Playing O'Canada

[buttercup]

If you live in Canada, what is wrong with singing O'Canada? Why would some people think that makes us bigots?

70 million Iranians would love to have the rights of Canadian citizenship or residency.

One of the rights Canadians have is the right not be forced by their government to do such things as sing the national song.

 

[Rockslinger]

One of the rights Canadians have is the right not be forced by their government to do such things as sing the national song.

One of the rights that Canadians have is the right to not have their right to sing O'Canada repressed.

 

[Barca]

One of the rights that Canadians have is the right to not have their right to sing O'Canada repressed.

MAKING people sing something doesn't fit the criteria of having one's right to sing it repressed. Putting into place a law that essentially "forces" people to be patriotic doesn't make a person patriotic, it makes them parrots.

 

[WoodPeckr]

Putting into place a law that essentially "forces" people to be patriotic doesn't make a person patriotic, it makes them parrots.

For some this is all they need to feel all warm and fuzzy.....

 

[Rockslinger]

Putting into place a law that essentially "forces" people to be patriotic doesn't make a person patriotic, it makes them parrots.

Don't new citizens have to pledge some sort of allegiance? If yes, should we do away with that?
Hey, maybe we can do away with the marriage vows as well ?

 

[Barca]

Don't new citizens have to pledge some sort of allegiance? If yes, should we do away with that?
Hey, maybe we can do away with the marriage vows as well ?

That's a ritual swearing in. It makes the citizenship ceremony official. They also only do it once. Giving the ceremony meaning.

The same with marriage. The ritual is a once-done event that adds impact and meaning to the action.

A citizen doesn't swear themselves in every day do they? A husband and wife don't repeat their vows every day do they?

But somehow anthems in schools and sporting events (another ridiculous North American routine) show our patriotism? I submit it simply shows we can follow instructions and it's a mindless exercise.

 

[Rockslinger]

But somehow anthems in schools and sporting events (another ridiculous North American routine) show our patriotism? I submit it simply shows we can follow instructions and it's a mindless exercise.

What do other countries do? Are we actually worse in this area than other countries? Are we actually forcing newcomers to do something that they never had to do in their old country? Should we warn potential immigrants about this terrible practice BEFORE they immigrate to Canada (could be a dealbreaker?)?

 

[Hangman]

What does this have to do with other countries? The original event that sparked your latest faux outrage occurred in New Brunswick.

You keep bringing up 'immigrants' as if they're all some homogenous group bent on destroying Canada. Your poorly veiled racism is starting to wear thin.

People come to Canada for a variety of reasons. Me, I was born here. I don't want to have to sing the state song every day; I don't think my kids should have to and new Canadians shouldn't be forced to either.

When exactly were people forbidden to sing O Canada? If its so important to you, I'll see you at noon on Dundas Square. You sing, and I'll watch with glowing heart. You still unemployed?

 

[nofrills]

What does this have to do with other countries? The original event that sparked your latest faux outrage occurred in New Brunswick.

You keep bringing up 'immigrants' as if they're all some homogenous group bent on destroying Canada. Your poorly veiled racism is starting to wear thin.

People come to Canada for a variety of reasons. Me, I was born here. I don't want to have to sing the state song every day; I don't think my kids should have to and new Canadians shouldn't be forced to either.

When exactly were people forbidden to sing O Canada? If its so important to you, I'll see you at noon on Dundas Square. You sing, and I'll watch with glowing heart. You still unemployed?

What a witty reply! That was funny!!

If singing O Canada would make everyone more patriotic then why only school children? Let every Canadian man, woman, and child rise up every morning at 8 AM and sing O Canada, in unison, coast to coast.

 

[johnhenrygalt]

What a witty reply! That was funny!!

If singing O Canada would make everyone more patriotic then why only school children? Let every Canadian man, woman, and child rise up every morning at 8 AM and sing O Canada, in unison, coast to coast.

Excellent. We'll first install video screens in every home. 8 AM (Ottawa time) will be the anthem. Then we'll follow up with the 2 minutes hate.

Seriously though, it's a silly song. The tune is not very rousing, certainly not compared to La Marseillaise or the Star Spangled Banner. It lacks the majesty of the German or Russian anthems (although the Germans had the unfair advantage that Hadyn was one of theirs). The words are rather lame and riddled with too much religiosity.

Singing a silly song (usually off key) and waving a red and white piece of cloth has little to nothing to do with being a good citizen. If you want to develop school children's appreciation of music, forget the anthem and start each day with some Puccini, Mozart or Bach.

 

[slowandeasy]

If you live in Canada, what is wrong with singing O'Canada? Why would some people think that makes us bigots?

I agree with Barca, there is no need to force people to listen to O' Canada if they don't want to.

I agree we should value the people that Barca describes.

However, Barca do you really think that the people you describe would object to the playing of Canada's national anthem if it was being played?

The only people that I can see objecting to the national anthem being played would be those who don't care about the country, environment or their fellow man.

 

[Rockslinger]

You keep bringing up 'immigrants' as if they're all some homogenous group bent on destroying Canada.

Let me remind you again that I am the son of immigrant parents (bless tham)who happens to love Canada. Yes, I am pissed off at immigrants who come to Canada and bitch about all things Canadian. If that pisses you off, tough.

 

[Barca]

I agree with Barca, there is no need to force people to listen to O' Canada if they don't want to.

I agree we should value the people that Barca describes.

However, Barca do you really think that the people you describe would object to the playing of Canada's national anthem if it was being played?

The only people that I can see objecting to the national anthem being played would be those who don't care about the country, environment or their fellow man.

Actually I don't object to the anthem. I find it to be a beautiful, inspiring song about Canada. I often get goosebumps when I hear it at real, important ceremonies. But I object to forced patriotism. Where people claim a forced activity encourages others to be patriotic when all people are doing is mimicking an activity they are expected to do.

For me patriotism is in real action. Standing up for your country when it counts. Not because a law tells you to stand up and chew gum for a few seconds every morning.

 

[Hangman]

Let me remind you again that I am the son of immigrant parents (bless tham)who happens to love Canada. Yes, I am pissed off at immigrants who come to Canada and bitch about all things Canadian. If that pisses you off, tough.

Just calling it like I see it. You should realize that not all immigrants are the same.

 

[johnhenrygalt]

The only people that I can see objecting to the national anthem being played would be those who don't care about the country, environment or their fellow man.

Patriotic citizens with musical taste would also object to the anthem.

 

[Rockslinger]

Now that we have beaten the song "O'Canada" to death, should we now have an intelligent and rational debate on the Canadian flag? Remember Canada Day is next week. I propose we replace the Maple Leaf on the flag with the BEAVER .

 

[slowandeasy]

But I object to forced patriotism. Where people claim a forced activity encourages others to be patriotic when all people are doing is mimicking an activity they are expected to do.

For me patriotism is in real action. Standing up for your country when it counts. Not because a law tells you to stand up and chew gum for a few seconds every morning.

I don't understand equating hearing the national anthem playing and forcing patriotism on people. It is not the same thing.

In our schools, and official functions, sporting events etc, we play the national anthem. If you don't care for the song or whatever, that is your perogative. However, I object to people forcing us not to hear our national anthem played, especially where tradition has been established.