Anthem confusion

Tue., Nov. 7, 2017

In the dust-up over the performance of the national anthem at NFL games, no one seems prepared to address the pretense on the NFL to patriotic display. I do not know when the playing of “The Star Spangled Banner” became customary at these games, but it certainly was not always thus. It was adopted as our national anthem in 1931. The NFL dates from 1922.

As respect for the anthem has so prominent a role in the war of words, I, for one, question its use to promote a sporting event. To me this display seems false, cynical and disrespectful. If the whole point of the anthem is to be venerated, that touches so nearly on idolatry I might have to question its being played.

Further, what are we to think of people who rise for the anthem and then drive home in a pickup truck flying the stars and bars of the Confederacy?

Gregory Chipps

Spokane

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