The dirty word...

cream919 wrote:I'm all for the anthem being played at patriotic celebrations and the like. But before a sporting event? Why? All this Trumped-Up bullshit about kneeling and such and yet not a word about all of the patriots in the same stadium buying and serving up nachos and beer during its playing or guys standing at the urinal with their dicks in their hands during God Bless America. All it amounts to is hypocritical bullshit so you can point your finger at people you have an ax to grind with. A question: Does anybody here stand in their home and sing along with the television with hand over their heart when the anthem is played? Or at work if you hear it played over the radio? If not, then why not and what's the difference?

alohafri wrote:

cream919 wrote:I'm all for the anthem being played at patriotic celebrations and the like. But before a sporting event? Why? All this Trumped-Up bullshit about kneeling and such and yet not a word about all of the patriots in the same stadium buying and serving up nachos and beer during its playing or guys standing at the urinal with their dicks in their hands during God Bless America. All it amounts to is hypocritical bullshit so you can point your finger at people you have an ax to grind with. A question: Does anybody here stand in their home and sing along with the television with hand over their heart when the anthem is played? Or at work if you hear it played over the radio? If not, then why not and what's the difference?

I notice those guys in the stands when I'm at games too. Guys with their hats on, talking, etc. I do know that at Sox games, when the anthem comes on, the lights at the concession stands go dim and they stop mid-transaction. So they are doing their part. But that doesn't stop the dopes from carrying on conversations. 


Steff once posted a picture of her daughter at a bar (perhaps BWW) standing during the anthem. to me, that's not appropriate. That's putting on a show. I'll give you the ball park, I'll give you stadium clubs and bars at the ball park, but I'm with you everywhere else. My dad was pretty far to the right, but I don't think he stood at home when the anthem was being played on television. 

cream919 wrote:Thanks for the explanation and history Frank. Even though I still don't agree with it I guess it's all about tradition. I too have had issues with patriotism as of late. I've sure been a hell of a lot more proud of my country in the past than I have in the current political climate. I'm absolutely disgusted with the way things have been going.

blondy28 wrote:

cream919 wrote:Thanks for the explanation and history Frank. Even though I still don't agree with it I guess it's all about tradition. I too have had issues with patriotism as of late. I've sure been a hell of a lot more proud of my country in the past than I have in the current political climate. I'm absolutely disgusted with the way things have been going.

I started to type this in response to Jay's post about the word "patriot", and while he's right...that the Republicans have made that word their own, honestly, when I hear the word these days, I, too, consider it a conservative word, but I don't find it a positive word.  I guess I think about the word "patriot" the way conservatives think about the word "liberal".  It's so phony and contrived and used in such a manipulative way.  It's kind of like when politicians wear those goofy flag lapel pins, and that's supposed to mean that they love America more. Obama was totally right when he made the argument about flag lapel pin when he was running for president, but he should have been smart enough to know that when these low information voters hear that the black guy wouldn't wear a flag pin, that it would be used against him....and more evidence that he wasn't actually a real American.  It's rare that I hear the word "patriot" and I don't think it sounds contrived.  When they used it in John McCain's eulogies, that was appropriate and genuine. So really...they can keep the word and the Lee Greenwood song and all the other phony bullshit.  Cranky, "get off my lawn" Republicans have one foot in the grave, and young socialists are more becoming more involved earlier.  There's a culture shift.

SoxIlliniRob wrote:It's actually amazing how they've stolen "Patriot" and turned "Liberal" into a bad word, while "Conservative" isn't a bad word.  I admire their never-give-up sticktoitiveness attitude when it comes to this shit.  They are Gods when it comes to messaging and getting folks to buy into it.  I remember when I'd use the word Progressive on the old board, instead of liberal (since I think the word "Progressive" is a better descriptor), it would drive Kark fucking crazy.  He actually tried arguing that conservatives are the true progressives, since there could be no progress through liberalism.

blondy28 wrote:

SoxIlliniRob wrote:It's actually amazing how they've stolen "Patriot" and turned "Liberal" into a bad word, while "Conservative" isn't a bad word.  I admire their never-give-up sticktoitiveness attitude when it comes to this shit.  They are Gods when it comes to messaging and getting folks to buy into it.  I remember when I'd use the word Progressive on the old board, instead of liberal (since I think the word "Progressive" is a better descriptor), it would drive Kark fucking crazy.  He actually tried arguing that conservatives are the true progressives, since there could be no progress through liberalism.

They lie and the low information part of the base is too stupid or lazy to actually look into such claims, and the other part of the base are laughing all the way to the bank.  Trump said right to his followers that he loves uneducated people, and the idiots cheered him like a bunch of fools!  These idiots, like the farmers who are getting screwed by his policies, or the businesses that are letting people go or have gone under, have been interviewed and said they don't blame Trump or GOP policies and they'd vote for him again.  These morons are told that 4.8% unemployment under Obama was really 40% unemployment, and that when Trump got elected, he "turned the economy around", and that the 4.2% unemployment was a legitimate 4.2%, and they believe it!  Polls showed that over 90% of Republicans thought Obama raised taxes, when he cut them.  It's the very definition of a cult.

cream919 wrote: If this midterm and 2020 don't go as planned, I might just have to throw in the towel on this disaster of a culture and an electorate and just make sure I provide for my family and let the rest resolve itself.  


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This just in Rob...according to a major poll...Trump popularity at an all-time high!!!   You know that "blue wave" everybody is talking about? LOL Just thought you might delight in this little bit of cheer. 


When you've worked in the criminal justice system as long as I have you are cynical as a matter of course. Cynicism comes as easy as taking a breath. The world is full of stupid. People will conduct themselves in a way that they know is wrong and will do it anyway. Same with your current Trump supporter...they know deep in their heart that the man is a pig and wanna-be dictator...an uncouth nut bag with a buck in his pocket...but what does it matter...they'll support him anyway. We're essentially followers just waiting for someone "wonderful" to come along and tell us what to do and how to think and act. It's been repeated over and over again all down through history and it's happening again. Forget this nonsense about society learning its lessons from its past. Total bullshit. We're imperfect creatures of habit. 

SoxIlliniRob wrote:Maybe I don't follow state politics enough, but is there some reason that I'm supposed to be terribly afraid of Madigan?  Granted, the state is in a bit of a financial bind, but is that Madigan's fault or the fault of all of the folks that have held power in this state over the past 30 yrs?  

Pursuant to Kevin's comments, it appears that the green light for unlimited money in US politics has opened up a lot of really ugly doors.  I remember when Obama warned us this would be the result during one of his SOTU speeches and doofus Alito mouthed "not true."  I guess we know who was right and who was talking out of his rear end.

joepoe wrote:https://www.mercatus.org/statefiscalrankings/illinois

This is just the latest poll. The state always ranks at the bottom. Maybe people should pay more attention about where they live.

alohafri wrote:


The cynic in me says, "I don't think they believe that at all." I think they look at him as a Christ-like figure who will save America from the libs and the RINOS who are no better than libs. They are already calling him the greatest President of all.