04/25/24
July 08, 2009
Fan Wins Legal Battle Over 'God Bless America' Movement Ban at Yankees Stadium: Bradford Campeau-Laurion, a fan who was ejected from Yankees Stadium after breaking an unofficial rule against leaving his seat during the singing of "God Bless America" in the seventh inning last year, has settled the suit. Campeau-Laurion, a Red Sox fan, will receive $10,000 along with $12,000 in legal fees from the city of New York, and the Yankees have stipulated that they do not restrict fan movements during the song. Ronan Tynan could not be reached for comment.
Campeau-Laurion, a Red Sox fan...
Yet again, the Red Sox wins another bout against the mighty Yankees.
posted by BornIcon at 12:42 PM on July 08, 2009
Ronan Tynan could not be reached for comment.
Likely because he's still finishing the second verse from last Saturday's game.
posted by DrJohnEvans at 01:34 PM on July 08, 2009
A cycnical person might think that the Police were trying to justify their actions or something.
Another cynical person might think that this guy was just out for a quick buck.
(I tend to believe your side, fwiw. But you never know.)
posted by inigo2 at 02:46 PM on July 08, 2009
Where do all these cynical people come from?
posted by billsaysthis at 05:06 PM on July 08, 2009
A cynical person might believe that the only reason the Yankees play "God Bless America" is to pander to their fans in the hopes that arousing their religious and patriotic feelings will make them more likely to pay outrageous prices for tickets.
posted by Joey Michaels at 06:55 PM on July 08, 2009
Wow - what a country! First they react with unnecessary force, then they give you $10,000!
(I really wish we could just all agree to stop with the damn anthems, and pseudo-patriotic pap at sports events. Just the Olympics.)
posted by WeedyMcSmokey at 07:41 PM on July 08, 2009
Also, "God Bless America" is the most unamerican shitstreak of a throwaway I've ever heard, I mean like America needs some god to bless us? Fuck that, we have the People. And the Constitution. And motherfucking George Washington, a way more useful dude than anyone's god ever was.
Anyway, fuck the Yankees, all hail truth, long live America!
posted by Hugh Janus at 08:59 PM on July 08, 2009
The 7th inning stretch? God Bless America? Come on, it's not even the National Anthem. The guy shouldn't have been tossed, but probably doesn't deserve $10,000 either.
On a side note, I attended a Twins-Brewers game in Milwaukee a few years ago and a somewhat similar incident occurred. A guy tried to make his way to the men's room in a hurry as the National Anthem played. A woman, I believe just another fan not any sort of security, tried to stop him. He promptly hurled what had to be 12 beers, 8 hot dogs, 30 pickles, and what appeared to be fairly digested Fruit Loops, all over the woman. I might be conservative on the number of beers. The section that had full view of the incident went bonkers...causing the rest of the fans to boo. Twins went on to win, so it was a great day!
posted by dviking at 12:32 AM on July 09, 2009
It's a pretty obvious rule: Never get in the way of a man rushing toward the bathroom.
posted by owlhouse at 01:28 AM on July 09, 2009
Oh, for the record, I agree. $10K was totally out of line. Give the dude tickets for all the Red Sox/Yankees game for the rest of the season or something.
posted by Joey Michaels at 06:19 AM on July 09, 2009
That's a horrifying story, Dviking. Talk about a cautionary tale.
posted by rcade at 08:15 AM on July 09, 2009
Also, "God Bless America" Hugh Janus' comment is the most unamerican shitstreak of a throwaway I've ever heard
Fixed!
posted by mjkredliner at 11:34 AM on July 09, 2009
I like "God Bless America" much better as a national anthem than what we've been using. As long as it's interpreted as a request instead of a statement of fact.
posted by rcade at 11:40 AM on July 09, 2009
Why should any American have to sing a prayer to some god in order to honor his country? That's what I mean by unamerican; making people sing (or even stand silently during) a song that amounts to a prayer (whether it's a statement or a supplication) runs counter to the religious freedom every American is guaranteed. Plus the song itself is a slow, meandering mess, really unfit for a national anthem.
I think a big part of the dislike for "The Star-Spangled Banner" is that most people are used to hearing it way too slow. At a march tempo, it's a great anthem, and easy to sing. When Mariah Carey stretches it out into a five-minute yodel, it sucks. People have become used to it sucking; that's too bad.
I don't know whether to be flattered by your exclusive use of my words, mjkredliner, or disappointed in your inability to muster any cleverness of your own. Your response makes it clear that you don't know what I'm talking about. Maybe you should learn. But if you don't, it hardly matters: you're insignificant.
posted by Hugh Janus at 12:00 PM on July 09, 2009
Why should any American have to sing a prayer to some god in order to honor his country? That's what I mean by unamerican; making people sing (or even stand silently during) a song that amounts to a prayer (whether it's a statement or a supplication) runs counter to the religious freedom every American is guaranteed.
I was not aware that the Yankees were making people stand, sit, or sing, in fact I'm pretty sure they're not, Hugh. It is about tradition, it is about patriotism, and it is not a song about some god, it is a song about the one and only GOD, and Our Country, and it seems more people like it than not so maybe you should ignore it or stay away from Yankee Stadium.
I think a big part of the dislike for "The Star-Spangled Banner" is that most people are used to hearing it way too slow. At a march tempo, it's a great anthem, and easy to sing.
Couldn't agree more, Hugh.
your inability to muster any cleverness of your own.
I thought your last comment was much better than your first f-bomb laced tirade, that spiel was anything but clever.
you're insignificant.
No Hugh, all of God's children are significant. Even those that deny Him.
posted by mjkredliner at 02:51 PM on July 09, 2009
I think a big part of the dislike for "The Star-Spangled Banner" is that most people are used to hearing it way too slow. At a march tempo, it's a great anthem, and easy to sing.
