Revisiting the National Anthem “Booing” – Just for You Matt

4/25/10

Matt left comments about this post. Below is my response to those comments (which I do appreciate and I understand the point being made Matt)

I won’t change my story Matt, because there were people who did “boo” the Canadian National Anthem. One of them even e-mailed me to tell me that he “booed” in response to the Montreal fans who “booed” during the American National Anthem. It was a much more positive environment in the Verizon Center on Friday night than it was in Montreal previously. You are right about that and I agree. Good point. But, no less than three people who were at the game sent me e-mails and said that people around them were in fact booing during the Canadian National Anthem. Those people would not have made such a claim if it were not true. No Matt, it was not clearly audible like it was in Montreal – but it did happen.

Another reason I am keeping that post exactly as it stands is because there are some Montreal fans who visit the “musical” side of my blog and a few of them have e-mailed me to tell me that they only “booed” our National Anthem in order to throw the Capitals off their game. My blog post clearly states that NO ONE, ANYWHERE should “boo” during the performance of the any country’s National Anthem. This includes the Canadiens fans as well.

Also, when I checked my Facebook page on Saturday morning, there were folks who posted that they heard people around them “booing” the Canadian National Anthem and they were all at the game. I understand your point Matt and I get that the Washington Capitals fans were MUCH more positive than the Montreal fans – but in my world – if even one person “booed” – it is sad and makes me unhappy. When I mentioned that there are those of us out there who “would never “boo” the Canadian National Anthem”, I was referring to the MAJORITY of the Washington Capitals fans who DID NOT DO THAT.

Plus Matt, this is a personal blog where I am 100% free to express how I feel about EVEN ONE person who “booed” during the Canadian National Anthem. Obviously, I am also sending out my opinions directly to the Montreal fans who disrespected our “Star Spangled Banner” – quite loudly. Thanks for your comment and if I did not get confirmation from a fan who admitted he “booed” and a few folks with whom I work who sat near people who “booed”, I would absolutely change my story.

Love your hockey – respect the music – peace – mia (sciencegirl99@excite.com)

Showing Respect for BOTH the Canadian and American National Anthems

4/24/10

I am stepping-up this morning to represent the NHL fans who WOULD NEVER BOO WHILE THE CANADIAN NATIONAL ANTHEM IS BEING SUNG! This particular issue goes far, far beyond the game of hockey and I do take it very seriously. To all the prideful Canadians out there – I’m sorry if your glorious National Anthem was booed before the Washington Capitals v. Montreal Canadiens game at the Verizon Center in Washington D.C. last night. Even if many your country’s passionate hockey fans booed our American National Anthem when the Capitals were up in Montreal for game 3 and 4; that is absolutely no excuse for Capitals fans to “boo” during your national anthem.

Both of our National Anthems are beautiful pieces of MUSIC and we have chosen these songs to represent our pride and belief in our countries. I do hope that the Washington Capitals wipe the floor with your Montreal Canadiens in game 6 on Monday night, but that’s what hockey fans do – we taunt and we have passion. I may not be Canadian by nationality (I was adopted, so I may have Canadian blood for all know), but I live, eat, sleep, poop, and bleed hockey just like you do up North. I am just as staunch a supporter of my Washington Capitals as you are of your Montreal Canadiens. BUT – none of us have any right to disrespect ANY National Anthem.

I know the all-mighty Lord Stanley’s Cup is at stake. I know we want to throw each other’s team off their game in whatever way we can. I know BOTH of our teams fill the Bell Centre and Verizon Center with red pride. I also know that Washington D.C. is my nation’s capital city and it hurts me as a music-lover, a hockey-lover and as a hard-working American citizen that the Capitals fans in Washington D.C. booed your Canadian National Anthem last night. I am not proud of those people and I do not condone that type of behavior. On behalf of those hockey-loving American nationals who wouldn’t do that to your country’s representative song – we want your hockey team to lose the series but we don’t ever want to “boo” music of any kind, especially a song that means as much to you Canadian nationals as our “Star Spangled Banner” means to us!

ALL hockey fans, of every nation, should remember that every NHL team has players from many different countries who have all united in harmony to win a silver bowl. I can’t speak for any other American, but I can at least state that I only care about who wins the hockey games – not what I can do to disrespect another country. It’s all about the hockey during the playoffs, but the music is important ALL year-long – 24/7/365.

SING PROUDLY NATIONAL ANTHEM SINGERS – they aren’t saying “boo” – they are saying “you”, as in “YOU ROCK!” – peace – mia – (sciencegirl99@excite.com)