More on burning the flag. The US Flag Code specifies to dispose of a flag, one that is no longer suitable for display, in a dignified manner such as burning. Something like that, I’m going by memory here. But in that section there is no mention whatsoever of playing any music, Taps or otherwise… Of that I am certain.
However, some Googling indicates that various organizations such as the VFW or the Boy Scouts do play either the National Anthem or Taps at flag-burning ceremonies.
Fair enough, but nothing in the Flag Code requires it. Or even suggests it. To that point, any solemn, dignified music could be played.
No. But neither is it unheard of to play Taps, as you seem to think.
So yakkity saks would be right out? 
Not so fast. You play it, slow and dignified like, and I might just say okay.
Umm, no. I revisited my posts 200, 201 and I don’t see how you can draw that conclusion. I certainly did not say that.
There’s a subtle but important difference between may and shall. In post 188, kaylasdad99 inferred shall, and there’s nothing in that Flag Code section saying that.
Of course not. Why would I joke about Clothahump being an idiot? His idiocy is no joking matter.
Oh, the music thing. Yeah, sorta. But I attended a few flag-burning ceremonies during my days as a Cub Scout, and “Taps” was the only music played.
That’s where I learned that it has words, and what they are, in fact.
I’m aware of the origin, and while one can noodle away during a drinking song the whole issue here is that the National Anthem holds some important symbolic function in these circumstances. I don’t think anyone cares if some kneels during “Anacreon”.
(To take a tangent to my tangent, frankly I’d rather replace the SSB with “America the Beautiful” which has a better and more singable tune and lyrics.)
“Look, Don, you know the rules on car share - whoever calls it first gets to drive and control the radio, and Bill called it first. Yes, he’s blind drunk, but if you don’t let him drive it would throw the whole system into question.”
Okay, that was funny.
I’m on board with this. Then maybe the chuckleheads getting all worked up over disrespecting the flag can get all worked up about the systematic destruction and exploitation of our natural environments.
I wasn’t disagreeing with you. I was comparing a list of things we should worry about to the idiocy of worrying about what others do during a song.
If they were being treated unfairly by police, they would have a legitimate beef. But they don’t. So yeah - shut up, play ball and enjoy the money.
Great big fan of it. But it doesn’t apply here, and that is what has sailed right over your heads.
The First Amendment prohibits the Federal government from stifling free speech:
The 14th makes that applicable to state and local governments.
However, this is private enterprise, not government. If I own a team in the NFL (or any other professional organization), I have the right to demand that players and anyone else representing that team do not act in a manner that disgraces the team or the league. If they do so, I fire them. Period.
But it won’t happen because the league and the owners are all gutless. Well, perhaps after they lose enough money because of the stupid antics of the players, they might start firing them. We can only hope.
More importantly, it’s not up to you, me, or Donald Trump what to do with these players. If the owners and the league think that what they are doing is fine, then that’s that.
Maybe the owners and the league think the players are right.
Says you, but that’s less than convincing. I take it in the 60s you probably didn’t believe MLK Jr. and other Civil Rights activists when they were describing unfair treatment? At what point did you realize that they were actually right?
You still think everybody has an obligation to behave as you want them to. That seems pretty arrogant. How does it hurt you if someone doesn’t stand during the anthem? The owners may have a right to insist the players stand, but it would be foolish of them to insist on it. Why piss off the source of your livelihood? How about this: all you super-de-duper patriots grow the fuck up and stop worrying about people standing for a song sung to a piece of cloth?
No, because in this county White Feelings matter more than Black Lives.
country, I mean.
Firstly, is it impossible for you to understand that they might be doing this on behalf of other people whose situation might otherwise be ignored? Secondly, so a bunch of guys in football uniforms choose to kneel during the playing of the national anthem. Why is this even an issue for you? In what way are you, personally, harmed by this action?