Should Cedar Point take down Michigan and Canadian Flags?

What do people feel and think about an Ohio park who is stepping down on its Ohio and American duties just to support other states/countrys in an attempt to get more business?

How do you come to the conclusion that flags are there to get more business?

Why am I reminded of Woody Hayes, who once exhorted Ohioans to ensure they had a full tank of gas when crossing the northern border so that they could be sure not to have to patronize a foreign gas station.

I think the border war for Toledo ended a long time ago. By the way, Michigan won---Ohio got stuck with it.

It has nothing to do with getting more business. It's called respect. They respect and honor their guests... who half of which happen to be from Michigan and Canada.

Great first post!!!!!1111

People that get that wrapped up in flags I think miss the point. Furthermore, I always thought the park was a little too USA-centric, especially in the Summer Sucktacular. Be proud of where you live, but realize that you're part of a bigger picture. That's probably why every major arena has a Canadian flag hanging from the ceiling.

As for "duty," the irony is that flag represents the very notion that you're free to disregard it or burn it. I'm not suggesting that you do, but it's an interesting irony.

I agree that the Sucktacular is a little bit USA-centric. Okay, really USA-centric. There's a lot of focus on Ohio and Michigan, especially. I'd hope that would change now that the park is marketing itself to a much wider audience that couldn't give a crap about the Michigan/OSU rivalry.

Even places like Disney World are a little bit more patriotic than you'd expect. I spent a week at WDW with a Brit and therefore was thinking a lot of time "Wow, this makes sense/seems right to me, but probably doesn't to her." Most of the time I was right. That was suprising considering that it's such an international destination and they pride themselves on not offending ANYBODY.

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Jeff said:
Be proud of where you live, but realize that you're part of a bigger picture. That's probably why every major arena has a Canadian flag hanging from the ceiling.

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Actually they are there because 3 of the big 4 (NBA, NHL, MLB) have Canadian teams. When a foreign team visits, both national antems are played before the game. Since that foreign team is most likely Canadian since they are the only other country that has teams in any of those leagues, the flag is there so that it can be saluted/looked at during the playing of O Canada.
The same is true in the MLB/NBA/NHL arenas/parks in Canada, they all have an American flag hanging for when American teams visit.

John
DEETROIT BAS-KET-BALL

The USA stuff in the laser show doesn't bother me at all. I like the way it ends the show. I feel a little different about the Ohio St/Michigan stuff - especially since the fine folks from Pennsylvania are ignored ;). From the crowd reactions, though, it seems like it strikes a cord with many people.

Lowest common denominator. Give the unwashed masses what they crave.

U S A ! U S A ! Michigan sucks! Ohio Sucks! Michigan Sucks! Ohio Sucks!

If I hear "God Bless the USA" one more time, I think I'll puke!

Regardless of whether it belongs in the laser show, I fail to see how patriotism is a bad thing. If that makes me part of the "unwashed masses," so be it.

Cedar point doesn't want to offend anyone. They make a show that is very patriotic in hopes that it is appreciated.

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JuggaLotus said:
Actually they are there because 3 of the big 4 (NBA, NHL, MLB) have Canadian teams...

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I realize that but my point is that CP has Canadian visitors. It's the same idea.

God Bless America,
Land that I love.
Stand beside her, and guide her
Thru the night with a light from above.
From the mountains, to the prairies,
To the oceans, white with foam
God bless America, My home sweet home

John
DEETROIT BAS-KET-BALL

I don't understand how a patriotic finale is offensive to any handful of visiting Canadians or automatically precludes the fact that we're all part of a bigger picture.

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a little too USA-centric

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You haven't seen anything until you've seen SFFT's laser show. It has a 10 minute salute to the armed forces (including the Coast Guard), and another 10 minute salute to presidents 41 and 43.

Somehow, #42 wasn't mentioned, but then he's not from Texas.

Now that sounds like a good example of going a little too far.

It's very neat, though---they use a big chunk of the quarry wall to project it. You can see some images of it here.

Looks like the same folks that do the Spectacular.

*** Edited 6/17/2004 6:27:41 PM UTC by Brian Noble***

The use of the wall is cool.

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Walt said:
I don't understand how a patriotic finale is offensive to any handful of visiting Canadians or automatically precludes the fact that we're all part of a bigger picture.

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I don't think anyone said it was offensive. My point is that Americans get so high on pride that they blindly accept whatever our leaders decisions as the right idea and get behind it. If we as a nation are willing to accept that we're a target just because there are bad people in the Middle East, without consideration of the decisions (or selective action) that we take, then things will never get better.

There's a difference between being "proud to be an American" and being "proud of America," and people don't get that.

OK, but what does that have to do with a 5 minute finale at the end of a laser show? I certainly don't think it's a by-product of blind pride.