Ragged Old Flag (live) - Johnny Cash - YouTube

I also support the Constitution.
The players who take a knee have the exact same rights of protection under the 1st Amendment
that Marge Schott and John Rocker had, which is exactly zero when it comes to the league or the team
disciplining them for conduct that is detrimental to the NFL. Whether the league or the individual teams
choose to sanction the players is another question, but 1st Amendment rights are not an issue.

Only a government entity can violate the 1st Amendment.

The players have a Constitutional right to protest, but they don't have a Constitutional right to play
football in the NFL.

Ask Marge and John.

__________________
Georgia On My Mind

I'd love the police and servicemen to decide not to police or have any presence at these NFL games. Cost the league millions.

"No part of the flag should ever be used as a costume or athletic uniform. However, a flag patch may be affixed to the uniform of military personnel, firemen, policemen, and members of patriotic organizations."

***************************************************

If you are saying that you would try to prevent me, a U.S. veteran, from affixing an Old Glory patch to my jacket, sir, you and I would come to blows post haste, as you would with hoards of others. We may not belong to the VFW or American Legion, but we have paid lifetime dues to the largest patriotic organization in the country.

As for low-life coddled athletes, and such, they deserve no respect nor any of the benefits they so freely reap by being in this country. I refuse to call them citizens, as I consider a citizen as one who has given service to the United States, whether it be military, law enforcement, intelligence, forest ranger, etc. Freeloaders do not qualify in my book.

The moral compass of most of our "leaders" is shot, and somehow has to be reset. Unfortunately, the insane are currently running the asylum, and there is no quick fix. The diagnosis is an easy one, but effective treatment would be extremely painful for the patient.

Leadership needs to grow a pair.

This whole debate was started by a quarterback who said that he was doing so due to the racial injustices in this country. The current defense for this now more widespread action by professional sports people is that it is covered by the First Amendment, the right of free speech.

However, would those same athletes feel that my use of the "N" word is covered by my first amendment rights of free speech?

I agree that as Americans, we have the right to speak out against injustice or perceived injustice however, I still believe that there is a right way and a wrong way or a right time and place for everything.

Since the President has come out and declared that any athlete that does not stand should be fired, I think that all of these athletes should refuse to take any US currency since it all bears the face of a President of the United States save the $10 which for now has the Secretary of the Treasury. In this way they could show their indignation with his comments and yet not disgrace the symbol of the whole country which is dear to many who have never done them wrong.

It would be interesting to see how many would be willing to show their solidarity in this fashion.

__________________
James Redfield
LM #497

When these million dollar ball players come to realize they are
just overpaid salesmen for beer and sports equippment and the
sales drop, and sponsors pull out, the money stops. The owners
may wake up. Of all people to pull this, they are attacking the
Flag and the system of govt. that makes it possible for them to
earn millions for playing a game and live in freedom. 99% of
them haven't paid the price for this. Others did, the least they
can do is respect the flag. The whole thing makes me sick.

I have taken many stands on the stupidity of people. I can hardly see a movie anymore since i refuse to support anyone who considers me deplorable, Stupid, Ignorant, Racist or any of the 100 or so isims.

Lucky for me i don't watch football so my stand changes nothing. that being said i find it horrible that these jerks want to make a political stance at a sporting event. When i hear people say its a 1st amendment issue it drive me crazy. The NFL is a private organization just as they stopped Dallas from wearing stickers supporting the police officers who were assassinated or the giants from wearing a tribute to 9/11 they should have taken a stand on this as well. If you don't want politics or protests on the field then that rule should apply to everyone not just the causes you politically agree with. The NFL leaders support the kneeling don't let them fool you.

A certain segment of society is being used by another segment of society as a tool in achieving their goal , the destruction of this country.

__________________
LEX ET ORDO

If I were to say what I think pretty sure I would get dinged. Look up pledge of allegiance in Wikipedia and read past court case decisions. Oath of enlistment still means a lot to me even though I am not bound to it. Wonder how many Veterans have been or are in the NFL?

__________________
Hue 68 noli me tangere

When we have 3.5 million Americans suffering from after effects of multiple hurricanes and without basic human needs, and are facing threats of nuclear war from a hostile country, the potential for health care reform dwindling by the day, and other pressing issues, and the one holding the most powerful microphone in the world chooses to insult the mother's of Americans expressing their right to protest, one would question the "sincerity " of loving one's country as much as they would want us to think. The oath of office should be above petty twitter fights when we have serious threats to this country. Priorities appear completely misguided.

After November we had the opportunity of a lifetime, but some obviously prefer to get riled up over nonsense and direct limited efforts there rather than focus on placing all efforts into moving the country forward in any meaningful and lasting ways given this small window of opportunity. Don't get lost in the smoke and mirrors.

Perhaps as the Commander in Chief, he felt it only fair since the other mothers of Americans received that flag as a symbol of their child's ultimate sacrifice.

NO ONE is saying that they don't have the right to protest, we are merely saying choose another way that doesn't spit on the flag or the national anthem.

__________________
James Redfield
LM #497

They actually don't have a right to protest on private property working for a private corporation. They have nothing more then permission from the NFL. That same permission does not seem to extend to the opposite view. The only right we have here is the right to not watch. Do the fans have a right to see sporting event without it being politicized. Worst part is they don't even or can't even explain exactly what or why they are protesting and the connection to the flag or anthem.

The same group of "celebrities" who support the NFL in this also posted they wanna trade Trump for Kim (rocket man). Based in that alone I know which side I fall on.

What if, in their protest, for what ever reason it started our to be, the protesting players refused to come out on the field to play the game for that day. I wounder how the owners and the league would handle that situation! That would cost a lot of people a lot of money and it would stop the arguing over our flag! I don't watch football and I'm a veteran, guess what side I'm on?
jcelect

If you have cable, the largest chunk of your bill goes to ESPN/Disney. They pay the NFL for the broadcasting rights.

Hit them where it hurts the most. Cut the cord!

__________________
Music/Sports/Beer fan

I'm surprised by how focused this thread stayed on the simple issue of respect for the flag and/or the right time and place for protest.
It took far longer than I expected for it to go political.
So, we're done here.
God Bless the USA!

__________________
Regards,
Lee Jarrett