STOP THE MUSIC – I WANT TO BURN THE AMERICAN FLAG
Do you know why the NFL players are kneeling when the national anthem is played? Did Colin Kaepernick start this trend because of police treatment – yes or no? What has Colin done to promote a dialog or discussion? Did Kaepernick meet with President Obama? Is the progressive left correct that it is Kaepernick’s right of free speech to kneel? Unity to what?
UNITY TO WHAT: Green Bay Packer Aaron Rogers asks everyone to lock arms to show unity. England and other countries have a monarchy. People show respect to the King or Queen. Socialist and Communist countries like Cuba or Venezuela have their heroes and leaders such as Fidel Castro, Che Guevara for Cuba, and for Venezuela Hugo Chavez and currently Nicolás Maduro. What would happen in those countries if anyone disrespected those leaders or heroes? In America we have a flag and national anthem. Lock arms to show unity. Is Aaron Rogers’s nuts? How about you stand with your hand on your heart and show unity for a country that is not perfect, but has always worked to get better and has always worked to make things better.
WHY DID KAEPERNICK KNEEL – WHAT HAS HE DONE SINCE: September 1, 2016 pre-season game in Green Bay, Kaepernick kneeled for the first time and when asked why; QUOTE = “I am not going to stand up to show pride in a flag for a country that oppresses black people and people of color.” I can find no record of Kaepernick ever meeting with President Obama to begin a dialog to identify and correct the oppression. I cannot find any group or organization that Kaepernick has started or partnered with to address the grievances he identified. Kaepernick had a year and has done nothing.
TRUMP’S STATEMENT: We all know what got us to this point. President Trump was at a rally in Alabama and said that owners should fire any SOB that kneels. While I would not have said it in that manner, I do agree that these are employees and should be subject to rules of behavior. It has been stated frequently that NFL players cannot wear unauthorized gear or stickers and must not celebrate too hard in the end zone. Last year the Dallas Cowboys wanted to wear stickers honoring the 5 murdered Dallas police officers but this silent form of free speech was denied.
GREEN BAY PACKER CEO PUT OUT A STATEMENT: It’s unfortunate that the president decided to use his immense platform to make divisive and offensive statements about our players and the NFL. We strongly believe that players are leaders in our communities and a positive influence. They have achieved their positions through tremendous work and dedication and should be celebrated for their success and positive impact. We believe it is important to support any of our players who choose to peacefully express themselves with the hope of change for the good. As Americans, we are fortunate to be able to speak openly and freely.”
PACKER CEO A WASTE OF INK: As I said earlier, I would not have said it that way but what was divisive or offensive. Trump said, have a rule and enforce the rule. Perhaps by calling the owners spineless that was offensive. So the players are leaders and as leaders what are they demonstrating to the community that is positive? Yes, they worked hard to become millionaires and for a few hours we wish to enjoy what they can do that the rest of us can never do. What have these guys done for good and how is disrespecting the symbol of America either positive or good. Yes we are all fortunate to be Americans. Think back to Iraq, UDAY HUSSEIN had several of the national soccer team members whipped for three days for losing during the Asian cup.
NFL OWNERS: Follow the money. I think that the NFL owners are afraid of the players striking if the owners make an issue of the kneeling. Partly because the media has declared this to be a racial issue. The other reason the owners have chosen to do nothing is they are betting on the fact that the behavior will become acceptable and we will all come back to support football like pigs feeding at the trough. Leadership is about building a team, but leadership also requires a decision from time to time that leaves you standing alone. Hence the statement “It’s lonely at the top!”
THEY ARE COWARDS: I call them (owners & players) cowards. Why do I call them cowards? Many owners know President Trump and so do some of the players. Instead of standing there and yelling at each other, why not reach out and start a dialog. Kaepernick has had a year and demonstrated that he is not a leader but simply someone who yells fire in a movie theater. Where are the leaders that will negotiate an end to this disrespect to America? According to Green Bay Packers CEO Marc Murphy, the players are a positive influence and leaders of the community. This issue has been highlighted for a year. There are four NFL cities listed in the top Ten American Cities for murder. According to my search NFL teams in those cities have done nothing and neither have the individual NFL leader and positive influence on the community done anything to address the murders.
REACH OUT: When I was a commander in Iraq, I fired one guy for incompetence and put another in his place. In the military we are color blind, but for sake of this discussion I will share that the one I fired was white and replaced him with a very competent black officer. That black officer reached out to me about this issue wondering why I called them cowards. This man is now retired and doing a fantastic job as a teacher and coach. He teaches in a poor school district with many broken homes. Besides teaching math and coaching, he has become a father figure for many of these kids who come from broken homes. This man is still a leader and is for certain a positive role model. He is not a millionaire.
DO YOU CRY WHEN TAPS IS PLAYED: Before going to Iraq I would tear up when “TAPS” was played at funerals? After attending numerous memorial services in Iraq, for men and women who were killed, I no longer felt emotion when taps was played. Others told me of this same lack of emotion.
NATIONAL ANTHEM: I have had the honor to be asked to speak at many events. Shortly after I came home from Iraq, I spoke at an event and during this event they played the national anthem. I stood looking at the flag and all that it represents to me hearing the music and before I knew it, I started to cry. Since that time I caught myself choking up when the anthem was played at games or other events. Now I am careful not to focus too hard on the flag and on the words or music, because people will think I am nuts to be crying during our national anthem. I know that I am not the only veteran to have this as a reaction.
NOT ABOUT RACE: This is not about race to me this is all about disrespect for the United States of America. America is a country where the issues if they are ever clearly identified can be worked on to be corrected. No person should be prejudiced against and all should be treated has human beings. Kids are not born prejudice, prejudice is a learned behavior. I would love to ask Packer CEO Murphy what these NFL players are demonstrating that is either leading or positive for any community.
CIVIL WAR: In the movie ”GLORY”, which is about the 54th Massachusetts, a black unit formed following the EMNACIPATION PROCLIMATION won fame as part of the CORP that executed a frontal attack on Ft. Wagner. Decades after the charge the highest award for bravery was awarded to Sergeant William Harvey Carney. I wonder what SGT Carney would have to say about our NFL players? BACK STORY = Sergeant William Harvey Carney was awarded the Medal of Honor for grabbing the U.S. flag as the flag bearer fell, carrying the flag to the enemy ramparts and back, and singing “Boys, the old flag never touched the ground!”
AARON ROGERS SAYS – LOCK ARMS FOR UNITY – POPPY COCK – TAKE YOUR HAT OFF AND FACE THE FLAG WITH YOUR HAND ON YOUR HEART FOR UNITY.