The city of New York has settled a lawsuit brought by a man who was ejected from Yankee Stadium for getting up to go to the bathroom during a rendition of “God Bless America”. I believe in God, I believe in America and I even believe in the Yankees, but this is nuts! Is God insulted or America weakened by one guy’s need to pee during a collective round of “God Bless America” at Yankee Stadium?
The story should not be about the suit being settled, but that it ever had to come to this – that a NY City police officer would toss a guy out of the stadium for getting up to use the bathroom during a rendition of a patriotic song. It actually sounds like something out of Mussolini’s Italy or the former Soviet Union.
That the city had to pay for this, is entirely appropriate, but what about the cop who ejected the guy in the first place? And if he did not do so, then why not fight it?
What about the policy, at the old stadium, at least, in which ushers raised chains to block the aisles during the song? Does it really matter if they allowed people through in “emergencies”? Is that an usher’s call to make?
Why do we always try to make rules to address cultural issues, like lack of patriotism (if that really is a problem) which cannot be legislated away in any event?
What is it that makes people in authority, be it legal, religious, or any other kind, fail to see that conscience can not be legislated?
Author, radio and TV talk show host, and President of CLAL-The National Jewish Center for Learning and Leadership, Brad Hirschfield is the author of 
posted July 8, 2009 at 11:06 pm
what a waste of time and money. As i’m not Christian, i feel no obligation to participate in pray at a public function and if i needed to use the bathroom during said time, i would. I still see this as a if you’re patriotic, you’re Christian and if you’re Christian, you’re patriotic. this was something Jerry Falwell and other conservative religious leaders pushed.
Rabbi, you asked, “Why do we always try to make rules to address cultural issues, like lack of patriotism (if that really is a problem) which cannot be legislated away in any event?”
Personally, i think it’s about control. Some religious groups simply don’t know when to mind their own business, imo.
posted July 9, 2009 at 8:56 am
Ah, yes – enforced patriotism is genuine patriotism.
The christianists and Republicans almost turned this country into a fascist dictatorship. Now that their era is passing, I think we need to review a lot of the symbols of America these monsters abused. I, for, one, would like to see a great deal fewer SUVs flying American flags at Walmart and several more at the local VA hospital…
posted July 9, 2009 at 8:59 am
…volunteering.
Oh, right – but that would be genuine patriotism.
Can’t have that.
Of course, anyone who put a stake through the heart of the lifeform which designed this interface would be doing a deed of great honor, too.
My own mistakes are bad enough, but when half your post disappears between ‘here’ and ‘there’ it really is going too far.
…
posted July 9, 2009 at 9:12 am
“What is it that makes people in authority, be it legal, religious, or any other kind, fail to see that conscience can not be legislated?”
As Gwyddion pointed out, it’s all about control. Religionists don’t ever seem to be happy merely following their own ‘religious’ dictates; they seem to feel they must (should?) impose their beliefs on others. It’s called theocracy, and thank gawd it’s on the decline in Amurica.
posted July 9, 2009 at 9:17 am
“Policy remains as it always has been: Fans are free to move about during the playing of ‘God Bless America,’” said Alice McGillion, spokeswoman for the Yankees.”
A blatant lie, demonstrably so, considering that …
“But fans may not always have felt completely unfettered. Ushers used handheld chains to block off some exits while it was played at the Yankees’ old stadium”
Ah yes, ‘as it always has been – NOT! I wonder if they let visiting non-Amurrricans up to pee? It ain’t their national anthem.
posted July 9, 2009 at 10:31 am
First of all the Star Spangle Banner is the National Anthem not G’d Bless American which is a wonderfully beautiful song about our country.
A privy call is not grounds for arrest.
We fought a revolutionary war because we didn’t like King George telling us what taxes and what we will do. No one in this country voted away their civil rights under the patriotic act. It’s time to put common sense back into our lives and stop trying to dictate what is correct politically,& religiously.
posted July 9, 2009 at 11:23 am
Genuine patriotism cannot be forced, but a superficial bumper sticker patriotism apparently can be, and is, compulsory in this country.
posted July 9, 2009 at 3:14 pm
speaking for most red-blooded true blue Americans, I (we) could care less about what happens to those loathesome and disgusting creatures known as New York Yankees fans.
I mean, on Lou Gehrig farewell day, Hank Steinbrenner donates @25,000 to the ALS society? You could get that amount by collecting fifty cents from every one in the stands that day!
Talk about being freaking cheap and narcissitic. And the example set by Steinbrenner trickles down to everyone associated with the team, including its supporters.
E.g., what about the anti-Semitism which saw Yankees fans vote Texeira in as starting AL All-Star Game first-baseman over Kevin Youkilis, who is Jewish?