[Taltarzac725]

I stand to honor the promise the flag represents.
You kneel because that promise has been broken.

I stand to affirm my belief that all are created equal, and to fight alongside you for that promise.
You kneel because too few stand with you.

I stand because we can be better.
You kneel to remind us to be better.

I stand to honor all that have fought and died so that we may be free.
You kneel because not all of us are.

I stand because I can.
You kneel for those who can't.

I stand to defend your right to kneel.
You kneel to defend my right to stand.

I stand because I love this country.
You kneel because you love it too.

written by: Andrew Freborg

[Bucco]

"Soon after the NFL announced it would issue fines if players do not stand during the national anthem before games, one team owner said he will cover any financial penalties that come as a result of players protesting.

New York Jets co-owner Christopher Johnson told Newsday on Wednesday that fines related to national anthem protests “will be borne by the organization, by me, not the players.”

Johnson said that he prefers that players stand during the national anthem, but he will not punish players who decide to protest. “I never want to put restrictions on the speech of our players,” he said. “There are some big, complicated issues that we’re all struggling with, and our players are on the front lines. I don’t want to come down on them like a ton of bricks, and I won’t. There will be no club fines or suspensions or any sort of repercussions. If the team gets fined, that’s just something I’ll have to bear.”

NFL National Anthem Policy: Jets Owner Will Pay Player Fines | Money

As I am understanding, this rule was determined by an "informal" vote and a number of teams are backing a bit

[ColdNoMore]

Originally Posted by eweissenbach

Is that a statement, a question, or an exclamation? I assume using barry, uncapitalized and the diminutive of Barack, is your weak attempt to show your contempt for the former President.

I too am proud to be a villager and an American, but not proud of all villagers or Americans.

[graciegirl]

HATS off!

Along the street there comes

A blare of bugles, a ruffle of drums,

A flash of color beneath the sky:

Hats off!

The flag is passing by!


Blue and crimson and white it shines,

Over the steel-tipped, ordered lines.

Hats off!

The colors before us fly;

But more than the flag is passing by.


Sea-fights and land-fights, grim and great,

Fought to make and to save the State:

Weary marches and sinking ships;

Cheers of victory on dying lips;


Days of plenty and years of peace;

March of a strong land’s swift increase;

Equal justice, right and law,

Stately honor and reverend awe;


Sign of a nation, great and strong

To ward her people from foreign wrong:

Pride and glory and honor,—all

Live in the colors to stand or fall.


Hats off!

Along the street there comes

A blare of bugles, a ruffle of drums;

And loyal hearts are beating high:

Hats off!

The flag is passing by!

[Bucco]

Originally Posted by graciegirl

HATS off!

Along the street there comes

A blare of bugles, a ruffle of drums,

A flash of color beneath the sky:

Hats off!

The flag is passing by!


Blue and crimson and white it shines,

Over the steel-tipped, ordered lines.

Hats off!

The colors before us fly;

But more than the flag is passing by.


Sea-fights and land-fights, grim and great,

Fought to make and to save the State:

Weary marches and sinking ships;

Cheers of victory on dying lips;


Days of plenty and years of peace;

March of a strong land’s swift increase;

Equal justice, right and law,

Stately honor and reverend awe;


Sign of a nation, great and strong

To ward her people from foreign wrong:

Pride and glory and honor,—all

Live in the colors to stand or fall.


Hats off!

Along the street there comes

A blare of bugles, a ruffle of drums;

And loyal hearts are beating high:

Hats off!

The flag is passing by!

Nice, and perhaps I am silly, but I, personally, wish for respect for what our flag stands for instead of restricting it to simply cloth.

[ColdNoMore]

Originally Posted by Bucco

Nice, and perhaps I am silly, but I, personally, wish for respect for what our flag stands for instead of restricting it to simply cloth.

What a novel concept!





My hats off to the TOTV Team for initiating this poll.


NFL's New Kneeling Policy Poll


I'm linking it, in case others haven't seen it.

[rustyp]

Originally Posted by graciegirl

HATS off!

Along the street there comes

A blare of bugles, a ruffle of drums,

A flash of color beneath the sky:

Hats off!

The flag is passing by!


Blue and crimson and white it shines,

Over the steel-tipped, ordered lines.

Hats off!

The colors before us fly;

But more than the flag is passing by.


Sea-fights and land-fights, grim and great,

Fought to make and to save the State:

Weary marches and sinking ships;

Cheers of victory on dying lips;


Days of plenty and years of peace;

March of a strong land’s swift increase;

Equal justice, right and law,

Stately honor and reverend awe;


Sign of a nation, great and strong

To ward her people from foreign wrong:

Pride and glory and honor,—all

Live in the colors to stand or fall.


