On Monday, The Washington Post published an opinion piece from a former Post sports columnist, in which he stated that “we’ve now weaponized the ‘Star-Spangled Banner,’” adding, “Wholly supporting its continued inclusion at domestic sporting events is our new shallow-end referendum on patriotism. … There is a silent majority out there, tired of the hate being spewed in the name of patriotism.”
Mike Wise began his essay by referencing the recent controversy after the NBA’s Dallas Mavericks owner Mark Cuban told his staff to stop playing the national anthem before home basketball games. Wise termed supporters of playing the anthem before sports events the “Nationalism Police,” quoting Texas Lieutenant Gov. Dan Patrick stating to Cuban, “Your decision to cancel our National Anthem at @dallasmavs games is a slap in the face to every American & an embarrassment to Texas. Sell the franchise & some Texas Patriots will buy it. We ARE the land of free & the home of the brave.”
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