12 Dec Do you believe kneeling to protest during the national anthem disrespects the troops?
There is a growing debate over kneeling to protest during the national anthem. Proponents justify the action considering it a legal form of peaceful protest under the First Amendment.
Opponents consider it disrespectful to the country and the people who have risked their lives or died defending the United States.
You have invested your lives to protect the country’s sovereignty!
What are your thoughts? Do you consider kneeling to protest as disrespectful towards the troops?
Today is the day. Now is the moment. Vote for change.
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Do you believe kneeling to protest during the national anthem disrespects the troops?
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Yes -
No -
Can’t Say
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douglas
Posted at 23:23h, 09 JanuaryI was hazed when i was in the Army and nothing is being done about it yet, i got out the Amy with mental problems after and there not wanting to fess up to what they did so ya im kneeling down during National Anthem.
Jugo
Posted at 20:23h, 12 JanuaryBoth of my grandfathers were military veterans. It saddens me that these people with million dollar houses and cars have the audacity to do what they’re doing. If you hate America so much go live in China where you’ll get killed for even saying something bad about their government. Pathetic honestly.
Donald J. Trump
Posted at 14:05h, 17 DecemberDuh! Anyone that says “Kneeling does not Disrespect the FLAG has NEVER been in Combat Defending the Freedom Ungrateful Marxist show for it!
As a Military Veteran I HUNT MArxist Scum for a Reason!
Josh Quintal
Posted at 20:02h, 22 NovemberI am a Combat Veteran, and a proud supporter of the right to peacefully protest. Im a very patriotic person who believes in the unity of our country, even when some seem to want to tear us apart in their quest for change to systematic bias in their local and federal communities. I have always loved football and have always been proud of our American sport being so remarkably popular across the globe.
That all being said, I also know that some of us have seen other parts of the world that not alot of others in our country have seen, fought in battles those other people could never even fathom the idea of being part of. Those people have the blissful ignorance of not knowing the sacrifice that goes I go into their right to protest in the first place, and consequencially protest the playing of our National Anthem as if it were the country’s fault as a whole for the I justices people are facing.
The entire planet and all countries in it see us divided as a country when that happens. They don’t see you protesting as your right to do in our free country; they see a country divided and weak, vulnerable to attack and critisicm, and lose all respect for our way of life because they see how the rights our servicemen and women fought to provide to you have spoiled our citizens.
We try and encourage democracy so the residents of other nations can have better lives with real opportunities to succeed. But when those countries see the effects of the rights that come with democracy end up having, they no longer have any reason to want to change. We have created an entitled, disrespectful generation of people who believe their right to protest means they are alright to divide the country and disrespect out flag. And that also means they disrespect our fallen comrades, all veterans who have ever seved, and they do it in front of a worldwide audience.
I think it should be a federal law that people protesting I’m the country, much like the law prohibiting Americans from desecrating the flag, may not publicly desecrate the National Anthem or the ceremony of standing in the name of protest.
Of anyone caught doing so, they should face fines or imprisonment regardless of race, gender, religion, etc. because their kneeling does not have the effect of only showing protest against their cause. It shows protest against their country.
If they enacted a law like that then those people can all kneel together in prison next to one another.
Adam Riley
Posted at 04:24h, 08 NovemberI’ve been a huge sports fan my entire life. Sadly it’s always been part of my identity and who I am. I’m 40 years old and you would never find a bigger fan. They have the right to kneel because of those who came and fought before them gave them that right. My Grandfather was a WW2 vet who earned a bronze metal at The Battle of The Bulge (deadliest war in world history) and was Chief of Police in my hometown for 10 years afterwards. My Grandfather walked with a limp for over 65 years due to part of a hand grenade in his knee. He would never talk about the war and if confronted too long about it you could see tears start to form in his eyes. Honestly I feel ashamed I ever supported these athletes that think it’s ok to kneel during our National Anthem. I’ll most likely always like sports but I’ll always love my Grandfather and Country more. Unfortunately i watched sports to escape from the crap of everyday life and I don’t think I’ll ever feel the same. You see I’ve found I’m ok without watching sports and I’ll never support these millionaires and their disrespectful stance. I think they should continue to use their platform because my Grandfather gave them that right. I have no intention of ever caring or tuning back in like I use to and that’s my right. God Bless the USA 🇺🇸 !!!
