KobeMVP888 wrote:3Peat
I think it is great that we can have a civil discussion on this subject and it would be nice if the entire country could do that as opposed to the rift that it has caused, MAINLY because the Bully in Chief really pissed off the athletes. Kap is one person who has paid a dear price for his principles, but these athletes and many, many, MANY others, INCLUDING JERRY JONES, are now protesting Tr*mp. Put that in perspective. There is no other or better platform for them to fight back against Tr*mp's blatant racism.
HAVING SAID THAT, when I proudly remove my cap and stand for the National Anthem, the flag means a whole hell of a lot more than just our military and those who have fought for our freedoms. It stands for each and every one of us who contribute to this great country. It stands for my appreciation to live in the greatest country in the history of the world and to enjoy all it has to offer. It is a privilege to be an American, so let's not reduce this to this somehow insulting our veterans. Pure and simple, that is simply changing the narrative.
HOWEVER, of course it includes my appreciation for those who have served and continue to serve to protect our freedoms. There isn't a veteran who I know or meet who I don't thank profusely for their service to our country. Many of my clients thank me back because they say that very few people tell them that. I feel it is my obligation. But remember that the freedoms that they fought for and fight for INCLUDE the right to free speech, free expression and free assembly. In a sense, by using this platform, they are honoring our troops. Kaepernick's decision to do this was just as Rev described. The response to our Asshole in Chief was a direct rebuttal to him! These athletes love our country as much as you and I do. It is easy to simplify this and say that it is just about disrespecting the flag, but it goes much deeper than that for them and when the person with the biggest bully pulpit uses it to tell owners to fire their employees ("sons of bitches") for not standing for the Anthem, that would and SHOULD set everyone off and it did.
Again, you don't have to like it, but when you see a conservative like Jerry Jones lock arms and kneel with his players out of support and when the Honorable Gregg Popovich says that our country in an embarrassment in the world because of Tr*mp right now, one must take pause. If after that pause you still agree with Tr*mp, that is your right just as much as it is anyone's right to resist him. Our servicemen have fought for and fight for exactly that.
The reasons why You, Rev, and I can be civil about this is because at least we know lpmua6 is basketball? and a bully. None of us wanted him in and we all 3 are more liberal. I am in Indiana always vote Democrat. I voted hwuyat both times. Your Post sums up the way I feel though about the flag. I get why the players are doing it, they are doing it to protest inequality but eventhough they are doing it for that reason it still offends a lot of people because it's the American flag and it stands for everything. Anyway great Post. Pop brought up a lot of great points actually I heard his whole interview. I guess if this is the platform Players need to use than it is what it is. I just love being an american and love the flag so I had to rant about this. Yes Pence is from Indiana but it is a misconception that people like me or a lot from Indiana even like him. I like him as a person better than lpmua6 but I wanted Hillary in over lpmua6 despite the misconceptions. How lpmua6 got elected is still puzzling and I am sure shocking to you.