# Omnibus Stupid MFers in the news thread (Part 2) **URL:** \ **Category:** The BBQ Pit\ **Created:** [January 5, 2024, 4:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/omnibus-stupid-mfers-in-the-news-thread-part-2/995657 "2024-01-05T16:15:07Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 394
**Author:** ![Dewey\_Finn](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dewey_finn/32/4222_2.png) [@Dewey\_Finn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dewey_Finn)\ **Post date:** [July 22, 2026, 9:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/omnibus-stupid-mfers-in-the-news-thread-part-2/995657/7861 "2026-07-22T21:59:41Z")
> [@Monty](#): > > _Okay. I’m posting the link below, but the people I’m calling stupid MFers are all those who support the “elderly genttleman” for the crime he committed._ > > [Offended jackass assaults man for not standing for the national anthem.](https://www.aol.com/articles/older-man-slaps-fan-cubs-011923000.html) The _very next_ article is about people annoyed at Jennifer Hudson’s performance of the National Anthem at the World Cup final match. It says, “While fans clapped at Metlife Stadium following the performance, many took to social media, complaining about her version.” I’d like to point out for the umpteenth time that it’s inappropriate to clap for the national anthem; this isn’t a singing competition. You’re supposed to be respectful and silent at the conclusion, whether you’re standing or sitting. It’s also, in my opinion, inappropriate to critique the performance. ---
**Author:** ![DesertDog](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/desertdog/32/11503_2.png) [@DesertDog](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DesertDog)\ **Post date:** [July 22, 2026, 10:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/omnibus-stupid-mfers-in-the-news-thread-part-2/995657/7862 "2026-07-22T22:08:57Z")
I dunno. [Rosanne Barr’s](https://youtu.be/hMzIk2pUuNU) effort could stand some criticism. ---
**Author:** ![Dewey\_Finn](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dewey_finn/32/4222_2.png) [@Dewey\_Finn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dewey_Finn)\ **Post date:** [July 22, 2026, 10:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/omnibus-stupid-mfers-in-the-news-thread-part-2/995657/7863 "2026-07-22T22:10:11Z")
If someone is asked to perform the anthem, I think we should assume they tried their best. ---
**Author:** ![Just\_Asking\_Questions](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/ba9def/32.png) [@Just\_Asking\_Questions](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Just_Asking_Questions)\ **Post date:** [July 22, 2026, 10:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/omnibus-stupid-mfers-in-the-news-thread-part-2/995657/7864 "2026-07-22T22:11:59Z")
> [@Dewey\_Finn](#): > > It’s also, in my opinion, inappropriate to critique the performance. Ever? Even later? Well, call me inappropriate, because I’ve seen some “singers” that should have been rejected in rehearsal, or even audition. ---
**Author:** ![Dewey\_Finn](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dewey_finn/32/4222_2.png) [@Dewey\_Finn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dewey_Finn)\ **Post date:** [July 22, 2026, 10:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/omnibus-stupid-mfers-in-the-news-thread-part-2/995657/7865 "2026-07-22T22:14:31Z")
If someone is praised for slapping someone else to stand up for the anthem, I am going to suggest that we show it respect by not hooting, hollering or applauding. Just stand there quietly. ---
**Author:** ![Kimstu](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/ecd19e/32.png) [@Kimstu](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kimstu)\ **Post date:** [July 22, 2026, 10:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/omnibus-stupid-mfers-in-the-news-thread-part-2/995657/7866 "2026-07-22T22:20:19Z")
> [@Dewey\_Finn](#): > > I’d like to point out for the umpteenth time that it’s inappropriate to clap for the national anthem; this isn’t a singing competition. You’re supposed to be respectful and silent at the conclusion, whether you’re standing or sitting. Hear hear. (And this applies, for somewhat similar though not identical reasons, to the performance of musical anthems, voluntaries etc. during or following services in houses of worship too. Though I’m afraid trying to re-establish that standard is a lost cause at this point.) ---
**Author:** ![Dewey\_Finn](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dewey_finn/32/4222_2.png) [@Dewey\_Finn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dewey_Finn)\ **Post date:** [July 22, 2026, 10:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/omnibus-stupid-mfers-in-the-news-thread-part-2/995657/7867 "2026-07-22T22:21:36Z")
I’ve almost never been in houses of worship but I thought people knew enough not to applaud. ---
**Author:** ![Just\_Asking\_Questions](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/ba9def/32.png) [@Just\_Asking\_Questions](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Just_Asking_Questions)\ **Post date:** [July 22, 2026, 10:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/omnibus-stupid-mfers-in-the-news-thread-part-2/995657/7868 "2026-07-22T22:25:53Z")
> [@Dewey\_Finn](#): > > Just stand there quietly. That ship sailed a long time ago, sunk, got raised, patched, and sank again. You simply _must_ holler your approval when the singer hits the “land of da freeeeeeeeEEEEEEEEEeeeeeEEEEEEEeeeEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!” ---
