I can't believe how people lap up this nationalistic bullshit.

Anonymous wrote:Whats the significance of the hand on the heart? Why is it there?
I mean what is the story behing the tradition? I personally think it is just silly. Heart is just muscle. It works like a pump. What about your other organs? Are they less significant?

Oh come on. Surely you are aware that the heart is symbolic of certain human emotions.

It's a gesture that is used in many cultures, such as an arab greeting or in India. I know they do something similar in Italy. It is not just a silly American affectation.

Whats the significance of the hand on the heart? Why is it there?
I mean what is the story behing the tradition? I personally think it is just silly. Heart is just muscle. It works like a pump. What about your other organs? Are they less significant?

Anonymous wrote:Actually, here is the relevant law:

36 U.S.C. § 301

Sec. 301. National anthem
...

It is interesting that earlier paragraphs cover major patriotic issues like Leif Erikson Day and Pan American Aviation Day. Significantly, it starts out with § 101 National Heart Week. I could not find § 201, but it ought to be National Hand Week. I don't know whether there is a National Hats Off Week.

Anonymous wrote:http://www.foxnews.com/entertainment/2011/05/02/sean-penn-refuses-place-hand-heart-national-anthem-report-says/?test=faces is the link, if you are interested. It also gives a bit of insight into the Sean/Scarlet relationship, but that probably belongs in another thread.

At least they didn't have sex on the table.

Anonymous wrote:I don't like to put my hand on my heart but I do love to sing the National Anthem. Is it in bad taste to sing it?

Not as long as you stand.

Actually, here is the relevant law:

36 U.S.C. § 301

Sec. 301. National anthem

-STATUTE-
(a) Designation. - The composition consisting of the words and
music known as the Star-Spangled Banner is the national anthem.
(b) Conduct During Playing. - During a rendition of the national
anthem -
(1) when the flag is displayed -
(A) individuals in uniform should give the military salute at
the first note of the anthem and maintain that position until
the last note;
(B) members of the Armed Forces and veterans who are present
but not in uniform may render the military salute in the manner
provided for individuals in uniform; and
(C) all other persons present should face the flag and stand
at attention with their right hand over the heart, and men not
in uniform, if applicable, should remove their headdress with
their right hand and hold it at the left shoulder, the hand
being over the heart; and

(2) when the flag is not displayed, all present should face
toward the music and act in the same manner they would if the
flag were displayed.

I don't like to put my hand on my heart but I do love to sing the National Anthem. Is it in bad taste to sing it?

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I'm a military vet so my opinion is biased, with that said, yes I stand-up and put my hand on my heart during the anthem. Also you take off your hat, if you are in uniform you come to attention and salute the flag.

I don't understand your post about asking a question about Fort McHenry. You shouldn't be talking, asking or answering questions during the anthem. Being reverent during that time is a sign of respect for the men and women that have died for our country. I don't think less of anyone that doesn't cover their heart. But I would expect silence.

I was referring to the song itself: "Oh say can you see" whether the stars and stripes are still flying over Fort McHenry after a night of bombardment by the British? That's what the song is about. Isn't that what you are thinking about when you hear it or sing it?

Okay, I admit I don't really believe many people think about what the lyrics say, but I was not really expecting that the reference would be missed.

No, it was the way the original post was phrased that confused me. As though Sean Penn was asking a question during the song. Nevermind, I get what you are saying now. To me the song is about how Key went through this hellish night and when he saw the flag still flying it reignited his hope and reaffirmed his belief of what America could be. I think it is a lovely song.

Anonymous wrote:I'm a military vet so my opinion is biased, with that said, yes I stand-up and put my hand on my heart during the anthem. Also you take off your hat, if you are in uniform you come to attention and salute the flag.

I don't understand your post about asking a question about Fort McHenry. You shouldn't be talking, asking or answering questions during the anthem. Being reverent during that time is a sign of respect for the men and women that have died for our country. I don't think less of anyone that doesn't cover their heart. But I would expect silence.

I was referring to the song itself: "Oh say can you see" whether the stars and stripes are still flying over Fort McHenry after a night of bombardment by the British? That's what the song is about. Isn't that what you are thinking about when you hear it or sing it?

Okay, I admit I don't really believe many people think about what the lyrics say, but I was not really expecting that the reference would be missed.

Anonymous wrote:I take my hat off but don't put my hand on my heart, but then I hate the fact that they play God Bless America at ballgames now.

OP here. I agree that hat comes off. I think GBA is a much better song, and am willing to grant Irving Berlin a pass on the First Amendment, since it seems so much more an exercise in sentimentalism than religion. But given my druthers, I would pick This Land Is Your Land.

I'm a military vet so my opinion is biased, with that said, yes I stand-up and put my hand on my heart during the anthem. Also you take off your hat, if you are in uniform you come to attention and salute the flag.

I don't understand your post about asking a question about Fort McHenry. You shouldn't be talking, asking or answering questions during the anthem. Being reverent during that time is a sign of respect for the men and women that have died for our country. I don't think less of anyone that doesn't cover their heart. But I would expect silence.

http://www.foxnews.com/entertainment/2011/05/02/sean-penn-refuses-place-hand-heart-national-anthem-report-says/?test=faces is the link, if you are interested. It also gives a bit of insight into the Sean/Scarlet relationship, but that probably belongs in another thread.

I take my hat off but don't put my hand on my heart, but then I hate the fact that they play God Bless America at ballgames now.

Fox has a story that Sean Penn refused to put his hand on his heart for the National Anthem at the WHCA dinner. I don't put my hand on my heart for it either. I could swear (with hand on heart, or in the air, as you prefer) that as a kid I was only taught to go hand to heat for the Pledge of Allegiance, not the Anthem. I think Congress says it is proper form for civilians to do the hand/heart bit, but I don't see any logic to hand on heart while you are asking a question about whether Fort McHenry made it through the night in American hands. What are your thoughts?