Equality?

[steelish]

That is your choice, and you're certainly free to do as you see fit. I stand quietly and wait for the usually badly sung anthem to be finished. I have no need to publicly display my love of country by standing at attention, or saluting, or holding my hand over my heart. I certainly don't sing, out of respect for other people's ears.

It's sad that it's gotten to this point. I understand your view completely of how bad some of the National Anthem singers are. I too cringe as they muddle their way through the song. BUT, it's not how well it's sung that makes me want to stand at attention or place my hand over my heart...it's the words and what they mean. It's the history.

One of my duties every evening is to lower the flag at the Post Office and fold it. I do so with the utmost respect. I've had military personnel stop on the sidewalk outside and watch me take it down. I know they're just waiting to see if I let it touch the ground. I take pride in this simple task and am always grinning when they watch. I know how important it is to them. It's important to me also. That tight triangle with the field of blue showing on both sides is an honor to place in storage for a co-worker to raise the following day.

You all may think I'm crazy for my patriotic feelings. You may think me strange to gaze at the flag, hand over heart when someone sings the National Anthem off key or tunelessly. Call me crazy. I don't care. I've never lost my love of my country. Remember how we all felt on 9/11? Call me crazy or "much ado about nothing" when I get irritated over a President who cannot show respect in front of American citizens at a public ceremony. I think it's a gesture that the President SHOULD be doing. But, having said that, I would rather he do it only if he truly feels that respect. If he does not, then it's just an empty gesture. At least, in my eyes, he is showing me how he really feels about America.

[Thorne]

You all may think I'm crazy for my patriotic feelings. You may think me strange to gaze at the flag, hand over heart when someone sings the National Anthem off key or tunelessly. Call me crazy. I don't care. I've never lost my love of my country.

I don't think it's crazy at all. My point is that a love of country doesn't require overt displays of patriotism. And conversely, displays of patriotism don't necessarily guarantee a love of country.

Remember how we all felt on 9/11?

I remember. And I showed no more overt patriotism then than now. I remember seeing all the people with flag bumper stickers, and flags flying from antennas and flags hanging from their windows. And I can remember thinking that the hidden enemies of the country would have been among the first to join in those displays. It makes for good camouflage.

I think it's a gesture that the President SHOULD be doing.

I agree, and unless I'm mistaken, as Commander-in-Chief he's required to salute the flag, as part of the military code of conduct. But look again at that video. He was not yet president then. And the flag was behind him, not in front of him.