Pride and respect for our flag and country...

[rwsmith]

Any tine respect for the flag comes up......

I post this:

Rick Monday making the greatest play in baseball.

[ame]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IrV8QPQAhxo[/ame]

 

[Walkingwolf]

My money, I have the right to spend it as I please. My time, I have the right to watch what I want. The first amendment does not limit my rights above.

My hopes, and prayers are mine also. I hope, and pray that the NFL suffers financially in a big way.

 

[jimbo728]

Way to go Rick Monday!
Jim

 

[Kanewpadle]

Just because we have the right to do something means that we should get carried away with it. There is a time and a place to do such things.

The NFL players are only hurting themselves.

 

[Farmer17]

There are many peaceful, lawful, and respectful ways to protest. Stand on the street corner and preach, give out copies at a local park, print up bumper stickers, rent space on a billboard, put out yard signs, buy radio/tv/internet advertising, or have a call center randomly call people on their cell phones(I really wish they wouldn't pick that one). If the protesters come up with a plan to make America better I'm ready and eager to hear it and if it's a good plan, I may stand side by side with them in their protest. It's not like everyone else thinks things are just wonderful with the US government, most people have many complaints but disrespecting the flag and what it stands for will turn most patriotic people against their cause instead of for it.

 

[Walkingwolf]

Here is the problem with taking sides in the business world. No matter what side someone is going to get mad. Employees in most business would get fired for taking such sides. Even when they are off the clock they still get fired. For some reason celebrities think they cannot get fired.

 

[radar1972]

The NFL has been dead to me for almost three years. This latest round of insulting behavior in the news just reaffirms to me that I made the right decision.

 

[coltle6920]

It's sad that this Country is going to Hell in a handbasket.Maybe it's just my opinion but just like this Forum isn't the place for politics neither is sports the place for protesting ones beliefs.

The Supreme Court has upheld the notion that the first amendment doesn't apply in the private workplace.While the NFL is an organization the individual teams are privately owned.

The NFL has an operations manual which is different from the rule book.Below is an excerpt from that manual...

The National Anthem must be played prior to every NFL game, and all players must be on the sideline for the National Anthem.

During the National Anthem, players on the field and bench area should stand at attention, face the flag, hold helmets in their left hand, and refrain from talking. The home team should ensure that the American flag is in good condition. It should be pointed out to players and coaches that we continue to be judged by the public in this area of respect for the flag and our country. Failure to be on the field by the start of the National Anthem may result in discipline, such as fines, suspensions, and/or the forfeiture of draft choice(s) for violations of the above, including first offenses.

It's important to note the use of the word "may" here. The NFL is not considering punishing fines on players or teams who choose to kneel or stay in the locker room during the national anthem, the spokesperson says.

But yet the NFL wouldn't allow small decals on the helmets honoring the Dallas cops that were killed.So much for caring what the public thinks of your actions.

 

[Stevens]

It may be the right of those guys to protest, but it is my right to contact every sponsor of the NFL teams I can find and tell them I will not buy their products or services as long as they sponsor those teams. If enough people do that things will change, fast!
Publicly disrespecting the Anthem, Flag, and Country while abroad (London) is especially hateful.
Steve W

 

[carpriver]

if we are going to change anything we must have respect each other. Respecting even those who we don't agree with. My higher power said to love one another, he didn't say we have to like them.

 

[Magneto]

Ragged Old Flag (live) - Johnny Cash - YouTube

 

[redlevel]

I support the Constitution of the United States of America. One of the rights that it guarantees is the right to protest.

While I disagree with these folks, I will support their right to express their perceived grievances so long as they do so without violence.

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.

 

[Irn-Bru]

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

 

[ExcitableBoy]

"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.

 

[JSR III]

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.

 

[Drm50]

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.

 

[Remixer]

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.

 

[lawandorder]

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.

 

[vonn]

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?

 

[southcoast]

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.