOOOOOOOOOO
Americans definitely go overboard with it, but when there’s a international soccer match there’s no shortage of flag waving in other countries too.
One thing to keep in mind is that flying a flag at home is the OG virtue signaling. It’s a relatively new occurrence. Before the Vietnam war flying a flag at home was really pretty uncommon. After peak America following WWII it was comparatively rare. Even after Vietnam it wasn’t super common, but in the wake of the anti-war sentiment you started to see a lot more aggressive pro-military symbolism including the POW flags and tattoos. But flags were still not ubiquitous. Surprisingly, in Reagan’s Cold War America flag flying wasn’t a suburban staple the way it is now. This all started right around Desert Storm and went into overdrive once the right started to weaponize patriotism as a political party platform. Now, it’s not even patriotism anymore. It’s straight-up right-wing virtue signaling.
A competition against other countries, much like independence day, is an appropriate time to fly a flag; at home on a daily basis, not so much.
Agreed with the rest of your post.
Agree w your post overall. One question on this snip:
What is OG?
Original Gangster 
Own goal?
It’s right wing brainwashing:
“Liberal pansies who HATE God, HATE guns, and HATE the military are why America loses wars, and losing a war is a stain on our collective honor, you see. Therefore, if you really love America, you will blindly do what conservatives order you to do and worship the military and worship the flag. If you don’t, you can just love this country or leave it!”
I’d prefer Cuban start with primary school kids saying the Pledge of Allegiance (we get numb to even the name of that ‘oath,’ but … wow !).
I thought it was the Libruls’ job to indoctrinate our youth – y’know: by telling them that minorities haven’t always been treated well in this country and that LGBTQ people exist.
But this pledge shit ? You may as well make the school uniform a Joe Camel T-shirt (or just a tasteful brown shirt).
I don’t know if this was a savvy fight for Cuban to fight but I totally applaud the rationale.
“Religion and nationalism are two scourges of humanity.” --I never remember who I heard say that – Deepak Chopra ??
I completely agree with this. The Anthem at domestic sporting events is hollow patriotism and mostly a waste of time (like saying the Pledge of Allegiance at school).