Paid Patriotism: DoD spends millions of dollars for professional sports teams to act patriotic. For or against?

2015-11-05T13:44:07-05:00

According to the investigative report, contracts worth $6.8 million since fiscal 2012 included “displays of paid patriotism.” These involve leagues ranging from the NFL to the MLB to the NHL. The practice was first criticized this past spring, when it was revealed the DOD was paying money to more than a dozen NFL teams to honor soldiers and put on other segments to recognize the military – and in turn help recruitment. The new Senate report said this included paying for ceremonial first pitches, puck drops and color guard performances, among other events.

Among the expenses were $20,000 to the New York Jets to honor “Hometown Heroes,” and $49,000 to the Milwaukee Brewers for the Wisconsin National Guard to sponsor Sunday performances of “God Bless America.” While the DOD has moved to stop the practice, McCain and Flake also are pushing an amendment to next year’s defense authorization bill barring taxpayer funding for these tributes. Asked about the push on Wednesday, White House Press Secretary Josh Earnest said President Obama had no objection to the amendment. Now, the senators are calling on various sports organizations to donate the taxpayer funds they have accepted to organizations supporting veterans, families, and the Armed Forces.

http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2015/11/05/dod-slammed-for-millions-spent-on-paid-patriotism-at-sporting-events/?intcmp=hplnws

DOD slammed for millions spent on ‘paid patriotism’ at sporting events

The Defense Department has spent millions paying professional sports teams to honor American soldiers, according to a new congressional report that revealed the extent of what critics call “paid patriotism.” 