NFL

I wouldn't watch a movie if I had to sit and watch the actor protest before the show started. This is no different to me. I want to watch a football game. Part of the pleasure in that is not having a political debate before during and after. Originally Posted by Mr. Smith111

Mr. Smith, I have a solution for you. When you go to a ball game and they play the National Anthem, stand up, look at the flag and concentrate on it and on what a great country we have. If you are watching on TV, when they start the National Anthem, go to the kitchen and grab a beer out of the fridge; don't return until the Anthem is finished. If the sportscasters start talking about people kneeling during the Anthem, turn down the volume; I never have found sportscasters to add much to the game anyway. I guarantee that you will not witness a single person disrespecting the flag and you won't miss a single second of the game that you are so eager to watch.

As far as disrespecting the flag, I guess I missed the part where taking a knee became a disrespectful gesture. I rarely watch professional or college sports, and I don't recall ever seeing a professional taking a knee, so I don't know when or why they do it in a game. When my son was playing high school soccer, they would take a knee when someone was injured and play was stopped. I always thought they did it to conserve energy but to do it in a way that was respectful to the injured player. I never realized how disrespectful they were being.

I've seen people fly the flag at night without illuminating it. I've seen people take the flag down from a flag pole and wad it up under their arm to carry it inside, sometimes so carelessly that part of the flag drooped down and drug on the ground. I've seen people fly a flag from the back of a motorcycle or pickup so long that the colors faded and several inches raveled off the end of the flag. Courtesy of this thread I've seen a chick wearing a flag as a bikini bottom. I've seen a race car driver with a flag emblem on his waistband. Major League Baseball markets apparel with flag emblems. All of that is disrespecting the flag, but I've rarely heard anyone, liberal or conservative, complain about those things. So why is it so disrespectful for a professional football player to choose to take a knee rather than standing for the Anthem?

I don't see objective data indicating blacks are being killed out of proportion with other races. It is more likely socioeconomic factors instead of race.

Mr. Smith, I have a solution for you. When you go to a ball game and they play the National Anthem, stand up, look at the flag and concentrate on it and on what a great country we have. If you are watching on TV, when they start the National Anthem, go to the kitchen and grab a beer out of the fridge; don't return until the Anthem is finished. If the sportscasters start talking about people kneeling during the Anthem, turn down the volume; I never have found sportscasters to add much to the game anyway. I guarantee that you will not witness a single person disrespecting the flag and you won't miss a single second of the game that you are so eager to watch.

As far as disrespecting the flag, I guess I missed the part where taking a knee became a disrespectful gesture. I rarely watch professional or college sports, and I don't recall ever seeing a professional taking a knee, so I don't know when or why they do it in a game. When my son was playing high school soccer, they would take a knee when someone was injured and play was stopped. I always thought they did it to conserve energy but to do it in a way that was respectful to the injured player. I never realized how disrespectful they were being.

I've seen people fly the flag at night without illuminating it. I've seen people take the flag down from a flag pole and wad it up under their arm to carry it inside, sometimes so carelessly that part of the flag drooped down and drug on the ground. I've seen people fly a flag from the back of a motorcycle or pickup so long that the colors faded and several inches raveled off the end of the flag. Courtesy of this thread I've seen a chick wearing a flag as a bikini bottom. I've seen a race car driver with a flag emblem on his waistband. Major League Baseball markets apparel with flag emblems. All of that is disrespecting the flag, but I've rarely heard anyone, liberal or conservative, complain about those things. So why is it so disrespectful for a professional football player to choose to take a knee rather than standing for the Anthem? Originally Posted by tandyscone

If you do not understand, then you just do not understand. And at your age it is just too late to educate.

If you have ever been to any type of a sporting event from pop warner football to a MLB game before the event starts the announcer says please STAND for the national anthem, not take a knee. And yes taking a knee when a player is injured is in respect for that player and both sides should.

If you have ever been to any type of a sporting event from pop warner football to a MLB game before the event starts the announcer says please STAND for the national anthem, not take a knee. And yes taking a knee when a player is injured is in respect for that player and both sides should. Originally Posted by Bill James

What's your point? Obviously taking a knee is not the traditional way of showing respect to the flag, otherwise no one would be bent out of shape at football players doing it. There is a traditional way of showing respect to the flag. These players wanted to make a statement. They did it by using a respectful posture different from the traditional one. I can understand why some might not like that. What I don't understand is why so many are so vehemently opposed to it. The pledge of allegiance ends with the phrase "with liberty and justice for all". Are you saying that liberty is suspended during the national anthem?