RIP Marshall Finnel Riley I love you dearly and I’ll see you again one fine day.
tom burton
Posted at 16:46h, 27 SeptemberI don’t care what you have to do to protest for your beliefs. You can kneel, you can lay down, or you can do cartwheels for all I care. But when you’re asked to stand for the national anthem, you stand out of respect for the people that are protecting you. You can do your little ritual before or after. The fans are the ones who make you famous. If they don’t like you or watch you, then you’re nobody. If you don’t like living in this free country you can move. If you can’t stand, we can’t be a fan. If you take a knee, we turn the T.V. If you walk away, you shouldn’t play.
Trybeing. Honest
Posted at 01:36h, 23 SeptemberYou know what they say about an opinion! Let’s see if we can take the attention off Kaepernick, your arm wrestling with better presidents, flags flying and anthems playing Let’s focus on YOUR “opinion” about where and when YOU say it’s ok to conduct a peaceful protest. Because that’s what it comes down to is YOUR “opinion” and what you don’t like when people different from you don’t do as you do……period. 1# America has thousands of cultures that don’t and have not for decades saluted a flag nor stood for an anthem during a football game due to their own cultures and beliefs. So what made that day different when a football player choose his own time and moment to exercise his freedom? Let’s take that day then…..2# had you scanned the thousands of people in the crowd as the videos I’ve seen. DURING THE ANTHEM, there was A) a woman sitting playing with her toddlers B) to guys drinking down beers C) teens blowing bubbles while standing., D) the concession person conducting his transaction with a customer and that’s just a few I observed ALL DURING the anthem. And I may as well say they were white and yes I am white! Point being, they weren’t protesting racial injustice. They just didn’t give a damn about the anthem! So, based on the decades of football games and other cultural and beliefs that have NOT stood or hand on heart for the anthem AS WELL AS the people that day that were not even focused on the anthem at all……how had all that been excused, never observed, no one gave a crap? Yet, one guy, one day supposedly single hand-idly woke your new found opinion up when you never had a say before ….when this has been going on for decades including that day….that game! See, when you want to be heard YOU have the right to choose the peaceful moment. YOU don’t have to go ask someone when is it ok FOR YOU ….when/where I can conduct my peaceful protest. If something horrific happened to your closest loved one and nothing was done about the justice you desperately needed and the only moment/platform and opportunity you could see it was a moment to be heard for the justice you needed and it ….was during the anthem…..for your loved one, what would you do? Rhetorical question, answer: you do what you have the right to do!
Again, your opinion ………like everybody else that has a right to one……you know what they say about an opinion.
Jennifer McGowan
Posted at 19:01h, 19 SeptemberTo kneel to the Flag and National Anthem which has been fought by all genders, races and religions representing a bond of pride, freedom and loss that all Americans share is disrespectful. If even one Veteran or family of a fallen hero shares the hurt they are feeling the athletes should have apologized to THEM and found another way to display unity instead of adding to the problem. I know there are many athletes that give their time and money to help others but for most athletes when the cameras are off so is their fight for inequality which makes kneeling to the Flag and National Anthem so disrespectful. We have shown the strength this country is made of but now not only the people but the government all need to stop blaming and pointing fingers and listen listen listen to one another. in order to heal and truly move forward together as one. If we don’t then we can only blame ourselves if one day the flag we are forced to stand for has no stars and stripes and anyone heard singing the Star Spangle Banner is a crime punishable by death. The words “America will never be destroyed from the outside. If we lose our freedoms it will be because we have destroyed ourselves from within” is what keeps me up at night. Every argument has two different versions of why it happened and somewhere between the two is the truth.
