It was at every IM race I have ever done since 99 and at every event I put on it is played. Last year I had an oldster bitch at me that many of the folks in the water did not remove their swim caps....

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What if the Hokey Pokey is what it is all about?

Why would we demand such a thing? Isn't it the choice of the race director? I'm pretty sure there's no law that says it needs to be played before every sporting event in the country, and I'm even more sure that any such law would promptly be deemed unconstitutional.

-C

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Any run that doesn't include pooping in someone's front yard is a win.

Well we did decide that the "Pledge of Allegiance" infringes on the rights of school age kids with the help of fucktard parents and the human trash that is the ACLU...so yes, I am certain that making the SSB a rule at all events would be promptly taken up by the ACLU.

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What if the Hokey Pokey is what it is all about?

I believe you mistyped. You almost certainly meant that the pledge was correctly eliminated from the school day, because no one wants to force their religious nor political views on someone else, especially a child.

You're welcome,
-Colin

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Any run that doesn't include pooping in someone's front yard is a win.

The people who had it taken out should be slapped about the head for eternity. At best it is non-denominational. Yet another thing that the PC idiots need to mess with. When I am King I am going to have every ACLU lawyer boiled in oil after being beaten with bibles and other religious texts - all in hard cover. People need to get over it. I really love how schools now cant have Christmas parties, rather they need to have "winter" parties. If parents dont like it - send their kids to private atheist school.

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What if the Hokey Pokey is what it is all about?

R10C, I like how you are consistently idiotic, rude, and stupid.

I mean, I give you credit for consistency. On every political and ethical question you are the biggest possible asshole, on every scientific fact based question you are the most wrong. Its almost as if you are playing a role, a caricature of an idiot.

I mean, why not slap about the people who added "under god" in 1954? Those are the original people who MESSED with the pledge.

How can someone hate an organization whose aim is to uphold the bill of rights (Except for the 2nd amendment..lol)

You do realize that the ACLU has, MANY times, fought for the religious right of Christian Americans too right?

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Kat Hunter reports on the San Dimas Stage Race from inside the GC winning team
Aeroweenie.com -Compendium of Aero Data and Knowledge
Freelance sports & outdoors writer Kathryn Hunter

I once again believe you have mistyped.

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Any run that doesn't include pooping in someone's front yard is a win.

Better the SSB than the same preacher guy going on about jesus at EVERY SINGLE ENDURANCE EVENT IN HOUSTON

who IS that guy?

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Kat Hunter reports on the San Dimas Stage Race from inside the GC winning team
Aeroweenie.com -Compendium of Aero Data and Knowledge
Freelance sports & outdoors writer Kathryn Hunter

It's at every race I do.

lol...This is "TOO EASY"!!

Give em Hell, Chip

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"Good genes are not a requirement, just the obsession to beat ones brains out daily"...the Griz

Please do not let the facts get in the way. But alas, the ACLU more often than not protects the rights of the 'victims' who are not victims at all. The words 'under god' hurt no one anywhere. It covers ALL religions and faiths and does not exclude anyone (but for atheists and why do they care?). "God" is a generic term...how does one get around that? The ACLU has a HUGE history of making a mountain of a molehill and or what ever special interest they find that they can sue (and of course have the defendant pay for their costs). Now, the ACLU is backing our poor poor underwear bomber and wants to protect the "rights" of people who have no "A" in ACLU as they are not American citizens and that the ACLU wants to protect at GITMO!?!? At the end of the day the Constitution provides a freedom OF religion, not a freedom FROM religion. So, now students have no pride in nation...next they will want flags removed from class rooms to better coddle those students from other national backrounds....

And no, I am not at all Christian.

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What if the Hokey Pokey is what it is all about?

Spank!

I feel like I am now dumber after reading that

I have never understood why the SSB is played before every sporting event. I don't have a problem with the song, per se, but why before sporting events but not, say, church or PTA meetings? Are we somehow less patriotic before those gatherings than before a 5K or minor league baseball game?

Really, why not only play the song at gov't sponsored events and everywhere on Flag Day, Memorial Day, July 4th, and Veteran's Day? Would that not be enough?

Shit, if people are so damn patriotic, why do they pathologically exhibit behavior destructive to the fabric of this country? Maybe we're focusing our effort on too many token gestures and not the real issues.

lol, going to WalMart to buy shitty flags that were made in China.

