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Disappointed with Lack of Common Respect

notabengalalum

notabengalalum

Active member
I was at the women's soccer match versus UC Davis on Friday afternoon. The men's basketball team was present in the stands behind the ISU bench to show their support (I guess the various teams take turns supporting each other.) Coach O'Brien came in after the game started and sat with his team.
What was extremely disappointing was the lack of respect shown by several members of the basketball team during the playing of the national anthem prior to the game. The simple action of not removing baseball caps and general snickering and laughing about someone in the crowd singing the national anthem - he was over near the pressbox - left quite an impression. The actions of a few reflect on the entire unit.
What these athletes and those on every team need to realize is that they are representatives of their team, their coach, and their university at all times. Sorry to say but this experience makes me want to think twice before attending games and cheering for the men's basketball team. I considered talking to Coach O'Brien when he was sitting there - pretty much alone - as most of the team left before the half was up. Maybe I should have.
 
then don't go to the game/s - although i find your reasoning flawed, if you are that 'offended' - don't go.
 
Spartan: I applaud the response. You're awesome! :D

The women's soccer team smiles and giggles when the guy sings the anthem, I do and a lot of other people do. If you don't believe me, watch them when he sings.

I see your point of view, notabengalalum, I really do. But you cannot let yourself be taken aback by these little things. Just keep your attention on the flag-as you should do.
 
Now I’m really pissed. If I see you at a game acting up I will open up a can of whoop ass. I served my country, unlike you. All you people do is bitch about it. If you can’t give 60 F…ing seconds of respect. Then you can go to hell. You stand proudly, in silence, to honor our country and fellow service members, and as you hear the music, the words to the song ring in your mind. Even if you don’t care. Give respect to the people who do.

Then shift your thoughts to those Airmen, Soldiers, Sailors, and Marines who have died serving our country. You pompous ass.Then another shift to the people who are overseas, separated from their family and friends, in harm’s way or just on temporary duty protecting your sorry ass.

Many years ago, I had a fantastic mentor that often said that your character is defined by doing the right thing even when no one is looking. "Doing the right thing for the right reason" is a cornerstone of what we, in the corps, believe in. I am very disappointed in Spartan comment. “Then don’t go”. All I can say to you is move to a 3rd world country bit… And stay out of my way. As for the basketball team, I hope you lose the rest of your games.

I share this perspective with you hoping that the next time you hear this song you will take 60 seconds out of your busy f…ing time to pay respect to our flag and all it symbolizes. Leave your outdated feelings that you might say is an inconvenience in the closet. Freedom of speech only goes so far with me. If you can’t give a moment to pause in time and remember to give thanks for the freedom that I and many like myself gave, than move. Cause if I see you at a game not giving respect I will be in your face, and yes I will bring my lunch, and take an ass whooping again for what I believe in, YOU ASS.

As a veteran, we have a unique privilege and honor to say that we make a difference around the globe and here at our home station. We all have the same 86,400 seconds in our day that makes up our journey. Let's pause, because life's not about what we have, where we've been, or what we've done; it's about the journey. It's about enjoying life and becoming a better person through our experiences and choices. Let's choose to pause for a brief moment to pay tribute to our fellow servicemen and women and the wonderful country we live in.
 
you're not the only veteran here - and the military (imho) does not serve this country in order to dictate to others how people should show 'respect' for something - as for the name calling and the 'threats' to 'whoop ass' - great way to show that your (and others) service to our country was in order for each of us to have the individual freedoms to think and act in any way we see fit. i'm sure that over the years you have been such an inspiration to those around you by 'whooping ass' on everyone you think didn't show the 'proper respect. i served in order to give everyone the right and freedom to believe and think and act in any way they chose (within reason) not so i could tell others how to behave. - back to the original post - if you are that 'offended (although it seems to me you are looking for a reason not to go - what will it be next time? the length of their hair, or the uniforms don;t meet you idea of appropriate?) - don't go
 
