Was looking at the Chicago Tribune web page, and one of the printed opinion letters had a complaint that Phelps was not patriotic because he wasn't singing during the national anthem. :rolleyes: Also complained that Phelps and Lochte laughed briefly. (Don't know if this requires registration: www.chicagotribune.com/.../chi-16-top-viewaug16,0,1054318.story)
The comments section is running 99+% favorable to Phelps, with mostly "get a life" as a response to the letter writer. One person said that Phelps & Lochte exchanged a few words when there was a glitch in the anthem audio, but I didn't see that medal ceremony.
My point was simply to say that I can understand why others may have had a problem with his cutting up.
Understood.
Phelps represented the country well. I have no complaints.
I agree. He acquitted himself well.
The women's eight rowing medal ceremony was pretty cool. At the start a few were mouthing/whispering the words to the national anthem, more joined in, by the end the whole team was singing.
That was one of my favorite awards ceremonies!
I saw it and it bothered me too. During the awards ceremony for either the 400 FR or MR ( I can't remember which one) Michael and Ryan were talking and laughing a lot during the National Anthem.It seemed very disrespectful to me. I've never seen any other athlete do that during the playing of our anthem during a medal ceremony. I was disappointed.
Ok...bring on the insults.
Beth, go back and watch it again. If memory serves me correctly, they did that once the anthem got messed up and everyone realized it wasn't going to continue. During the playing, both Michael and Ryan smiled and were quiet, but once it got screwy, they and everyone else got a laugh out of it that the anthem wasn't going to finish.
Nope...I saw that one too. This was a seperate ceremony.
Good I'd say, but her husband carry a 12 gauge...best you git goin' now!
LOL
Actually he does have one and he doesn't like Brits that make fun of Southerners all the time. You better watch out. ;)
This is part of why I think the anthem's should go...you've got the flags, the team uniforms and all that. Hoist the cloth and then let the people enjoy themselves. I think it's appropriate to be happy when your anthem is played. That's what soldiers die for, the life and liberty of others.
Memorial/Veterans/Rememberance day are the days to stand back and think deep. IMHO.
Obviously any sign of intended disrespect during an anthem is seriously tacky.
Could be worse: you get morons booing the opposing team's anthems at international football matches all over the place.
Some people just like to gripe. The anthem at the 400IM ceremony was hosed up...I'd have laughed made a comment to my team-mate, too.
I don't normally sing the anthem. One, I don't sing well and I spent 20 years standing at attention saluting the flag and the anthem. As a retired USAF MSgt, the fact that Michael and most other American athletes don't "sing" the anthem doesn't bother me a bit. I appreciate the fact that they are usually quiet and respectful after giving their best efforts.
I saw it and it bothered me too. During the awards ceremony for either the 400 FR or MR ( I can't remember which one) Michael and Ryan were talking and laughing a lot during the National Anthem.It seemed very disrespectful to me. I've never seen any other athlete do that during the playing of our anthem during a medal ceremony. I was disappointed.
Ok...bring on the insults.
Beth, go back and watch it again. If memory serves me correctly, they did that once the anthem got messed up and everyone realized it wasn't going to continue. During the playing, both Michael and Ryan smiled and were quiet, but once it got screwy, they and everyone else got a laugh out of it that the anthem wasn't going to finish.
