Spring Break
Kid Rock's flag 'fashion statement' was an insult to country
Leigh O'Keefe
Issue date: 2/12/04 Section: Opinion
- Page 1 of 1
Beyonc opened up last Sunday night's Super Bowl with class and respect. Her voice carried over the televised images of teary-eyed, 300-pound football players, four Apache helicopters flying over the domed stadium and troops in Baghdad, Iraq,watching the big game. For a moment Americans were patriotic. Then came halftime.
Ignoring the bizarre leather-clad Janet, wearing an outfit which can only be described as Jackson, and the unnecessary roughness on the part of Justin, I was left speechless when Kid Rock jumped on stage and threw off his coat to reveal a defamed American flag. At what point did Kid Rock decide that cutting a hole in our symbol of freedom and sticking his head through it was a good idea? And as if that wasn't enough of an insult to the men and women in the armed forces, Rock threw off the tattered flag, handed it to a band member who turned to heap it onto the stage floor.
Yet, is that what CBS is apologizing for? Is that what the media is talking about? No.
CBS, as well as the rest of the media, are embroiled with the momentary flash of Janet's right breast. On those grounds CBS declared that MTV would never again produce a halftime show-why they were allowed in the first place is beyond me. CBS spokeswoman LeslieAnne Wade said, "CBS deeply regrets the incident." MTV also issued a statement claiming the incident was "unrehearsed, unplanned, completely unintentional and was inconsistent with assurances we had about the content of the performance."
Have I gone completely crazy?
I understand that the Super Bowl is meant to be a family event and exposing a woman's breast is inappropriate for young audiences. However, showing people, of any age, that wearing a flag and discarding it onto the floor is not only acceptable but also "cool" is totally irresponsible on the part of the NFL and MTV. As soon as Justin tore away Janet's covering, the cameras cut away and it was done. However, Kid Rock was on stage for several minutes and nothing was done.
At the risk of sounding like I'm 80 years old, there was a time in our history when respect and reverence was shown to the red, white and blue-and not just by those in the service. I accept the changing times. I applaud those who fought, and still fight, to legalize flag burning as an act of protest. I support those who want to express themselves even if I don't whole heartedly believe in their methods.
Flag burning is controversial, some call it a constitutional right, others a disrespecting act, but wearing the flag that symbolizes so much and evokes so much emotion when seen on our TV screens with an angelic voice singing the national anthem has no cause or goal.
Kid Rock was not making a positive statement nor was he setting an example to the millions of households who tuned into the event, let alone the troops watching the game from Baghdad.
Ignoring the bizarre leather-clad Janet, wearing an outfit which can only be described as Jackson, and the unnecessary roughness on the part of Justin, I was left speechless when Kid Rock jumped on stage and threw off his coat to reveal a defamed American flag. At what point did Kid Rock decide that cutting a hole in our symbol of freedom and sticking his head through it was a good idea? And as if that wasn't enough of an insult to the men and women in the armed forces, Rock threw off the tattered flag, handed it to a band member who turned to heap it onto the stage floor.
Yet, is that what CBS is apologizing for? Is that what the media is talking about? No.
CBS, as well as the rest of the media, are embroiled with the momentary flash of Janet's right breast. On those grounds CBS declared that MTV would never again produce a halftime show-why they were allowed in the first place is beyond me. CBS spokeswoman LeslieAnne Wade said, "CBS deeply regrets the incident." MTV also issued a statement claiming the incident was "unrehearsed, unplanned, completely unintentional and was inconsistent with assurances we had about the content of the performance."
Have I gone completely crazy?
I understand that the Super Bowl is meant to be a family event and exposing a woman's breast is inappropriate for young audiences. However, showing people, of any age, that wearing a flag and discarding it onto the floor is not only acceptable but also "cool" is totally irresponsible on the part of the NFL and MTV. As soon as Justin tore away Janet's covering, the cameras cut away and it was done. However, Kid Rock was on stage for several minutes and nothing was done.
At the risk of sounding like I'm 80 years old, there was a time in our history when respect and reverence was shown to the red, white and blue-and not just by those in the service. I accept the changing times. I applaud those who fought, and still fight, to legalize flag burning as an act of protest. I support those who want to express themselves even if I don't whole heartedly believe in their methods.
Flag burning is controversial, some call it a constitutional right, others a disrespecting act, but wearing the flag that symbolizes so much and evokes so much emotion when seen on our TV screens with an angelic voice singing the national anthem has no cause or goal.
Kid Rock was not making a positive statement nor was he setting an example to the millions of households who tuned into the event, let alone the troops watching the game from Baghdad.