Sep 12, 2012
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National Public Radio’s White House correspondent has generated controversy after he wrote a blog explaining why he did not stand for the Pledge of Allegiance or the National Anthem at a recent Mitt Romney campaign event.
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Reporter Ari Shapiro wrote about his feelings on the issue on NPR’s website in a story titled, “Reporter’s Pledge-of-Allegiance Quandry Sparks Twitter Debate on Romney Trail.”
“This is always an uncomfortable moment for me,” Shapiro wrote, referring to an announcement asking people to stand for the pledge and the Star Spangled Banner. “While I sat at my laptop, most of the reporters around me stood and put their hands over their hearts. This time instead of just sitting and working, I tweeted what I was feeling.”
Shapiro tweeted that he was torn about what to do.
“I’m a rally observer, not a participant,” he wrote. “Yet most reporters around me stand for the anthem & pledge. I’m one of the few that doesn’t. Setting myself up for accusations I guess.”
Shapiro said he anticipated a “flood of vitriol” – but instead received support.
“As a qualitative researcher, I aim for respectful non-participation & try to blend into the background,” one supporter wrote.
“The whole concept has always struck me as a bit fascist, having to stand when demanded to affirm our allegiance,” tweeted another.
Shapiro’s decision drew a rebuke from the Media Research Center.
“Shapiro in my view was making an odd point as a journalist – he shouldn’t say the pledge or stand for the national anthem at campaign events because it would somehow diminish his objectivity,” said the MRC’s Noel Sheppard in a statement online.
Sheppard said those particular moments are not political – noting that we are “just Americans instead of Democrats and Republicans.”
“That’s when we all stand together as one regardless of profession or ideology,” he added.
Online readers strongly objected to Shapiro’s position.
“I believe if you can not stand for the pledge of allegiance or put you hand over your heart for the national anthem then you indeed are unpatriotic,” one reader wrote.
“He should have stood to show respect,” another reader added. “He’s an American first regardless of his political affiliation.”
It’s unclear whether Shapiro stands for the pledge or national anthem when he’s not working as a journalist. NPR did not return calls seeking the answer to that question.
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Ari has indeed become the story. Standing shows that the individual respects what this country is. Mr. Shapiro clearly doesn't. His choice – and you have a choice on how to respond to NPR. Contact their supporters and boycott thier products….remember, they don't have to have advertising…
Ari has indeed become the story. Standing shows that the individual respects what this country is. Mr. Shapiro clearly doesn't. His choice – and you have a choice on how to respond to NPR. Contact their supporters and boycott thier products….remember, they don't have to have advertising…
Ari has indeed become the story. Standing shows that the individual respects what this country is. Mr. Shapiro clearly doesn't. His choice – and you have a choice on how to respond to NPR. Contact their supporters and boycott thier products….remember, they don't have to have advertising…
Ari has indeed become the story. Standing shows that the individual respects what this country is. Mr. Shapiro clearly doesn't. His choice – and you have a choice on how to respond to NPR. Contact their supporters and boycott thier products….remember, they don't have to have advertising…
Ari has indeed become the story. Standing shows that the individual respects what this country is. Mr. Shapiro clearly doesn't. His choice – and you have a choice on how to respond to NPR. Contact their supporters and boycott thier products….remember, they don't have to have advertising…
If this fool was trying to blend into the background he would have stood up like everyone else. That's ok many out there will be glad to take your job and stand up.
If this fool was trying to blend into the background he would have stood up like everyone else. That's ok many out there will be glad to take your job and stand up.
If this fool was trying to blend into the background he would have stood up like everyone else. That's ok many out there will be glad to take your job and stand up.
If this fool was trying to blend into the background he would have stood up like everyone else. That's ok many out there will be glad to take your job and stand up.
If this fool was trying to blend into the background he would have stood up like everyone else. That's ok many out there will be glad to take your job and stand up.
I want him fired today. Period.
I want him fired today. Period.
I want him fired today. Period.
I want him fired today. Period.
If he didn't want to "stand out" he should have "stood up".
If he didn't want to "stand out" he should have "stood up".
If he didn't want to "stand out" he should have "stood up".
If he didn't want to "stand out" he should have "stood up".