Spartan-
You are in the wrong here. I think I can devine from what DM said that he would not necessarily beat up spectators, but was dismayed at the lack of common decency and respect for the others in the stands. When people in the stands fail to recognize the symbols that others hold dear, it makes it difficult to support their endeavors.
That said, being from the South I can tell you that there is a gulf between the good people and the bad and that is often illuminated by their behavior. I had the same beef as DM last year, and bad behavior doesn't sit well with me, either. I could go into a dissertation on this from a cultural standopint, but will refrain for now.
DM- Nothing pisses me off more than that behavior.
Super- you are on the wrong side here.
alum- I agree- you should have talked to O. He's actually a great guy and he does not like to be embarrassed by his team.
 
so 'you' (not you specifically - other people in general) get to decide whats 'bad' behavior? sorry, that don't fly... i doubt you would let me make the decision about what is right, wrong, good, bad.... for you. don't try to decide it for others - lead by example not by decree.

back to the original post - if you are that offended - don't go
there will always be someone to take your place
 
Spartan-thank you for responding. You are correct in that I would not let you decide for me what is right or wrong, and to respond to your commentary- i dont think you can decide what is right or wrong - i think you can only see shades of gray. I think you see right or wrong as relative in nature, and i don't. If it is not wrong to behave poorly, is an equally poor response also not to be considered wrong?

So if it is not wrong to annoy others, then is it also not wrong for the annoyed to in turn be annoy the annoyer?
This is the problem with relativism.
 
It's one thing to disrespect our flag and country by not taking off your hat or putting your hand over your heart during the National Anthem, after all, those are choices we can all make because of the heavy costs paid by those who've given their lives to defend our country and give us all the freedoms we so much take for granted, sometimes even errantly considering them to be our inherent "rights". For some, it's actually part of their religion not to salute the flag...again just one aspect of freedom that we enjoy, paid for by others. But it's another totally different thing to disrespect someone who has the courage to actually sing the National Anthem in a crowd of people who either don't choose to, or are embarrassed to. I actually think it would be a huge display of class for other people to start joining him in singing, instead of making fun of him. He's a great soccer fan...maybe the best and most loyal that we have. I don't know a lot about his personal background, but whatever it is that causes him to belt out the National Anthem during its playing every game...well...I wish I had more of that in me. Again, it's totally one's choice whether or not they want to sing along with him, but to make fun of him for doing so is immature, rude, and shows a total lack of understanding what it means to be able to live in this country, and what our freedoms cost others in terms of life, limb and family. Maybe he's done things for our country that few others would be willing to do. Maybe not. But whatever, he deserves respect.

Respect is not earned by disrespecting others...and "alum" was not disrespecting the basketball players by simply pointing out their behavior and voicing his reaction to it in a post here. Had he yelled at them or been rude to them at the game, that would have been disrespectful. In my opinion, and my opinion only, those who would belittle our wonderful singing fan by snickering or giggling at him do a darn fine job of disrespecting themselves enough so others don't have to.
 
Ahhhh, this is music to my ears! Everyone's up in arms (that was NOT meant to be a pun related to this topic)!

Look, I'm always standing at attention when the anthem is playing. Whenever we play a service academy, I always give them the utmost respect and I ALWAYS thank them after the game for their service.

But why is notabengalalum going off on these guys? Are you watching the team or are you at attention, hand over your heart and eyes on the flag? It damn well better be the latter.