I agree that nearly every wannabe rock star and every pop singer who thinks he or she has something original to add to "The Star Spangled Banner" should have his or her vocal cords removed without anesthesia on national TV. However, the music is not a march. The tune is that of an old English drinking song, "To Anacreon in Heaven" (whoever the hell Anacreon was). I would bet that a bunch of inebriated 18th century Englishmen would still sound better than, let's say, Rosanne Barr, Mariah Carey, or the 8-year-old daughter of the owner's mistress.
Can I qualify as at least a half-truth cynic?
posted by Howard_T at 04:20 PM on July 09, 2009
it is a song about the one and only GOD,
Which is why I responded to rcade's observation as I did: making it the national anthem would run counter to the freedom of religion guaranteed by the First Amendment.
No Hugh, all of God's children are significant. Even those that deny Him.
I am no child of your god. My parents made me: my life started at birth will end when I die. I have no soul. Your beliefs will not change any of this. The religion you follow is full of comfort and understanding, and I'm sure it helps you live a fulfilling life.
This isn't the place for a discussion about religion, and I apologize to everybody for my foul-mouthed trollery. I swear because I care. What do you expect from someone who calls himself Hugh Janus?
Also, if you don't see why crossing my words out and "fixing" what I said is a debased form of discourse that reflects negatively on your cleverness, I don't know what to say. I guess you responded to a heartfelt troll with a heartfelt troll of your own. So be it.
posted by Hugh Janus at 04:28 PM on July 09, 2009
I was not aware that the Yankees were making people stand, sit, or sing, in fact I'm pretty sure they're not
Perhaps then you might read the article before converting the heathens.
posted by yerfatma at 08:09 PM on July 09, 2009
Perhaps then you might read the article before converting the heathens.
From the article:
"The officers observed a male standing on his seat, cursing, using inappropriate language and acting in a disorderly manner while reeking of alcohol, and decided to eject him rather than subject others to his offensive behavior."
While I don't live in NY, I don't think NYPD officers are going to eject someone for moving during the song who has a legitimate bathroom need. Campeau-Laurion and the New York Civil Liberties Union found a sympathetic jury, and the lout lucked into 10k.
I kinda like the way the Yankee organization has conducted their 7th inning stretch since 9/11, and I imagine that the large majority of Yankee ticketholders, especially those who were near ground zero, do too.
posted by mjkredliner at 11:03 PM on July 09, 2009
While I don't live in NY, I don't think NYPD officers are going to...
Ha ha ha, hu-huh. Hu-HA!
eject someone for moving during the song who has a legitimate... HA-HA! Heheh. HA!
legitimate bathroom need.
OH, HAW, HAW, HAW; WHOOOP!
Campeau-Laurion and the New York Civil Liberties Union found a sympathetic jury, and the lout lucked into 10k.
Heh.
I kinda like the way the Yankee organization has conducted their 7th inning stretch since 9/11...
Oh stop, youre ki-ki-ka-HA! WHOOP WHOOP oh god you're gonna give me hiccups!
I imagine that the large majority of Yankee ticketholders, especially those who were near ground zero...
Oh no, oh no you di-int; psshhhhhhhht! Tu-tee-hee SNXXXX! Excuse me.
those who were near ground zero, do too.
OH YOU DID! BWAAAAAAAAAAA-HA-HAW!
Thanks, mjkredliner, that was great. I'm in fucking tears over here. You're a saint! HA! Ground Zero, good one.
Hu-HAH! Ha ha ha ha ha ha! Whu-whu-ha! HA!
I love this guy.
posted by Hugh Janus at 11:51 PM on July 09, 2009
"While I don't live in NY, I don't think NYPD officers are going to"
posted by Mr Bismarck at 12:14 AM on July 10, 2009
I don't think NYPD officers are going to eject someone for moving during the song who has a legitimate bathroom need . . . the lout lucked into 10k.
Which is to say you've made up your mind about this as a Culture War issue and won't bother to do any research. Deadspin covered this story pretty heavily when it happened and I have to say your take on it seems painfully unlikely. But maybe that's just my bias showing. Even though it took about a week after for the story about the bad behavior to come out. Even though a court saw otherwise. Maybe you're totally right about the wonderful NYPD.
I kinda like the way the Yankee organization has conducted their 7th inning stretch since 9/11, and I imagine that the large majority of Yankee ticketholders, especially those who were near ground zero, do too.
Always strange to me that people so proud of this country would forget its legal system is designed to protect the small minorities, not the large majorities.
/stands up and salutes because September 11th was mentioned
posted by yerfatma at 08:20 AM on July 10, 2009
Thanks, mjkredliner, that was great. I'm in fucking tears over here.
Glad I could put a smile on your face...
You're a saint!
Naw, just a regular Joe, who enjoys a beer and a dog at the ballpark...
Maybe you're totally right about the wonderful NYPD.
No, I doubt I am.
/stands up and salutes because September 11th was mentioned
From the article: "The Yankees began playing "God Bless America" midway through the seventh inning after the terrorist attacks of Sept. 11, 2001, as did every other Major League Baseball team, according to the complaint."
Just sayin...
posted by mjkredliner at 10:03 AM on July 13, 2009
Fan description of events : "I was trying to go to the bathroom."
Police description of events : "The officers observed a male standing on his seat, cursing, using inappropriate language and acting in a disorderly manner while reeking of alcohol."
A cycnical person might think that the Police were trying to justify their actions or something.
Still, a fan gets ten grand, the Yanks don't have to pay any of it or change their rule, because they don't have one. Beautiful.