U.S. senators slam Pentagon for 'paid patriotism' at sports events

The report says the Department of Defense paid NFL, NBA, MLB, MLS and NHL teams millions to bolster recruitment and promote the military by staging patriotic events at sporting events.

So? This has been going on for decades, no biggy.

Those commercials are cool. The military aircraft fly-byes above the venue are even better. DOD is not forcing young athletic viewers to enlist. What's next? Banning singers from performing the 'Star Bangled Banner" before each game?

If you see a major stadium sporting event in the US, you'll be shocked at the level of jingoism - not just at the continued singing of the national anthem, which I've always found strange (imagine the French singing "La Marsellaise" before a soccer match...), but the fireworks, the flyovers, the references to the US as "God's Country", the flag waving, the whole reflexive celebration of US exceptionalism. This is orchestrated in a very professional way by people who are very good at their craft (psychological manipulation), and the average Joe is unaware of the subtext and that he's being brainwashed - when I brought up after the game how much sports had changed since 9/11, people became ... upset. Refreshing to see that someone in the govt is aware of this taxpayer-funded psy-ops manoeuvre.

I was at a match between two European teams in Giants Stadium the year Coca Cola hosted the World Soccerball© Series. They flew a stealth bomber over the stadium to celebrate.

May as well have been in Pyongyang!

Perhaps its just better to attend live sporting events in your home country.

Refreshing to see that someone in the govt is aware of this taxpayer-funded psy-ops manoeuvre.

On the other hand, it's refreshing to see that some in the govt care. The last time I checked, US Armed Forces are volunteers. They're not mandated to enlist like in Beijing or Pyongyang. Now those are two are some psy-ops manoeuvres.

Didn't anyone realize that those two places celebrated 70 yrs anniversary with huge military parades?

Refreshing to see that someone in the govt is aware of this taxpayer-funded psy-ops manoeuvre.

Big difference between psyops and Public Affairs.

If the Pentagon wanted to really honor our troops, it wouldn't waste taxpayer money buying elaborate displays at sports events but would instead focus the funds on enabling troops overseas to do a better job and on helping returning troops with their health issues, both mental and physical. Enough with symbolism - let's focus on substance.

I don't think it's bad with things like memorials or whatever like they do in the Premier League, but overt recruiting and national anthems is a bit desperate and would be a very dismal and bleak sight at a sports event

Now every US sporting event can be a Nuremberg Rally, with the extra All-American twist that it's for hire.

If you see a major stadium sporting event in the US, you'll be shocked at the level of jingoism

So don't go to any major sporting events then. Stick to table tennis or Xbox, whatever it is you do.

This gives me the creeps. Singing idiotic songs and waving bits of cloth while watching planes built to kill people with their taxes. This is the kind of filthy rubbish which gets people to puff out their chests in pride when the powers that be start stupid wars of choice and see citizens coming home in body bags.

Grow out of it and use people's tax contributions for something constructive.

But they won't let you see the body bags anymore. Not good for business. You get to see a picturesque vet with a missing leg and a winning grin and a plucky "I'm still getting along just fine!" story, but rarely will you see one with a missing face or missing private parts. Also not good for business. They didn't like it when the real Pat Tillman and his doubts about the wars and the friendly fire incident that took his life slipped out from behind the phony one they rigged up to trick the kids into thinking war is cool. It's all for sale, all on sale. American War, Inc.

Every time I see this stuff, Elvis Costello starts singing in my mind: Everybody's singing with their hand on their heart/About deeds done in the darkest hours/That's just the sort of catchy little melody/To get you singing in the showers/Oh, I know that I'm ungrateful/I've got it lying on a plate/And I'm not buying my share of souvenirs/You can stand to attention/You can pray to your uncle/Only get that chicken out of here/Everyone gets armbands and 3-D glasses/Some are in the back room/And they're taking those night classes.

The U.S. Military has not won a war in 70 years but are still able to put on a good show. By the way I was in the Army for 4 years including a year in Vietnam.

Japan4life,

I'm sure many of us have had poker games that lasted longer than the 1st gulf war but it was still a win.

This is the kind of filthy rubbish which gets people to puff out their chests in pride when the powers that be start stupid wars of choice and see citizens coming home in body bags.

