Dion skips national anthem b/c he's Muslim?

[Jamesvillecuse]

I think he missed the anthem on purpose and now that he sees how pissed off people are he now says that is not what happened. Crusty is right it is a tribute to our country and I might add to those that have sacrificed their lives for our freedom. I just hope Dion gets his act together the last thing basketball program needs is more bad publicity.

 

[slidingdown]

I don't say the pledge of allegiance because of my religion (or lack thereof). Does this make me unAmerican? Why or why not?

 

[pfister1]

None of that justifies the accusation that he's unpatriotic because he's Muslim.

Except for his own quote.

It seemed at the time like a rebellion because Waiters had been replaced in the Cavs’ starting lineup for the first time all season. But Waiters told Cleveland.com that wasn’t the case at all.


Waiters is a Muslim and has re-dedicated himself to his faith, and that’s the reason he wasn’t present for the national anthem.


“It’s because of my religion,” Waiters told Northeast Ohio Media Group. “That’s why I stayed in the locker room.”


Of course, maybe you are making the argument that his claim that his actions have anything to do with religion are misguided.

 

[Toga]

Are we sure this wasn't just his excuse for being pi$$ed at being pulled from the starting lineup?

Who knows - I read he was back for the anthem last night.

 

[Fireball Jr.]

As has been posted on this thread, Dion denies he was dissing the anthem, DENIES. I don't know what he told the Cleveland reporter who had the original story, maybe he said what was reported, maybe he didn't, but, I repeat for everyone who wants to ship Dion to Siberia, he strongly denies he was avoiding the anthem because of his religion. He was out there for it last night.

How many urban legends are out there on the world wide web that people keep repeating to suit their political agendas. Let's move on, kid had a good game last night, LeBron says, "Relax." http://bleacherreport.com/articles/...ring-national-anthem-to-religious-affiliation

 

[Noexcuse]

I kinda wish it were a player from G'Town or Uconn or some other place.

 

[PeteCalvin]

There was a kid when I was younger (that I think went to lsu and maybe played for nugz) and I remember it being a detriment to his nba career.

Mahmoud Abdul Rauf, AKA Chris Jackson. And that stunt didn't help his image or his career.

If you're a Muslim, great. Good for you. If you are American, and you live in this country that gives you the freedom to practice your religion as you see fit, it's a gift. If you have a political problem with something...great, it's your right to protest that in this country. But don't be surprised when other people hate on you when you decide to do something stupid like refuse to stand or take part in the National Anthem. There are consequences. Best not to generalize and alienate the entire nation because you have a problem with one or two government policies, which is usually why people do dumb like this.

I dont know if it's true. But...Dion, you may be Muslim, but you have a job. And part of that job is to stand with your team for the National Anthem of your country. You don't see hockey players in Canada pull this crap. Pray BEFORE the game. I'm sure God isn't going to care if you do it 15 minutes early. This isn't about religion. It's usually about politics when people do things like this.

 

[scottynguyen]

 

[Jamesvillecuse]

Mahmoud Abdul Rauf, AKA Chris Jackson. And that stunt didn't help his image or his career.

If you're a Muslim, great. Good for you. If you are American, and you live in this country that gives you the freedom to practice your religion as you see fit, it's a gift. If you have a political problem with something...great, it's your right to protest that in this country. But don't be surprised when other people hate on you when you decide to do something stupid like refuse to stand or take part in the National Anthem. There are consequences. Best not to generalize and alienate the entire nation because you have a problem with one or two government policies, which is usually why people do dumb like this.

I dont know if it's true. But...Dion, you may be Muslim, but you have a job. And part of that job is to stand with your team for the National Anthem of your country. You don't see hockey players in Canada pull this crap. Pray BEFORE the game. I'm sure God isn't going to care if you do it 15 minutes early. This isn't about religion. It's usually about politics when people do things like this.

very well said!

 

[skurey]

Mahmoud Abdul Rauf, AKA Chris Jackson. And that stunt didn't help his image or his career.

If you're a Muslim, great. Good for you. If you are American, and you live in this country that gives you the freedom to practice your religion as you see fit, it's a gift. If you have a political problem with something...great, it's your right to protest that in this country. But don't be surprised when other people hate on you when you decide to do something stupid like refuse to stand or take part in the National Anthem. There are consequences. Best not to generalize and alienate the entire nation because you have a problem with one or two government policies, which is usually why people do dumb like this.

