Did you know this law existed?

[dmr]

I never really thought about it. I always figured this was something we learned in grade school & we continued out of respect, if not peer pressure at the ballgames. But I never, ever thought it was a law.

As an American I'm not so sure I appreciate a law dictating behavior on the books. I wonder what the history is behind the law's passage. Why it had to be legislated. Is it a McCarthyism or cold war law?

Regarding The Star Spangled Banner:

http://www.thepostgame.com/blog/style-points/201201/star-mangled-banner-those-who-take-liberties-our-national-anthem-may-be-fin
- snip -
There is even a federal law (36 U.S.C. § 301) mandating that anyone in the presence of an anthem performance must "face the flag and stand at attention with their right hand over the heart, and men not in uniform, if applicable, should remove their headdress with their right hand and hold it at the left shoulder, the hand being over the heart.
-snip-

"Play ball!"

[Motown_Johnny]

1. Magna Carta

[rgbecker]

2. Batter Up!

However, this statutory suggestion does not have any penalty associated with violations. 36 U.S.C. § 301 This behavioral requirement for the national anthem is subject to the same First Amendment controversies that surround the Pledge of Allegiance.[19] For example, Jehovah's Witnesses do not stand for or sing the national anthem.[20][21][22]


http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Star-Spangled_Banner

[X_Digger]

7. +1

http://uscode.house.gov/download/pls/36C3.txt

[div class='code'](b) Conduct During Playing. - During a rendition of the national
anthem -
(1) when the flag is displayed -
(A) individuals in uniform should give the military salute at
the first note of the anthem and maintain that position until
the last note;
(B) members of the Armed Forces and veterans who are present
but not in uniform may render the military salute in the manner
provided for individuals in uniform; and
(C) all other persons present should face the flag and stand
at attention with their right hand over the heart, and men not
in uniform, if applicable, should remove their headdress with
their right hand and hold it at the left shoulder, the hand
being over the heart; and

(2) when the flag is not displayed, all present should face
toward the music and act in the same manner they would if the
flag were displayed.

Not a lot of 'mandate' in 'should's and 'may'.

[COLGATE4]

10. This is what's known in the law

as precatory language - it's a suggestion, not something that is legally required or obligatory. For that reason there are no penalties associated with disobeying it.

[NRaleighLiberal]

3. Am I.. In..... Trouble!

(shh...don't tell....but I am often turned AWAY from the flag whispering/giggling to my wife during particularly horrendous local versions of the tune!)

[AnotherMcIntosh]

4. It does not mandate anything. The actual language includes the word "should," not "shall."

You should also eat your vegetables.

But there is no criminal penalty if you fail to do so.

[BlueJazz]

8. Obviously, you've never met my Mother.

[unkachuck]

5. I'm not going to do it....

....on religious grounds....my religion forbids idol worship....

[Fumesucker]

11. And mine forbids idle worship..

[pa28]

6. I guess that makes me an outlaw.

When I lived in Seattle I'd go to Mariner's games there was a period of time during *'s administration I'd sit for the anthem. As it turns out I'm now a federal criminal on the loose!

[jberryhill]

9. Crafty selective quoting to distort the statute

Funny how the article says there is a law "mandating" this behavior, when the very word they omitted at the beginning is the word "should".

"Shall" is mandatory.

"Should" is voluntary.

The person who wrote the article is either dishonest or illiterate.

[NYC_SKP]

12. Looks like something from the early twenties, then the WW2 thing.

Was at first punishable but now not punishable as I read the details:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/United_States_Flag_Code