Very well, point taken. But will you still scorn the americans who show up with red/white/blue-painted faces and or attire who support their country men & women participating in Olympic games?

Or how about the last women's world cup? Were you upset that the Star Spangled Banner was played on behalf of the american team? And that many fans worldwide were "puffing out their chests w pride?"

If the Pentagon wanted to really honor our troops

It could spend a fraction of the cost of its resource wars to educate all of its population, and heal its sick. It could be a truly great - and actually respected - superpower then.

No-one deserves to be cannon fodder for Wall Street.

I'm sure many of us have had poker games that lasted longer than the 1st gulf war but it was still a win

It's no use Fizz. They'll just come back w more nonsense like, "Saddam remained in power, so it was a defeat for the US."

Who is "they"? The neocons like Rumsfeld who perfected nonsensical tall tales? Poor Wc626 may be the only non-LDP well wisher greeting Rumsfeld on his award tour to Tokyo.

@Wc626 I think people painting themselves up like patriotic clowns look like morons. Playing the national anthems for international games is understandable but I'd give the types with swelling chests and teary eyes a swerve.

I'm sure you must see how ridiculous and desperate it looks to play the national anthem for a game between two American teams playing in America and have the planes of war roaring overhead. Patriotism doesn't equal bombing the living daylights out of other countries.

Actually, I think I'd probably say sinister rather than desperate.

If you see a major stadium sporting event in the US, you'll be shocked at the level of jingoism - not just at the continued singing of the national anthem, which I've always found strange (imagine the French singing "La Marsellaise" before a soccer match...), but the fireworks, the flyovers, the references to the US as "God's Country", the flag waving, the whole reflexive celebration of US exceptionalism.

Sounds to me like your jealous.

This gives me the creeps. Singing idiotic songs and waving bits of cloth while watching planes built to kill people with their taxes.

Now all of a sudden, libs are concerned about taxes?? Any thing else, it's just acceptable right? So when it comes to Dems shoving what they feel Americans should have, that's perfectly fine, if not, then it's a "how dare they kind of thing." Here we go with the selective criticism BS talk.

This is the kind of filthy rubbish which gets people to puff out their chests in pride when the powers that be start stupid wars of choice and see citizens coming home in body bags.

So you're saying, patriotic Americans gleefully enjoy, hoping and waiting to bomb someone to smithereens?

Grow out of it and use people's tax contributions for something constructive.

That's what I really want to say to all Democrats. Now we are on the same wave length!!!

You know what else was real "cool"? A $500,000 gas station in the Afghan boonies that cost the US government dozens of times more than planned. That and this pro sports sponsorship are two peas in the same rotten pod.

Sounds to me like your jealous.

Why would anyone be jealous of that?

'Now all of a sudden, libs are concerned about taxes?? Any thing else, it's just acceptable right? So when it comes to Dems shoving what they feel Americans should have, that's perfectly fine, if not, then it's a "how dare they kind of thing."

I believe in higher taxation on the top earners and that money being used for the common good. My stance is at least consistent even if you disagree with my definition of the common good.

You are a fiscal conservative who believes in low taxation but is perfectly happy to throw more trillions at an already bloated military to build things they don't need. Sounds like socialism to me.

Don't even try the BS line.

Playing the national anthems for international games is understandable

Christ! I finally make a valid point & now you say it's "understandable" ?

@Wc626 I think people painting themselves up like patriotic clowns look like morons

. . .but, but why? If there are no military uniforms and military aircraft flying overhead then what's the problem?

Do you really (still) have an issue with fans whipping up a lil' patriotic fun while supporting their team?

@Wc626 Yes, playing the anthems is understandable in international sporting events and I emphasize 'international'. It's part of the pomp and protocol of international sporting events and shouldn't be taken too seriously. Something like a bow, a 'how do you do?' or a handshake with a half-known VIP is healthy way to look at it. People with swelling chests and teary eyes honestly make me uneasy.

People painting their faces up like patriotic clowns look like morons to me. Waving the foam number 1 finger and empty-headed 'USA! USA!' or 'Engerland! Two world wars and one world cup' chants give me the same feeling. Maybe it's just me.

