“Americans do not and should not worship idols. We do not and should not worship the flag. As a nation we stand in respect for the national anthem and stand in respect for the flag not simply because we were born here or because it’s our flag. We stand in respect because the flag represents a specific set of values and principles: that all men are created equal and that we are endowed with our Creator with certain unalienable rights.”
These ideals were articulated in the Declaration of Independence, codified in the Constitution, and defended with the blood of patriots. Central to them is the First Amendment, the guarantee of free expression against government interference and government reprisal that has made the United States unique among the world’s great powers. Arguably, it is the single most important liberty of all, because it enables the defense of all the others: Without the right to speak freely we cannot even begin to point out offenses against the rest of the Constitution.
Now, with that as a backdrop, which is the greater danger to the ideals embodied by the American flag, a few football players’ taking a knee at the national anthem or the most powerful man in the world’s demanding that they be fired and their livelihoods destroyed for engaging in speech he doesn’t like?
… "The hypocrisy runs the other way, too. I was startled to see many conservatives who decried Google’s termination of a young, dissenting software engineer work overtime yesterday to argue that Trump was somehow in the right.
Yet Google is a private corporation and Trump is the most powerful government official in the land. The First Amendment applies to Trump, not Google, and his demands for reprisals are ultimately far more ominous, given his job, than even the actions of the largest corporations."
I’m sick of all the inferences from chickenhawks. My friends named on the wall, and others like me and my son, disabled vets, take strong exception to defaming us to defend Donnie Dumpster. WE fought to DEFEND the Constitution and freedom of speach! We can’t let the orange blossomskin raider take it from us.
The first point is that the football players have a right to express their displeasure with anything that bothers them. We do have that firmly enshrined in the Constitution.
The second point is that everybody else has their own right to express their displeasure with the football players.
The third point is that the second point suggests the football players must be VERY clear that everybody understands the point of their protest. If they give the appearance of protesting the wrong thing they will take serious heat.
This is happening with the rather sloppy message the NFL players sent by protesting the national anthem and flag. This mistake on their parts will prove counter-productive for them as the viewers quit watching football games writing the players off as brain-damaged. The NFL players and some NFL owners have made a serious mistake, I fear, must judging their audience.
Mike you disrespect the troops by making a connection between two unrelated things. They are not disrespecting the troops, they are exercising a first amendment right to protest.
Mikey is just supporting his boy Donny per usual. Draft dodging phony Patriot Trump had the chance to serve but did everything but show up at the draft board wearing heels to avoid service. Now he preaches how to be patriotic to others.
We tune in to be entertained. Not to be lectured by a bunch of millionaires who’s only ability that elevates many of them above Wal-Mart greeters is their playing ability. It isn’t about right, wrong or the constitution says they can. Its about a few hours away from the political BS and division that is rampant in the country.
In the case of politics, the phrase is used to describe the generation of public approval, not through exemplary or excellent public service or public policy, but through diversion; distraction; or the mere satisfaction of the immediate, shallow requirements of a populace, as an offered “palliative”.
Its originator, Juvenal, used the phrase to decry the selfishness of common people and their neglect of wider concerns. The phrase also implies the erosion or ignorance of civic duty amongst the concerns of the commoner.
“The National Anthem must be played prior to every NFL game, and all players must be on the sideline for the National Anthem.During the National Anthem, players on the field and bench area should stand at attention, face the flag, hold helmets in their left hand, and refrain from talking. The home team should ensure that the American flag is in good condition. It should be pointed out to players and coaches that we continue to be judged by the public in this area of respect for the flag and our country. Failure to be on the field by the start of the National Anthem may result in discipline, such as fines, suspensions, and/or the forfeiture of draft choice(s) for violations of the above, including first offenses.”
In the days of the draft, ONE player from the entire NFL went to Viet Nam. Rocky Blier. And they paraded him around as if the NFL had not assisted virtually their entire roster to get out of the draft.
At one point, almost every member of the Colts was in the same National Guard unit.
===
How many NFL players went to Afghanistan? One. How many to Iraq? ZERO.
===
Oh yeah, the NFL is every bit as patriotic as president bone spurs.
Silly Season over 6 years ago
From that well known Liberal rag… NRO?
http://amp.nationalreview.com/article/451697/donald-trump-nfl-protests-why-they-knelt?
“Americans do not and should not worship idols. We do not and should not worship the flag. As a nation we stand in respect for the national anthem and stand in respect for the flag not simply because we were born here or because it’s our flag. We stand in respect because the flag represents a specific set of values and principles: that all men are created equal and that we are endowed with our Creator with certain unalienable rights.”
These ideals were articulated in the Declaration of Independence, codified in the Constitution, and defended with the blood of patriots. Central to them is the First Amendment, the guarantee of free expression against government interference and government reprisal that has made the United States unique among the world’s great powers. Arguably, it is the single most important liberty of all, because it enables the defense of all the others: Without the right to speak freely we cannot even begin to point out offenses against the rest of the Constitution.