I have zero problem with the SSB being played (as it often is), but seriously, every time they play it at a Tri, more than a third of the people there are so wrapped up in their own sh** to be respectful of the national anthem for 60 seconds...

I think the real answer is because RDs have better taste. Nearly every rendition I hear of the song is basically a mangling of it. In fact, unless it's played by a good marching band or sung by a *really* good singer who doesn't think it's a gospel song I tend to get a little angry. Gawd, I think I'm a cranky old fart at age 24.

When did pride in one nation become a stigma? I mean, I was devastated when the ignorant masses voted for our current CIC who has the mental prowess of a gnat. But, at what point did the Star Spangled Banner, the Pledge of Allegiance or showing pride in ones nation become a bad thing? If folks really want to put a stop to public displays and or mass displays of pride in our nation where does it end? Why not just stop paying taxes to the country that we can not be proud of? I would have to assume that anyone who wants the SSB or POA removed from the public aspects of life, they also are not Union members or proudly proclaim that they prefer to purchase US products over other items of foreign origin. I just dont get it - it does not hurt anyone, neither does a prayer before a race or other event. There is no victim, no one is prevented from doing anything. How can one possibly take offense to the word "God" or the National Anthem? What am I missing here? What rights are being infringed upon if a public even was to use the word "god" or show pride in the nation that allows us the freedom to have such events?

So, back to the ACLU...they protect non victims from non crimes and non issue WORDS that dont hurt anyone, nor force religion on anyone.

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What if the Hokey Pokey is what it is all about?

Was there one word that confused you more than the others? I think we need to call the ACLU and have that particular word removed from the English language. I am certain that somehow that word and its use is preventing you from your right to Live, Liberty and Happiness.

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What if the Hokey Pokey is what it is all about?

Gotta love TN, we still have the POA in our kids classrooms, we even have a preacher say a prayer over the radio before HS football games start durring that season (country station)..

I just dont get what the big deal is, it hurts no one, offends no one (that I have ever met in person not once ever) and even lets everyone know that they in some sort of way or faith hope everyone the best....damn those folks who profess their love for their common man, their god, their country and even do it in a public forum. What I really like is our #1 local high school is Boylan CATHOLIC...and most of my co-workers who send their children there are Jewish! Do they complain? No, they even pay to send their kids there.

I wonder if one day the ACLU will get some sort of class action suit against those who say "God bless you" if you sneeze...I mean, did they ask you if you even believe in god? Do they not say Buddah bless you? Zeus bless you? Oh wait..."god" as a word is non denominational isnt it? :-)

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What if the Hokey Pokey is what it is all about?

I'm not saying national pride is bad. But why do we need to sing about it before every little sporting match that's almost entirely inconsequential in the big picture?

If we really have pride as a nation we'd be more concerned with fixing the real problems and not constantly celebrating how amazing we are (although, granted, compared to many countries we're still pretty amazing.....)

I admit, I like it. I like that we at one point in the day can show respect to our veterans both current and past. I enjoy the chance to take pride in my country and be part of a community be it at a baseball game, tri or what ever. Even at the World Series where the fans do not like anything about each others teams - this is a moment to reflect about their ability to be there and for a brief moment they are all part of the same team - the team of citizens of the United States and taking in one of the many advantages of being here.

As far as the "real" problems - I suppose we could do a PSA before a game about homelessness....

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What if the Hokey Pokey is what it is all about?

The last few years I have ran the Battlefield Marathon which is held in Chattanooga and Chickamauga National Military Park. This was the site of several large battles in the War Between the States.

Before the start, the Star Spangled Banner is played on a bugle. It is honestly one of the most incredible memories I have from racing. Hearing that bugle, and then spending the next few hours running through the monuments to, and graves of, the brave men who gave everything for freedom is an amazing experience.

I personally think it has its place. It hurts no one, and for many of us it serves as a reminder that there are things bigger and more important than our silly race.

Also, our constitution is meant to protect life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. It is not meant to protect you from being offended.

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Disclaimer: This poster is a sales rep in the bicycle industry

Hard not to like the SSB when you live in Chi-town. From Wrigley, to Soldier's Field, and who can ever forget the old Chicago stadium. I still get goosebumps thinking of Wayne Messmer's renditions during Hawks and Bulls games. Don't apologize for having such views.