Pet Peeves

Originally Posted by: AkiraYou'd like that, wouldn't you?

Meh, it wouldn't matter since he's merely presented in text. He could be an intelligent computer.

Originally Posted by: ericthecableguyI don't really think you understand what it is to live in this country.

So just out of curiosity, what does it mean to live in this country?

Originally Posted by: ericthecableguyHehe you could be a woman.

Looks like the cat's out of the bag.....

Originally Posted by: earthman buckWell, this is the pet peeves thread, so I suppose telling you why would fit in nicely.

It all revolves around the national anthem for me. Every morning at school, they make us stand for the national anthem. I realize it's probably the same way in every school in every country, and it's really not a lot to ask, but it still pisses me off. "True North strong and free," eh? Yeah, it's a free country. Totally. Now STAND UP!!!

This is especially enraging at Remembrance Day services. Yes, a bunch of people died so I can live my life Nazi-free. I get it. And I appreciate it, really I do. I just find a large amount of hypocrisy in the statement "In honour of those who died to make this free country the free country it is today, stand up and be quiet for a set amount of time, or else."

And who said I want to honour this country anyway? I don't understand patriotism very much. A country's a country. I was born here. That's my only real tie with this chunk of land I live on. Why should I be expected to love this country?

I mean, it's not like I hate living here. Living here is all I've ever known, and there are definitely worse places to live, from what I hear. I just think all countries have their flaws, Canada among them. Why make it out to be so great?

Standing up takes no effort for me. It's not like I'm 500 pounds, which would be a better reason for my complaining. I'd just much rather not do it. I always ask authority figures why we must stand at silence during these services and during the national anthem. They usually respond with "It's the least you can do." Wrong. In any given instance, the least I can do is nothing. I'd rather honour the spirit of freedom by doing nothing. Doing what I'm forced to do makes me dislike my country.

Anyhow, that's why.

Since technically you're free not to stand up, I don't understand the objection. "Stand up or else?" Well, what's the "or else?"

Originally Posted by: Jolly McJollysonSince technically you're free not to stand up, I don't understand the objection. "Stand up or else?" Well, what's the "or else?"

"Or else we suspend you, or take away your other freedoms, like recess."

Originally Posted by: Jolly McJollysonSince technically you're free not to stand up, I don't understand the objection. "Stand up or else?" Well, what's the "or else?"

You're absolutely right, I am free to not stand. If I don't stand, however, I will be punished, most likely in a way that affects me for much longer than the period of time I did not stand for. And I cannot escape this school-sanctioned punishment, for I am forced to go. Free country indeed.

Originally Posted by: earthman buckYou're absolutely right, I am free to not stand. If I don't stand, however, I will be punished, most likely in a way that affects me for much longer than the period of time I did not stand for. And I cannot escape this school-sanctioned punishment, for I am forced to go. Free country indeed.

The school can legally punish you? Have you tried not standing to find out whether or not they will? Or are you just assuming?

Originally Posted by: Jolly McJollysonThe school can legally punish you? Have you tried not standing to find out whether or not they will? Or are you just assuming?

Don't know if it's legal, but they can, and do. I haven't done it, but others in my class have. I just stand and mumble under my breath about how much I hate this country. Apparently that's fine with them.

Originally Posted by: earthman buckDon't know if it's legal, but they can, and do. I haven't done it, but others in my class have. I just stand and mumble under my breath about how much I hate this country. Apparently that's fine with them.

Others in the class have refused to stand and been punished? Well, technically I guess the school does act as your parent/guardian while you're in their custody and can do what they see fit as long as it's not abuse. However, sounds like your friends are kind of being assholes refusing to respect honorable people who have died for something they believed in. Not that that's illegal, nor should it be punished.

Originally Posted by: Jolly McJollysonOthers in the class have refused to stand and been punished? Well, technically I guess the school does act as your parent/guardian while you're in their custody and can do what they see fit as long as it's not abuse. However, sounds like your friends are kind of being assholes refusing to respect honorable people who have died for something they believed in. Not that that's illegal, nor should it be punished.

