God bless American during the 7th inning stretch?

[alarimer]

Do they do this at every game? Or just the ones that get shown on TV, pandering to the super-patriot, American can do no wrong, crowd. I'm watching it online, so I just turned the sound off. It ruins an otherwise good experience.

I hate that song. Woody Guthrie hated that song (he wrong This Land is Your Land in response to Irving Berlin having written this one. Supposedly.)

Has enough time since 9/11 not passed? Can't we have Take Me out to the Ball Game back, please?

End of rant. For now.

[hrmjustin]

1. I am not a fan of the song myself. Not that I don't want God to bless us but I do like

take me out to the all game better.

[alarimer]

2. I feel like the terrorists have won because we have to listen to that song.

Although God Bless the USA would be INFINITELY worse. If I had to choose between the two, I'd pick the Irving Berlin tune every time.

[hrmjustin]

3. Hannity plays God Bless the USA at times so I have a hard time listening to it.

[pokerfan]

4. Just don't try to use the restroom during the 7th Inning Stretch at the Yankees

From 2007....

The most patriotic moments at Yankee Stadium can also be the most confining.

Seconds before “The Star-Spangled Banner” and “God Bless America” are played, police officers, security guards and ushers turn their backs to the American flag in center field, stare at fans moving through the stands and ask them to stop. Across the stadium’s lower section, ushers stand every 20 feet to block the main aisle with chains.

As the songs are played or sung, the crowd appears motionless.

http://www.nytimes.com/2007/05/10/sports/baseball/10stadium.html

[alarimer]

5. I think the secret is to leave well before then

And then take refuge in the bathroom.

But this is ridiculous.

I hate the Yankees; they are so obnoxious in so many ways, including this one.

That's kind of fascist, really. You WILL obey!

[hrmjustin]

7. I have noticed that as well at the Mets Stadium.

[murielm99]

6. The Cubs have it right.

They have a celebrity sing "Take Me Out to the Ball Game," and the crowd sings along. Harry Caray used to sing it.