two things: first- checked out the nfl jersey fan site, nothing special at all, I won’t return.
Second, as to the Yankees remarks, saying the Yankees are tied to an out-moded idea of America is interesting, but here it is underdeveloped and seem narrow-minded in the space you provide for them. You aren’t necessarily wrong, but I think you did it poorly here, and in the process fell back on some pretty small-minded ideas about what the US is like outside of NYC.

I agree with this. I think your basic premise had merit and was sort of Chuck Klosterman-esque in looking at the connections between sports, culture and politics. However it came across more angry than insightful on the whole and therefore tainted the overall message.

That being said, criticizing the US does not make you anti-American or un-patriotic. People who refuse to acknowledge or deal with the many faults that our country has are more responsible for it’s (relative) decline than those who point them out. There is a difference between criticism of the sake of criticism and constructive, meaningful criticism, but the latter is essential. Nothing done by humans is perfect, and to ignore that prevents us from improving.

Ed R. said:

What really bothers me is the number of you complaining about “God Bless America.”

I’ll try to explain. First off, and this is important, I’m deeply conservative (read “traditionalist”) when it comes to patriotism. I love America, I know exactly why I love America, and I am never shy about expressing or explaining my love of country. What’s more, I am a firm believer in old-fashioned patriotic display. Give me cloth bunting and a brass band playing Soussa marches and I’m a happy guy. I know the U.S. Flag Code and argue the point with neighbors who violate it. I know the words to nearly every patriotic song, usually all the verses, and I’m the kind of guy who by sheer force of example can cause entire ballpark sections to actually sing the national anthem.

And I hate “God Bless America.”

Why? Because I love patriotic songs, and “God Bless America” is neither patriotic nor a song. Think of any other patriotic song ever written, from “Hail Columbia” to “The Battle Cry of Freedom” to Lee Greenwood’s “God Bless the USA.” What do they all have in common? They all say at least something about why America is a commendable example worthy of a patriot’s devotion. “God Bless America” contains not one word of actual praise for America. Not one word!

And it’s not a song; it’s a prayer. Worse, it’s a terrible prayer. I try not to pretend to know the mind of God, but I have to believe that every time He hears someone sing “God Bless America,” He says to Himself, “The mountains, prairies, and foamy oceans are My blessings to your country, you ungrateful little primate.” It’s the kind of whiny, pleading, missing-the-point prayer that when children say it in church, any pastor or priest or rabbi worth his salt will take the child aside and offer a gentle lesson about what prayer is really all about.

Is the Seventh Inning Stretch the appropriate time for a commercial business to force people to sing a second patriotic song? Maybe, maybe not. But that question does not arise in this case, because “God Bless America” is not a patriotic song.

My biggest “problem” with God Bless America, especially during the 7th inning stretch, is the standing, removing of hats and hands over hearts.

It IS NOT the national anthem. When you do those things, you are treating the song as you would The Star Spangled Banner, and, IMO, devaluing the Anthem. Every song about America does not require you to remove your hat, face the flag and cover your heart. When you do those things during songs other than the National Anthem, you’re taking away from the special-ness that is the playing of the Anthem.

I’m not expressing myself well, but it bothers me when people do those things, equating God Bless America with the National Anthem and giving it the same reverence. There is ONE song that deserves and demands that reverence. To do so during other songs is to make a mockery of the National Anthem.

haroldP said:

Paul thinking that it was worth it sums up the whole day. “What was the down side?”. You lost a reader. If you think that’s ok, then I don’t know what else to say except that the “civic responsbility” that you wish cities and teams and advertisers would show to the public don’t apply to you.

The idea that it’s my “responsibility” (civic or otherwise) to keep you happy enough so that you keep coming back here every day is beyond hilarious. From now on I’ll run all my story ideas past you in advance, just to make sure they meet with your approval.

