The NFL and the Anthem

The notion that kneeling during the National Anthem is disrespectful to the troops and veterans is such bullshit. It’s usually voiced by people who never served but who have a tendency to suck up to the troops. I know a number of people who served, who are not bothered by NFL players kneeling during the National Anthem. They have voiced their support for this movement because they understand what it is and what it’s not.

Many who are currently serving or who have served in the Military expressed that they served to protect Freedom, including the Freedom of Expression, which is what we’ve been seeing in the NFL lately. It’s a constitutional right that every American has. President Trump doesn’t appear to respect that right.

The NFL is not disrespecting the National Anthem, the flag, the troops or the country. They are trying to make a difference, to raise awareness and combat injustice. No, actually, what we saw over the weekend was NFL teams and owners making it clear to Trump that they support the rights of their teammates. Some of the people involved in the arm linking and kneeling are friends of Trump’s.

Of course there are veterans who are offended by this movement, but the fact that they are veterans isn’t the real reason they’re offended. They’re offended for the same reason that a lot of other people are, they don’t understand it and they think it’s something that it’s not.