Nothing Says Freedom Like Compulsory Flag Worship

Originally published on www.denverlibertarian.com

There’s no question that Independence Day always brings out all the flag waving, nationalistic tendencies of a compliant, zombie-like populace. Never do we appear more collectivist than on that peculiar day when we allegedly celebrate independence by all wearing shirts and shorts adorned with flags, set off fireworks in a drunken stupor, cheer on the marching bands playing patriotic tunes and stand to salute the parading military and police forces (never mind that those same forces will come and haul you off should you decide to not pay your taxes). Coming in a close second on the collectivist honor-thy-flag scale is the year round sports-military-industrial complex, delivering a patriotic orgy complete with full field flags, military flyovers, fireworks, camouflage uniforms and continual honor-the-troops segments before and during the games.

Indeed, within the Nation-State religion, sacrosanct to most is the National Anthem, but what is loved best is intertwining the anthem and sports and arguing about it, especially when another person or group doesn’t conform to the accepted norms of state worship. This issue has come to the forefront of a national discussion through the actions of numerous NFL players who are protesting by kneeling or raising a fist during the playing of the National Anthem before the start of a football game. With the start of the season right around the corner, the NFL has released a new policy that gives the option for players to stay in the locker room during the anthem, but would levy fines if player protests occurred on the field. This situation is fluid and the NFL has recently put a hold on the decision (it’s worth noting that it wasn’t long ago that NFL players weren’t even on the field for the national anthem). At any rate, earlier this month, in response to the new policy that was voted on by the owners, the NFLPA (players’ association) filed a grievance against the policy, claiming that it is inconsistent with the collective bargaining agreement and that it infringes on player rights. We certainly haven’t seen the end of this discussion.

From the outside looking in, the whole pre-game spectacle is a rather strange, collectivist ritual that has become so common that most don’t even think twice about it. Instead of delving into the when, why and how the national anthem has taken such precedence and importance to the opening ritual of games, matches and myriad other miscellany sporting events, let’s focus on two lesser talked about aspects: contractual agreements and private property. When you purchase a ticket and enter the stadium, you have agreed to the terms and conditions set forth by the owner/operator of the game. Don’t like the whole pre-game production? You can choose to not go to the game or you can choose to show up late and miss the whole production. At home, you can choose to mute the TV or turn it off it bothers you that much. Hell, vote with your wallet and stop going to games or stop watching the games on TV altogether. All that being said, as an outside party, you can’t choose what rules or customs a private company enforces when it enters into a contract with an individual, or group of individuals. There are agreements between the players and the league, between the fans and the league (via the purchase of a ticket) and owners and the league. Not to mention countless other agreements between security, event staff and vendors, with each entity independently negotiating any contractual grievances along the way, as needed.

I’m reminded of a Denver Broncos football game that I attended several years ago. This was right after the Broncos had traded Jay Cutler to the Chicago Bears back in 2008, who cares, right? Bear with me. Some fans certainly cared and they had taken the initiative to custom add the letter “N” onto their CUTLER jersey (very creative, no?). Not surprisingly, stadium staff were quickly dispatched and the fans were given an ultimatum: remove the shirt, turn it inside out, or leave. There were some grumblings about “free speech” from the offending parties, but ultimately, they complied. The First Amendment, should you choose to argue on those grounds, only applies to the government not infringing on your right to free speech. It works the same with excessive profanity or drunkenness - if it’s something that is a detriment to the success of the business, the company will take matters into their own hands and address the offense accordingly. It’s no different for the players with regards to their conduct on the field and it’s no different from when your employer enforces a dress code. You don’t have to like it or agree with it, but you are bound by the contract. Now let me be clear, I take no issue with the protesting players. As far as I’m concerned, the National Anthem has no place at the beginning of sports games in any way, shape, or form and everyone is free to make a judgement call as to whether or not certain actions are worth the repercussions of breaking a contractual agreement.

This article is sports heavy, but maybe we can preach a little liberty through sports. At a private event at Coors Field last year, there was a sign taped to the dugout wall, it read:

“NO SMOKING: No one in uniform shall smoke while on the bench or in the bullpen, or otherwise in view of spectators or cameras. This also applies to trainer, property man, bay boy and all authorized to be on the bench or bullpen. By Direction of Major League Baseball.”

It’s easy to understand why, right? Health of the players? Nah, of course not. It would be bad for business. Negative press would abound. You’re setting a bad example for the kids! Parents would take to social media in outrage! (All that beer drinking is ok, but tobacco, now that’s just too much!) So what should we focus on when discussing this issue? When talking to others about the situation, political agendas don’t even need to be factored into the discussion. Instead, the focus can be on property rights and emphasizing why responding to what the consumer wants will be tantamount for any business. Ultimately, the only thing worse than politicization would be compulsory participation, which would be the antithesis of freedom.

Nation-states thrive on tacit collectivist participation and out-group ostracization. The standing and singing the anthem before every single sporting event from professional down to the high school level is just propaganda; conformism through regimentation. It’s not officially codified or required by the state, but the state just relies on the good people to enforce the unwritten law. Of course, that’s not to say that there haven’t been official government policies that sought to quell anti-patriotic activities. Indeed, one need not look back too far in U.S. history to come across sordid tales of jailing dissidents who bucked the status quo. Think of Lincoln during the Civil War, Wilson during WWI and FDR during WWII: all three of these great men share the glorious commonality of jailing dissenters under the guise of anti-patriotic activity.

So, why does everyone stand? It certainly seems as if it’s compulsory. Most would say patriotism, for freedom, for the troops, for the nation and its great virtues - beacon on the hill and all that. I say you stand out of fear of ostracization from your fellow man. Evolving slowly over time, the State has convinced the general populace, on both left and the right, to see the State, as Lew Rockwell put it, as “the central organizing principle of society, [and to see] public institutions as the most essential means by which all these institutions are protected and advanced, and [to adore] the head of state as a godlike figure who knows better than anyone else what the country and world needs, and has a special connection to the Creator that permits him to discern the best means to bring it about.(1)” Standing and saluting reinforces this and when you oppose it, you are truly going against the great Leviathan myth; a myth that runs deep, a myth that many have internalized and personalized. When you disrespect the state, you are disrespecting them. Many a despotic dictator would look upon this situation this with awe, how this once infant state has grown and has been able to convince the people to do it’s dirty work of “patriotic” compliance without hauling thousands of people off to jail; it’s quite an accomplishment.

In the end, of course, if MLB or the NFL or any other league wants to have military appreciation days, game stoppages for songs, jets flying above or any other flag waving goodness - have at it! That being said, what is troubling, to say the least, is the revelation that unbeknownst to most, tax dollars are being used by the national security apparatus to promote the state, in all it’s bloody regime change glory, right before our eyes. When you glare at and booo your fellow man for standing up (or kneeling, as it were) in defiance of the state you’re only giving cover for the atrocities of the collectivist warring beast; let’s leave the state worship to the communists.

(1) Rockwell Jr., Llewellyn H.. The Left, the Right, and the State (p. 217). Ludwig von Mises Institute. Kindle Edition.