Heather G
Posted at 18:00h, 18 SeptemberIf all vets who have served our country to allow us those freedoms would boycott watching football games, we might get some response from NFL..because it’s always about money
Vern
Posted at 00:37h, 16 SeptemberOookay
So we have people who have served disagreeing on if it’s disrespectful or not. The fact that you disagree is proof that we have a freedom of choice. If someone chooses to kneel , you can choose to like it or not but the fact remains many that kneel, also served or have family that served. If you are offended , perhaps you should seek to understand and not undermine.
CLIFF
Posted at 16:07h, 14 SeptemberI am a Vet. I believe all have rights to kneel for whatever reason they want. I also have the right to not watch them if I think they are disrespecting my country or my family.
Rebecca
Posted at 06:29h, 14 SeptemberThe NFL has always been pro-military, examples include their alliance with the wounded warrior project and the salute to service apparel. Kneeling during the anthem has NOTHING to do with service members. It has everything to do with this country and how blacks are more oppressed than whites. If you don’t believe that’s true it’s because you grew up in a primarily white community where you had all the opportunities in the world. The NFL is PEACEFULLY protesting systemic racism, that’s it, NOT the military. If you think the anthem and the flag is ONLY about the military you need to humble yourselves. It’s also about this country, which is a great country, but greater if you’re white. They’re fighting for equality for all races. Everyone is so pissed off about the opportunists looting and destroying property, instead of peacefully protesting. Well guess what, the NFL… some of the most influential black people in the world are peacefully protesting for racial equality, so let them do it. People aren’t going to listen to anyone else.
JIM Case
Posted at 22:02h, 11 SeptemberI understand you want to protest and stand behind a cause. That’s fine and my dad and brother and uncle all fought for that right. You want to protest or help change then do it just not during our national anthem. Flag is showing respect for those who have served for our country and not the place to protest.
Vickie Welch
Posted at 16:50h, 10 SeptemberOur military must stand and salute our flag during the national anthem showing respect for the flag and our country- why is not disrespectful when someone else does it? I am having a hard time understanding this issue. How many of you kneeling were ever in a military uniform or understand what that uniform means? How many of you kneeling understand what it means to lose a father, brother, sister, son, or daughter in a war? Until you have walked in the shoes of our military you cannot understand nor can you feel what they do when you kneel during our country’s national anthem. I have no problem with the peaceful protests and I agree there are a lot of things that need to change in our country but I have to disagree with you, kneeling is disrespectful to our military, to our flag, and to our country.
Whitney
Posted at 19:08h, 24 FebruaryI believe that NFL players should be allowed to kneel I believe this because of the first amendment states “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.” Meaning these NFL players have a voice and opinion.
Bob
Posted at 14:28h, 24 NovemberKapernick used the NFL to do his protest, he was there to play football, if he wanted to get his point across he should of rented the stadium and invited the public
Jarred M. Jones
Posted at 14:57h, 21 NovemberThe anthem is not the place to protest for people of color or our president or your beliefs. It is a place where you show respect for this country and for the service members that go and fight for the freedoms you have and use everyday. If you do not like our president then you can go protest in front of the white house with everyone else, if you don’t like the unfair officers in the police station then tell your state representative or governor to see if he can change the system plus they have more power than any normal person over the subject. This topic really gets me worked up because I am enlisted in the U.S. Marines and I leave to join them on July 27th, 2020. I trailed off topic but I have to say that kneeling or sitting for our anthem is the highest form of disrespect any one person can do for this country that does so much to ensure freedom for its citizens, so I kindly ask you to please stand.
Jarred Jones
Posted at 14:56h, 21 NovemberThe anthem is not the place to protest for people of color or our president or your beliefs. It is a place where you show respect for this country and for the service members that go and fight for the freedoms you have and use everyday. If you do not like our president then you can go protest in front of the white house with everyone else, if you don’t like the unfair officers in the police station then tell your state representative or governor to see if he can change the system plus they have more power than any normal person over the subject. This topic really gets me worked up because I am enlisted in the U.S. Marines and I leave to join them on July 27th, 2020. I trailed off topic but I have to say that kneeling or sitting for our anthem is the highest form of disrespect any one person can do for this country that does so much to ensure freedom for its citizens, so I kindly ask you to please stand.
