MtnMamma

As I read somewhere, Kaepernick had sat during the Anthem and it was a war veteran that told him kneeling both honored the flag and our servicemen. It showed due respect. I am not sure that I agree totally. The gesture divides and is, I feel, ambiguous at best. The sacredness with which most Americans, I believe, hold our flag and anthem as protected symbols of Liberty has to be recognized. It is not a knee-jerk response to object when such is used in protest for most: it is a direct attack on what our Republic stands for and many have died for to them. Do the protesters have the right and should that right of peaceful protest and assembly to knell be protected no matter what? Yes, absolutely. And here is my but: it is also an unjust cruelty and torment for thousands of families. How does this protest unite us and move us forward? How does it change anything?

Of course, that is not their intent to be disrespectful or cruel to our servicemen or fallen heroes or their families or our nation. The point is and should not be lost that is about racial disparity in this country. This is real and not an attack on this nation. Jesus frequently made many respectful pillars of society uncomfortable and upset with his comments. Tried to shake them out of their complacency. Rude awakenings. This is, I feel, why the knee. Yet in our present divided state, it is just another wedge. The desired effect is lost. Protests against it ignite deeper antagonisms by Blacks. And the protests of the knee push many in the opposite direction. The chasm only widens.

What if, instead, the players deployed to every corner of the stadium and led that section in singing the National Anthem? Or what if they stood in still abject bowed reverence when it played? I feel that such respect would generate greater awareness for our ideals. Thinking of such a sight almost brings me to tears. It would not be about what separates us, but what brings us together. One country, under God. In a sport dominated by Blacks, this would be incredibly healing. In my opinion.

Weasel Loc: In the Great State Of Indiana!!

I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America, and to the Republic for which it stands,
One nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and Justice For All.
That is definitely the strongest message that people up color could possibly send.
You are right MntMamma. They are going about this all wrong.. They have chosen to divide, rather than unite.

flagit001

Blacks are 11% of the population and at time have been more than 50% of the crimes committed in our country there is a reason things have happened to them, not all good but not all bad, they now are 70% in football professional and more than that in basketball, this has provided them with a lot of money, but still not without a lot of arrests, they are still getting into trouble even with money, alls you have to do is look at the records for arrests for professional ball players it's very long and very troubling, I'm a vet and I believe that kneeling is very disrespectful I would have never told someone to kneel in fact I would have told them with the amount of money they make if they want change use your own cash and start helping your own kind get out and get jobs make something of there selves instead of drugs and robbery of others and gangs, the average pay in the NFL is 2 million a year and it's more in basketball for sure they could help others if they really want to make a change!!!

Weasel Loc: In the Great State Of Indiana!!

Correct! !
The Point Is that they do not want to conform, and work for a living. They want the free stuff!
You just can't argue with this..
Get a job. Any job, and the violence will go down in this country. You have to.start somewhere.

moldyoldy

A very thoughtful post, but as you can see from the responses, the hatred will not change. By the way, for many years the players stood in reverence. How do you bring attention to a problem? You must get it noticed, then get people to talk about it in good faith. I wish more were willing to discuss the problem. By the way, the rotest was very small until trump defined it as against instead of for justice while calling teams SOBs.

slatten49 Loc: Lake Whitney, Texas

Best OPP post yet to have been written (that I have read) on the subject. I am not surprised that it comes from you.

MtnMamma

Thank you. I was quite shocked by the responses thus far. And you right: it is hard to make a point if you are not noticed.

MtnMamma

Slatten, my head can no longer fit through the front door thanks to you; I have to go in by the patio doors in back with grease over my ears. You are a dear, nonetheless, haha.

pappadeux Loc: Phoenix AZ

Typical leftist garbage coming from a "New School" jackass. Your 'mold' of B.S. is becoming tiresome and 'oldy'

maureenthannon

Mtn Mamma, You're right. Unfortunately, our country is more divided than ever.Both sides are at fault. For those who seem to think that this is a terrible country and that minorities are unjustly held back and don't have the same opportunity as white men do, What country do you think has better opportunity? What other nation can you become rich and famous for playing games or singing or acting? What other nation let's you speak your mind without having to worry if the government will kill or imprison you for speaking against it? I love this country but,I also agree that everyone should be able to express their views, even if I don't agree with it or am offended by it. We should all be able to speak our peace,BUT, not use violence, and we should respect those(military, law enforcement) who are willing to sacrifice ALL OF US to keep us safe and free.

GmanTerry

Thanks for stating the truth. If the crime in a neighborhood is high, the police presence will also be high. It has nothing to do with race, it is a factor of the high crime rate.

Semper Fi

oldroy Loc: Western Kansas (No longer in hiding)

You are so right but so many of those who find so many police in the neighborhood just can't fail to feel like victims of the police and not of the criminals.

moldyoldy

These motor vehicle stops are not confined to any neighborhood. The pattern has more to do with untrained, scared, and racist cops, who know that they can get away with murder.

pappadeux Loc: Phoenix AZ

Have you been subjected to a vehicle stop? I have some time ago .I was stopped for not displaying a 'dealer' plate I was white and the officer was a person of color. I told him that I forgot to put one on. After checking out my documentation he dismissed me with the words " Don't let me catch you on my beat without a "dealer plate" He stopped me just a few blocks from the city line.It's jerks like you who F---up the system.

moldyoldy

White people have run ins with the law, but they stand a better chance of surviving. You heard about the nurse who was arrested for refusing to unlawfully draw blood from a patient. It was obvious too aware people that he wanted to try to get proof that the victim was drunk so as to protect the cop that caused the accident while chasing another car. That is criminal behavior from law enforcement.

Here is another one. (White woman survives)

OKLAHOMA CITY - A metro woman says she was stopped by police while riding her bicycle and was illegally searched.
Kelsey Pierce says she was riding her bicycle to Tower Theatre Thursday morning. Pierce, who works at the theatre, says an officer pulled her over at N.W. 21st and Dewey.

http://kfor.com/2017/10/20/metro-woman-claims-she-was-stopped-by-police-while-riding-bike-illegally-searched/