The reason there’s no down side is that I wrote what I believe and stood by it. If I lose a reader, that’s unfortunate, but it’s no different than losing a reader who gets sick of all of Uni Watch’s historical-based content (several people have told me they prefer that I write about “stuff that’s happening now”) or if I lose a reader who simply gets bored with uniforms (I’ve actually had people request that I branch out into other areas of sports because uniforms are “too esoteric”).

Also, here’s a thought: Has it occurred to you that I may have gained some readers yesterday? I don’t know if I did, and personally I don’t think it really enters into the equation, but your implicit suggestion that YOUR response represents everyone else’s response is fairly breathtaking in its sweep.

In short, I can’t please everyone, and at the end of the day I can only be true to myself. Some people may not like what myself has to say, and that’s fine. Your decision to read what you choose is just as valid as my decision to write what I choose. If both of those decisions are based on honest thoughts and feelings, I think we’ve both upheld our responsibilities as reader and writer. And no, I don’t see the down side in that.

Actually Paul, you did gain a few readers yesterday. I enjoyed you entry so much, I posted it on facebook. I’ve received many responses from people who thought it was well written, and agreed with it. I’ve also received responses from people who will be checking out the site now, because they enjoyed the style of it (after linking to it from the facebook link).

You may have lost a few close-minded readers, but you gaine, in my small estimate, many more.

CHORUS:
Long live our Soviet Motherland, built by the people’s mighty hand.
Long live our People, united and free.
Strong in our friendship tried by fire. Long may our crimson flag inspire,
Shining in glory for all men to see.

Through days dark and stormy where Great Lenin led us
Our eyes saw the bright sun of freedom above
and Stalin our Leader with faith in the People,
Inspired us to build up the land that we love.

CHORUS:
Long live our Soviet Motherland, built by the people’s mighty hand.
Long live our People, united and free.
Strong in our friendship tried by fire. Long may our crimson flag inspire,
Shining in glory for all men to see.

We fought for the future, destroyed the invader,
and brought to our homeland the Laurels of Fame.
Our glory will live in the memory of nations
and all generations will honour her name.

CHORUS:
Long live our Soviet Motherland, built by the people’s mighty hand.
Long live our People, united and free.
Strong in our friendship tried by fire. Long may our crimson flag inspire,
Shining in glory for all men to see.

What’s even funnier is that Derek, by posting so often over a six hour period, made money for Paul by driving page loads every time he put up a new message, every time he clicked refresh, and every time he “inspired” anyone else to post a response. (Paul, if your ad revenue, such as it is, is not hit-driven, just shush – it amuses me to think so.) No down side, indeed.

Paul thinking that it was worth it sums up the whole day. “What was the down side?”. You lost a reader. If you think that’s ok, then I don’t know what else to say except that the “civic responsbility” that you wish cities and teams and advertisers would show to the public don’t apply to you.

The idea that it’s my “responsibility” (civic or otherwise) to keep you happy enough so that you keep coming back here every day is beyond hilarious. From now on I’ll run all my story ideas past you in advance, just to make sure they meet with your approval.

The reason there’s no down side is that I wrote what I believe and stood by it. If I lose a reader, that’s unfortunate, but it’s no different than losing a reader who gets sick of all of Uni Watch’s historical-based content (several people have told me they prefer that I write about “stuff that’s happening now”) or if I lose a reader who simply gets bored with uniforms (I’ve actually had people request that I branch out into other areas of sports because uniforms are “too esoteric”).

Also, here’s a thought: Has it occurred to you that I may have gained some readers yesterday? I don’t know if I did, and personally I don’t think it really enters into the equation, but your implicit suggestion that YOUR response represents everyone else’s response is fairly breathtaking in its sweep.

In short, I can’t please everyone, and at the end of the day I can only be true to myself. Some people may not like what myself has to say, and that’s fine. Your decision to read what you choose is just as valid as my decision to write what I choose. If both of those decisions are based on honest thoughts and feelings, I think we’ve both upheld our responsibilities as reader and writer. And no, I don’t see the down side in that.