American pride banned at the Olympics!

First, let's put this into perspective.

Nobody is forbidding the US athletes to wave the flag. They're strongly advising against it. Nothing legally binding or anything. And it's not the IOC saying this, it's the USOC.

"What I am telling the athletes is, 'Don't run over and grab a flag and take it round the track with you.' It's not business as usual for American athletes. If a Kenyan or a Russian grabs their national flag and runs round the track or holds it high over their heads, it might not be viewed as confrontational. Where we are in the world right now, an American athlete doing that might be viewed in another manner."

People in the stands are allowed to wave whatever they want. It's Greece. You can wave your underwear in the air if you're attractive (ugly people usually get busted).

"We're not the favorite kid in the world right now," conceded Bill Martin, the USOC's acting president. "We are sensitive not only to the security issue, but to jingoism in its raw sense. That is why we are sending people around to educate the athletes as to the appropriate behavior."

Does anyone here not understand that this might not be the most prudent juncture at which to have athletes running around parading the American flag to the rest of the world?

I mean, they will have American flags emblazoned on their uniforms already, no? Sporting the red, white and blue on their clothes?

It's not even TRADITION to have an athlete wrap themselves in their flag or run a victory lap with the flag a wavin'. The American flag doesn't mean the paragon of freedom to everyone watching the Games, and frankly, it might even be a bit of a downer to half the planet, or even piss them off. Do you see Israeli athletes gleefully waving their flag on a victory lap?

So just win medals and save the flagwaving for back home, where the flag stands for positive values.


Tachyon:

Thank You AntiPolitrix, who is Kazamo, is he a person we should nuke?

You should get with AntiPolitrix, he probably knows a way you can store 10-megaton deployable nuclear missiles in an A-Team lunchbox.

And who the heck is Kazamo?


[edit on 23-7-2004 by Jakomo]

[edit on 23-7-2004 by Jakomo]

It's not even TRADITION to have an athlete wrap themselves in their flag or run a victory lap with the flag a wavin'. The American flag doesn't mean the paragon of freedom to everyone watching the Games, and frankly, it might even be a bit of a downer to half the planet, or even piss them off. Do you see Israeli athletes gleefully waving their flag on a victory lap?

Who gives a flying **** if it's a downer to half the planet, or pisses them off (which, btw, it won't be)? If the Israeli's don't want to show their pride the same way America does then that is their priority. That doesn't mean we can't celebrate the same way we always did this time around.

Also, I don't think anyone is making the argument that fans can't celebrate either. And the whole point of people getting gupset over this is the fact that the officials even suggest we "tone it down". In the past, we have not done anything that would be considered as excessive (no more than any other country has ever done themselves). Just because there is a war that you, or anyone else may not agree with, has nothing to do with the athletes in competition. An educated person would understand that a person who celebrates jubiously does so because they are happy, proud, excited, releived, etc...Not because they are relaying a message of America is good and other country's are not. They are not aiding the efforts of the war by displaying pride, or joy in their country either. Only the uneducated, ignorrant person will view it otherwise. And personally, I care less about that group of people and their feelings.

All you yanks that say they should run around waving the flag, will you say that when some of the athletes are knocked out by cans or coins thrown at them?

The US is really hated that much due to your stupid president and the officials are only thinking of the athletes safety. Thats should be more important to you than a dumb flag.

Originally posted by Flyer
All you yanks that say they should run around waving the flag, will you say that when some of the athletes are knocked out by cans or coins thrown at them?

The US is really hated that much due to your stupid president and the officials are only thinking of the athletes safety. Thats should be more important to you than a dumb flag.

please see my previous post regarding my views on the ignorrant peoples thoughts and feelings. I think this would apply

This is old news www.abovetopsecret.com...

but I will reiterate my view. Nobody is forbidding the athletes from cheering, they are merely trying to protect them. There is a lot of anti-American sentiment in the world right now and people from other countries may mistake an athletes joy for bragging.