And I know how you feel, D.M. I know that TAMU has a very steep military tradition. That's badass, my friend!
 
yoda,
thank you for the thoughtful reply. i actually do not think in terms of relativism. good & bad are as plain as day in my opinion. however, i do not believe it is my (or anoyone elses) perogative (sp?) to decide what constitutes appropriate or inappropriate behavior and then act upon it (within reason of course). if someone (the players in question) wants to, choses to, (or are incapable of acting otherwise) act the fool/ass/whatever - it is not my place to inform them of it (within reason of course - the safety of my family and myself are paramount) - i will try to lead by example and failing that i will leave them to their own lives. i cannot and will not hold someone to my expectations (nor would i care for anyone else to determine for me what is best or appropriate or 'right/wrong') - that being said, if someone 'violates' my sense of right or wrong, then i have to decide whether or not to continue to put myself in that situation - not whether or not i will continue to expose myself to those things i find offensive according to my standards. Putting that in the context of the original post - if i am that offended - then i will not attend the games. letting the coach/administration know why i am not attending may or may not have an impact - that would remain to be seen. (seems like a few people 'mentioning' to the administration last year or so had an impact on a particularly excitable fans use of 'inappropriate language - so it may be worth a try)
 
Spartan, you need to reconsider your position on this one. You are arguing against respecting that which others hold dear. I cannot imagine that you would not disagree with the idea of someone showing up at your mother's, wife's or daughter's funeral and telling jokes, playing loud music, mocking the manner in which mourners are paying their respects, or otherwise being disrespectful of those who came to mourn.
 
You know, the correct thing to do would have been to mention something to Joe O'Brien in private, instead of blasting an entire basketball program because of the perceived actions of a few. However, I understand that sometimes people want to make certain things more public due to certain perceptions.

You first instinct of siddling up to Joe and mentioning something would have had a much more positive effect then this. I mean, when you say the men's basketball team, you aren't saying some of them...it could have been two, or four, but by saying team, you are painting the entire fence.

Next time, just say something to the coach in private instead of here, where this thread will sadly live forever, and sully the entire team.

Oh, and my wife is a veteran as well....just saying.

ISUSID
 
irwin, i believe i included the words 'within reason' in my statements. your example is obviously outside of those boundries and i presume you simply missed that part.
 
Gang,

Just a note to all here....I just talked with Joe, who was made aware of this thread. For those that don't know, Joe doesn't even let his kids wear a hat in the office, so he's got a handle on what is the right thing to do most times.

Now, Joe was not there during the national anthem, but he takes that part of an event very seriously. For those that don't know, Joe's dad was highly decorated in World War II, received a Purple Heart, and was a POW as well, so Joe totally is about respecting our flag and the sacrifices that have been made defending that flag.

Joe basically told me that if he had seen his players goofing off during the anthem...well, this is a family board, so I won't repeat it, but he did convey to me that he is going to sit the team down, whether certain players were there or not, and discuss the "proper protocols" for the national anthem.

This again just proves to me the first guy who posted here should have just said something to him in private. Joe also knows that I'm posting this, because he asked me to do so....just rest assured regardless of how many guys it was, and he doesn't know anymore than I do, that one guy goofing off is one too many.

I would think this settles the matter for all.

ISUSID
 
it's been a while for me on this board, but you have to be kidding me Spartan!!!!!!!!!!

thanks isusid for your posts!!

the main point to this post is that these players were embarassing their coach, the team and themselves. all the other stuff is totally personal and has nothing to do with this topic. read the first post again. the fact is...these players made the man who recruited them seem very FOOLISH for bringing in guys who have no real idea how to be an upstanding adult. snicker all you want, if you are watching the game on TV in your own room, but to be in public and act a fool is totally wrong for who they represent. this is no less obscene than the Shopko 5!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

both are a stain to the university and it's coaching staffs.
 
If it's such a stain to the university, why hasn't the Journal or any other news outlet had a huge outcry over this? Why haven't I seen or heard anything of it?

Make a mountain out of a molehill where it's not needed.

And the ball players aren't the only ones, guys. Everyone gets a chuckle when the guy sings. He's very patriotic, and I respect that. But this Friday, I will be vindicated. Watch the soccer teams when he sings, dave and notabengalalum. They chuckle everytime.
 
super...you will climb on any bandwagon that rolls in front of you. you contradict yourself in your posts and frankly, aside from being a loyal fan, your two cents mean not a thing to me.
 
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