Russakoff Rules
Let Freedom Ring
By Lee Russakoff
Thu, 28 Aug 2008 16:11:52 GMT
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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Yeah, are we in Myanmar or something?! I can see that its respectful to honor America...but if you have to hit the head, you gotta hit the head! Also, patrons are paying at least $30 for a ticket to get into the game, it should be their right to use the facilities as they wish, as long as they're not being destructive.Thu, 28 Aug 2008 16:39:59 GMT | robbybones
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I never understood why they play the National Anthem, or God Bless America (which is a bit arogant if you ask me), at sporting events. It's a baseball game, not some national event. Sing Take Me out to the Ballgame, then sit down, or go to the bathroom, but please don't make me prove my patriotism to a bunch of jingoistic mouth breathers.Thu, 28 Aug 2008 16:40:18 GMT | Max_Fromage
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It all depends. Is the stadium owned by the ballclub or the city? If it is owned by the city, sure, but if it is owned by the club, they can deny entrance. BTW...if the guy had to go that bad, he should have left early to beat the crowd...otherwise he ran the risk of getting stuck in line.Thu, 28 Aug 2008 16:42:47 GMT | BGALUM
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When exactly did God Bless America replace The Star Spangled Banner as our national anthem? Standing with hand over heart for GBA only diminishes the respect due for our true national anthem. Its a fine song but no different than many other national themed tunes and requires no further "respect" than them. This trend toward intolerance of the most importrant of American ideologies - respecting the rights of the individual- is a scary direction for us to be taking.Thu, 28 Aug 2008 16:43:08 GMT | docbobma
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Disrespectfull yeh. Over reaction for sure.I am wondering though how folks pushing for freedom of speech ideals think about the "Fairness Doctrine" being pushed through Congress? The PC crowd will have their way. George Orwell move over...
Thu, 28 Aug 2008 16:48:39 GMT | cmdrjack
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Would this be a story if it happened @ the Metrodome, Miller Park,Kaufman Stadium,The Cell,New Busch or Comerica? If somebody's gotta go, LET THEM,if someone don't wanna get up,SO WHAT. Geez to much ink for the Yankees and their dottering old owner.Thu, 28 Aug 2008 16:48:41 GMT | yagottabeekiddin
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I guess I do not understand the problem here, since when is God Bless America a national anthem type of song, as I remember Rosemary Clooney sang this as a Patriotic song, and it is one. But when did it become a song that you need to stand still for it . If you chose to stand still that is fine but if not that is your choice.Thu, 28 Aug 2008 16:54:00 GMT | ariesmonsta
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As long as there are Americans dying overseas to fight for what we as a country believe in.. (freedom and the right to choose, which we both take for granted) I feel it's appropriate to pause during the National Anthem or any song dedicated to honor America. In my opinion, tradition carries alot of weight is some cases, and this is one of them. If you have military experiance, I believe you can relate to this. Coming from a retired Senior Chief Petty Officer with 20 years of active duty.Thu, 28 Aug 2008 17:00:15 GMT | dandtpa
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I quite frankly don't care whether you like it or not, but you, out of common courtesy need to not cause me not to honor it, Keep your mouth shut,Thu, 28 Aug 2008 17:02:21 GMT | jojo
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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.
Thu, 28 Aug 2008 17:09:56 GMT | NUdeSwimmer
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God Bless the "Boss". If you do not like this country, please leave it.Thu, 28 Aug 2008 17:14:18 GMT | ProudCitizen
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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.Thu, 28 Aug 2008 17:14:32 GMT | zdog
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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
Thu, 28 Aug 2008 17:18:13 GMT | MY-2-CENTS
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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.Thu, 28 Aug 2008 17:26:40 GMT | yankeebrnxboy
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"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?
Thu, 28 Aug 2008 17:31:49 GMT | BillyBob78
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God bless George Steinbrenner, all hail George Steinbrenner!Thu, 28 Aug 2008 17:33:24 GMT | johanson
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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.
Thu, 28 Aug 2008 17:44:00 GMT | betrueseektruth
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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.Thu, 28 Aug 2008 17:46:21 GMT | HoustonSeabrook
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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.Thu, 28 Aug 2008 17:53:25 GMT | vcolson