For instance, how would you take this:

Good point Greenkoolaid, when I saw that picture, it does look very much like a but of pro-yank propaganda, as opposed to some chaps who won an event.


oh and by the way:

Russia was not on the Americans side at first, it Stalin, Hitler, and Mousalini (spelling??) that were the original Axis Powers, i think. Russia didn't cross sides until Hitler went after Moscow.

The Soviets weren't part of the Axis, as Facism and Communism did not see eye to eye at all. All Germany did was sign a non-aggression pact with Russia (which they eventually broke) and split Poland into two. But it was always both sides intention to destroy the other. Russia never crossed sides, it merely accepted help from Allies, as in "the enemy of my enemy is my friend" sort of thing.

Why is it that you Americans are under the deluded impression your country is the best in the world? And then you put down the rest of us, calling us pathetic, or bring up past events and throw them back in our faces. Like the comment about Germany and genocide, I dont suppose you have looked at you own "wonderful" countries behaviour lately, or in fact ever. Do you know what damage you caused in the Phillipines for example? Tens of thousands died at American hands. Yours is the only country in the world to have used nuclear weapons, on a civilian target as well, killing hundreds of thousands. That was a war crime, plain and simple. Before you start bashing other countries, perhaps you might take the time to reflect on what it is that you own country has done??

Originally posted by elevatedone
I say BS. Waive that flag and waive it proudly, in victory and defeat. What an honor just to qualify and be in the Olympics, go, do your best, be proud and represent your country.

Wear the colors, the good ole, Red White and Blue at ALL times.

I'm with you...wave the flag anyway..what are they gonna do to you?take away your medal?Even if they do they can't take away the pride you felt at winning and struttin with ole glory

Originally posted by Jakomo
AntiPolitrix:

He had chemical weapons and we will find them. It doesn't take very much of a chemical weapon to kill millions if used right. Saddam had six months to hide these chemicals in a desert the size of California. That is a huge area, think about it. Set your hated for Bush aside and really think. Could you hide 1000 1-liter bottles of chemicals in a sand box the size of California? Of couse you could, ecspecially if we gave you SIX months to do it. Come on people, think, stop hating and think. You make me sick

Ahaha, thanks a lot, that's the funniest thing I read all week. LOL! 2-litre Pepsi bottles filled with nasty chemicals are an WMD? They lob them across the ocean into New York? LOL! Too much!

I hate George W. Bush because I am a reasonable, stable person. And I'm in the majority.

AND WHO THE EFF CARES THAT YOU CAN'T WAVE YOUR FLAG! Are you a 5 year old kid who needs to show everyone his pretty colors?

Do you need everyone to know what country you come from because that is the singlemost important defining factor of your personality? Jeez.

Is this IMPORTANT?! It's the freakin Olympics, it's about the WORLD not about your blind patriotism.

So get over it.

Its people like you who take their country for granted, tell that to every person in uniform who has been proud to raise the flag like a " 5 year old kid who needs to show everyone his pretty colors". You make me sick. I personally have not served time in the military. But when i see the flag, it tells me as an immigrant family, i am so lucky to be in the US, even with the meager living we earn. We should be able to fly our flag like everyone else. Take a look at my flag at iwo jima picture. If you do not show any emotion for that picture you really do take your country for granted.

[edit on 23-7-2004 by TACHYON]

i cannot say anything about this it boggles my mind, michael moore said it best when he said, "Dude, where's my country??" where the hell is my country? i cannot belive this.

I have no problem with flag waving from any country. However I will admit that it got bit annoying with the US track team when they won their event and decided tos tick around celebrating for nearly half and hour.

Originally posted by mpeake
please see my previous post regarding my views on the ignorrant peoples thoughts and feelings. I think this would apply

No, not at all. Youre the one being ignorant for ignoring the reason for this, the athletes safety.

Now if you think waving a flag that means nothing is more important than an athletes safety then youre more ignorant than I thought before.

What a big turdfest this has turned into. History lessons, WMD storage capabilities, patriotism questioned, countries being judged.... Over something that is basically a non-issue.

