9/29/2017 4:09 PM
I'm with Stephen on this. My dad served 20 + years, unfortunately I can't ask him his thoughts, but I have seen enough Veterans who have the same sentiments as Stephen does on this. If its ok with them, its ok with me. It was a Veteran that meet with Kap, and got Kap to switch from sitting to kneeling.
As for the time and place, I get some of the comments, "If I protested on my employers time, I would get fired" Yes if your employer tells you that is the case, fine, 1st amendment rights protect you from government reprises (unless I guess you are criticizing President Trump on Facebook it seems by the new about the DOJ asking for information), but doesn't protect you from other consequences. But hey the NFL doesn't have an issue, and are you not being entertained? It's not like they are taking plays off. But I get it, you have the right not to support them with your dollars.
So let me ask you, when is it ok for them to protest? How do they best protest? I'm glad those guys in Boston Harbor long ago, (you know them, it happened about the time the Capt. was born) didn't wait to ask what was the best way to protest, or the best time. (now they would be considered thugs, because they destroyed property, of course thank God it was only tea and not coffee, not that I support people doing that, it I think takes away from their message, but that's just me).
The funny thing to me, (well not really funny,) is it seems (and here I go, painting with a broad brush) the same people complaining about disrespecting the flag, have not problem flying a confederate battle flag and defending confederate monuments, you know what's disrespect to the American Flag? I think the Confederate flag flying next to it. (I myself have some mixed thoughts on those confederate symbols, as a history buff, but that I suppose is another discussion for another time)
The other funny thing is, there were only a few protesters, not even on every team, but what caused the uproar? When President Trump called them SOB's, heck he didn't even call some of those "good people" carrying Tiki Torches, Nazi and Confederate Flags, SOB's. Quite honestly that is what escalated this whole deal where everyone seem to take sides. Of course leading farther away from the issue of the original protest. Interesting that even some owners who contributed to President Trump stood with their players. And President Obama is the one that divided the country? (I'm guessing we might be having more discussions on that, as I've heard that for 8 years prior, but that will be for another post I'm sure)
For me, I will still stand, as a tribute to my dad, there is no flag I cherish more than the one that covered his casket. But I know the protest isn't dishonoring him or the flag, and the sad truth is, that the reason for the protest is being lost because people will not discuss it. I will still watch football, they didn't get my money before this started and still won't get my money for tickets, or jerseys or the like after, who can afford that stuff?
I'm ok in a way with no flyovers, (hey it saves us money, of course I'm sure they can look at it as a training mission, you know all the timing to flyover at the right time). As for honoring military, I'm ok with that as well, especially when we were spending tax dollars to teams to put the "shows" on. If the teams want to give out free tickets and such to vets, I don't have a problem with that either.
But those are my two cents, just like every other citizen who wants to give their opinion, I'm fine with it, but hopefully it leads to respective dialog on the many issues that is coming out of this.
Thanks!
Mel
Melvin H. Waldron III, CGCS, Horton Smith Golf Course, City of Springfield/Greene County MO