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Jedo the Jedi · Paragon in Training

I see how there could have been confusion. I took DPW's words "and respect everyone else's right do the same" as being akin to "my rights end where your nose begins." Maybe I misinterpreted DPW, in which case I believe everyone has the right to do what they want during the anthem as long as it isn't disturbing the right of the people to participate in it. My apologies for my own misunderstanding.

While I'm here, I will revise my previous post in response to Buzzsaw. I was intending to state my opinion that I don't think this society has allowed me any freedoms of its own merit, so I don't feel the need to respect the anthem when it's performed. That guilt business--soldiers telling me I should be thanking them for their sacrifice when I didn't ask for it, for example--irks me. Anyway, this does digress somewhat, but it kind of expounds my reason for not "respecting the anthem" as it were.
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Paragon Tally: 19 mafia, 3 SKs (1 twice), 1 cultist, numerous chat scum...and counting.

itisally* · Guest

@ MacKay-- I really do agree with you that blind and thoughtless patriotism are bad. And I hate when it is used as an excused to behave in a way that is harmful to others.

@ Jedo -- There are many things that I don't ask for that I still appriciate. For example whe my husband checks the oil in my car, my son feeds the dog, the roads get paved or a citizen chooses to take a risky job that will help ensure my safety (police, fire, teachers in inner cities, and solders). I don't think it is to guilt you into doing something so much as hoping you won't take what is provided to you for granted.

Jedo the Jedi · Paragon in Training

Ally, I appreciate that distinction. I am thankful for unasked things such as police, firefighters, paved roads (though not when construction of them causes traffic Wink

), but not this. Still, it is good to help me better articulate that view to what I actually mean.
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Paragon Tally: 19 mafia, 3 SKs (1 twice), 1 cultist, numerous chat scum...and counting.

Dread Pirate Westley · Daedalian Member