God Bless America at Yankee Stadium

[Frijolito]

Well I don't think not standing or removing your hat during GBA is disrespectful to the soldiers. The National anthem yes. But not GBA. Do we have to stand during any song that is deemed patriotic? If not we're disrespecting the soldiers?? I think this whole story may be some kind of hoax or a very big exaggeration. I just can't see police officers chaining people in the aisles and not allowing anyone to move around during any song. I believe alot of people would raise hell if this was the case. I know i would. This is the first I have heard about it. I'm sure people on this forum have attended Yankee games before. Is this true. I know HGM has attended Yankee games. Is this really true??

[HoustonGM]

I'm sure people on this forum have attended Yankee games before. Is this true. I know HGM has attended Yankee games. Is this really true??

I never paid attention to it, as I always just stayed at my seat anyway, and never looked around for the chains and what not, but it's true.

This story is also true of somebody being escorted out for going to the bathroom during GBA. The police say he was drunken, disorderly, loud, inappropriate, etc. I've seen quotes from other fans though that were by him that said that it wasn't true. *shrug*

[Frijolito]

Thanks unbelievable. I wonder why the make them play it on Sundays and holidays. I find this very disturbing.

[WiffleBaller]

Yankees suck.

[Rongar]

Do you realize you're complaining about the complaining of a 13 year old however? I don't mind arguing/debating with him in here as maybe one day some of what he hears in here may sink in and he'll be more open to opinion of others. I do feel a bit weird however when he gets me tweaked and i'm about to post an irate rebuttal...I've cancelled response many times lol.

I think that we should forget about the age-or any other stuff that we know about him- of an originator of a post, and consider his views strictly on their (perceived) merits.

[dannymac910]

I don't really think it's right that we have to stand and listen to it, or be chained in. But, it's not hurting anyone, in fact it's a good thing. Not all people agree with each others views on God, but the whole "God bless America" thing has been around for a while now so I doubt it's going to stop. And if a politician refused to say it, it would cause a huge uproar, so from now on most people are gonna play it safe. America was built around the fact that everyone can have there own beliefs and be free, so the fact that God is connected with our country in so many ways kinda irks me. But in no way does anyone refer to it as Christian God. They're just asking for a blessing from a higher power, and in this case there is no other, unless you wanna say "Bush bless America."

[phillies999]

I don't mind it, but it shouldn't be in the middle of the ball game, since they do it in the 7th inning.

[oriole^]

Thanks unbelievable. I wonder why the make them play it on Sundays and holidays. I find this very disturbing.

You and me both, buddy. That Times article that HGM referenced has a picture at the head...it's just shocking and sad to see Americans penned in by chains and forced to honor the flag or the country. (Granted it shouldn't be for me, as I've been penned into "Free Speech Zones" to protest government policies...but, well, I think it's good to maintain a good sense of outrage against this stuff.) I wonder if the Yankees or MLB or the NYPD consider how that picture looks to people outside of our country. How hollow must it seem when we brand ourselves "the leader of the free world", but do that to our own citizens? It's outrageous.

[CatKnight]

They have done GBA at Progressive/Jacobs Field once or twice. It's very inconsistent...and I never honor it.

While the focus of metsguy's argument, the question of a mention of God at a public event, doesn't have merit for me, there is a secondary argument. I do not believe GBA has ANY place at a ballgame.

Why? Simple. It's not our National Anthem.

After 9/11 we did indeed see a lot more of GBA out there, and even talk of switching that in for our anthem. Once or twice I saw ballgames where they did just that, singing GBA at the opening and not the Star Spangled Banner.

THAT offends me. We have a perfectly good anthem, thank you. Fortunately that stupidity seems to have faded in the past.

As for what the Yankees appear to be doing, I'm pretty sure fans could charge false imprisonment among other things. You simply cannot legally restrict a person's freedom of movement except for certain safety reasons. (For example, stopping them from going on the field is an entirely different matter.) I think dickay's right in saying that legally this is a sticky situation... and because it's sticky, I think someone of the right mind could make a pretty good case against the Yanks.

[asianinvasion]

I dont believe the Mariners plays GBA. They play Louie, Louie instead.

But what if a 5 year old who doesn't understand the significance of the National Anthem had to go to the restroom. Most 5 year olds are really self-centered and will throw a tantrum that they have to go. Wouldn't that be more offensive to the Anthem than quietly walking to the restroom. What are the usher gonna say? "Here's a cup, have fun?" That would cause more controversy and would be an easier lawsuit. And most toddlers wait til the last second before these types of things. So usually you have to rush them before they piss their pants. Just my thoughts.

[ohms_law]

THAT offends me. We have a perfectly good anthem, thank you. Fortunately that stupidity seems to have faded in the past.

Agreed. Although, The Star Spangled Banner... I don't really dislike it, but there are several songs which would be better in my opinion. America the Beautiful would be my pick. It's simply a better song, musically, for one thing.

[MeetDaMets]

Well I went to at least 10 Met games this year (first one on May 11th) and they've played it every time..

strange,
i have been to about 10 Mets games so far, and can only recall the 7th inn stretch playing
"take me out to the ballgame"
followed by that italian ditty which i dont know the name of (aye aye aye ??)

I go to 7 to 12 games a year
I honestly do not recall GBA there for a few years now.
but maybe i tune it out ?

For those of you too young to know or those of you who simply forgot,
after 9/11 GBA started being played, like, everywhere in the 7th inning stretch.

Its nothing to do with religion , it had everything to do with with keeping a scared population united in the face of terrorism.

That its still being used seems a bit overblown to me but
forcing people to worship the song is revolting. and quite un american.

However, continuation of GBA is in line with " we will never forget"
i watched and heard the buildings fall ( i was in brooklyn !)
as my entire local fire station got killed, along with the people/company i had worked for in 93 (i was there for the bomb tyvm)
So,
i dont need to be reminded,i remember - i will NEVER forget, regardless of whether or not i hear GBA.
Similiarly,I doubt a witness at Pearl Harbor ever needed reminding on Dec 7.

but sadly , its apparent some of you do .

[boa]

I HATE stadiums that perform God Bless America. Most stadiums do nowadays.

Separation of church and state my ass.

You really need to learn your constitution better before you try and make arguments without looking really silly. Education is a good thing.

But I am a captive audience.


A baseball game shouldn't be a time to hear about a false story.

Go to the bathroom during that time if you don't like it. You're really stretching here, and makes your arguments look silly and it's being counterproductive to your goals.

[HoustonGM]

Go to the bathroom during that time if you don't like it.

Well, therein lies the real issue at hand here. I agree with you that metsguy234 is taking it way too far, and that if a baseball team wants to play God Bless America, they have every right too, but here's the thing with this particular situation - they aren't letting the fans go to the bathroom. They're making them stay in their seats.

[CatKnight]

Go to the bathroom during that time if you don't like it. You're really stretching here, and makes your arguments look silly and it's being counterproductive to your goals.

You would be well advised to read at least parts of the thread before posting.

The central issue for most of the people posting has nothing to do with GBA. It has everything to do with the Yankees chaining people into their section so they CAN'T leave/go to the bathroom/what have you.