UND Marching Band to play halftime

[bomberjunkie]

As long as they don't go into an impromptu rendition of the Star-Spangled Banner, it should be safe.

I'm sure the choreo will be quite elaborate and even our dance team might pick up a thing or two from them.

[Throw Long Bannatyne]

Why try and ruin a bunch of university students chance to preform?  They have no connection to the current political landscape.

Very true and most of them would be clueless regarding the current political situation other than knowing Trump is bad and they don't like him either, generally college kids are not where Trump finds his biggest supporters. pretty much the opposite. They are representing their school and their state, a marching band full of kids should not be misconstrued as representing their rogue-*** government.

[DM83]

Oh it's embarrassing for Wade! But who knew that a deal was immenent  five days ago. Trump wants to. Set the stage for war , yes I said war with Canada.  He's the one that is jeopardizing, these kids experience. Let's show them what classy people Canadians are, and applaud their performance. After all they will be ones who will run that country shortly

[Throw Long Bannatyne]

I think this is awesome!  Many people in Canada have no idea how big or important U bands are in the USA.  They are really something to behold, especially live.  Canada has nothing comparable at all.  You know how U ball in the USA draws like 60k people?  Ya, well their bands are to ours what their U ball is to our U ball.

60k+ attendance at college games and huge marching bands are not the norm, they are actually the exception.  Every State has one or two state schools that have programs of this size but for everyone of those schools there are a hundred smaller schools and Juco's that do not enjoy that level of success or participation.  I was lucky enough to attend a US school with a big program so I got to see the boosterism in all it's splendour.

If you watch the college video footage for a lot of the players the CFL recruits from the US, the stands are usually bare and the marching band consists of 10 fat kids that know how to play instruments. Even a reasonably successful school like Eastern Washington does not often enjoy sellouts.

[bunker]

I'm sure it was, but the "trade war" has been going on for quite some time. Never a bad idea to go local/Canadian.

The impetus might have been that Brady went to UND, but the timing is especially bad at this moment.

Bomber fans will still be good hosts, obviously.

Evan Holm did also. Apparently one of the Montreal players did also for what its worth.

It is a bit awkward given the current political climate.

[RebusRankin]

Oh it's embarrassing for Wade! But who knew that a deal was immenent  five days ago. Trump wants to. Set the stage for war , yes I said war with Canada.  He's the one that is jeopardizing, these kids experience. Let's show them what classy people Canadians are, and applaud their performance. After all they will be ones who will run that country shortly

Canada-US relations and the issues with the USA were an election issue over a year ago. Wade made a bad decision.
As for they'll be the ones running the country soon, ever looked at the age of US Senators and Congresspeople? These kids will be running the country in 30 years.

[Throw Long Bannatyne]

Canada-US relations and the issues with the USA were an election issue over a year ago. Wade made a bad decision.
As for they'll be the ones running the country soon, ever looked at the age of US Senators and Congresspeople? These kids will be running the country in 30 years.

So we should treat innocent kids as hostile enemies?  If they're dense enough to parade it as red, white and blue triumphalism I might agree, but again that would be on the organizers not the young adults participating.

[blue_gold_84]

So we should treat innocent kids as hostile enemies?  If they're dense enough to parade it as red, white and blue triumphalism I might agree, but again that would be on the organizers not the young adults participating.

I'm pretty sure @RebusRankin implied no such thing and I think you know as much.

Of course it's better to take the high road and be respectful to those who visit Canada, regardless of what their so-called government is doing. There's nothing to be gained by painting in broad strokes when it comes to nations or their peoples.
However, it's a really weird, if not bewildering decision to invite a marching band from a nation whose current "administration" seems hell bent on causing serious harm to this country and its people by way of unjustified and illegal economic force. Which is to say nothing of the shameful and hostile rhetoric being spewed by that same "administration" on a near daily basis directed at this country going back to early 2025.

It's a bad look for this organization at a time when they can ill afford to look bad.

The WFC could've easily found a better option right from Canada.

[ModAdmin]

This is not political.  A group of youth were invited to Winnipeg, will be in Winnipeg in good faith, give it their best, and should be treated well and with respect.  I fear, however, there will be some brain-dead people who will boo them.

Unfortunately, not everyone who goes to sporting events, or any public event, is smart or intelligent.  Put politics aside in this one.

[Ridermania]

I think it's an opportunity to explain the truth to the US band about negotiation failure and tariff's.     

[RebusRankin]

This is not political.  A group of youth were invited to Winnipeg, will be in Winnipeg in good faith, give it their best, and should be treated well and with respect.  I fear, however, there will be some brain-dead people who will boo them.

Unfortunately, not everyone who goes to sporting events, or any public event, is smart or intelligent.  Put politics aside in this one.

Ah, so if people chose to boo, they're wrong because you disagree with it? People who boo are brain-dead?

[ModAdmin]

Ah, so if people chose to boo, they're wrong because you disagree with it? People who boo are brain-dead?

I'm happy you understood my comments.

[ModAdmin]

I think it's an opportunity to explain the truth to the US band about negotiation failure and tariff's.     

IMHO a sporting event is not the right place to explain the truth about a topic like this.  They are not delivering a heartfelt political message but we are by booing. 

[Colton]

I'm happy you understood my comments.

Are we all allowed to call others on here brain dead now or are you simply above the rules? Just curious

[ModAdmin]

Are we all allowed to call others on here brain dead now or are you simply above the rules? Just curious

Don't believe I called anyone on here brain dead.  I give them more credit than that.  But I also believe young people who come here to perform and entertain fans should not be booed.  I doubt they are coming to antagonize fans attending the game.