Now, with that as a backdrop, which is the greater danger to the ideals embodied by the American flag, a few football players’ taking a knee at the national anthem or the most powerful man in the world’s demanding that they be fired and their livelihoods destroyed for engaging in speech he doesn’t like?
… "The hypocrisy runs the other way, too. I was startled to see many conservatives who decried Google’s termination of a young, dissenting software engineer work overtime yesterday to argue that Trump was somehow in the right.
Yet Google is a private corporation and Trump is the most powerful government official in the land. The First Amendment applies to Trump, not Google, and his demands for reprisals are ultimately far more ominous, given his job, than even the actions of the largest corporations."
mr_sherman Premium Member over 6 years ago
A late entry, Michael? Would it be to avoid critical comments?
One doesn’t have to agree with the kneel in order to respect it.
Since your unholy terror entered the White House, my wife’s Hispanic students have been teased and bullied by whites. They were born here!
I guess you don’t care.
BTW, I’m a vet. USAF, 1970-1974.
Dtroutma over 6 years ago
I’m sick of all the inferences from chickenhawks. My friends named on the wall, and others like me and my son, disabled vets, take strong exception to defaming us to defend Donnie Dumpster. WE fought to DEFEND the Constitution and freedom of speach! We can’t let the orange blossomskin raider take it from us.
running down a dream over 6 years ago
these players may find themselves kneeling at the unemployment line.
NeedaChuckle Premium Member over 6 years ago
They died for the right for people to peacefully protest. The disrespect is saying they died for a piece of CLOTH!!!
Fembly over 6 years ago
The first point is that the football players have a right to express their displeasure with anything that bothers them. We do have that firmly enshrined in the Constitution.
The second point is that everybody else has their own right to express their displeasure with the football players.
The third point is that the second point suggests the football players must be VERY clear that everybody understands the point of their protest. If they give the appearance of protesting the wrong thing they will take serious heat.
This is happening with the rather sloppy message the NFL players sent by protesting the national anthem and flag. This mistake on their parts will prove counter-productive for them as the viewers quit watching football games writing the players off as brain-damaged. The NFL players and some NFL owners have made a serious mistake, I fear, must judging their audience.
{^_^}
DeborahCollins1 over 6 years ago
Where are the coffins of the unarmed citizens killed by police?
Striped Cat over 6 years ago
Mike you disrespect the troops by making a connection between two unrelated things. They are not disrespecting the troops, they are exercising a first amendment right to protest.
DonnyTwoScoops over 6 years ago
Mikey is just supporting his boy Donny per usual. Draft dodging phony Patriot Trump had the chance to serve but did everything but show up at the draft board wearing heels to avoid service. Now he preaches how to be patriotic to others.
locoboilerguy over 6 years ago
We tune in to be entertained. Not to be lectured by a bunch of millionaires who’s only ability that elevates many of them above Wal-Mart greeters is their playing ability. It isn’t about right, wrong or the constitution says they can. Its about a few hours away from the political BS and division that is rampant in the country.
Silly Season over 6 years ago
^^ Bread and circuses, then…
Got it.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bread_and_circuses
In the case of politics, the phrase is used to describe the generation of public approval, not through exemplary or excellent public service or public policy, but through diversion; distraction; or the mere satisfaction of the immediate, shallow requirements of a populace, as an offered “palliative”.
Its originator, Juvenal, used the phrase to decry the selfishness of common people and their neglect of wider concerns. The phrase also implies the erosion or ignorance of civic duty amongst the concerns of the commoner.
NeoconMan over 6 years ago
How evil it is to kneel before a coffin. Unheard of!
DonnyTwoScoops over 6 years ago
I hope the person in the coffin wasn’t one of the POWs draft dodger Trump mocked for getting “captured.”
olesmithy over 6 years ago
The NFL Game Operations Manual states:
“The National Anthem must be played prior to every NFL game, and all players must be on the sideline for the National Anthem.During the National Anthem, players on the field and bench area should stand at attention, face the flag, hold helmets in their left hand, and refrain from talking. The home team should ensure that the American flag is in good condition. It should be pointed out to players and coaches that we continue to be judged by the public in this area of respect for the flag and our country. Failure to be on the field by the start of the National Anthem may result in discipline, such as fines, suspensions, and/or the forfeiture of draft choice(s) for violations of the above, including first offenses.”
braindead Premium Member over 6 years ago
A little perspective? You mean ZERO perspective.
In the days of the draft, ONE player from the entire NFL went to Viet Nam. Rocky Blier. And they paraded him around as if the NFL had not assisted virtually their entire roster to get out of the draft.
At one point, almost every member of the Colts was in the same National Guard unit.
===
How many NFL players went to Afghanistan? One. How many to Iraq? ZERO.
===
Oh yeah, the NFL is every bit as patriotic as president bone spurs.
ChickinHawks