Flag and National Anthem protests

[SPECTACUALR SPIDERMAN]

I don't have a TV in my house... nor would I watch football on it if I did. Momma always said fooseball is the devil...

This entire thing is stupid. Never understood why the anthem is played before stupid events where grown men get paid millions to play children's games anyway. As if it's somehow respectful to play it to a whole group of fans, most of them drinking beer and eating nachos. If anything, playing it this often and at such idiotic events takes away from it being a respected and dignified thing.

Someone has an anger issue, you make it sound like a religion or cult.

[wyliec]

There's only one sport that I watch, the UFC, and they don't play the National Anthem there.

I'm probably the only person here who watches it.

I just remembered. My first statement is not true. I love to watch women's beach volleyball.

[Firefly]

It only makes sense when viewed as big business entertainment. The entertainers give fans what they want. Just don't call it patriotic to go to see a show where they play (or sing usually) the national anthem.

Exactly.
It has meaning and is special when done at inaugurations and other government events... but sports? what a joke. The exception I see would be the Olympics.. makes perfect sense as they're representing our entire country.

Momma always said Foosball was the devil.....

[SpyderF3-s]

NFL BOYCOTT SUNDAY NOV 12


They can protest....but so can we.



"People are now calling for a complete National Boycott of the NFL for Sunday November 12th, which is Veterans Day Weekend. They are calling for a Boycott of all football telecast, all fans, all ticket holders, stay away from attending any games, let them play to empty stadiums. Pass this post along to all your friends and family. Honor our military, some of whom come home with the American Flag draped over their coffin..There are plenty of ways, times and places to protest concerning one's chosen cause, but to do so during a brief special time set aside to honor our nation's flag and the bravery and lives of our nation's military heroes, is inappropriate and disrespectful. Of course black lives matter, but so do the precious lives of millions of US soldiers (of all races) who have made the ultimate sacrifice to defend and protect our nation's rights and freedoms....and who most certainly deserve all of our respect. It's not about Trump, its about all those who bravely and unselfishly serve and who have served our nation. The Star Spangled Banner is presented to honor all of them."

[Firefly]

NFL BOYCOTT SUNDAY NOV 12


They can protest....but so can we.



"People are now calling for a complete National Boycott of the NFL for Sunday November 12th, which is Veterans Day Weekend. They are calling for a Boycott of all football telecast, all fans, all ticket holders, stay away from attending any games, let them play to empty stadiums. Pass this post along to all your friends and family. Honor our military, some of whom come home with the American Flag draped over their coffin..There are plenty of ways, times and places to protest concerning one's chosen cause, but to do so during a brief special time set aside to honor our nation's flag and the bravery and lives of our nation's military heroes, is inappropriate and disrespectful. Of course black lives matter, but so do the precious lives of millions of US soldiers (of all races) who have made the ultimate sacrifice to defend and protect our nation's rights and freedoms....and who most certainly deserve all of our respect. It's not about Trump, its about all those who bravely and unselfishly serve and who have served our nation. The Star Spangled Banner is presented to honor all of them."

Sure seems like this is a political post........

Guess I'll break my general rule of not watching sports and make sure to tune in that weekend.

Did you boycott Ted Nugent, Sarah Palin or Kid Rock for wearing the flag as clothing?

[Rogue Hawk]

I had hoped this thread had finally died, but it's like a cat and seems to have at least four or five lives left.

A lot of folks have expressed outrage at the players who have had the audacity to exercise their constitutional right of free speech.

You misunderstand. I support their right to exercise free speech. But I exercise my right to criticize them for what they say. Also, within the context of a private business, the owners can censor their employees. The right to Free Speech can't be curtailed by the government. It does not extend to Private enterprises. Even on a forum, which is privately held, the owners can censor whatever they wish and it's lawful.

[UtahPete]

NFL BOYCOTT SUNDAY NOV 12 They can protest....but so can we.

Go for it. Me, I'd rather get my knickers in a knot over something else.

[JerryB]

Hi Firefly,

Re: and make sure to tune in that weekend.

As will I.

Football is the only sport I watch on TV. Saw two games this weekend; usually get in three. C'est la vie,

Jerry Baumchen

[JerryB]

Hi Rogue Hawk,

Re: the owners can censor whatever they wish and it's lawful.

I rather doubt that. In another forum, someone posted about the player's union allowing them their free speech rights.

Earlier today I read where ( apparently ) Jerry Jones, who owns the Cowboys, said he will fire any player who takes a knee. This after he took a knee last week.

Does even one person on here think he will actually fire a player for taking a knee?

Reminds me of the old saying about cutting off your nose to spite your face.

Jerry Baumchen

[UtahPete]

You misunderstand. I support their right to exercise free speech. But I exercise my right to criticize them for what they say. Also, within the context of a private business, the owners can censor their employees. The right to Free Speech can't be curtailed by the government. It does not extend to Private enterprises. Even on a forum, which is privately held, the owners can censor whatever they wish and it's lawful.

