Sunday, September 11, 2016

Let's stand, sit, kneel, or lay down ...

So, players from whatever teams have decided to kneel, hold arms, raise fists ...

The following comes from ESPN:

Dolphins running back Arian Foster told ESPN's Bob Holtzman that he plans to take a knee and raise his fist during the national anthem. He said some of his teammates will join him. Foster said Dolphins players met Friday and agreed to make their own decision on how to handle Sunday's anthem.
"It's our job as professional athletes to make a positive impact on our communities and to be proactive when change is needed. Together we are going to continue to have conversations, educate ourselves and others on social issues and work with local law enforcement officials and leaders to make an impact on the Kansas City community."
Kansas City Chiefs players
Foster said he has had conversations recently with 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick. Peters said Friday he supported Kaepernick but didn't say whether he planned to protest during the anthem.

"I salute Colin for what he's doing for a great cause,'' Peters said on Friday. "I'm 100 percent behind him. What's going on in law enforcement, it does need to change and it does need to change for ... everybody, not just us as black Americans.

"I feel that over the past year it's been displayed that's what's been going on across America and across the world and just on my [part] I don't think nothing's been done about it. We see what just happened over here in, what's it, Charleston? It's hard. As much as we have influences on the world and all these fans all around the world, once we come out like Colin did, it becomes a big huge thing like he's disrespecting the flag. He didn't say none of that. He spoke up about something he felt he needed to speak up about. I salute him for that. I'm going to back him up.''

In a statement, the Chiefs said: "After having a number of thoughtful discussions as a group regarding our representation during the National Anthem, we decided collectively to lock arms as a sign of solidarity. It was our goal to be unified as a team and to be respectful of everyone's opinions, and the remembrance of 9/11.

"It's our job as professional athletes to make a positive impact on our communities and to be proactive when change is needed. Together we are going to continue to have conversations, educate ourselves and others on social issues and work with local law enforcement officials and leaders to make an impact on the Kansas City community."
Players from several teams, including the Green Bay Packers, Jacksonville Jaguars and Houston Texans, helped to hold the edges of giant flags at their games.

Most certainly it is their right, but ... it is also the right of the people to reply.  And I believe the people will.  If they don't, well, they've just let these individuals dictate national policy ... not the people.

You know what you can all do, spend 20 hours a month and visit poor communities, educate the kids, tell them to avoid a life of crime and death.  Tell them they can achieve, if they try, but they must avoid a number of things that would be considered harmful along the way.  That when injustice occurs, stand up - don't burn down.  Get into law enforcement or the Courts and change it.  That's what you could do, or donate 10-20 million to the communities for education.   Your kneeling or sitting down is inappropriate and does NOTHING to help anything or anyone.  NOTHING. 

It isn't even symbolic.  It's ironic.



Make Mine Freedom - 1948


American Form of Government

Who's on First? Certainly isn't the Euro.