Michael A. Du Fer
Posted at 01:18h, 19 NovemberOf cours he is! He’s helping us to destroy our own image as pro-humanistics throughout the planet buy having our military playing the Police of His planet!
Oh, is it just hiS planet.
We, the Majority, in these United States, don’t think so. WE are not divided in this opinion of him.
He’s I phoney, and, he will pay.
John S.
Posted at 14:10h, 04 NovemberOur laws as written allowed this kneeling action to take place.
This form of freedom has been guaranteed by the men and woman who served this Country to keep it free.
Now add to freedom my right not to watch anymore NFL games since that action occurred.
The rights of the team owners not to hire the perpetrator.
We all have rights due to the military service from the many that served honorably.
Thank you for serving.
Erika
Posted at 19:58h, 29 OctoberKneeling is a sign of respect, like when a man kneels to propose to his girlfriend. Kneeling during the National Anthem is a PEACEFUL protest against widespread police brutalities and murders committed toward men, women, and children of color.
SFC Steven M Barry USA RET
Posted at 05:00h, 18 OctoberThey’re all Negroes, and that’s all we need to know about it.
R
Posted at 17:45h, 21 MayOne of the reasons why i wont stand, cause of people like you. Thankfully its apart of out first amendment, “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.” have a nice day colonizer.
Jim Smith
Posted at 11:51h, 15 OctoberIf you don’t believe in Our national anthem and you don’t believe in God maybe you should move to another country that’s what this country was set up for freedom of speech and freedom of religion It don’t mean freedom to protest against it .
R
Posted at 17:51h, 21 MayAhh yes, many people are protesting because “justice for all” is not for all does not apply to minorities and POC, we face injustice everyday. Telling someone to leave the country instead of trying to better it says a-lot about you. You are highly disrespectful and no I will continue to sit since its apart of my first amendment, “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,” In addition to not everyone believes in god so respect peoples beliefs.
Kenneth Wills
Posted at 05:34h, 14 OctoberNo, what utterly disrespects me, as a veteran, is when America fails to uphold its principles and is in danger of abandoning them altogether. We have a fucking problem ensuring our principles are extended to ALL Americans. To those holding the short end of the stick, America is a lie and that is a damn good reason to kneel when the National Anthem is played. In fact, if I was on the recieving end, I would not be kneeling, I would grab a megaphone, throw up the middle finger and say “Get the fuck out of here with that bullshit.”
Cameron Hightower
Posted at 03:08h, 04 OctoberMany of you are only seeing things from one side, and not all sides. Let me explain what I mean. I am a US Army War Veteran who served 12 years. During those twelve years I experience favoritism, racism and also witnessed another soldier receiving a medal for what I did. That happened twice to me. I was also experimented on by the military with a anti virus drug without my consent. So you tell me I should be patriotic after going through all of that? (Even a dog will fight back if it is mistreated and it definitely won’t have loyalty to the master who mistreats it.)
Second point. My forefathers where slaves and people of my culture have been mistreated because of our skin color for the past 300 years and it still happens today. Colin was kneeling to RESPECT those who are not represented and respected because of their color. As a soldier we are supposed to protect the same people from being mistreated. If you argue any of these points, it is because you never have been mistreated because of your gender, race, religion etc… Colin was kneeling for me and any other person who is being mistreated by law enforcement and not getting support from those who know it is wrong. Colin was supporting those who were being mistreated!! Respect him for having the bravery to show his love for those who need it.
