Methinks They Doth Protest Wrongly

Let me get this straight: Vice-President Mike Pence leaves a Colts-49er’s football game when twenty-three San Francisco 49er’s refuse to stand for the national anthem and it’s labeled a stunt, but players around the league taking a knee are lauded as exercising their constitutional right to protest.

Who knew that the Vice-President of the United States who took an oath to honor, protect and uphold the Constitution doesn’t have the same rights to protest as the disenfranchised millionaire athletes protesting?

Many of those taking a knee say they mean no disrespect to the country, our flag and our military but insist they are simply exercising their constitutional right to protest. San Francisco 49er’s safety Eric Reid says that those protesting are just wanting to make the country better.

“We love this country so much that we reserve the right to criticize her perpetually,” Reid is quoted telling ABC News.  “I need to use my platform to speak out for people who didn’t have a voice.”

So those protesting are standing up for what they believe – by kneeling?

Those taking a knee are missing the point of the national anthem: it’s not a platform to express one’s views, but rather a time to honor our country and those who serve.

Exercising one’s right to protest during the national anthem doesn’t make it right.

As Mark Steyn recently said on Tucker Carlson Tonight, the free speech argument is disingenuous. “A national anthem can be a national anthem or it can be an opportunity for self-expression, but it can’t be both,” he said

I have a simple solution that would allow players to openly express themselves during game day while thousands watch. If they really want to use their platforms as professional athletes to make a difference, why not take a knee during the game rather than before the game.

Imagine this. The opposing team is in the 49’ers red zone and it’s first and goal. What better time to make a statement and a difference than for the 49er defense to take a collective knee when the ball is hiked?

Sure the other team would likely score, but that would really get everyone’s attention and bring awareness to those issues some believe are important enough to blow off the national anthem and the flying of the colors.

Those players taking a knee at such a critical time could really express their concern about social injustice by sacrificing playing time, wins and losses and game day pay checks. And think of the flags that would be flying based on their selfless actions!

Recently someone on a TV panel debating this topic said, “I bow to the Lord and I stand for the flag.” Amen.

Kneeling is appropriate when praying because it shows subservience and humility. Likewise, standing during the national anthem shows respect for our country, appreciation for those defending it and is a historic tradition that should unite us as a people and a nation.

 

Thanks for reading Dean Riffs. For those who love American liberty, free enterprise, and who believe God has blessed our country, welcome. For those who believe in open borders, safe spaces, and who tolerate everything but free speech and conservative ideals, move on – there’s nothing here for you to see. 

Photo source: abcnews.com

 

Copyright 2017, Dean A. George©

8 Comments

    • Thanks DeDe! Have been working on this at odd times the past several weeks but decided it was time to go live. For the record, you launched My Cottage Blue before I launched my personal blog so once again you beat your big brother to the punch!

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