**Author:** ![Kimstu](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/ecd19e/32.png) [@Kimstu](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kimstu)\ **Post date:** [July 22, 2026, 10:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/omnibus-stupid-mfers-in-the-news-thread-part-2/995657/7869 "2026-07-22T22:32:11Z")
> [@Just\_Asking\_Questions](#): > > > [@Dewey\_Finn](#): > > > > It’s also, in my opinion, inappropriate to critique the performance. > > Ever? Even later? > > Well, call me inappropriate, because I’ve seen some “singers” that should have been rejected in rehearsal, or even audition. My take on that would be A) What you say in private in your own social circle regarding the technical merits or otherwise of any musical performance is your own business; and B) Even in private conversation, I think it’s generally and rightly deprecated to express negative opinions about the performances of child musicians, especially amateur ones. Hey, the kids tried; if they didn’t succeed, draw a veil. But yeah, I’d say @Dewey_Finn’s correct that **publicly** criticizing an official performance of the national anthem (or, as noted above, of music in or following a worship service) that you’re attending is in somewhat poor taste. The musical performance in question was a ritualized expression of reverence (towards country or deity, respectively), rather than an entertainment act for the enjoyment of those in attendance. Complaining about technical defects of the performance is a bit impertinent, unless you happen to be the nation or the deity towards whom the reverence was being expressed. ---
**Author:** ![scabpicker](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/scabpicker/32/8268_2.png) [@scabpicker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/scabpicker)\ **Post date:** [July 22, 2026, 10:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/omnibus-stupid-mfers-in-the-news-thread-part-2/995657/7870 "2026-07-22T22:35:12Z")
Heh, at Dallas Stars games, it’s an excuse to shout “STARS” twice. If someone tried to imply I’m doing it wrong, I’d probably respond like a Hanson brother. [![](https://img.youtube.com/vi/ORiTZDvD9sA/maxresdefault.jpg "I'M LISTENING TO THE F\*\*\*ING SONG | Slap Shot (1977) Scene") ](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ORiTZDvD9sA) ---
**Author:** ![Kimstu](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/ecd19e/32.png) [@Kimstu](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kimstu)\ **Post date:** [July 22, 2026, 10:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/omnibus-stupid-mfers-in-the-news-thread-part-2/995657/7871 "2026-07-22T22:41:14Z")
> [@Dewey\_Finn](#): > > I’ve almost never been in houses of worship but I thought people knew enough not to applaud. Oh, you sweet summer child. I wish. (Okay, to be fair, I think there are many congregations in which, for example, an offertory anthem right spang in the middle of the service is still received with appreciative silence rather than applause. AFAICT, though, that attitude is becoming rarer, and even in those congregations it doesn’t necessarily extend to voluntaries/postludes etc. Yes, folks, I know you want to show your appreciation of the talents of your amazing organist/choir/soloists/whoever. You can do that by personally telling them (and/or telling the officiant, or whoever else is responsible for the musicians’ employment) after the service how wonderful they sounded. And why not encourage them to give a recital or some other entertainment performance and help them sell tickets for it while you’re at it? That’s a very practical expression of appreciation.) ---
**Author:** ![Dewey\_Finn](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dewey_finn/32/4222_2.png) [@Dewey\_Finn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dewey_Finn)\ **Post date:** [July 22, 2026, 10:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/omnibus-stupid-mfers-in-the-news-thread-part-2/995657/7872 "2026-07-22T22:44:07Z")
Surely the one leading the service (pastor/rabbi/imam/priest/etc.) can remind people as many times as necessary not to applaud? ---
**Author:** ![Kimstu](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/ecd19e/32.png) [@Kimstu](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kimstu)\ **Post date:** [July 22, 2026, 10:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/omnibus-stupid-mfers-in-the-news-thread-part-2/995657/7873 "2026-07-22T22:46:35Z")
> [@scabpicker](#): > > Heh, at Dallas Stars games, it’s an excuse to shout “STARS” twice. Honestly, if an audience was taking the trouble to actually sing the national anthem all together, which is how national anthems are supposed to be performed by and for people of the nation in question, I personally would be delighted to give them a pass on accentuating the word “stars” in the process. Cute and not offensively irreverent. ---
**Author:** ![LSLGuy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lslguy/32/5813_2.png) [@LSLGuy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LSLGuy)\ **Post date:** [July 22, 2026, 10:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/omnibus-stupid-mfers-in-the-news-thread-part-2/995657/7874 "2026-07-22T22:52:26Z")
The megachurches live off audience enthusiasm for the entertainment. That’s what drives donations. The management & on stage talant = “pastor” are fully on board w raucous crowd approval of the whole show. ---
