Petty Richard

I just read a news story about how NASCAR drivers were being threatened with losing their jobs if they engaged in any kind of National Anthem Protest. The story included this comment from Richard Petty 1 : 

“Anybody that don’t stand up for the anthem oughta be out of the country. Period. What got ’em where they’re at? The United States."

Hmmm.

On the one hand, I do think that we should show respect for the national anthem, and I never neglect to stand and remove my headgear when the tune begins to play. Sometimes I even put my right hand on my heart.

On the other hand, I do not think that failing to stand up is a treasonable offense which should be punished by deportation, ridicule, or scorn. I mean, that's kind of fascist, isn't it?

And on the other other hand, the anthem is not the best song, you know? It's a paean to a battle with a little tip of the hat to the concept of freedom tacked on at the very end. The part you don't get to hear because all of the patriotic fans are screaming "Play ball!" Maybe if we upgraded to Woody Guthrie's "This Land is Your Land"?

And as for that "freedom" thing . . . . I'm pretty sure that said concept of freedom includes the right to free expression. Just sayin', sir.

And as for Mr. Petty . . . . You'd think that he could have used some of his money to get him an edumacation, but hey, different strokes for different folks. Bad grammar notwithstanding, however, his statement just fails the bullshit test. First off, there are quite a few citizens of the U.S. of A. whose "where they're at" isn't within hailing distance of $65 million. In fact,  more than 45 million "Americans" live at poverty level . . . which is defined as $15,060 per year for one person, another $5,000 a year for each additional person in the household. So "where they're at" isn't really such a great place, and the only thing that they owe the U.S. of A. on that count is a "Please, sir, I want some more."

I'm also thinking about this "out of the country" idea. I'm just wondering how that would happen. Would cops come to your door and drag you to their car, drive you to a national border and give you a push? That would cost a few dollars. And I'm pretty sure that neither Canada nor Mexico would stand for that, so I suppose that either means a hearty swim or some transoceanic form of transportation. The latter would be very costly, wouldn't it? Just what are we proposing here, Mr. Petty? And how much of your considerable wealth are you willing to donate to help accomplish this task? Or perhaps you think we should just shoot these disrespectful motherfuckers and burn their corpses? (Of course bullets and fuel cost money, too.) Oh, so it's just a bunch of ill considered hot air? Okay. Never mind.

GasHole.

1  Net worth $65 million.