Here, in the Cayman Islands we have the National Anthem – “God Save the Queen” and the National Song – “Beloved Isle Cayman”,

At national events, including sporting events where one of the teams playing is representing our country, our National Song is played.

As a mark of respect we stand and even join in with the singing.

In many countries, if you don’t stand when the National Anthem/Song is played you can be locked up and/or put to death.

Showing disrespect to the Anthem/Song shows you are against your country. The one you live in. It has nothing to do with politics and/or who governs you.

In the US, the so called “Land of the Free”, disrespect to their National Anthem is even encouraged under the pretext to make a protest point that has nothing to do with why the Anthem was written. The protest point is only done when the disrespectful perpetrator of it has the media’s attention – television.

When CITN (before Cayman27) first came on air and the television station did not run for 24 hours of the day we played the Cayman National Song at close down and when we came back on air. It was a sign of respect and we were proud and grateful that we were trusted to provide this service.

There was nothing mandatory about us doing it.

There is nothing mandatory about our National Song being played at national and/or sporting events. We all do it because our country has allowed us to live here. The majority that live here were born here. People like me are grateful that our adoption of this country has been granted.

In the US at least one of the richest sporting organizations, the NFL, actually gets paid for playing the National Anthem! Now, ESPN have announced they are not going to broadcast the National Anthem.

ESPN president Jimmy Pitaro said, “We generally have not broadcasted the anthem and I don’t think that will change this year. Our plan going into this year is to not broadcast the anthem.”

What he didn’t say was ESPN only showed the National Anthem last year because of the disgraceful kneeling by the NFL players that was followed by some of the NBA ‘sportsmen’. (Yes, I know it was touted as a protest about racism!)

This one area I can agree with President Donald Trump on.

“If ‘America’ is too offensive for anyone in our country, then what are they doing in America?“ He said.
“I’m calling on you to join me in denouncing this SPINELESS surrender to the politically correct liberal mob.”

Yes, it is right to stand up for something you believe in. I believe in standing up when the National Anthem/Song is played no matter what.