That's fine. Criticize them, boycott them, whatever floats your boat. Just don't confuse this with patriotism, honoring veterans or defending the flag or any other such nonsense. Any more than the 'Mormon' musical has anything to do with freedom of religion.

It's entertainment; think and say what you wish about it. That's one of our freedoms - to spend our money and time in whatever pursuit we choose. It has nothing to do with free speech or patriotism.

[Sarge707]

There's only one sport that I watch, the UFC, and they don't play the National Anthem there.

I'm probably the only person here who watches it.

I just remembered. My first statement is not true. I love to watch women's beach volleyball.

You mean MMA where the Spinning Backkick to the head Knocks the guy OUT!!! MMA made boxing obsolete ? IMHO

[Sarge707]

I still say people getting millions to play a game where people pay- One way or another - Have No business protesting!
By ALL means Do it on your own dime and proper function? And I bet most of the Knee Taking athletes are TOO selfish to use their own time to Protest!

[BoilerAnimal]

Looks like Colin Kaepernick does a little more than most give him credit for: http://www.motherjones.com/crime-jus...epernick-does/

[JerryB]

Hi Sarge707,

Re: One way or another - Have No business protesting!

Do you not support the First Amendment? Actually, it is what you are doing with your post.

Jerry Baumchen

[Sarge707]

Hi Sarge707,

Re: One way or another - Have No business protesting!

Do you not support the First Amendment? Actually, it is what you are doing with your post.

Jerry Baumchen

I support the First Amendment- Not when your getting Millions to Play a Game- How about every Wall Street Executive Taking a Knee to their Boss- How LONG would they Last doing that?

[IdahoMtnSpyder]

Hi Rogue Hawk,

Re: the owners can censor whatever they wish and it's lawful.

I rather doubt that.

Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances.

The First Amendment puts constraints on Congress and no one else. It also means Congress is not allowed to pass any law explicitly allowing a private employer to restrict freedom of speech. In the absence of a law prohibiting employers, and forum owners, from restricting speech, employers and forum owners are free to act on their own as they wish.

The NFL is free to prohibit any type of protest, and a forum owner is free to prohibit any given type of posts, but Congress may not grant them that permission. Is Congress free to pass a law prohibiting employers from restricting speech in the workplace? Probably not. When it comes to free speech, as I see it, the First Amendment puts the kibosh on Congress passing any kind of law dealing with it. But what is speech? That has been debated in Congress and the courts for years. Is a pharmaceutical company free to print blatant lies about a medication on the pill container and the drug information sheets? Nope. The whole issue is a quagmire.

[BoilerAnimal]

You misunderstand. I support their right to exercise free speech. But I exercise my right to criticize them for what they say. Also, within the context of a private business, the owners can censor their employees. The right to Free Speech can't be curtailed by the government. It does not extend to Private enterprises. Even on a forum, which is privately held, the owners can censor whatever they wish and it's lawful.

I understand full well the limitations that an employer can place on speech on company time.

What I was referencing were the folks who said they were basically uneducated, spoiled and not truly committed to the cause they were protesting against.

[ThreeWheels]

That's it.
From now on I'll be watching the Legends Football League.

https://www.youtube.com/mylfl

[SPECTACUALR SPIDERMAN]

That's it.
From now on I'll be watching the Legends Football League.

https://www.youtube.com/mylfl

watch pro wrestling, they support our country and our troops and when they spew a bunch of crap we know they are full of it.

[wyliec]

watch pro wrestling, they support our country and our troops and when they spew a bunch of crap we know they are full of it.

[Firefly]

I support the First Amendment- Not when your getting Millions to Play a Game- How about every Wall Street Executive Taking a Knee to their Boss- How LONG would they Last doing that?

So your right to free speech ends because you make a lot of money doing something you are skilled at and maybe you also got lucky?

You really need to take a civics 101 class.

-----------

i hope the entire Dallas Cowboys team takes a knee and tells Jerry Jones to take a flying leap.

[Sarge707]

So your right to free speech ends because you make a lot of money doing something you are skilled at and maybe you also got lucky?

You really need to take a civics 101 class.

-----------

i hope the entire Dallas Cowboys team takes a knee and tells Jerry Jones to take a flying leap.

Its Obvious This Forum is AS divided on this as the Country so I will exit Stage Right before it gets worse?

[jerpinoy]

Thank you for all who laid out their piece. Just remember this quote from a famous person.

"Tell me where you've been and I will tell you who you are"

[wyliec]

Thank you for all who laid out their piece. Just remember this quote from a famous person.

"Tell me where you've been and I will tell you who you are"

There are quotes similar to that; but, that one doesn't show.

It sounds close to: "Tell Me What you Did Today, And I'll Tell You Who You Are"

[UtahPete]

"Tell me where you've been and I will tell you who you are"

Is this somehow relevant to the conversation? I don't get it.