I will not dignify any event that disrespects our soldiers . . . or our national anthem.” So said Mike Pence, the US vice-president, after walking out of an American football match last month — when some players had “taken a knee” during the playing of the “Star Spangled Banner”. The Trump administration’s row with high-profile athletes might seem like an “only in America” moment. But similar arguments about national anthems are taking place in China, India and Europe.
「我不會爲任何不尊重我們軍人……或我們國歌的活動添彩。」美國副總統麥克•彭斯(Mike Pence)在中途離場風波之後如是說。10月8日,潘斯在現場觀看一場橄欖球賽時,因一些球員在奏國歌《星條旗》(Star Spangled Banner)期間「單膝跪地」而提前離場。川普(Trump)政府與知名運動員之間的口水仗或許看似「只會發生在美國」。但類似的圍繞國歌的爭論也出現在了中國、印度和歐洲。