Star-Spangled Banner, etc.

So, here I am, watching all the usual introductory stuff for Game 4 of the World Series, and I recall a couple of gripes I've had for a number of years regarding the singing of the national anthem and the associated festivities.

For one, why is it that Major League Baseball is so insistent on associating itself with the U.S. military? Yes, we have a military, I know that the country needs a military (though I largely disagree with the ways in which the military is utilized, but that is for another day). What in the world, though, has that got to do with baseball? So far as I can tell, not a goddamn thing. I even see this sort of thing during regular season games, not just the postseason. They'll have some army/navy/air force/marines regiment out on the field doing some sort of flag ceremony, one of them will sing the national anthem, there will be some sort of jet flyover, blah blah blah. Why the preponderance of this?

Speaking of the jet flyovers, there also tends to be a lot of this, or a short burst of fireworks, during the line, "...and the rocket's red glare, the bombs bursting in air...", and all the fans, who had been silent up to this point, suddenly cheer. In the middle of the national anthem. First, don't do that, it's disrespectful. Second, why then? Is it the bright lights and loud noises? Can you not restrain your amazement at this? If you can't, you need a smack in the side of your head, because what the fuck is wrong with you? Are you six years old? If you are, you get a pass. Maybe. Otherwise, smack in the head.

That is all.