**Author:** ![Kimstu](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/ecd19e/32.png) [@Kimstu](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kimstu)\ **Post date:** [July 22, 2026, 10:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/omnibus-stupid-mfers-in-the-news-thread-part-2/995657/7875 "2026-07-22T22:54:12Z")
> [@Dewey\_Finn](#): > > Surely the one leading the service (pastor/rabbi/imam/priest/etc.) can remind people as many times as necessary not to applaud? I’ve never seen that done, actually, and my guess is that it would be worse than useless in either case. If the congregation wasn’t planning to applaud, they’ll be indignant at the notion that they might need to be told not to. If they **are** planning to applaud, then they are taking it for granted that they damn well ought to be able to, and will be indignant at the notion that they should refrain. If there are only a few applauders in a non-applauding congregation, the sudden stares and subsequent swallowing by the merciful earth as their first lonely handclaps echo through the post-music silence tends to take care of them just fine. (To be fair, though, I don’t really think that applauders in worship services actually count as stupid MFers, so I should probably stop hijacking this thread to opine about them. Sorry, all.) ---
**Author:** ![scabpicker](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/scabpicker/32/8268_2.png) [@scabpicker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/scabpicker)\ **Post date:** [July 22, 2026, 10:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/omnibus-stupid-mfers-in-the-news-thread-part-2/995657/7876 "2026-07-22T22:55:17Z")
> [@Kimstu](#): > > Honestly, if an audience was taking the trouble to actually sing the national anthem all together, which is how national anthems are supposed to be performed by and for people of the nation in question, I personally would be delighted to give them a pass on accentuating the word “stars” in the process. Nah, we just shout “STARS”, most of the other words are ignored. ---
**Author:** ![Chronos](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chronos/32/134_2.png) [@Chronos](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chronos)\ **Post date:** [July 22, 2026, 11:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/omnibus-stupid-mfers-in-the-news-thread-part-2/995657/7877 "2026-07-22T23:05:35Z")
In all of the Catholic churches I’ve been in, I’ve never once seen applause after a hymn. Now, sometimes, before the Christmas mass or something, there will be an hour or so of the choir singing carols. Those can be applauded. But never for the songs that are part of the service itself. ---
**Author:** ![Alessan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/alessan/32/465_2.png) [@Alessan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Alessan)\ **Post date:** [July 22, 2026, 11:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/omnibus-stupid-mfers-in-the-news-thread-part-2/995657/7878 "2026-07-22T23:07:45Z")
> [@Kimstu](#): > > Honestly, if an audience was taking the trouble to actually sing the national anthem all together, which is how national anthems are supposed to be performed by and for people of the nation in question, Yeah, I was going to say something about that. The singer is supposed to be leading a singalong; it’s not a solo performance. ---
**Author:** ![Kimstu](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/ecd19e/32.png) [@Kimstu](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kimstu)\ **Post date:** [July 22, 2026, 11:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/omnibus-stupid-mfers-in-the-news-thread-part-2/995657/7879 "2026-07-22T23:22:34Z")
> [@Chronos](#): > > In all of the Catholic churches I’ve been in, I’ve never once seen applause after a hymn. Hymns where the congregation themselves are (at least nominally) singing, no. Congregants still seem to have some reluctance to overtly applaud **their own** participation. I’m talking about choir or soloist anthems or organ voluntaries, etc., that the congregation is simply listening to during the offertory or similar; specialized musical pieces learned by the designated performers separately from regular service music, pieces which aren’t even in the hymnal. Maybe that’s what you meant and you have in fact never heard a Catholic congregation applauding such an anthem; in which case, I say good on them! But I think that might have something to do with the fact that Catholic congregations are somewhat more likely (?) to have congregational offertory hymns rather than, or immediately following, choral offertory anthems? ---
**Author:** ![Pleonast](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pleonast/32/1183_2.png) [@Pleonast](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Pleonast)\ **Post date:** [July 22, 2026, 11:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/omnibus-stupid-mfers-in-the-news-thread-part-2/995657/7880 "2026-07-22T23:37:53Z")
> [@Kimstu](#): > > Yes, folks, I know you want to show your appreciation of the talents of your amazing organist/choir/soloists/whoever. You can do that by personally telling them (and/or telling the officiant, or whoever else is responsible for the musicians’ employment) after the service how wonderful they sounded. And why not encourage them to give a recital or some other entertainment performance and help them sell tickets for it while you’re at it? That’s a very practical expression of appreciation.) My congregation is tiny (less than a hundred) and every performer is a volunteer. The obvious way to show appreciation for a performance is applause at the moment it’s occurring, so that’s what we do. There might also be plenty of _amens_, some foot stomping, and a whoop or two. And we can still tell them what we liked about it later. Performing to an unresponsive audience is very discouraging, especially to non-professionals. The whole point of going to church is to meet together in Christ. So of course we will encourage each other when some of us have made the effort to perform. Now if the congregation as a whole is performing, we don’t applaud. But we still do some spoken _amens_. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/omnibus-stupid-mfers-in-the-news-thread-part-2/995657.md?page=393) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/omnibus-stupid-mfers-in-the-news-thread-part-2/995657.md?page=395)