I watched Bruce Jenner run the track waving his tiny flag with everybody cheering. It was appropriate and inoffensive. If the athletes are participating and the fans are attending in the true spirit of the games, then there shouldn't be a problem with a little flag waving from any nation's players. It's a stupid thing to get worked up over when there are other issues that are so important. And anybody who throws things from the stands at ANY nations athletes should be removed and charged. They're going to wave the flag in celebration because they are playing for the USA. Not the Packers or the Redskins or Bruins or Yankees. The USA. Just as other athletes are playing for their countries. I think they should be allowed to do what it strikes them to do at the time, should they win.

After all this habablab it'd be pretty funny if we lost every event anyway.

Originally posted by TACHYON
We should be able to fly our flag like everyone else. Take a look at my flag at iwo jima picture. If you do not show any emotion for that picture you really do take your country for granted.

The sad fact is that 3 of the 6 Marines raising the flag over Mt. Suribachi were killed shortly after the photo was taken. And within a decade one man, Ira Hayes, a Pima Indian, was so distraught about his experiences that he ended up drinking himself to death.

And never mind Jakomoff. He'll never know the feeling. He's not sure whether he's French, British, or Canadian, so he'll pretend he's "enlightened" and that such ideas are meaningless social constructs.

Eastern Diamondback:

And never mind Jakomoff. He'll never know the feeling. He's not sure whether he's French, British, or Canadian, so he'll pretend he's "enlightened" and that such ideas are meaningless social constructs.

Your misguided feelings of superiority make me laugh. For your records, I'm Canadian, and my ancestry is Hungarian and Scottish/Irish. I speak English, French, Italian, Spanish, and Hungarian.

I'm patriotic. I'm very proud to be a Canadian. I'm proud to be of Hungarian descent.

Funny thing is, I don't NEED to wave my flag or show other people how patriotic I am. Because I really stopped caring what other people thought about me in high school.

Maybe when you all graduate you'll know what I mean.

Just knowing I am Canadian and I love my country is enough for me, I don't need to stuff it down other people's throats and throw a little temper tantrum every time anyone questions why I must wave my pretty little square cloth.

I always found that the louder, brasher, and more demonstrative someone is, the less confidence they actually have in themselves and what they're saying... Maybe that's what all this rabid nationalistic flagwaving really is all about.

Feelings of inadequacy.


(Oh and the only time I wear a Canadian flag is when I am travelling in Europe or Asia, so that people don't think I'm American. It makes a big difference. In the USA I just pretend I'm American. Y'all.)

Originally posted by paperclip

Originally posted by KrazyIvan



all this is is europe bending to the terrorist. all of europe is a bunch of pussies

Dude, read again. The decision was made by U.S. olympic officials, it has nothing to do with europeans. We don't mind the flag waving, we never did.

but everyone else does

Originally posted by paperclip

Originally posted by KrazyIvan



all this is is europe bending to the terrorist. all of europe is a bunch of pussies

Dude, read again. The decision was made by U.S. olympic officials, it has nothing to do with europeans. We don't mind the flag waving, we never did.

but everyone else does

You can be proud, but don't let it cross the line to arrogance (an overbearing pride evidenced by a superior manner toward percived inferiors).
The Olympics would be a great chance for the USA to use a form of diplomacy, instead of the brute force America so loves.
The USOC wants to cut down on over exuberant (Full of unrestrained enthusiasm or joy) displays of jingoism (chauvinistic [Prejudiced belief in the superiority of one's own gender, group, or kind] patriotism).

It's not the Pride that is bad, it's the Arrogance and Jingoism that needs to be cut back on. Pride and Humble CAN go hand in hand. I find much of Canada to be both.
There is a differance in doing one lap with your flag (Pride) and the display the relay team did (Arrogance).


P.S. Anyone I know, both American and Canadian sew a Canadian flag on their pack when they go to backpack across Europe.

Originally posted by Jakomo

Your misguided feelings of superiority make me laugh.

There actually quite well founded.

For your records, I'm Canadian, and my ancestry is Hungarian and Scottish/Irish. I speak English, French, Italian, Spanish, and Hungarian.