I dont know if it's true. But...Dion, you may be Muslim, but you have a job. And part of that job is to stand with your team for the National Anthem of your country. You don't see hockey players in Canada pull this crap. Pray BEFORE the game. I'm sure God isn't going to care if you do it 15 minutes early. This isn't about religion. It's usually about politics when people do things like this.

oh dear

 

[Delmar]

I suppose we should then ban Jehovah's Witnesses from playing in the NBA. Some religious traditions within Christianity and beyond do not allow for any expression of allegiance to anything but God. This is protected by the 1st amendment.

Liberty allows for dissent. When we sing, "Land of the free?" do we mean it?

 

[Fireball Jr.]

Ladies and gentlemen, please rise and remove your hats and hairpieces for the singing of our National Anthem.

 

[Orangezoo]

And this is the society we live in... a bunch of school girls waiting for the next rumor to jump on and over analyze. Its disturbing how much reporting on drama and personal matters occurs in sports. More than the actual games and court performance itself.

 

[tbonezone]

 

[Fireball Jr.]

And this is the society we live in... a bunch of school girls waiting for the next rumor to jump on and over analyze. Its disturbing how much reporting on drama and personal matters occurs in sports. More than the actual games and court performance itself.

I shudder to think what Muhammad Ali would have to endure in today's world, as if he didn't suffer enough politically driven injustice in prehistoric times, technologically speaking.

 

[Fireball Jr.]

From ESPN:
(Gaye's) slow version accompanied by a melodic background beat wasn't fully appreciated at the time. According to Lon Rosen, then the Lakers promotional director who had chosen Gaye to sing the national anthem, CBS and league officials were furious. Some in the crowd even booed. Gaye's version of the national anthem didn't become iconic until after his tragic death less than a year later.

 

[tbonezone]

hey isn't that jamaal wilkes at 1m 02s of the video ? great silky smooth player and a class act. also muslim. he standing.

"When Wooden once was asked to describe his ideal player, he said, "I would have the player be a good student, polite, courteous, a good team player, a good defensive player and rebounder, a good inside player and outside shooter. Why not just take Jamaal Wilkes and let it go at that."

now there's a role model for young players to emulate.

 

[Melancer46]

So is he saying that the writers made up what he said?

 

[FireballPhil]

Good for him. Completely ridiculous that it's played before every game.

I rarely say this and mean it but this time I do. You are an idiot.

 

[PeteCalvin]

oh dear

No. Oh dear!

 

[realorange]

JB's personal favorite

 

[AlaskaSU]

I rarely say this and mean it but this time I do. You are an idiot.

No Nation has had as much upward mobility as this one. Our Constitution is the pinnacle of Western Civilization with its dedication to the concept of individual freedom and protecting the natural rights of its citizens from both foreign enemies and domestic government overreach. Liberals, like the contemporary Democratic Party, advocate for a welfare state with government empowered to redistribute wealth. They prefer a Constitution that would guarantee housing, medical care and employment, etc., without realizing that such guarantees are part and parcel of the litany of failed nations including: the Soviet Union, Nazi Germany and Roosevelt's deleterious socialist experiment as laid out in his proposed consitution of the United States. As President Obama says, our Constitution is inadequate because it only guarantees opportunity. To these well meaning ignorants, America is not unique, and it is in need of change (we can believe in). It is to be expected that this misguided segment of the population is opposed to the National Anthem at public events.

 

[skurey]

Ok I'm trying really hard but one more post like that and I'm going to have to respond.

 

[reedny]

Except for his own quote.

It seemed at the time like a rebellion because Waiters had been replaced in the Cavs’ starting lineup for the first time all season. But Waiters told Cleveland.com that wasn’t the case at all.


Waiters is a Muslim and has re-dedicated himself to his faith, and that’s the reason he wasn’t present for the national anthem.


“It’s because of my religion,” Waiters told Northeast Ohio Media Group. “That’s why I stayed in the locker room.”


Of course, maybe you are making the argument that his claim that his actions have anything to do with religion are misguided.

PF, he said he was in the "locker room" because of his faith. He didn't say he was protesting the flag. That makes sense b/c he was at the NA 2 days later. You're trying to crucify the kid, like the media. If he was unpatriotic -- trying to protest the NA -- then why did he attend it at the Nugs game last night?

 

[djcon57]

Doesn't basically every country in the world do this?

No they don't.
Never seen in EPL ever