So about a year ago some guy, most of us never heard of, got his 15 minutes of fame. By not participating in the traditional pregame National Anthem Salute to the Flag.
To be honest, I thought him an *******, and moved on. As the media attention and the "what about me" crowd started making this more prevalent. I found it difficult to ignore.
I will admit to not being a diehard football fan, but usually follow my hometown team and have been a loyal fan. I am unimpressed by hiding in the locker room as much as I am unimpressed by teams locking arms. Those who feel they want to take a knee or sit this one out, welcome to America... you do have that freedom. The National Football League also has the right to pass rules and punishments for your lack of participation.
Kudos to Donald Trump for addressing this, but I am having a very hard time trying to figure out why he should have had to. I don't think it is very dignified that our POTUS has to address this sort of thing. The NFL is now high ranking on my personal shitlist.
I will agree wholeheartedly that this is a disrespectful act when done in the presence of any military personal... But, I never served, and I find it to be a disrespectful act too. Let's take the military argument out of this for a moment.
I am a traditional Heinz 57 heritage American citizen. I had a grandfather who was first generation from Germany, and a great grandfather who was an Irish immigrant. I know that there is also some English and Scottish in there... but am far from sure about the entire bloodline.
I do have heritage dating back to revolutionary war and my most famous family tree member is Betsy Ross. I am not a direct descendant.
My significant other is a naturalized citizen who escaped a communist country when she was two years old. Not only is she American, But she was raised to be an American by hardworking Cuban parents who wanted her to love this country and its customs. I was very touched when Thanksgiving diner at the in-laws became traditional turkey in my honor. Vivian and her siblings were encouraged to speak the language growing up, and while bilingual, English is their first language.
As a loyal citizen and proud tax paying member of our society, I find this display to be a direct insult. While I am sure there must be an appeal to those who's idea of "The American Way" is to live on public assistance and search the system for loopholes that bring more free money... I find it all disgusting. I don't want to pay more taxes, but I don't want to work at not paying them either. I don't mean that all folks on public assistance are bad, but I have seen how it caters to the scumbag element. Sorry, I'm drifting...
I'm an American, this is disrespectful to me. To those who are disrespecting their own flag... What do you respect? What do you stand for? While not perfect, this is our country... Dividing it won't make it better. I'm not calling for any counter protest, but IDK when I'll be watching my next NFL game. I am tired of being disrespected in my own country for my patriotism, and I sympathize with with all of you who feel the same.
To be honest, I thought him an *******, and moved on. As the media attention and the "what about me" crowd started making this more prevalent. I found it difficult to ignore.
I will admit to not being a diehard football fan, but usually follow my hometown team and have been a loyal fan. I am unimpressed by hiding in the locker room as much as I am unimpressed by teams locking arms. Those who feel they want to take a knee or sit this one out, welcome to America... you do have that freedom. The National Football League also has the right to pass rules and punishments for your lack of participation.
Kudos to Donald Trump for addressing this, but I am having a very hard time trying to figure out why he should have had to. I don't think it is very dignified that our POTUS has to address this sort of thing. The NFL is now high ranking on my personal shitlist.
I will agree wholeheartedly that this is a disrespectful act when done in the presence of any military personal... But, I never served, and I find it to be a disrespectful act too. Let's take the military argument out of this for a moment.
I am a traditional Heinz 57 heritage American citizen. I had a grandfather who was first generation from Germany, and a great grandfather who was an Irish immigrant. I know that there is also some English and Scottish in there... but am far from sure about the entire bloodline.
I do have heritage dating back to revolutionary war and my most famous family tree member is Betsy Ross. I am not a direct descendant.
My significant other is a naturalized citizen who escaped a communist country when she was two years old. Not only is she American, But she was raised to be an American by hardworking Cuban parents who wanted her to love this country and its customs. I was very touched when Thanksgiving diner at the in-laws became traditional turkey in my honor. Vivian and her siblings were encouraged to speak the language growing up, and while bilingual, English is their first language.
As a loyal citizen and proud tax paying member of our society, I find this display to be a direct insult. While I am sure there must be an appeal to those who's idea of "The American Way" is to live on public assistance and search the system for loopholes that bring more free money... I find it all disgusting. I don't want to pay more taxes, but I don't want to work at not paying them either. I don't mean that all folks on public assistance are bad, but I have seen how it caters to the scumbag element. Sorry, I'm drifting...
I'm an American, this is disrespectful to me. To those who are disrespecting their own flag... What do you respect? What do you stand for? While not perfect, this is our country... Dividing it won't make it better. I'm not calling for any counter protest, but IDK when I'll be watching my next NFL game. I am tired of being disrespected in my own country for my patriotism, and I sympathize with with all of you who feel the same.