[AnIInWon]

If you attend Goshen College, a Memmonite college in Indiana, don't bother rising at a sporting even or taking your hat off for the National Anthem. There won't be one.

Apparently the song is a tad too violent and militaristic for their taste.

If these goobers think the Star Spangled Banner is too violent maybe they should just never turn on a radio again. Or watch television or movies. Or read the paper. In fact maybe they should keep themselves locked up in a closet so they aren't exposed to the rest of the world.

National Anthem Banned at Mennonite College's Sporting Events, Sparking Outcry - FoxNews.com

[ChexEcodece]

Sports are pretty violent.

[WrinnaArraple]

Oh boy. That's a sure fire way to win hearts and minds. And be open minded.

[OWV9LSxH]

Oh boy. That's a sure fire way to win hearts and minds. And be open minded.

Yea, when I think "open minded", I think "Mennonites".

[BlackBird]

If you don't like the school's policies, don't go there. Sounds like a simple solution to me.

[Doctor-CTAC]

It's shit like this that makes me kinda wish there were bands of orcs and goblins ranging across the countryside attacking "peaceful" villages.

[Wymdqcvb]

Pacifism in conflict with America's military tradition has a long history. Lincoln granted draft exemption to Shakers in the Civil War. Nor are we alone. Israel exempts Orthodox yeshiva students from IDF service.

Do you know of another country whose theme song talks about "rockets' red glare" and "bombs bursting in air"? I'd like to know about it.

We have along tradition of tolerating those who reject war. It is rightly viewed as a part of our American freedoms, even though pacifists are "free riders" who get the benefit without paying the price.

What is new is the militarism which has been injected into our national politics to shore up support for America's collapsing hegemony. So far, at least, this militaristic propaganda has gotten our fingers burned in Vietnam and the Middle East. Worse may be to come here at home. I think the Mennonites are on the right track.

[OWV9LSxH]

Do you know of another country whose theme song talks about "rockets' red glare" and "bombs bursting in air"? I'd like to know about it.

There are quite a few national anthems around the world that were penned during the wars that led to their country's foundation. Thus, they tend to have references to war and death.

Check out the Italian national anthem, for example. They repeatedly declare how they're ready to die.

[ChexEcodece]

Check out the Italian national anthem, for example. They repeatedly declare how they're ready to die.

Yeah, but like most of Europe, its only played during the World Cup, when they actually mean it.

[Bondjrno]

....

Do you know of another country whose theme song talks about "rockets' red glare" and "bombs bursting in air"? I'd like to know about it.

You mean like talking about enemy soldiers who have come to cut the throats of women and children and how we are going to water our fields with their tainted blood? A song like that?

La Marseillaise - English lyrics

My favorite version http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=werf88C7lkA

[yK2VgoEI]

Yea, when I think "open minded", I think "Mennonites".

The Mennonites I've known drive neutral-colored cars, not horse and buggy though the most of Amish still don't drive. My former sister-in-law was Mennonite and when my ex and I went to visit her in Pensacola, it was SOOOO boring! No t.v., no radio, but thankfully, they had electricity.

[Doctor-CTAC]

What is new is the militarism which has been injected into our national politics to shore up support for America's blah, blah, blah, blah, blah.

You need to run, not walk - but run, to the nearest library and read some American history.

Start with Jefferson 1801 and the rhetoric that flew over the Barbary Wars.

Then move on to the Madison presidency and the original "War Hawks" in Congress during the War of 1812.

Monroe would be next, right? Yeah. Seminole Wars, General Jackson's invasion of Spanish Florida, and the "Monroe Doctrine" (ring a bell? It's just a touch militant, no?).

America didn't become the most powerful and richest nation on the continent, in the hemisphere, and finally in the world by not being militaristic.

[eskimosik]

If these goobers think the Star Spangled Banner is too violent maybe they should just never turn on a radio again. Or watch television or movies.

I'm pretty sure they're not doing those things too often, anyway...

[bitymnmictada]

They can play whatever music they want, it only helps people decide if they want to associate themselves with the college or not.

