Mark Cuban & the Dallas Mavericks pull the plug on the national anthem

[Gregg]

After 9/11 we shared a common enemy.


Today that enemy is each other.

We are in a literal fight for the soul of America, what will define it and who will govern it.

There will be little to NO compromise. The lines are drawn and there will be a winner and a loser.


In the end, America will look very different.

Sadly I think you are more right than wrong. Not sure that there just won't be losers.

[The Feral Slasher]

You will recite these words! You will take your hat off! You will stand at attention - no sitting! You will not interrupt! You will place your hand on your heart!

Ahhhhh, freedom.

and unity...don't forget unity

[The Feral Slasher]

Sadly I think you are more right than wrong. Not sure that there just won't be losers.

That's one way to look at it. I think we wouldn't be having this fight if there weren't already a lot of losers. If everyone had a good job, affordable health insurance, respect for their value as a human being, etc there wouldn't be any fighting would there ?

EDIT: should have said health care, health insurance is mostly worthless

[Gregg]

You will recite these words! You will take your hat off! You will stand at attention - no sitting! You will not interrupt! You will place your hand on your heart!

Ahhhhh, freedom.

Nah, no one will make me do that stuff...but I can if I want to.

Except for the interrupting. No one should get to interrupt us when we are watching a movie. Talk during the movie, use your cell phone movie death!

And while we are at it, can you all do something about this concert situation? I hate paying for a seat and then have to stand for the whole concert because some rude person wants to stand and show me they now how to sing ALL of the words off key. I am going to write a letter!

[GwynnInTheHall]

Nah, no one will make me do that stuff...!

Tell Kaepernick that.........

[The Feral Slasher]

Nah, no one will make me do that stuff...but I can if I want to.

Except for the interrupting. No one should get to interrupt us when we are watching a movie. Talk during the movie, use your cell phone movie death!

And while we are at it, can you all do something about this concert situation? I hate paying for a seat and then have to stand for the whole concert because some rude person wants to stand and show me they now how to sing ALL of the words off key. I am going to write a letter!

You forgot about reclining airplane seats.

[Gregg]

That's one way to look at it. I think we wouldn't be having this fight if there weren't already a lot of losers. If everyone had a good job, affordable health insurance, respect for their value as a human being, etc there wouldn't be any fighting would there ?

EDIT: should have said health care, health insurance is mostly worthless

If everyone loved their neighbor as themselves there wouldn't be any fighting.

It is really hard but that doesn't mean we shouldn't try.

[Gregg]

Tell Kaepernick that.........

If back in the day you ever sat behind him at an event you would encourage him to kneel.

[Kevin Seitzer]

If back in the day you ever sat behind him at an event you would encourage him to kneel.

That is funny. I think.

[The Feral Slasher]

If everyone loved their neighbor as themselves there wouldn't be any fighting.

It is really hard but that doesn't mean we shouldn't try.

Well sure. I don't think everyone feels loved by their neighbor, unfortunately.

[GwynnInTheHall]

If everyone loved their neighbor as themselves there wouldn't be any fighting.

It is really hard but that doesn't mean we shouldn't try.

I used to believe that everyone was essentially good--I have found out that is not the case

Nor has it EVER been the case.

If you depend on the human condition to be altruistic and benevolent in every person, your going to be very disappointed.

And possibly dead.

[Kevin Seitzer]

I used to believe that everyone was essentially good--I have found out that is not the case

Nor has it EVER been the case.

If you depend on the human condition to be altruistic and benevolent in every person, your going to be very disappointed.

And possibly dead.

I think that's sometimes true. Particularly with people where you have no control or no influence. I was raised in a home that went too far with "turn the other cheek" and didn't actually understand what the parable meant (defending one's own dignity while not seeking vengeance and seeking the actual good of the other person - not just allowing them to walk over you, which isn't good for them either). I saw how that didn't work and people took advantage.

But I have also seen that a lot of times people are what you expect of them. If you expect them to be greedy and mean, they'll live down to that, and if you expect them to be respectful and kind, they'll live up to that. A lot of people just want someone to believe in them a little bit and give them a chance.

I think you have to respond according to the situation and not with a blanket "imagine everyone is good" or "defend against everyone who is out to hurt me".

[GwynnInTheHall]

I think that's sometimes true. Particularly with people where you have no control or no influence. I was raised in a home that went too far with "turn the other cheek" and didn't actually understand what the parable meant (defending one's own dignity while not seeking vengeance and seeking the actual good of the other person - not just allowing them to walk over you, which isn't good for them either). I saw how that didn't work and people took advantage.

But I have also seen that a lot of times people are what you expect of them. If you expect them to be greedy and mean, they'll live down to that, and if you expect them to be respectful and kind, they'll live up to that. A lot of people just want someone to believe in them a little bit and give them a chance.

I think you have to respond according to the situation and not with a blanket "imagine everyone is good" or "defend against everyone who is out to hurt me".

Agreed.

And though I often rail against Humanity, I do realize that it's the system and some of those in power who create the divide of selfless and selfish.

Those who covet money and power are the primary reason we may never get past this point in our evolution as a species.

[The Feral Slasher]

If everyone loved their neighbor as themselves there wouldn't be any fighting.

It is really hard but that doesn't mean we shouldn't try.

While I completely support loving your neighbor as your self...I'm not sure how playing the national anthem relates to that. If everyone where loving their neighbor we would have a lot less problems, but it seems like we need a backup plan. Perhaps something more than playing the national anthem at sporting events.

[umjewman]

While I completely support loving your neighbor as your self...I'm not sure how playing the national anthem relates to that. If everyone where loving their neighbor we would have a lot less problems, but it seems like we need a backup plan. Perhaps something more than playing the national anthem at sporting events.

How about America the Beautiful as a backup plan?