Guest Flyboy Report post Posted March 2, 2003 What do you guys think of the Toni Smith situation? The Manhattanville basketball player that turns her back on the flag as the National Anthem plays. She has a right by the Constitution, but is she protesting in the right place/manner? Discuss. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest Still Fly Report post Posted March 2, 2003 Im all for Toni Smith, protesting the war. I dont think its disrespecting the flag, because we have the right to not salute the flag. I think she is a brave person for doing this and I respect for at least not being wishy washy. However, she may have not picked the best place for her protests. Her protest are becoming a huge distraction for her teammates. If she feels that her protest are becoming a distraction then she should at least stay in the locker room during the National Athem. But good for her, for standing up for what she believes in. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest Nevermortal Report post Posted March 2, 2003 She has the right to do it, but she should appreciate the fact that she has the right to do it. Try going to Iraq and turning your back on their flag. Also, I don't think she should be glorified and put all over the media. Why bring attention to this person's stupid cause? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest bob_barron Report post Posted March 2, 2003 I don't like it but she has a right to do it Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest kkktookmybabyaway Report post Posted March 2, 2003 I really could give a sh*t what this twat does. Reminds me of the youth that refuse to stand for the Pledge every morning at school. I loved that vet that came down to her and waved Old Glory right at her. Gotta love old vets... Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest Flyboy Report post Posted March 2, 2003 I really could give a sh*t Why do you always censor words like shit, fuck, and bitch?! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest Mad Dog Report post Posted March 2, 2003 She has her right to do it. But I'll turn on her the minute a hear her crying about the veteran waving a flag in her face. She should've picked a better forum for such protest though. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest treble charged Report post Posted March 2, 2003 All it is is piece of fabric. I don't know much about this story, but from what I can tell from this thread, all she's doing is not saluting the flag. Big fucking deal. It's not like she's using it as toilet paper or anything. This is not disrespectful towards her country, as she's not doing anything malicious. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest Youth N Asia Report post Posted March 2, 2003 I kinda feel the same way most people do. It's her right, but I could give two shits about her opinion. I wish the media hadn't picked this story up, now it's only going to boost her ego. I'll salute the flag, cause I'd much rather live her then anywhere else and I'm thankful that I was born in the U.S. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest DrTom Report post Posted March 2, 2003 Of course it's her right to do it. I don't think she appreciates that right very much, though; like a lot of people, she probably takes at least some of her rights for granted. I think the forum she's using to express her beliefs is poorly chosen, though, since it's only going to distract her teammates. Media coverage will increase, scorn from outsiders will increase, and the whole situation could get quite ugly before long. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest Youth N Asia Report post Posted March 2, 2003 Of course it's her right to do it. I don't think she appreciates that right very much, though No doubt...try and pull that stunt in a country without all the rights the United States has. Saddam would probably have her shot in the back or something. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest Kahran Ramsus Report post Posted March 3, 2003 She has the right to do it, but like anyone else she has to face the consequences of her choices. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest kkktookmybabyaway Report post Posted March 3, 2003 For some reason, I'd love if a group of spectators would turn their back on her when she gets introduced or when she gets subbed in or out of a game. Hey, it's their freedom of speech. Fly, I don't know why I add the "*" I just do. I guess if I had a reason it would be that I only use those words when I REALLY mean it. If I get really upset at someone/something then I'll type it uncensored... Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest bps "The Truth" 21 Report post Posted March 4, 2003 My official stance is that I don't care. She has the right to do so...and the people that show up to give her a hard time don't seem to understand that the freedom to turn your back on the flag is all a part of the package that people fought for. However...she could have picked a better way to get her point accross. Turning your back on a flag is symbolic of the country...not a war. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest Vern Gagne Report post Posted March 4, 2003 People know she has the right to turn her back. They think she's being disrespectful and are exercising their right to criticize her. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest bps "The Truth" 21 Report post Posted March 4, 2003 They are showing up with signs telling her to leave the country. That will speak for itself. Thanks. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest kkktookmybabyaway Report post Posted March 4, 2003 "They are showing up with signs telling her to leave the country." She has her freedom of speech -- so do the fans. I'd personally do something mroe creative than that though... Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest Agent of Oblivion Report post Posted March 4, 2003 She's got every right to turn her back, and the fans have every right to give her shit for it. She shouldn't expect a crowd full of sports fans to stand there quietly and say "Hmm, she's just exercising her right as a citizen. Good for her." Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest ant_7000 Report post Posted March 4, 2003 I don't care what she does, she has right to protest but it was wrong how she went about it. I would've stayed in the locker room until the national anthem was over. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest starvenger Report post Posted March 4, 2003 She's got every right to turn her back, and the fans have every right to give her shit for it. She shouldn't expect a crowd full of sports fans to stand there quietly and say "Hmm, she's just exercising her right as a citizen. Good for her." Is this any different from what Mahmoud Abdul-Rauf did during the national anthems before games (he was more or less was in prayer)? It sounds similar. I actually think that it's good that Smith got some press, since it allows her to at least tell people why she's turning her back on the flag. Of course, this being the US, the media has now beat this into the ground, and now this has gotten way more attention than it really should have. I bet that Toni Smith is the one person who can't wait for her 15 minutes to be up... Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest Youth N Asia Report post Posted March 4, 2003 What bugged me most about her was her little comment about how she thinks that too many people blindly salute the flag as it is, cause she's an expert on the topic and all. Where as I think too many people have little bugs up their asses and turn on the flag too often. I know this is just jackass thinking on my part...but I've always taken to the "love it or leave it" phrase...if she can find a better place to live, then God bless her, she can go there. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest bob_barron Report post Posted March 4, 2003 She's got every right to turn her back, and the fans have every right to give her shit for it. She shouldn't expect a crowd full of sports fans to stand there quietly and say "Hmm, she's just exercising her right as a citizen. Good for her." Is this any different from what Mahmoud Abdul-Rauf did during the national anthems before games (he was more or less was in prayer)? It sounds similar. I actually think that it's good that Smith got some press, since it allows her to at least tell people why she's turning her back on the flag. Of course, this being the US, the media has now beat this into the ground, and now this has gotten way more attention than it really should have. I bet that Toni Smith is the one person who can't wait for her 15 minutes to be up... He would sit during the National Anthem and then plea bargained down to standing but saying a prayer Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest Youth N Asia Report post Posted March 4, 2003 She's got every right to turn her back, and the fans have every right to give her shit for it. She shouldn't expect a crowd full of sports fans to stand there quietly and say "Hmm, she's just exercising her right as a citizen. Good for her." Is this any different from what Mahmoud Abdul-Rauf did during the national anthems before games (he was more or less was in prayer)? It sounds similar. I actually think that it's good that Smith got some press, since it allows her to at least tell people why she's turning her back on the flag. Of course, this being the US, the media has now beat this into the ground, and now this has gotten way more attention than it really should have. I bet that Toni Smith is the one person who can't wait for her 15 minutes to be up... He would sit during the National Anthem and then plea bargained down to standing but saying a prayer Yeah, the girl I have an easier time understanding then a guy cashing big American paychecks. He was a prick. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
