[mtrower]

That may be true, and it may be of personal value to pursue this for yourself. That's different from socially badgering others into it at group events.

[jvanderbot]

I haven't sung a hymn, pledge or anthem since I was 11 or so. I just stand there and watch, be it church, baseball, hockey, whatever. 32 years and nothing bad has happened yet. (Hooray freedom?). I don't believe there is any pressure whatsoever.

[mtrower]

So in other words, you disagree with the post I'm replying to?

> I don't believe there is any pressure whatsoever.

You've clearly not been to some of the events that I have. Also, there's the whole matter of various public school systems. Regardless, if there hasn't been any pressure for you, then this is sort of a non-sequitur, as my comment is talking about situations where there is pressure to begin with. Non-pressure situations are out of scope.

[boomboomsubban]

>I don't believe there is any pressure whatsoever.

Then why do you stand? You can get away without singing, but there is an immense amount of pressure on you to "show respect."

[GiorgioG]

If it bothers you so much don’t go to these events.

[dylan604]

Someone's not allowed to go to a sporting event because you say so? That's a load of crap. I'll go to whatever event I want. If they have one of these dear leader performances, I just stand there thinking about whatever is on my mind. If you like it, you can sing your little heart out. But I'm not going to not go to something I enjoy because you might get offended at my non-participation in your cult-like ritual

[mtrower]

In fact, I generally don't. On the other hand, that is not because I am bothered (or not) by such practices.

I'm really not sure what this has to do with the opinions being expressed by myself, parent, and GP here. I can avoid a behaviour and simultaneously have an opinion on the behaviour, which I am expressing here in response to others' opinions on said behaviour.

[cooper_ganglia]

I very, very strongly disagree. If you hate the country you reside in so much, don’t show up to those events, or better yet, purchase a ticket to go live somewhere else that better suits you. I don’t have even the slightest bit of tolerance for that kind of apathetic, the-world-revolves-around-me attitude.

Sons had their legs blown off so you could be free to whine on an online forum about having to honor them for 60-seconds at sporting events you have the freedom to attend. Truly astounding.

[steezy13]

Not following pathological nationalism isn't the same as "hating your country". Saying otherwise is just propagating a false dichotomy.

We can be thankful to live in this country without needing to force others to do so as well. In fact, to borrow from your earlier point, we actually have the freedom to hold a different opinion about nationalism/patriotism, unlike many oppressive countries.

[dgfitz]

It’s funny, you’d probably not be able to pop off like that if it weren’t for the dead at Ft. McHenry.

[boomboomsubban]

Where would we be without those brave dead who fought in a war we started and didn't win? I guess we wouldn't have Florida...

[mtrower]

..."pop off"?

I get the impression that you're inferring things about me that aren't actually real. Such as a lack of respect for the fallen.