Flames at Pride reaction

[jayswin]

Originally Posted by Iggy City

I'm not a racist, but I don't agree with having [insert name] Days in sports.

Why?

[Looch City]

Originally Posted by jayswin

Why?

Isn't that the question.

I should also clarify that my post was sarcastic in that people don't give reasons for their disagreement...and still think they're not a homophobe/racist/bigot/etc.

[jayswin]

Originally Posted by Iggy City

Isn't that the question.

I should also clarify that my post was sarcastic in that people don't give reasons for their disagreement...and still think they're not a homophobe/racist/bigot/etc.

Oh haha, sorry that's exactly what I was thinking while reading this thread.

[Deegee]

Originally Posted by GGG

My favourite part of the Facebook comments is the flames social media guy responding to the why are the flames doing this with the straight the flames often support a variety of events in the community. Treating it as just another parade or event in the city which long term would be the goal of something like pride. When it's just another event like the lilac festival you will be getting close to acceptance.

So I like the flames social media account treating it like no big deal

I hope we get to see that in our life.

[jayswin]

Originally Posted by Iggy City

Times are changing and there are absolutely correct and incorrect opinions.

But feel free to swing back 50 years and start a thread on why you don't agree with women's suffrage or inter-racial marriage. In my opinion, those movements are no different than this one. I find it hilarious how people on the wrong side of history are playing the victim card.

Oh man, Iggy City, you know what the worst part of me missing your sarcasm is? I was actually going to respond to you with a perfect post from a couple pages ago and say "You really need to read this post, buddy".
^^^^^^ The one quoted above.
.....It was your post.

Originally Posted by Iggy City

Isn't that the question.

I should also clarify that my post was sarcastic in that people don't give reasons for their disagreement...and still think they're not a homophobe/racist/bigot/etc.

[Alberta_Beef]

Originally Posted by Makarov

It does raise the question: is attending a pride affair really a political act? Should it be seen as one?

(I'm not sure what the answer to those two questions should be.)

Anything involving human rights is political, so it would be a political stance. As for whether it should be, no I don't believe it should be a political issue but unfortunately it still is.

Originally Posted by Fire of the Phoenix

I wonder if such a person would be against MLB's Jackie Robinson day? That argument would be a seriously uphill battle but I'm sure many have given it the old college try.

I think that is a little different since Jackie Robinson was a ball player and the day is celebrated in game. It'd be more like a team participating in the Million Man March back in '95.

Personally I am fine with teams/athletes being involved in any cause they feel is important, as long as they are not forced to participate. But I am not a fan of politics during games themselves, I know I am in the minority but I despise how there is something involving the military at nearly every sporting event.

[Street Pharmacist]

The flames are a privately owned business that may support whatever they choose. I'm glad they support pride

[Textcritic]

Originally Posted by Alberta_Beef

...But I am not a fan of politics during games themselves, I know I am in the minority but I despise how there is something involving the military at nearly every sporting event.

You are not alone in this.

[Resolute 14]

No doubt. I hate how oversaturated the pro-military rah rah crap is in sports. And what we get at Flames games is nothing compared to the US.

[CroFlames]

Originally Posted by Resolute 14

No doubt. I hate how oversaturated the pro-military rah rah crap is in sports. And what we get at Flames games is nothing compared to the US.

Why do you hate it? Just curious.

I actually enjoy it. And since I go to more US games than CAN nowadays, I get a lot more of it. I think it's nice for both the crowd and the veteran when he gets a standing ovation. I especially like it when a WWII vet gets an ovation.

[Benched]

this thread is still going...

[Textcritic]

Originally Posted by CroFlames

Why do you hate it? Just curious.

For me personally, the perennial recognition of the military feels like kowtowing, and reinforces a nationalistic ideology that I do not find at all healthy. I think it is nice for the participants, but in this day and age the notion that our armed forces are perched on a knife's edge, to keep the planet from plunging into detrimental social chaos strikes me as disingenuous.

[Resolute 14]

Originally Posted by CroFlames

Why do you hate it? Just curious.

I actually enjoy it. And since I go to more US games than CAN nowadays, I get a lot more of it. I think it's nice for both the crowd and the veteran when he gets a standing ovation. I especially like it when a WWII vet gets an ovation.

Largely, I hate the politicization of sports in general. But honestly, what makes being a soldier so special that they deserve special recognition at literally every sporting event in North America? Why not fire fighters, police officers, nurses, teachers, cancer survivors, rape victims, students, plumbers, etc.?

The over-saturated focus on the military is nothing more than forced jingoism. And it is something that we would never do for any other group or profession. Having one game where we honour active soldiers (i.e.: the Flames' military night) and honouring Remembrance Day is more than enough, IMNSHO.

[the2bears]

Originally Posted by CroFlames

Why do you hate it? Just curious.

I actually enjoy it. And since I go to more US games than CAN nowadays, I get a lot more of it. I think it's nice for both the crowd and the veteran when he gets a standing ovation. I especially like it when a WWII vet gets an ovation.

For me it's a combination of two things:

- It seems less about thanking and appreciating the veterans than it does about celebrating a military culture. A culture that is being built up more and more, at least in the US.
- If we (the societal "we") really cared that much about them, wouldn't we properly fund veterans affairs and various other things for them? Things they *really* need? Again, speaking about what I see down here.

