Why is it always about

Dude you sure have issues

 

Maybe they see oppression and slavery because they want to see oppression and slavery? Lee joined the Confederates by loyalty to his state, and was anything but pro-slavery...where did he support oppression?

We live in a time where milk is racist and men sitting on bus seats is sexist, so maybe they should stop getting triggered? Also, thinking that the Confederacy was on the wrong side of history and not liking them is not the same as wanting their statues removed.

And not Southern nostalgia?

Building statues just to visually oppress blacks sounds pretty silly.

Don't you find it weird that people see oppression everywhere in an age where there is none?

 

This isn't going how you hoped is it katzgar

 

Typical dodge when you find yourself with no argument.

 

Robert E Lee was an American hero, time for the left to hyperventilate.

 

Because the far right can't stand that America is changing and they can't stop it.

Why is it always about

 

Fine, but the thread is about getting wound up over stupid issues. I am sure all of us have found ourselves getting a little heated over something "stupid" from time to time, but over all, the left has a huge lead in this race. They are wound up to the point of denying free speech to those with opposing views. Where I live, I am surrounded by the left. Can you guess which side is having all the angry demonstrations here?

 

The fact is that the Alt and Far Right are far more anti-free speech than the Left. Just watch the football/flag controversy unfold.

 

That is 100% false. No a single act of disrespect by NFL players was stopped. I can give examples of the left completely shutting down free speech.

 

The football/flag controversy is about patriotism, love of country, and respect for the flag, not opposition to free speech. Besides, free speech also defends the rights of everyone to criticize the so-called "protesters" or kneelers

 

The far left, yes, just like the Alt Right trying it.

So then you support the Cowboys. Thank you.

 

The Cowboys are about free speech AND patriotism.

 

I support them as individuals on their own time. When they put on a uniform with the letters "NFL" and disrespect the "N", you can't blame people for withholding support/funds. I would also support a movement by tax payers to cut off the billions in subsidies the NFL receives. That money should be going to veterans.

Getting back on topic, the left is still way ahead of the game in getting wound up over stupid things. Free speech is fine until someone says something that hurts their wittew feewings. The demonstrations after they wost the ewection wast November were epic.

 

The Cowboys according to the NFL, their owner, their manager, and themselves have done no such thing.

You, incorrectly, do.

 

A veteran friend of mine says he supports their right to disrespect what he risked his life for. He will not be one of their customers and neither will I.

There we go! We picked sides.

 

That's fine. And I know many veterans who will respect the right of the Boyz to make statements and go to games.

There we go. We picked sides. That's America.

 

Some see toppling statues as satanizing history and taking a knee as being disrespectful to the flag and national anthem.

 

They see it wrongly, but that is their right.

 

Why is their view wrong? Who gets to decide this for all and by what authority?

 

By the authority of the impacted groups: the vets, the players, the owners, the Union, the league.

The only right of it that I see, robin123, is that we all have free speech in this matter. I have no trouble with Trump saying what he did because it was his right to say it. That does not make his supporters and him correct in what he is saying.

I am saying he is not. And I think many more agree with the players than with Trump.

 

Everything we have in this country, every comfort we enjoy, whatever wealth we may have, our independence and sovereignty, our security, our constitutional rights and freedoms, ... all of it ... was inherited by all of us in this country. Americans who came before us fought for it. They died for it. And they passed it on to us. And even today, there are brave young people who defend us and who die for us. And because of the sacrifices of those who came before us, other Americans built this country and its economy, giving us the highest standard of living in the world. And, we have evolved socially, ending slavery, and later, Jim Crow. Martin Luther King gave his life for the dream of equality. He succeeded, but he was willing to die for it. And in 2008 we elected our first black president. For purely political reasons, I didn't vote for him. But I was proud of America that day.

When I hear the anthem and see the flag, I think of those people who came before us. I think of those who fought and died for us. I think of those who built this country. I think of those like MLK who gave his life trying to make it a better country. I think of those who sacrifice and die for us even today. I think of the Gold Star families I know personally.

This is what the anthem and the flag represent to me. My reverence for it is really my profound gratitude for my fellow Americans who gave us everything. My respect for the flag is my respect for them. The nation that the flag and the anthem represent are not simply geographical lines on a map. My nation is not just the citizens living here. My nation - the nation I give respect and reverence to - is the nation of Americans that includes the ones who are now long gone - who bestowed upon us everything.

This is what the anthem and flag represent to me and to millions of Americans. If you are wondering what it is we respect when we stand and cover our hearts, you may be asking the wrong question. It is not so much what we are showing respect for, but who we are showing respect for, for it is people who are the nation, past and present. It is just 2 minutes during which to reflect upon all of them. It is 2 minutes of humble gratitude to those we have inherited this country from.

Many of us think we should keep it that way. Some don't. But if those of us who stand and cover our hearts react with disgust at those who demonstrate during the anthem, it's because it's an emotional issue for the reasons I talked about. I'll admit it ... I've shot some arrows of disgust at those guys yesterday and today on this website. But there are reasons for that, and I have tried to articulate them the best I can.

Where there is little or no freedom, there is little or no responsibility. Where there is freedom, there is responsibility and accountability. We have the right to exercise our freedom, but we may be held responsible and accountable for our actions as well. We are seeing that truth in the backlash these players and the NFL are experiencing right now. Nobody is against their right to demonstrate or to voice their opinions. But, surely, many are questioning the timing of it, that being during the anthem.

Sure, it's perfectly legal. I certainly wouldn't want to make it illegal. And if the owners don't care, they may go right on doing it. But they can expect a backlash, and they'll just have to live with it and not complain, for this is their choice.

Seth

 

Not to mention the kneelers are using the wrong venue for their protests. When they kneel no one knows what they are protesting. Anyone who sees them would easily think they are protesting America and the military. If they want to protest then take a microphone and state what they are protesting and why.

 

Everyone knows the football protests were because of Trump's stupid call outs on Kapaerik and those who think like him.

 

Must be that they aren't used to seeing overt bigotry.

 

And don't forget red paper coffee cups.