[OWV9LSxH]

The Mennonites I've known drive neutral-colored cars, not horse and buggy though the most of Amish still don't drive. My former sister-in-law was Mennonite and when my ex and I went to visit her in Pensacola, it was SOOOO boring! No t.v., no radio, but thankfully, they had electricity.

Yea, like the Amish they come in a decent variety. I'm in the dairy industry, so I do get to interact with them from time to time. Some of them are more 'normal' while some of them are even stricter than some of the Amish. Either way you split it, though, they're hardly the most inclusive and forward thinking people. They hold very strong to their beliefs and nonviolence is one of the core beliefs of theirs. So, in that respect, this news isn't surprising at all. What's most surprising is that they have a college to begin with...

[kjsdiuwe]

How big of an "outcry" has this sparked? Would any one care one way or another? I sure as Hell don't.

They're Mennonites for Gawd Sake. Who cares?

[yK2VgoEI]

Yea, like the Amish they come in a decent variety. I'm in the dairy industry, so I do get to interact with them from time to time. Some of them are more 'normal' while some of them are even stricter than some of the Amish. Either way you split it, though, they're hardly the most inclusive and forward thinking people. They hold very strong to their beliefs and nonviolence is one of the core beliefs of theirs. So, in that respect, this news isn't surprising at all. What's most surprising is that they have a college to begin with...

You know what's funny...we all tend to view Mennonites and Amish as strange thinkers but at the same time, they're very devout and they practice what they preach. I don't agree with many of their ways but I can certainly appreciate that they stick to their beliefs. I don't view the anthem as "violent" but respect that they do so I'll not fault them for what they do on their campus as long as it hurts no one.

[OWV9LSxH]

You know what's funny...we all tend to view Mennonites and Amish as strange thinkers but at the same time, they're very devout and they practice what they preach. I don't agree with many of their ways but I can certainly appreciate that they stick to their beliefs. I don't view the anthem as "violent" but respect that they do so I'll not fault them for what they do on their campus as long as it hurts no one.

Yea, seems we share the same views. I have much respect for the Amish and Mennonites, I've always been treated kindly by them and they also have pretty good senses of humor. We had an annual gathering for our company where we invite all the farmers to attend and usually we get a handful of Amish and Mennonites that show up. At last years function, we had door prizes and an Amish guy ended up winning the GPS unit and the rest of the Amish were practically rolling on the floor laughing. He ended up actually collecting it, too.

[yK2VgoEI]

Yea, seems we share the same views. I have much respect for the Amish and Mennonites, I've always been treated kindly by them and they also have pretty good senses of humor. We had an annual gathering for our company where we invite all the farmers to attend and usually we get a handful of Amish and Mennonites that show up. At last years function, we had door prizes and an Amish guy ended up winning the GPS unit and the rest of the Amish were practically rolling on the floor laughing. He ended up actually collecting it, too.

That's hilarious! Wonder what he ended up doing with it.
I've never met any Amish but the Mennonites I met through my sister-in-law were all very nice. The women weren't as stoic as they're often portrayed to be so I had a good time with them.

[OWV9LSxH]

That's hilarious! Wonder what he ended up doing with it.

Good question. Amish people actually are allowed to use technology (well, not all, but a good chunk) as long as it doesn't give them an advantage over their fellow Amish. Lots of Amish communities we work with will have a communal phone, computer with internet, or even a large van (that they'll hire someone to drive for them). Maybe they just designated the GPS to be put in their communal van.

Doesn't make it much easier to get in touch with them. My typical phone call goes:

"Hello, is Amos Stoltzfus there?"
"Amos S. or Amos F.?"
"Amos S. Stoltzfus."
"Hold on.."
(15 minutes passes)
"This is Amos F. Stoltzfus!"
"Dammit..."



I've never met any Amish but the Mennonites I met through my sister-in-law were all very nice. The women weren't as stoic as they're often portrayed to be so I had a good time with them. I often wonder how long I'd last in a lifestyle like that. I think I'd probably make it one night, so I have to give them a bit of respect for keeping it up their entire lives.