What's your point? Obviously taking a knee is not the traditional way of showing respect to the flag, otherwise no one would be bent out of shape at football players doing it. There is a traditional way of showing respect to the flag. These players wanted to make a statement. They did it by using a respectful posture different from the traditional one. I can understand why some might not like that. What I don't understand is why so many are so vehemently opposed to it. The pledge of allegiance ends with the phrase "with liberty and justice for all". Are you saying that liberty is suspended during the national anthem? Originally Posted by tandyscone

His point is( correct me if I'm wrong Bill), that you stand out of respect. Just like when a judge walks into court everyone stands. Maybe next time one of these fine citizens is in court they will take a knee for the judge. LOL

You are right, most of these guys have quietly taken a knee, but some are just sitting on the bench, a few have been doing stretches. If this keeps up they will be talking on the phone and giving interviews during the anthem. Where do you draw a line? I believe part of being an American is showing some respect to your country. That's not asking a lot of people that still live in the greatest country on earth.

I would like to see someone take a knee when a judge walks in a court room. Lol. Case closed

I would like to see someone take a knee when a judge walks in a court room. Lol. Case closed Originally Posted by Bill James

I will let you know BJ if I see that and the result. I know the result for me would be a finding of contempt and a fine.

I don’t have a problem with the NFL or any other sports player taking a stand during the national anthem. A lot of people are still being affected by the under current of racism and bias.

Can't believe this has gotten this stupid. If you don't believe in standing during the National Anthem then take your food stamps and look for street walkers. Have some respect for the men and women in national cemeteries !!!! Not for some over payed ass holes.

Can't believe this has gotten this stupid. If you don't believe in standing during the National Anthem then take your food stamps and look for street walkers. Have some respect for the men and women in national cemeteries !!!! Not for some over payed ass holes. Originally Posted by Bill James

I rest my case.

Hey BJ, I still have not scene this pulled in court but I attened the funeral of a WW II vet. today. The guy saw extensive action in the Pacific theater of battle. Anyway, I saw no representative from the NFL there but representing the U.S. Navy was a 3 man funeral detail.

During the playing of taps, I did see two older vets take not one but two knees because they were weeping in mourning for their brother vet. Seeing that, I was very near being a third but was able to maintain attention and my final salute to a real life American hero. Mr. F, RIP.

I'm just curious what everyone's take is on the players taking a knee during the National anthem?
I decided this week to stop watching football until the players can show some respect for the country. I think that the time and place for a protest is somewhere else, and not while they are at work being paid to entertain us.
I am disgusted with the commissioner and the owners for allowing all of this to go on and agree with the president that firing some
players would be a good idea.
I wouldn't watch a movie or go to a concert if I had to listen to those entertainers political views before the show started, and this is no different to me.
Opinions? Originally Posted by Mr. Smith111

The original post was supposedly about asking for opinions. Now, the thread is about convincing people that only one opinion is correct. To quote the dotard...Sad. One thing that makes this country great is that we don't have to share the same opinion about things.

A reminder that there are people doing worse than taking a knee at a game during the anthem, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Westbo...est_activities

Some of you may agree with their positions, but actually fucking with military funerals is a big red line for me -- even though SCOTUS says their activities are protected.

I want to become this group when I grow up.

First of all, the players are protesting the way African Americans are being treated by police which is something that we all know has been an ongoing issue for a long time. Secondly, they have the right to protest, this is a free country and although I don't agree with them kneeling during the anthem I understand the reason for it and support it. They are using one of the platforms that is available to them to protest the unjust treatment of American citizens. Third, the little shitball of a president is using this to distract you from the real issues like his attempts to pass a health bill that would have screwed over millions and his utter ineptitude over the handling of Puerto Rico in the wake of it's devastation. All this while he takes another trip to one of his golf resorts. The NFL controversy is just another distraction to keep you busy while the whole world goes to shit. Originally Posted by perfectdevil

I worked as an unpaid volunteer for weeks in Rockport. I have family and friends in Puerto Rico. Nothing could be further from the truth regarding Trump and federal assistance. That corrupt inept Mayor has lied and made things sound like it is a relapse of Katrina. I had 3 sisters and a mother/in-law all lose houses in katrina. And my MIL was stranded on a roof for 3 days and the convention center for another five. The response in Texas, Florida and Puerto Rico have been incredible.
I am speaking from experience, not from the talking heads on tv. My boots have been on the ground, gloves on my hands and slept in Red Cross shelters during the disaster assistance.