I do not respect any symbol.
@ProudMerry and no one should be forced to do so.
I'm a nontheist. But I have read many of the worlds religious tomes. The Biblical commandment about 'no graven image before me' -- not many people understand what to grave means. It is in the dictionary. A cross, star of David, a pulpit, a flag, a sport icon are all graven images. The idea was to not create nationalistic ideals in religion but for it to be a more personal thing. That is one commandment that has failed completely. It is fun to explain graven image to those hawking crosses, statues, pictures (?), necklaces, etc... You can see their eyes glaze over trying to think...
I have traveled the world over many times, lived in other countries and NO other country has so many of their own counties flag flying than America....like it's some patriotic brain washing or something....I respect it, but there aint no U.S. flag ANY where in my house, car, clothes....nothing.
@ProudMerry I have met so many people, who have never been outside this state, let alone this country, yet their opinion of this and other countries is always so blindly prideful. Par for the course though I guess when dealing with people with tiny tunnel visions and 'truths', and worse is their insecurities when dealing with others opinions and subsequent conflict management that need follow. I love it when people have beliefs not like mine, this world would stink bad if every one thought exactly like me, trust that...hahaha.
@ProudMerry I re-wrote that song, "I ashamed to be an American"...interesting lyrics, chorus...
@ProudMerry "I am ashamed to be an American cause they lied to me, they say that their defending freedom and our liberty, but instead of standing up, for the poor, the rich get more today, it ain't no doubt we need to change, God help the U.S.A..."...that's the chorus...
@ProudMerry I can't remember the verses...I have this written down somewhere, I also re-wrote 'twas the night before Christmas'...fucking hilarious...
@ProudMerry Merry fucking christmas!....hahahaha... I also 'fast' on Thanksgiving Day, yes, I am weird.
Do people here genuinely think kneeling during the anthem in the NFL is a 1A issue? That's the angle many pundits are taking.
The NFL as a private company decided to have standards for how it's employees behave at work. Heck I've worked places you could be fired for what you did outside of work even if it wasn't criminal.
I'm a combat vet, I didn't think kneeling was disrespectful of the military. Actually I thought it was a peaceful and respectful protest and enjoyed some of the conversations that provoked.
The NFL depends on it's customers, just like any business. We can despise the blind patriotism (IMO blind patriotism is an oxymoron) common in sports fans, but that's not going to change anything.
The NFL has chosen a standard at work, and if I'm reading things correctly isn't remotely claiming it will consequence employees who support or participate in protests outside of the NFL. I can disagree with their decisions and not give them money, but I've boycotted all sports forever bc it's BORING. As far as I can see, this has nothing to do with rights or the 1A.
Sidenote, IDGAF about sports. This guy Colin is probably the only current footballer I can name. Several years ago a friend challenged me to name 5 NFL players of all time, it only took me an hour but I won a shot of whiskey!
TOTALLY AGREE - I will kneel in the stands and hope NFL fans do the same. The NFL Owners made a bad decisiion and I hope it bites them in the ass.
Thank you for posting this wonderful statement.