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Edwird -> RE: NBA Player Baltantly Disrespects Canada (5/9/2016 7:47:56 AM)
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ORIGINAL: DesideriScuri
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ORIGINAL: Edwird
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ORIGINAL: vincentML
FR
Nationalism and flags and anthems and guns and gods and wars ... what fun!!
Don't forget the jet fly overs.
Profitable for the leagues, too.
Looky here;
http://www.sbnation.com/2015/11/4/9670302/nfl-paid-patriotism-troops-mcain-flake-report-million
The National Anthem isn't part of that $$. That's been going on for quite some time (as your previous link noted).
But, the idea that the military pays a professional sports team for the opportunity to be honored?!? That's horrible! I don't have a problem with the military spending money for tickets, seats, etc., other than, well, that's probably not the wisest use of taxpayer money. It's almost like an advertisement, then. Damn.
What I've thought for the past couple years was that the NFL have military tribute uniforms (helmets and jerseys) created for each team, and after the "Veteran's Day" games, those items get auctioned off, with the money going to charities that support the troops (ie. Wounded Warrior Project, etc.). Can you imagine how much a Tom Brady, Cam Newton, Odell Beckham Jr., Rob Gronkowski, or Peyton Manning (the Top 5 selling jerseys for 2015) game-worn Veteran's Day jersey or helmet would go for? It's, literally, one-of-a-kind. Have the player sign it to make it that much more valuable.
Have special balls made, too.
At least 80% of all you mention has already been done, the last two NFL seasons especially. And yes, of course it's advertising and good marketing, exactly as I was pointing out. I think there are/were at least 6-8 guys each on the Panthers and Falcons teams alone involved in the wounded warrior program (with out the military paying for it), which I'm sure is typical of most teams. But I like the guys buying the land and all the slides and swings for a new playground for the dinky little town in Georgia they grew up in even better. Am I anti-patriot for that? Are they? Are all the inner city "keep kids in school," after school programs and such, taking away in dollars and in time, what should be going to the military, if these guys were real patriots? We have to keep in mind, too, that roughly 50% of charitable works by pro athletes are done somewhat 'under the table' because they get sick and tired of accusations of 'just doing it for the cameras,' and/or wishing to respect the privacy of some of those benefited.
They aren't, however, merely advertising for recruits; they are selling justification. Or lack for need of such in the first place, to be honest about it.
What I have issue with is 'enforced patriotism,' in whatever form or by whatever method. I am not enamored of myself or anyone else being accused of "hating our country" if we prefer our sports with out having direct military tie-in foisted upon us in the process. Keep in mind that those against a particular foreign policy or especially a military action invoked thereby are not, by that disagreement alone, "anti-military."
So while we're at it, being 'pro military' with out regard to cause or consequence considered is far from my idea of patriotism. And I don't like the 'pro-militarism = patriotism' thing (along with the 'overtly implicit' converse of that. "whoa! I'm not a patriot!").
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