WARMINGTON: Booing 'Star-Spangled Banner' may feel good but it fuels Trump's fire

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There is nothing patriotic about booing the Star-Spangled Banner.

In fact, doing so falls right into the trap being set by U.S. President Donald J. Trump.

Americans are smart, and they know the president is trying to make his own truth with the nonsensical push that somehow Canada is not only a bad neighbour but is also taking advantage of the United States.

It’s as ridiculous as the shifting reasons — from fentanyl issues to trade deficits — for threatening tariffs.

Clips of Canadians booing the American national anthem at hockey games in Ottawa, Vancouver and Calgary and at the NBA game between the Toronto Raptors and the Los Angeles Clippers on Sunday in Toronto, gave Trump living proof of disrespect toward his nation.

Yes, the booing is in protest of the 47th president’s bullying. If Trump makes good on his threat to impose 25% tariffs — only 10% on energy — on Canadian goods next month, the move could push Canada’s economy into recession.

But booing the men on the floor, with Americans on both teams, is just plain wrong.

And it’s unCanadian.

While he understands the passion, former NDP leader Thomas Mulcair, speaking on Newstalk 1010’s Moore in the Morning on Monday, told John Moore he is “drawing the line at booing the national anthem” and people should “show a bit more class.”

As futile as it is to say, Trump should show more class, too.

His decision to post “Canada should become our cherished 51st State,” while pushing the narrative this would offer “much lower taxes, and far better military protection for the people of Canada — and no tariffs” is as classless as anything ever directed at this country.

This kind of talk would make any country upset. Trump can covet and cherish us, but he can’t have us.

There’s no question Canadians are rightfully angered by Trump’s outrageous art-of-the-deal-style words. They know Trump’s bizarre attack on Canada has been growing larger since he said last month that Canada would effectively be annexed by economic “force.”

Infuriating, foolish and unrealistic as it is, it’s not the fault of any athletes or team. Booing the anthem is not going to help. As hard as it is, Canadians need to take the high road.

There’s nothing that can be done to take back the booing of the national anthem over the weekend, but there is a chance to make it right.

The upcoming 4 Nations Face-Off hockey challenge, which is going to see games in Boston and Montreal — including a game between Canada’s top hockey players and America’s — should be a place where fans cheer all anthems.

Perhaps, fans on both sides of the border can send their own message to the politicians that they don’t want any part of this trade war.

If Canadian fans show respect for the anthem, U.S. residents will see that average Canadians don’t blame them for what’s happening at the political level. That way, there will be a counter news clip that can be played after the ones aired over the weekend.

I know not everybody agrees with this sentiment, and it is a freedom of speech issue. However, it has to be said because one thing I have noticed in my 40 years of covering wars and conflicts is there are always people poised to escalate things. People, though, can think for themselves.

But my feeling is you can’t get people to offer respect if you don’t show them respect.

There’s nothing more disrespectful than to mess with another country’s flag or national anthem and Canadians should not do it again.

jwarmington@postmedia.com