Playing the national anthem, waving bits of cloth and watching a bomber fly overhead at a sporting event in the US between two US teams, not an international game, reeks of desperation and something sinister.

Well heck, sorry you feel that way. Guess people celebrate differently.

When I hear chats "usa usa usa-" I get chills. Painting the faces patriotically is harmless fun imo. Then, again (it could be portrayed belligerently) as the US really does rack up them' Medals every winter-summer games.

I don't see why we shouldn't continue to toss huge wads of cash at the Pentagon all willy-nilly. They'll be responsible with with it, and it's for the troops after all! What could go wrong? https://medium.com/war-is-boring/heres-how-the-military-wasted-your-money-in-2014-6837137e3dc2

I only watch Dodgers and Angels games. I thought both pay ple---nty to have top singers in Hollywood. Also, loud voiced movie stars.

I only watch Dodgers and Angels games

Me too. I used to be a Dodger fan. But now the thugish unpatriotic mexican fanbase has kept me away. Glad to see there is still lots of patriotism @Angels Games, Orange County, CA!

Sounds like you gave up on them thuggish Dodgers in 1980, when Mexican ace pitcher Fernando Valenzuela became the first pitcher in decades to win the Cy Young and Rookie of the Year in the same season. And now he's an American citizen. If that and Puig's recent escape from Cuba via Mexico are not pro-American stories in your mind, I don't know what is.

I believe in higher taxation on the top earners and that money being used for the common good.

If that were always true, I wouldn't object, but when it goes to fund organizations like Planned Parenthood to fund the destruction and sales of body parts or full term abortion, then NO. Ask Soros to privately fund it. Not with my money!

My stance is at least consistent even if you disagree with my definition of the common good.

As is mine when it comes to unnecessary waste.

You are a fiscal conservative who believes in low taxation but is perfectly happy to throw more trillions at an already bloated military to build things they don't need. Sounds like socialism to me.

Yeah, nice try, but I can sleep better at night knowing that we have a powerful military to keep countries like Iran and other rouge nations in check which all of our allies can benefit from and yes, to intimidate our enemies.

Don't even try the BS line.

My line exactly!

People painting their faces up like patriotic clowns look like morons to me.

That's ok, I am fine with that. I could care less what other people think of our patriotism.

Waving the foam number 1 finger and empty-headed 'USA! USA!' or 'Engerland! Two world wars and one world cup' chants give me the same feeling. Maybe it's just me.

Maybe...

Playing the national anthem, waving bits of cloth and watching a bomber fly overhead at a sporting event in the US between two US teams, not an international game, reeks of desperation and something sinister.

Actually, it sends shivers and goosebumps down my spine and a tear or two down my eyes.

Sounds like you gave up on them thuggish Dodgers in 1980, when Mexican ace pitcher Fernando Valenzuela became the first pitcher in decades to win the Cy Young and Rookie of the Year in the same season.

Negative. I went to see the Tommy Lasorda Dodgers dozens & dozens of time throughout the 80's.

I loved watching Fernando pitch. But back then, the LA crowd was a little more "all-American" no thugish mex-gangbangers. And no innocent opposing fans being beat to pulps.

The fanbase has changed in LA, big time.

'You are a fiscal conservative who believes in low taxation but is perfectly happy to throw more trillions at an already bloated military to build things they don't need. Sounds like socialism to me.'

'Yeah, nice try, but I can sleep better at night knowing that we have a powerful military to keep countries like Iran and other rouge nations in check which all of our allies can benefit from and yes, to intimidate our enemies.'

Obviously a nice try - you proved my point. Your views are not consistent.

Typical conservatives. They accuse the libs of 'selective criticism BS talk' while they are waist-deep in it. ROFL, LOL, LMAO...etc...etc....

“Americans across the country should be deeply disappointed that many of the ceremonies honoring troops at professional sporting events are not actually being conducted out of a sense of patriotism

LoL . . . this coming from McCain. I voted for this cat (S. Palin too) 8 yrs ago. He's obviously senile now.

Heck . . . McCain is so old, he remembers when the Dead Sea was sick.

So you're saying, patriotic Americans gleefully enjoy, hoping and waiting to bomb someone to smithereens?

