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[QUOTE="Albeck43, post: 897358, member: 653"]
Intrusive is a good word to describe that Air Force oath episode. That's why I used the idea of prayer. It seemed like a private activity was being turned inside out. In terms of patriotism, I thought it might be more interesting to have 20 or so individuals sworn in as new citizens of the United States--for the Dome crowd to witness the commitment of a new batch of Americans taking an emotional oath to their new country...

My uneasiness with the merging of militarism and sports and advertising is an objection toward turning the college basketball experience into a recruiting event. Of course Pitt is the enemy and the game was a battle and there are 'opportunities' for young men (and women) in the armed forces, but one of the functions of sport in any culture is to permit competition in ritualized contests that don't devolve into violence and annihilation.

I guess I prefer my basketball in an environment not so toxic with exploitation. As it is when I go to the Dome I am drenched in soft drink and beer ads and kiss and cheese cams and tweet my seat prompts. 75 points is an opportunity for food poisoning. The national anthem is a wonderful and moving experience at the Dome. It is a moment to reflect on our culture and history. It is a national and local, simultaneously corporate and private experience. I hate to see an oath to a branch of the armed forces so awkwardly and offensively attached to it. What's next, a big screen statistical report on the number of recruits the Air Force has signed up during half-time. The Force wants to thank the Orange, Syracuse University and CNY. Let's go Orange, USA, USA, USA...
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