The Education Wonks
I think this gets beyond the idea of what their rights are. I think this has to do with respect. How hard is it to respect other people's beliefs? When I go to a foreign country, I may not pledge allegience to their flag or the God but I have no problem respecting their right to do so. I will stand for their flag and I will be silent during their prayers. As adults, children look up to us and copy our behaviors. Is this part of the problem why students don't have respect in the classrooms? They see adults like this act disrespectfully so it must be okay for them to do so. I think we need to start insisting on respect whether in the classroom or at public events. Maybe when people start respecting others there will be less violence and hate in the world.
I certainly hope neither is an English teacher.
Actually, given the whole "We wasn't.." schtick, I hope they aren't teachers of any kind.
Yes, they have a right not to stand. What these morons either forget, or perhaps never knew, is that it is a right bought and paid for by men who selflessly sacrificed, some with their lives.
The rest of society asking that these ungrateful idiots at least stand in respect is not unreasonable.
I hope a jury eventually finds in their favor--and awards them one Chinese yuan.
Frankly, I'm on the side of the two kicked out of the event.
There is no legal requirement that one stand for the anthem -- and an attempt by public employees to impose one is a violation of the First Amendment.
On the other hand, I also have to say that these guys are a couple of schmucks for refusing to stand.
Rhymes With Right is wrong and should be slapped until he submits!! If you don't stand, I will shoot you in the knee caps! You liberal, left-winged, ids are sickening!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I love it....
I'm really surprised at the comments here...would you just as easily "kneel and prostrate yourself" if in another country that showed their 'patriotism' that way? BS, you would! You would probably stand or sit quietly until the others were finished, and if you DID kneel, that would be your choice.
Just because someone didn't stand up, you act like children are going to start raping and looting...get over it. Not everyone "worships" the way you do...that's why it's called America.
And this is from someone who served proudly in the US Air Force and stood (and still stands) every single time...the person who spoke earlier doesn't speak for me: I fought to make sure that those two have the right to sit down if they darn well want to!
~L
Absolutely, positively their right. Ain't no one's business but their own. And if they did do it for political reasons, then they were setting a good example for the kids.
Kids need to understand their rights and need to experience someone who is willing to (not) stand up for them!
They're idiots, but entirely within their rights to be idiots. They should have been left alone--or, perhaps, made to pay genuine social opprobrium for not following community standards. But to compel them to stand, or to officially sanction them for not standing? No way.
By the by, did you see this YouTube video of the girls singing the National Anthem? Wow!
http://rightontheleftcoast.blogs...nal-
anthem.html
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