Hats off!

Along the street there comes

A blare of bugles, a ruffle of drums;

And loyal hearts are beating high:

Hats off!

The flag is passing by!

///

[kcrazorbackfan]

Originally Posted by Bucco

Do not expect this to be read, because facts never seem to enter into discussions anymore, but if you are sincere..

Also speaking to the suggestion posted to do something...I really believe you should lookmaround at what NFL players do for their local communities as well as setting up foundations, and yet to hear about any of these foundations being phoney or being investigated and found to be phoney.

Here’s how NFL players are making an impact off the football field - SBNation.com

Making An Impact, Top 10 NFL Player Foundations

10 NFL Players Who Strive to Make a Difference – Fan Fest | For Fans, By Fans

I do applaud those players who do make a positive difference; but to those who disrespect the flag of our nation where they make their millions of dollars, and I don't care what race they are, I. HAVE. NO. USE. FOR. THEM.

And some of them have the gall to say they're oppressed (while they make their million dollar salaries)?

[ColdNoMore]

Originally Posted by kcrazorbackfan

I do applaud those players who do make a positive difference; but to those who disrespect the flag of our nation where they make their millions of dollars, and I don't care what race they are, I. HAVE. NO. USE. FOR. THEM.

And some of them have the gall to say they're oppressed (while they make their million dollar salaries)?

Sorry, but you don't get to change what this is really about (discrimination & unfairness, NOT patriotism)...as much as so many would like to try.

The athletes kneeling are NOT saying that they're the ones being oppressed/treated unfairly by police and society, they are shining the light on the problem FOR others who don't have their reach...and aren't as lucky and have it as well as themselves.

Trying to change the narrative, doesn't change that...FACTS MATTER.

[Taltarzac725]

Originally Posted by ColdNoMore

Sorry, but you don't get to change what this is really about (discrimination & unfairness, NOT patriotism)...as much as so many would like to try.

The athletes kneeling are NOT saying that they're the ones being oppressed/treated unfairly by police and society, they are shining the light on the problem FOR others who don't have their reach...and aren't as lucky and have it as well as themselves.

Trying to change the narrative, doesn't change that...FACTS MATTER.

Yes they do. Glad that you and Redwitch are also taking a stand.

[Byte1]

Originally Posted by Taltarzac725

It is usually about the money. At least, some people are talking about the issues that the protesters wanted to raise. I have a branch of my family tree which is African-American as well as Jamaican-American (depending how you use these labels) and racism is still a very deeply felt problem according to the in-laws I have had substantial conversations with. About 11 years ago my late younger brother married a woman from Jamaica who had also been a SEAL TEAM support system staffer.

The NFL Commissioner and others made a concession to both sides.

I have some black friends too. This is getting to be a cliche'.

These players have been duped into thinking its all about racism, when the fact is that one player was getting benched and he used "racism" as a tool to keep his job. It did not work very well for him, and he has caused the NFL to lose a lot of money. I am sure he is laughing and now feels vindicated.

[noslices1]

I hope that $20,000.00 fine is "per player", and then I hope the entire team "takes a knee". I wonder what the team owners will do then?

[mellincf]

[QUOTE=Nucky;1546852]2BNTV, "All players should stand for the Anthem". I couldn't agree more.


Forced patriotism is not patriotism, it’s fascism. Nazis were forced to salute. Heil Hitler!

[ColdNoMore]

Originally Posted by mellincf

Forced patriotism is not patriotism, it’s fascism. Nazis were forced to salute. Heil Hitler!

YEP!


NFL's New Kneeling Policy Poll


The link to the TOTV Team's poll...above.

[Bucco]

Originally Posted by graciegirl

All of them? That seems rather like grouping people together, labeling them and judging them.

Some people are more perceptive to others, can read faces, and body language and nuances. It is a gift that only some have.

People often try to make sense of others by thinking they think alike. I don't think many of us, especially those who have faced and endured a long life think alike. We each are a product of all of the things that have happened to us. Some of us are more patient by nature, more ordered by nature, more intelligent by nature, more athletic by nature, more healthy, more skilled, more calm, more sensitive, more loving, more focused. And some are cussed bad. Don't ask me. I don't know why.

I believe that we are NOT born equal. It allows us to practice our humanity to each other.

To your first sentence.....

I believe all groups, political, sports, whatever have leaders and they speak on behalf of the group they lead. Those who may not agree need to speak up, instead of follow.

Of course not ALL conservatives are racist, as when liberals, progressives, immigrants, Muslims, Catholics, blacks, etc. are lumped together.

The labeling and judging you object do should be objected to, but realize the voice of any movement represents.