No, I did NOT say that the anthem is played at sporting events "because it's been done that way." Again, just because it is a cultural tradition and unlikely to end soon, does not mean the reason is "because it's been done that way." I'm sure that plays a part for at least some people, but do you honestly think that no one has a reason for wanting the national anthem played at sports events other than "because it's been done that way"?
I wouldn't know what reason "no one" has, but it's what you gave as a basis immediately after denying that's what you were doing. And like before, you're about to do it again in the same post (below).
Popular pressure is just a reality of human society. And I'd like to point out that, despite your railing against it, the mob coercion you are so concerned about has not prevented players from kneeling during the anthem.
You have no way to know that, nor do I, but to the extent it's true, that's a good thing. Any time anyone stands up to mob coercion and says "no, I will not be coerced" --- we all win that game.
Conversely, when that coercion works and a player doesn't sit out what he would prefer to sit out, or a citizen doesn't sport a piece of clothing or a bumpersticker he/she would prefer to sport --- the mob wins. (Obviously I could say "the terrorists win" here and convey the same thing but you might get all fixated on the tree and miss the forest)
Personally I'm against the idea of the coercion mob winning. Maybe it's just me.
Check out the way coercion was handled in that link just above. The response was perfect.
I did not confirm "because we've always done it this way" as the reason the anthem is played at sports events. I merely put forth the opinion that that would be sufficient reason, were it the case. I'm not sure why you decided to break that paragraph off here, when it goes on to explain my point.
And there it is, reconfirmed yet again. You're saying here (again) that "because we've always done it this way" *IS* sufficient reason. Those are your own words.
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