Thanks Rick!
On April 25th, 1976, the Chicago Cubs were closing out a weekend series at Dodgers’ Stadium. In the 4th inning, two hippies ran out onto the field with an American flag, lighter fluid, and some matches. After dousing the flag, and attempting to engulf the flag in flames, Rick Monday, a Cubs outfielder, ran and snatched the flag as they were about to light it. Shortly thereafter, the crowd rose and began an impromptu chorus of “God Bless America”.
Personally, I think this event shows how torn our country was during the Vietnam War ERA (I hope that pacifies Tom). It may be someone’s constitutional right to burn the flag…but thankfully, it is also another citizen’s right to rip that flag away and prevent it from being burned (I’m sure the breaking and entering onto the field didn’t help their cause either). The only thing that could have made the thing a bit sweeter would have been if the Cubs didn’t lose this one in a heart-breaker at the bottom of the 10th inning; it was an unearned run no less.
Comment by Billy Joe Mills on 28 April 2008 at 9:11 pm:
Great post Jay. I love the first video…not so sure about the second one, but I love the first one…the highlight is anytime crazy old Tommy Lasorda is speaking.
Comment by tet on 28 April 2008 at 9:13 pm:
Jay, when that incident happened, there had been no US ground troops in Vietnam for three years. The government of South Vietnam had ceased to exist over a year earlier.
The burning had little or nothing to do with the war and a lot to do with the fact that the government was rightfully seen as an instrument of oppression, just as it continues to be today.
I don’t burn flags because I see them as a symbol of hope in the free republic we could restore here someday. Keep your fingers crossed.
Tom
Comment by illinikc33 on 28 April 2008 at 9:17 pm:
I woulda sued that mofo for assault and battery.
Comment by JayBandit on 28 April 2008 at 9:18 pm:
Tom,
If you want to get all technical about it, go right ahead. But it is still from the same period of American history, which was the point I was trying to make.
Billy,
You’re a dolt if you don’t appreciate a nice 1940’s version of God Bless America by Kate Smith.
Comment by illinikc33 on 28 April 2008 at 9:58 pm:
All teasing and attempts to anger Jay aside, I also love this video.
Comment by thetodd on 28 April 2008 at 10:46 pm:
Cool video.
Whenever I see Tommy Lasorda, I always think of the time he fought with the mascot.
Comment by Ballbuster on 29 April 2008 at 9:27 am:
Who gives a shit about one guy saving one flag 30 years ago. Is this the best you can do Jaybandit?
Comment by erik on 29 April 2008 at 10:57 am:
i’m afraid i have to agree with ballbuster. this is boring to me.