Celebrate patriotism, but not hatred

    The thing about this wonderful tool for human sharing called the internet that bothers me the most is the ease with which hatred can be camoflaged with humor, or patriotism, even spirituality.
     Americans are allowed to have different views of the same moments, events and people. I get that. I celebrate it, always have defended it.
     Someone sent me a great video of the tradition of military fly-overs at sporting events. Flags waving, football players prancing with pre-game adrenaline, crowds cheering, Americans of all cultures together to enjoy the games, inspired by the roar of military jets roaring overhead in a dance of precision, time, space, and emotion. Burly players and coaches swallow lumps in their throats and We Are One. Differences seem insignificant. I was grateful for the email.
     For just a moment.
    Only a moment, though, because at the end of the video is the oft-forwarded photo of President Obama standing with his hands in front of him while two others on the reviewing stand, one Hillary Clinton, have their hands on the hearts.
     It is to imply that the President of the United States is unpatriotic. The point of the addendum, the whole point of the inspirational email, apparently, is this one, stark image, condemning an act that may not even be an accurate portrayal of the moment.
     Context is everything. The first time I saw it, and I have seen it a dozen times as it has been broadcast by people whose virulent dislike for him have enjoyed forwarding anything negative, I suspected it was taken out of context. In any case, I find it hard to believe that anyone standing in front of a crowd would deliberately show disrespect for the flag and the country. No, this is hate propaganda, similar to that which was used to vilify Jews in the pre-World War Two era. Or black Americans in this country -- then and now.
     If he is a sneaky apologist for Muslim terrorism, as is so often alleged by his distractors, it shows an ineptitude in hiding his sneakiness. So maybe he isn't an unpatriotic sneaky anti-American who was not born in this country after all. Maybe he is one of millions of Americans who were raised to hold your hat or your hand over your heart when reciting the Pledge of Allegiance; or, if in military uniform and wearing a head cover, to hand-salute.
     I was taught that way as a child in school, and as a member of the Navy. I was also taught as a child that you sang or listened to the playing or singing of the National Anthem on your feet; if in any kind of uniform, you stood at attention, but you did not salute. You did not cover your heart with your hand.
     Okay, today, many people do. You scan the crowd at the stadium during the playing of the National Anthem, or even God Bless America during the 7th inning break, and many are saluting. Fine; no criticism of that, if they want to do it. But it is not required, and neither should it be judged as disrespect.
     Unless you are determined to find fault, as I suspect is the case.
     This I know for sure: Many of those who are most critical of others -- including and perhaps particularly President Obama -- will sit on their butts during a Memorial Day parade as unit after unit passes by bearing the colors, the Stars and Stripes.
      You're supposed to stand up and shut up at that moment.