If he didn't want to "stand out" he should have "stood up".
Just do it and be grateful you live in America!
It makes perfect sense for him not to stand. He is an OBSERVER reporting the NEWS. Conservatives don't understand principles, or else they would get that.
“I’m a rally observer, not a participant,” he wrote. “Yet most reporters around me stand for the anthem & pledge. I’m one of the few that doesn’t. Setting myself up for accusations I guess.”.
Shapiro said he anticipated a “flood of vitriol” – but instead received support.
“As a qualitative researcher, I aim for respectful non-participation & try to blend into the background,” one supporter wrote.
No matter your political association, religious beliefs or so on standing for the anthem is a sign of respect. Respect for those who have fought on our behalf to keep us free. To those people who have stood and fought for equal rights for all against persecution. To those soldiers who go overseas and fight and endure things that none of us can imagine. If you can't respect the flag and what it stands for go somewhere else.
Where the fuck is my comment lauding the hero NPR reporter not caving to mindless obedience, you human suppository shitheads?
An excuse is an excuse. Only recently has this disrespectful action been deemed some form of "neutral" or "objective." It is what it is, disrespectful. Many countries would see you imprisoned. Chose to recite and sing, that is one thing. But to remain seated? Those who visit from other counties will rise, only your "enlightened elitism" prevents you being properly respectful. Saddest of all is those who commented in support of this disgrace. Remember the two people who died for you, willingly. Rethink and then think again.
Rot in hell bitch
at the white house and not even there. if you not America then get out find a new home.
What profound love that this member of National Public Retards has for his supposed country. It used to be that people, regardless of political affiliations, would never hesitate to partake in the pledge. Well, we can't force him to partake in the pledge being that he believes it to be fascist to stand up and recite it….what a Leftist America hating parasite, but hey, he's an NPR man, gotta expect that from this agenda driven bunch of socialists.
What profound love that this member of National Public Retards has for his supposed country. It used to be that people, regardless of political affiliations, would never hesitate to partake in the pledge. Well, we can't force him to partake in the pledge being that he believes it to be fascist to stand up and recite it….what a Leftist America hating parasite, but hey, he's an NPR man, gotta expect that from this agenda driven bunch of socialists.
Interesting comments from all sides. Bottom line, every comment we make, every lawful action any one of us takes should be recognized as part of our "inalienable right" as Americans. How many generations will it take to get back to compromise and unity as our basic tenets?
De-Fund NPR & forcibly relocate their entire organization to the middle east and europe. You want to live that way, fine…here are one way plane tickets! Get the hell out, you egomaniacal, self centered, sorry human being's! We stand to pay respect to those that fought to preserve the very freedoms we enjoy…even your freedom to be an idiot!
Wondering if you see the flaw in your logic here? Opening sentence, ship them out for beliefs (being an idiot). Closing sentence, you are free to be an idiot. Like it or not we can't have it both ways.
I don't like or agree with what he did, personally I think it's disrespectful, but that's what we're all about freedom to live our lives as we see fit provided we don't impinge on the rights of others.
Wondering if you see the flaw in your logic here? Opening sentence, ship them out for beliefs (being an idiot). Closing sentence, you are free to be an idiot. Like it or not we can't have it both ways.
I don't like or agree with what he did, personally I think it's disrespectful, but that's what we're all about freedom to live our lives as we see fit provided we don't impinge on the rights of others.
Mike I did notice it & obviously I should not have let my emotions get the best of me. But I am so tired of the media in this country driving the opinions (their opinions). Just report the news. I want to know how the media determines who an expert is on a particular topic? They run out onto the set these so-called contributors w/expert opinions. And more than 3/4's of them never put their name on a ballot. The media is destroying this country, although I am aware…"While I may not agree with what you say, I will defend to the death your right to say it."
You should hear my sister sing the National Anthem for the U.S.A.
National Anthem – Liz Peak – Big Nasty Hill Climb 2012.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7avMm83IYrE&feature=player_embedded
You should hear my sister sing the National Anthem for the U.S.A.
National Anthem – Liz Peak – Big Nasty Hill Climb 2012.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7avMm83IYrE&feature=player_embedded