FanPost

Against the Military Fly Over

Being that today is an off day and the Halos home opener is coming up tomorrow, I feel the time is right to bring up a subject that irks me to no end; a frequent spectacle at many major sporting events across America, such as playoff games and openers; the military "fly over."

Though I'm not quite sure where or when this practice was first initiated I have personally witnessed it many times. I must admit that just prior to Super Bowl XXX in Arizona I felt a rush of adrenaline when(I think they were F-16's) three fighter jets punctuated an array of fireworks and the National Anthem by racing over the heads of the awestruck crowd below. But despite what always seems to be a unanimously positive crowd response to these gaudy displays of America military hardware -- I remain not only unimpressed but disgusted.

When I overcame my purely visceral response to the sound and speed of the jets at SB XXX I was left with a sick, used feeling -- sort of like being subjected to advertising in unexpected places. Like going to McDonald's for a cup of coffee and being bombarded with colorful adds for Disney's latest animated epic or "The Pirates of the Caribbean."

Basically, I feel that sporting events shouldn't be used to promote the military industrial complex or America's imperialist agenda. I go to Angel Stadium to watch baseball, not propaganda. I'm paying to see the Angels, not a bombastic, live-action promo for American military might.

Wait, you might say. Are you not a patriotic American? To answer that question I will simply quote Samuel Johnson, who said "patriotism is the last refuge of the scoundrel."

I realize I will be outnumbered "behind the Orange Curtain" in Orage County, but I hope there is not another "fly over" tomorrow night prior to the Angels/Yankees game. If there is, you definitely will not see me whooping it up, or hooting, hollaring and cheering my approval as that Stealth Bomber flies over my head.          

This FanPost is authored by an independent fan. Tell us what you think and how you feel.

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