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Let Freedom Ring

date 08-28-2008 12:11 PM
author Lee_Russakoff writes:

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The Boss doesn't want you moving during "God Bless America," and he'll kick you out of his stadium if you disobey.

Last year, George Steinbrenner instructed security officials at Yankee Stadium to ban anyone from "excessive movement" during the 7th inning rendition of "God Bless America."

Apparently, he was serious.

The folks over at Deadspin have broken the story that a a 29-year-old man from Queens "made the unfortunate decision to blatantly disregard 'God Bless America' and hit the head."

Police at the game thought the appropriate reaction to this America-hater was to forcibly eject him from the stadium.

Read Deadspin's interview with the ejected fan here.

When did the cops in this country turn into the Gestapo? Freedom means the right to choose who and what you honor...even if it offends the majority of the rest of us. Obviously there is a legal issue here, since Yankee Stadium isn't technically a public place. But as a former lawyer, I can say with certainty that mandating "observance" in a semi-public venue is still a violation of our Constitutional rights.

Part of the reason I choose to honor the flag, and one of the things that makes this country great, is that we tolerate minority viewpoints. Once we start demanding that everyone think and act the same way, we lose the crux of what makes this country so unique.

Should you be forced to stand still during "God Bless Amerca"? Add your comment here.

Message Edited by Lee_Russakoff on 08-28-2008 12:29 PM

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Re: Let Freedom Ring

comment number 10
date 08-28-2008 01:09 PM
author NUdeSwimmer writes:

body God Bless America is not the national anthem and does not require that people stand to honor it. As a non-believer, it would be hypocritical for me to do so. Major League Baseball and any of its franchisees do not have the power to force anyone to stand.
Mr. Steinbrenner is a right-wing nut job who was suspended from baseball for a year for making illegal campaign contributions to Nixon back in the Seventies, so his behavior isn't surprising. I'm shocked that the police, particularly in that neighborhood where there's so much else to concern themselves with, would even bother with such trivialities.
I hope this guys sues everybody in his path.

And Lee, I can't speak for all of America, but the NYC police became the Gestapo when Giuliani instituted his shoot first and ask questions later policing guidelines.

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Re: Let Freedom Ring

comment number 11
date 08-28-2008 01:14 PM
author ProudCitizen writes:

body God Bless the "Boss". If you do not like this country, please leave it.

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Re: Let Freedom Ring

comment number 12
date 08-28-2008 01:14 PM
author zdog writes:

body Way to go George. Folks have decided not to respect this country in many ways and that is the problem today. People act like a bunch of spoiled kids. If you are going to eject folks make sure everyone knows the story from the beginning and then if folks want to press their luck then eject them all. God Bless America and it is time that people in this country grows up and learns that. Thanks for trying to bring back a little respect, we are still not a dictatorship, Hitler would have had the man shot, many other countries would have taken other drastic steps. Time to step up for the U.S. or there are many other countries you can move to.

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Re: Let Freedom Ring

comment number 13
date 08-28-2008 01:18 PM
author MY-2-CENTS writes:

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Last I checked this is a free country! If I got to use the bathroom that is my right as a U.S. citizen. Since when do we demand people to stand during a song and not move. I thought we have typically gone to war with foreign countries who have those requirements. Standing and pausing is done out of respect for this country but I would never tell someone to wet themselves to do so. We have dying military, police officers, and fire fighters everyday fighting for and protecting this country they love yet this country heads more and more everyday toward communism.

Message Edited by MY-2-CENTS on 08-28-2008 01:20 PM

Message Edited by MY-2-CENTS on 08-28-2008 01:27 PM

Message Edited by MY-2-CENTS on 08-28-2008 01:35 PM

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Re: Let Freedom Ring

comment number 14
date 08-28-2008 01:26 PM
author yankeebrnxboy writes:

body I could be a matter of rights, but I cousider the &th inning pause for the playing of od Bless America a matter of respect. Does anyone remember 9/11 ? God Bless America was played after 2900 American were brutally murdered by gutless Muslims. I consider the Playing of God Bless America a matter of respect for our country and the 2900 Americans whose lives were taken from them without their concent. As for the PC,s Too Bad!! If you do not have the common courtesy to pay respect for a moment, get out! Get out of Yankee Stadium, get out of my country !! Go to China, Iran, Sudan, show disrespect over there. Then tell me how the food is in their jails. That's if you are given the option to live.

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Re: Let Freedom Ring

comment number 15
date 08-28-2008 01:31 PM
author BillyBob78 writes:

body "Since the Yankee Stadium isn't techincally a public place"

It truly isn't a "public place" so perhaps if they print the rule "you have to do exactly as I want when I want" on each ticket and everyone knows what they are buying....then I can agree with that gentleman's situation of getting kicked out.

My biggest question is, does each individual paying hundred of thousands of dollars for renting one of the stadiums private booths/rooms also HAVE to stand up? Don't get me wrong. I am sure they are all very polite and very supportive of the American flag, but would THEY get kicked out for hitting the men's room? (I have no idea what those private booths cost?)

Would Steinbrenner get kicked out if HE needed to hit the men's room?

Really?

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Re: Let Freedom Ring

comment number 16
date 08-28-2008 01:33 PM
author johanson writes:

body God bless George Steinbrenner, all hail George Steinbrenner!

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Re: Let Freedom Ring

comment number 17
date 08-28-2008 01:44 PM
author betrueseektruth writes:

body The freedom this country is supposed to have is the freedom to peacefully dissent or in this case, not participate. I firmly believe in what this country stands for but Steinbrenner's stance is the polar opposite of supporting individual freedom.
The country has been infiltrated by corporate fascist elements that have zero tolerance for any free expression. They hijack terms like patriotism and twist them for their own ends. In reality, the founding fathers set up this government with a view to the citizens showing the highest level of patriotism by being very wary of government and holding them accountable for their actions.

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Re: Let Freedom Ring

comment number 18
date 08-28-2008 01:46 PM
author HoustonSeabrook writes:

body Fundamentally unconstitutional. Offensive. How would you feel if you paid money at a Hindi stadium event and were ejected for not respecting Shiva? Loony ideas about the supernatural have no place in legal commerce. Period.

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Re: Let Freedom Ring

comment number 19
date 08-28-2008 01:53 PM
author vcolson writes:

body If anyone posting 'if you don't like this country, then leave it' is older than 9, you should be deported for incompetence. While seeing someone use the bathroom during "God Bless..." in the eighth, or someone not removing their hat during the National Anthem is irritating, it is their right. Living in a 'free' country (and I use that term loosely these days) means living among those who think, act and look differently than we do at times. If you TRUELY love this country, then you must love it for what it stands for, and that doesn't always fall in line with individual beliefs. Mr. Steinbrenner, please find some other way to feed your ego. While you think you're saluting the flag with your actions, you're actually tarnishing the freedom it represents.

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