Yeah Bass . . . the libs always accuse of being warmongers. Even if we support our local / National Teams abroad or even @home. It's pure nonsense.

Everyone is just jealous cause the US is home to some of the finest athletes the world has ever known.

Hmm... I wonder what Sen. McCain thinks about the Pentagon paying OTHER multi-million dollar corporations for the right to air recruitment commercials? That's right, I'm talking about the cable and broadcast TV networks. He's a tool for singling out sports venues, but ignoring where MOST of the recruiting money goes!

@anotherexpatNOV. 05, 2015 - 01:24PM JST If you see a major stadium sporting event in the US, you'll be shocked at the level of jingoism - not just at the continued singing of the national anthem, which I've always found strange (imagine the French singing "La Marsellaise" before a soccer match...), but the fireworks, the flyovers, the references to the US as "God's Country", the flag waving, the whole reflexive celebration of US exceptionalism. This is orchestrated in a very professional way by people who are very good at their craft (psychological manipulation), and the average Joe is unaware of the subtext and that he's being brainwashed - when I brought up after the game how much sports had changed since 9/11, people became ... upset. Refreshing to see that someone in the govt is aware of this taxpayer-funded psy-ops manoeuvre.

''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''

Which stadium? Dodgers stadium, 60,000 seats is not a major stadium, then. Take me to the ball game .... buy me peanutbutter pop corn '''''' will not bother you. Visit minor stadium such as Dodgers, Angels, Padresj If you don't like Anthem, you can always go to Mexico or China where they can give you chepest paid labor job if they have opening.

@Wc626 - "On the other hand, it's refreshing to see that some in the govt care. The last time I checked, US Armed Forces are volunteers. They're not mandated to enlist like in Beijing or Pyongyang. Now those are two are some psy-ops manoeuvres."

Why cherry pick only China and NK? These countries also have compulsory military service: Austria, Taiwan, Denmark, Finland, Singapore, South Korea, Norway, Brazil.

Obviously a nice try - you proved my point. Your views are not consistent.

Ahhh, now we're backed into a corner again, eh? I do believe there is a lot of wasteful spending in the military that needs to be cut, but that doesn't mean, I have to neuter it the way Obama is trying to do. The majority of our men and women in the military hate this guys guts and with good reason! He's trying so hard to make it small and insignificant like they have in Canada or Sweden. When that happens, that will be the greatest thing for all of our enemies. No Thanks.

Typical conservatives. They accuse the libs of 'selective criticism BS talk' while they are waist-deep in it. ROFL, LOL, LMAO...etc...etc....

No, you just want more wasteful spending on entitlements and that won't keep us safe from countries that want to see our demise.

Although I'd agree with the report, but McCain is just a hypocrite. He wouldn't be where he is without the decades-long jingoist events in American history.

A little perspective on this:

As an American, I often find my friends in Western Europe to be a bit cynical (if not downright paranoid) about displays of patriotism. The general feeling seems to be that there is little to no positive (or even benign) form of nationalism, and that singing an anthem or waving a flag outside at best a very limited set of circumstances (say the Olympics or World Cup) puts you just one slippery slope away from a blackshirt and a toothbrush mustache. I suppose this is the inevitable result of having two world wars ravage your continent in less than half a century. I think it's important to acknowledge that the American experience has been very different in this regard, and I think doing so might help a people understand where each other are coming from.

Personally, I don't think waving a flag or sing the national anthem before a football game is at all harmful to anyone; on the contrary, its meant to give the fans - who are likely come from a wide disparity of ethnic and socioeconomic backgrounds - as sense of unity. America is, remember, a nation of immigrants (recent talk of a wall on the southern border not withstanding), so building a sense of unity and belonging is pretty critical; those of you who are supporters of the pan-European project might draw an analogy here; the EU, after all, was conceived hedge against future world wars. by setting aside the old, destructive nationalism and forging in its place a new, European identity. In this sense, the appropriate comparison is not so much European nationalist movements to American patriotism as it is to ardent support of "State's Right's"; we Americans, you see, had our own bloody civil war to resolve the issue of whether the United States was a plural or a singular (despite the protestations of a few glaring hold-outs, this one is long settled).

