In Mr. Flood's recent letter to the editor, he seemed to be attempting to excuse the behavior of some NFL players' kneeling during the national anthem, by inferring that their actions are somehow in line with the changing values of what constitutes disrespect to the flag.
I note how Mr. Flood attempted to deflect from the real issue, disrespect of the flag, onto his (and every other liberal's) favorite target - the president. He spends considerable time and effort trying to denigrate President Trump for expressing his various opinions.
In voicing his opinion on some of the NFL players' behavior, the president called attention to the fact that, by kneeling during the national anthem, they were in violation of their own league's rules regarding behavior during the national anthem. He also observed that they were being disrespectful to the flag, the anthem, the country for which they stand, and to every American who had ever fought under that flag in defense of the country. For some reason, this simple logic seems to be beyond the grasp of most of those on the political left.
The act of disrespecting the flag, by failing to stand, face it, and place hand over heart during the national anthem, and instead choosing to kneel or remain seated, is an intentional act of disrespect. It is not a simple act of omission by a drunken fan who talks during the anthem, or of someone wearing a flag bandanna in a misguided attempt to show patriotism. It is meant to say in effect, "this country is not worthy of my respect." It is an action taken by malcontents, who are aware that they are committing an act of intentional disrespect, or perhaps by players who are ignorant, and who are simply trying to give support to their teammates.
It is also noteworthy that the original protest by Kaepernick (kneeling during the anthem), was based on a lie. "Hands up, don't shoot," never happened. The police officer in that instance was cleared completely, as have been the vast majority of other officers who have been falsely accused of wrongdoing in similar incidents.
The narrative that police officers are on the hunt for black males is a complete and utter lie. It was fabricated by those on the political left, and proliferated by the mainstream news media.
So in summary, the protest is nonsense in the first place. It is based on a lie. The protest is taking place while the players are on the NFL's time. They are employees who are violating the rules of their employer. (Fortunately for them, their employer doesn't appear to have the guts to enforce the rule.) The protest of kneeling is an intentional act of disrespect, an insult to the flag, the anthem, the country, and all people who hold those things as sacred, and worthy of respect.
There is a time, and a place, for protests. During the national anthem is neither the time, nor the place.
Lawrence McSwain
Lewes
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