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Oh, say, can we keep our national anthem?
Maybe you've seen Kinsley on political talk shows representing the liberal point of view. He spent several years as the liberal co-host on CNN's Crossfire and he's been an editor of several liberal publications.
Nothing wrong with any of that.
I never met him but based on his demeanor and some of the things he's said and written, it's safe to say he's not a huge sports fan.
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Last week, in his nationally syndicated column, Kinsley came out in favor of dumping "The Star Spangled Banner." There's no game until we hear "The Star Spangled Banner," so it's been a part of every major sporting we've ever attended. Kinsley didn't call for the end of the playing of the national anthem at sporting events as many of his friends have done over the years.
He just doesn't like the song.
Kinsley is offended by the use of the words "bombs" and "rockets."
I like the national anthem being played or sung before games. Nothing annoys me more than the morons who use the opportunity to shout something brilliant like, "Let's go Pens" during one of the pauses. I'm in favor of a law that would allow the person responsible for one of those outbursts to be punched in the face.
I'm also annoyed by singers who think that being asked to sing the national anthem means an invitation to show how many notes they can hit and how long they can hold them.
Just sing the song.
If you want to hear how it should be done, go to a Penguins game and listen to Jeff Jimmerson.
Back to Kinsley. This wimp is offended by the use of the words bombs and rockets in a poem written by Francis Scott Key, who was forced to witness, from a British ship, a rocket attack on Baltimore during the War of 1812.
"The rockets' red glare, the bombs bursting in air, gave proof through the night, that our flag was still there."
The light from the bombs and rockets showed that the star-spangled banner, despite the bombardment, was still gallantly streaming.
When the poem was published, then put to the tune of an old English drinking song, it spread across the country as fast as anything could in the days before electronic media. Even faster than the 1985 Bears Super Bowl music video.
Believe it or not, Kinsley also is a little offended by the phrase, "home of the brave." He says it's, "empty bravado. There is nothing in the American myth, let alone reality, to suggest that we are braver than anyone else."
I admit to being offended when that final phrase is drowned out by the cheering crowd. I wish people would be quiet until the song ends.
Where else but at a major sporting event can 50,000 Americans come together and show their unity?
There were some pretty emotional pregame renditions of "The Star Spangled Banner" in the aftermath of 9/11 and everybody - with the possible exception of Kinsley - could relate to the line about the flag still flying after an attack on the homeland.
Nobody is forced to listen to the anthem, much less sing it. You don't have to stand and you don't have to remove your hat. As the song says, the banner was waving o'er the land of the free. You're also free to be offended by a song that celebrates the fact your country withstood an attack of bombs and rockets. Excuse me, but I'm offended by anyone who is offended by that.
If the words bombs and rockets offend - or is it scare? - Kinsley, you sure don't want him to be exposed to any of your favorite sports.
Imagine the terror or outrage at the mention of the Steelers' blitz. Or Willie Parker's explosiveness. Or Ben Roethlisberger's talent for throwing the long - all together now - bomb. What about the Steelers using Troy Polamalu to spy the quarterback?
You wouldn't dare expose this sissy to the firepower of the Penguins' ... power play. Or the effectiveness of their penalty ... kill. Imagine Kinsley's horror if you were to tell him about Sergei Gonchar's slap ... shot. How about Matt Cooke getting two minutes for ... spearing? Two for slashing? Five for fighting?
Oh, the humanity.
When was the last time you heard the anthem played or sung somewhere other than at a sporting event? I can't recall. How many Americans would even recognize the song if it hadn't been played before every game for the last 60 or 70 years?
When would they hear it?
Here's hoping "The Star Spangled Banner" is always our national anthem and here's hoping it's always played before every game.
If for no other reason than because people such as Michael Kinsley don't like it.
John Steigerwald writes a Sunday column for the Observer-Reporter.
Natl.' Anthem Story. : 7/7/2009
I totally agree, nobody should be offended by our Natl.' Anthem. If you are get your hat, your coat, & leave & don't let the door hit ya on the way out to find some place better to live. If you don't like the nation that many have fought & died for then get out!