[Hackey]

"Thank you for your service" is an automated response for many Americans. I honestly believe they do more harm than good around the world these days and it's pretty sad how people just blindly follow. Luckily it's not quite the same in Canada but it's a similar sentiment to a smaller degree. If you don't brain wash everyone into thinking it's such an amazing noble cause then likely people don't support or join. There are million of hero's who have participated in war in the past but I don't view the current military to be anything even close.

[undercoverbrother]

Originally Posted by Textcritic

For me personally, the perennial recognition of the military feels like kowtowing, and reinforces a nationalistic ideology that I do not find at all healthy. I think it is nice for the participants, but in this day and age the notion that our armed forces are perched on a knife's edge, to keep the planet from plunging into detrimental social chaos strikes me as disingenuous.

Originally Posted by Resolute 14

Largely, I hate the politicization of sports in general. But honestly, what makes being a soldier so special that they deserve special recognition at literally every sporting event in North America? Why not fire fighters, police officers, nurses, teachers, cancer survivors, rape victims, students, plumbers, etc.?

The over-saturated focus on the military is nothing more than forced jingoism. And it is something that we would never do for any other group or profession. Having one game where we honour active soldiers (i.e.: the Flames' military night) and honouring Remembrance Day is more than enough, IMNSHO.

When I was in we were told to not wear our uniforms to and from the base. We were to wear civies then change.

We will disagree on this, which is fine. The military can be a ####ty career/job, that isn't even offset by pay.

When I was in we didn't get acknowledged by the public, more often than not we got mocked by both the public and gov't.


On the matter at hand, I struggle to understand how there can be a position against equality and basic Human Rights.

[Locke]

Originally Posted by Resolute 14

Largely, I hate the politicization of sports in general. But honestly, what makes being a soldier so special that they deserve special recognition at literally every sporting event in North America? Why not fire fighters, police officers, nurses, teachers, cancer survivors, rape victims, students, plumbers, etc.?

The over-saturated focus on the military is nothing more than forced jingoism. And it is something that we would never do for any other group or profession. Having one game where we honour active soldiers (i.e.: the Flames' military night) and honouring Remembrance Day is more than enough, IMNSHO.

This is basically the crux of it for me.

The modern military is a profession, its a career, and every member of the military that I know and deal with acknowledge that fact.

[DownhillGoat]

Originally Posted by undercoverbrother

When I was in we didn't get acknowledged by the public, more often than not we got mocked by both the public and gov't.

Yeah I kind of thought the recent recognition at all sporting events, and "over-saturated focus on military" was more or less compensating (possibly over-compensation but whatever) was in response to how horribly military folks were mistreated and abandoned after Vietnam.

It gets a bit excessive, IMO, but I'd rather see that than veterans being spit on in the street. Because weather you agree with military actions or not, they're doing a fairly un-thankful job that I'd never have the kahunas for.

[Resolute 14]

It is really a fall-out from 9/11. Nationalistic jingoism ramped up dramatically across the board, and when the US invaded Iraq and Afghanistan, the 'praise the military' attitude ramped up with it. And on one level, that is fine. I have great respect for the individual soldiers. But it has gotten to be a lot much.

It has led to absolute stupidity in MLB in the past, as the Blue Jays got shat upon for wanting to stop playing God Bless America during the 7th inning stretch after 9/11 before everyone else. (Of the ballparks I've been to since, Yankee Stadium is the only place they still do it). And since honouring soldiers every single game is no longer enough, they now have teams wear special army fatigue uniforms on or around Veterans day - including the Blue Jays, which was something I have always found to be absurd.

[Cleveland Steam Whistle]

Originally Posted by Resolute 14

Largely, I hate the politicization of sports in general. But honestly, what makes being a soldier so special that they deserve special recognition at literally every sporting event in North America? Why not fire fighters, police officers, nurses, teachers, cancer survivors, rape victims, students, plumbers, etc.?

The over-saturated focus on the military is nothing more than forced jingoism. And it is something that we would never do for any other group or profession. Having one game where we honour active soldiers (i.e.: the Flames' military night) and honouring Remembrance Day is more than enough, IMNSHO.

I actually understand your point and stance, but whether it be this topic or another, I can't stand the "why not this" argument. I don't understand the point. Totally agree with you, Police, Firefighters, Nurses, First Responders, etc... all worthy candidates for a similar showing of respect and honoring. The fact that the Flames (or any other team or league or org.) don't have a "policeman of the day" recognition is not an argument against having a military focused one. It doesn't need to be an all or nothing situation.

The problem with the military one is it can lead to political thoughts and allignments. Although one could argue in certain spots or for certain cultures honoring the Police for example would do the same thing. I choose to not worry about that by simply focusing on the individual being honored. Here is someone that has actively chosen a career that is meant to positively serve others, and COULD contain realistic personal job site risk to themselves that the average job simply doesn't have. Because of that, I have no problem with it being a thing at each game. I also wouldn't be against the honoring being spread around to different groups either, or if there was less honoring, but it's not something I find offensive.