I'm not talking about the Remembrance Day service stuff here. Everyone stands for those; there's usually veterans there, and no one wants to catch their flinty gaze! :)
This is just everyday national anthem crap. I'm so sick of that damn song! Every day I threaten to go on a killing frenzy unless they change the anthem soon, but to no avail.

I hate how when I ask people about why I have to stand for the anthem, they say "people died fighting for what they believe in, so you would be ALLOWED to stand for the anthem". And I'm like, I'm pretty sure it was more for something called "freedom". The opposite of "being forced to do things". I don't think they really gave a crap about that stupid, boring song, nor did they probably want people to be forced to stand up and listen to it every day. I could be wrong, but I just don't see that being the case. It's just a song. It's not even that good.
Now, that being said, I personally would stand for the anthem even if I was not forced to, out of respect. I'm not saying that people shouldn't do something to honour and respect these people who died for them, in fact I truly believe they should. I am saying that nobody should force you to be respectful, you should want to do it. And being told I have to do something has never been a big incentive for me to do it.

Originally Posted by: acapella rapemeI hate how when I ask people about why I have to stand for the anthem, they say "people died fighting for what they believe in, so you would be ALLOWED to stand for the anthem". And I'm like, I'm pretty sure it was more for something called "freedom". The opposite of "being forced to do things". I don't think they really gave a crap about that stupid, boring song, nor did they probably want people to be forced to stand up and listen to it every day. I could be wrong, but I just don't see that being the case. It's just a song. It's not even that good.
Now, that being said, I personally would stand for the anthem even if I was not forced to, out of respect. I'm not saying that people shouldn't do something to honour and respect these people who died for them, in fact I truly believe they should. I am saying that nobody should force you to be respectful, you should want to do it. And being told I have to do something has never been a big incentive for me to do it.

I don't think you really do have to. Is the school public or private?

Originally Posted by: Jolly McJollysonI don't think you really do have to. Is the school public or private?

It's public.

Originally Posted by: earthman buckIt's public.

Government-run facilities like that may have some kind of law making everyone stand for the national anthem, but I doubt it. After all, there are some people in America (Quakers, Amish, etc) who are religiously and morally opposed to nationalism. Making those people stand is a breech of government inability to control church, so right there not everyone has to stand. Legally you don't have to stand either, and if you took your school to court for infringing on basic human rights, you'd win.

Even if they make us stand up and say the pledge, no one even means it. People only mumble the words and cant even remember it after its done.

Even if its forced, when people say it half-heartedly, there is no point.

Originally Posted by: earthman buckSo just out of curiosity, what does it mean to live in this country?

ok. I admit I may have been out of line saying that. I do believe this is the best country in the world. I don't like the anthem either, but meh, what the hell. It's one minute. I like waking up without worrying whats going to happen to me today.

Originally Posted by: AkiraYou'd like that, wouldn't you?

yes333333

Im not sure why the pledge to the flag wares off on a daily basis.....Why should we have to say it every 24 hours in school? Does anybody even think about what theyre saying? Im about as patriotic as they come and even I dont see the reason for the pledge or the national anthem on a daily basis.

It's the big brother syndrome of churning out mindless automatons to ensure the survival of the human race.
Similar to what they do to people in cults... they're training you to do as you're told and getting you in the mindset that they are the ones in charge and you're all working for the greater good.

man... where did that come from...
What the heck did I just say?

Originally Posted by: ericthecableguyok. I admit I may have been out of line saying that. I do believe this is the best country in the world. I don't like the anthem either, but meh, what the hell. It's one minute. I like waking up without worrying whats going to happen to me today.

I agree with you. Pound for pound (or kilogram for kilogram :) ), I think Canada probably is the best country to live in. What I was saying (or meaning to say) was that I don't think you should bill yourself as a totally free country when in a lot of ways you aren't.