Furthermore, while I can understand the reluctance to see nationalist sentiment put toward military purposes, the events described - like honoring a few veterans for their service - are hardly recruitment drives. Likewise, having the Blue Angels do a flyover of the stadium is exciting and fun; you are being far too cynical if you see it as something sinister.

anotherexpat: If you see a major stadium sporting event in the US, you'll be shocked at the level of jingoism - not just at the continued singing of the national anthem, which I've always found strange (imagine the French singing "La Marsellaise" before a soccer match...),

Here's a whole blog post about a few French footballers refusing to sing La Marsellaise along with everyone else in the stadium at matches.

http://africasacountry.com/2013/03/the-blood-of-the-impure/

(caption) France's Franck Ribery (L) and Karim Benzema listen to the French national anthem during their friendly soccer match against Uruguay at Oceane stadium in Le Havre August 15, 2012.

$I think sport stadium should pay military people, For Dodgers and Angels, they don't have to find stars' agents and negotiating how much to pay. Other games may not be profitable but it is wrong performers pay.

Patriotism is a fine -- a real fine -- thing.

Not this crap.

Why cherry pick only China and NK?

I didn't. SenseNotSoCommon was the one who posted:

May as well have been in Pyongyang!

No, you just want more wasteful spending on entitlements and that won't keep us safe from countries that want to see our demise.

Yup. Better to use that money on on the patriotic ceremonies at ball games, than spending it for 200,000 syrian refugees who will going stateside in next 2 yrs. it's complete nonsense.

Triumvere pretty much nailed it. It's a traditional thing that a lot of people don't even stand up for anymore. When I hear people talking about "brainwashing" it feels like they're making a mountain out of a molehill and probably just don't understand the dynamics.

@Triumvere Good post. I'd agree that the US hasn't experienced the appalling reality of what can be mobilised through patriotism in the same way Europe has. It's also a possibility that the religiosity of the US can also be credited to the fact that it hasn't experienced the murderous consequences of sectarian beliefs in the way Europe has. However, 9/11 and the Iraq War are two examples of how patriotism is a clear danger. Those who departed from the 'they hate us for our freedoms' explanation for the attack in New York often had vitriol spewed at them and some were thrown off the air for giving an opinion deemed as unpatriotic or distasteful. Similarly, the way close to the entire mainstream media was thrown into a patriotic frenzy when the bombs started to fall on Baghdad was atrocious sight to see in a democratic country.

A good dose of clear thinking was needed then but didn't get much of a look in.

@Triumvere,

A considered and intelligent post, thank you.

I guess it's natural to want to sing an anthem at non-international sporting events when one's upbringing has involved regularly swearing loyalty to a flag. Absence of such an artefact might make one feel quite bereft.

having the Blue Angels do a flyover of the stadium is exciting and fun

Do they fly stealth bombers, too? Because I did find that rather menacing.

Some of the biggest recipients of the Pentagon money included the NFL’s Atlanta Falcons who received a total of $879,000 since 2012 and NASCAR which received a whopping $1.5 million this year.

“Americans across the country should be deeply disappointed that many of the ceremonies honoring troops at professional sporting events are not actually being conducted out of a sense of patriotism, but for profit in the form of millions in taxpayer dollars going from the Department of Defense to wealthy pro sports franchises,” said Senator John McCain, one of the co-authors of the report.

As nice Senator McCain rightly questions whether NACAR should have $1.5 million this year in compensation for tooting an American horn, the larger issue isn't lost.

Multi-million and billion dollar operations are clustered around the tough of war. Will the good Senator document which corporations are currently scooping and how much? Since box scores are more accessible to sports fans, maybe the Senator will provide box scores on to whom and how much Americans gleefully lavish on being exceptionally spendy on war.

That would be far too simple and transparent. As far as mind control goes, what is more mind controlling than an agency of the Government that reads your letters to Aunt Kate about the birthday party, and keeps a copy?

Why is NASCAR getting a million five to be 'Patriotic' selling Military service? Because the eyeballs cost is less than a commercial campaign, it fits with the audience expectations and helps reinforce a mindset the audience already agrees with. Maybe NASCAR will donate the million five to the VA? Hope so.