I'm patriotic. I'm very proud to be a Canadian. I'm proud to be of Hungarian descent.

You live in a province which has very little in common with the rest of the confederation, one which is always on the verge of becoming independent. Are you Quebecois, or Canadian? Seeing as though you aren't of French descent, I assume you are the latter.

Funny thing is, I don't NEED to wave my flag or show other people how patriotic I am. Because I really stopped caring what other people thought about me in high school.

Who said anything about need? It's about feeling free to express oneself, something you up north have a generic understanding about. Canada doesn't stand out for anything. That's the difference. There's nothing that distinguishes yourselves from the rest. You just exist. And many of you seem content with that. So be it. I still wish the best for you guys, though.

Maybe when you all graduate you'll know what I mean.

Graduate from what? I finished my masters degree 10 years ago. I actually live in the real world.

Just knowing I am Canadian and I love my country is enough for me, I don't need to stuff it down other people's throats and throw a little temper tantrum every time anyone questions why I must wave my pretty little square cloth.

And you seem to throw a fit everytime an American shows some happiness and pride in being who he is. You feel threatened by it. Don't worry, we aren't interested in annexing your country. You'll be a third world country in a few more decades with all your immigration. Has Montreal done away with their program of importing Haitians to make it more "French?"

I always found that the louder, brasher, and more demonstrative someone is, the less confidence they actually have in themselves and what they're saying... Maybe that's what all this rabid nationalistic flagwaving really is all about.

And I've found armchair pseudo-psychologist who has just finished reading a highschool text on Freudism like yourself really have no clue what it is they're talking about.

(Oh and the only time I wear a Canadian flag is when I am travelling in Europe or Asia, so that people don't think I'm American. It makes a big difference.

Maybe you should try pretending to be an American in these foreign lands, and you'll see your maple leaf doesn't earn you any extra points. Every country I've been to, be it Latin America, Europe, Egypt, Australia, New Zealand, Thailand and Japan, My family and I have been treated very well.

[edit on 7/24/2004 by Eastern_Diamondback]

NWO, the acronym that is responsible for the recommendation that America not wave its flag jingoistically. The Olympics is an event that is supposed to bring nations all across the globe together in a spirit of unity, something Americans have a hard time accepting on the global front, by most of the responses on this thread.

Sadly, the average American is not in control of the direction their Country is taking with regard to its foreign policies. America is too much of a powerhouse, which is why the Elite (Illuminati) are planning to break her down to join to the new world order. You can't have a unified new world order if America is too strong in patriotism, which is why you take steps to eliminate and diminish that patriotism. The giving of a recommendation that Americans not wave their flags in the Olympics is one small example on where the destiny of America is heading in the New World Order.

But while America is being used now as the vehicle to impose this current stage of the fascist agenda it is not meant to continue as the superpower. In fact, destroying that status and breaking the spirit of America is fundamental in the installation of the Illuminati global dictatorship.

The reason is this: a world government (dictatorship) and a superpower do not go together. The Illuminati dictatorship is meant to be the only superpower and for that to happen the United States must be brought into line.

The Olympics is a front for the New World Order agenda, is readily seen by this suggested suppression of the waving of America's flag.

If you don't like this suggestion by the Olympic Organizations, than you are in direct conflict with those who are bringing in the Novo Ordo Seclorum.

The above quote was taken from here.

IMMORTAL says

New World Order

NWO, the acronym that is responsible for the recommendation that America not wave its flag jingoistically.

New World Order? I thought that was a powerful coalition of professional wrestlers formed by Hulk Hogan, Scott Hall, and Kevin Nash, AKA Big Sexy. The thrust of your post and quote seems to be that the NWO is plotting to take over the world. Is that just a story line for the WWE (formerly WWF), or is this for real? Am I missing something here?

Hmmm, Kevin Nash for World Dictator. I could get behind that program.

Novo Ordo Seclorum

Excuse me for nitpicking, but it's actually Novus Ordo Seclorum. Doesn't Hulk Hogan speak grammatical Latin?