This isn’t about the flag… this is about Colin using a platform to support those who have no voice. I don’t put my hand over my heart during the national anthem and I never will after how this military treated me, and how this country still allows people of color to be mistreated over and over again. That is MY RIGHT. Especially if I served my country with honor, I have a right to stand or not, hand over my heart or not. I deserve that right after my sacrifice to help others life a better life.
My pledge of loyalty is to my God, not to a country that tells me it is ok to kill another person. A country that says it is ok to take another life without remorse. I will always answer and follow my God and my beliefs over this country. My right, my choice. Colin is doing what God expects him to do in his life, which is to help protect and support those who cannot fight for themselves. Its is every humans responsibility to do that. Because if any of you where mistreated, you would be looking for support to have it stopped. Stop being blind and look at this situation from the correct angle and step out of your comfortable shoes and step into shoes of those whose shoes are not.
I understand Colin’s choice, because I remember getting hit in the head with a brick at the age of six because of my skin color. So understand one thing…If you have never been denied a job for because of your skin color… you can’t speak on Colin’s choice. If you have never been mistreated because of your culture… you have no say in Colin’s choice. If you have never experienced your culture being suppressed for hundreds of years… you can’t speak on Colin’s choice. Colin is supporting part of the culture that he belongs to, and he has every right to do so. We all have that right. But you have to respect it, just as others have to respect your choice and opinion. I’ll say this one last time so you don’t get it twisted… Colin wasn’t kneeling against the flag… he was kneeling against the suppression and mistreating of African American’s past, present and future. If you think he is wrong by doing that… then that’s your opinion. But the truth is… Colin was right in his choice and his ideology of why he was kneeling. PERIOD.
Brian Johnson
Posted at 16:24h, 03 OctoberNo I don’t and as a vet I have knelt at a pro football and basketball game as a vet when our brothers and sisters lost their lives we knelt to show them respect..
Raymond Vaughn
Posted at 01:49h, 02 OctoberIf it does not affect you or your people, you don’t see a protest as a protest. No one can tell an oppressed people just how they can protest. That’s akin to condemnng civil rights marchers or women’s marches to be able to vote. I did my time, Vietnam, in the Corps, Desert Storm in the Army and I have no problem with NFL protest especially coming from a draft-dodging President. I see their kneeling to protest unarmed murders by police as being much more valid than people marching with Nazi flags in our streets. We fought for freedom of speech but not for a flag that symbolized tyranny, racism and mass murders of innocent people. They have a legitimate gripe. In my lifetime, I have witnessed my grandma, my father, myself, my son, my grandson abused by bully cops because of the color of their skin. I am not prejudiced but have been victimized by prejudice. I stand and salute the flag and the anthem but I know from experience that America has not lived up to it’s promise of justice for all. Zimmerman shot and killed a kid who resisted being bullied by a fat slob with a gun and got off scot free. Marissa Alexander fired a shot in the air to push back a known abusive husband and got 20 years, same town, same judge. Yes, there is a differnce in how laws and justice is administered and their peaceful protest, rightly draws attention to what most folks, mostly whites don’t experience and don’t see.
A. Newcomb
Posted at 13:22h, 30 SeptemberThese athletes are getting paid a Lot of money, alot more than the soldiers fighting and dying. They still cry and complain. What are they complaining about?! I’m sick of everyone turning any issue into a hate Trump rant. He can tweet whatever as long as our country isn’t becoming a 3rd world country like it was when he took office. Who is the president colluding with!? Did he tell Putin that “he’d have more flexibility once he’s in office?” Or did he say his healthcare plan would save American families $2500 a year, but raise it instead? Or did he release a bunch of psychotic terrorists from Guantanamo? No, that was Obama not Trump. The list goes on and on. Kneeling during the anthem not only disrespects the troops, you might as well spit in our face.
Janet
Posted at 12:06h, 30 SeptemberI wonder, if Colin was Tom Brady, would he be seen as a patriot? Yeah, okay silly joke but it’s very true. It’s not disrespectful, it’s putting into action our liberties.
Mike J
Posted at 18:43h, 17 SeptemberAs a former soldier. I believe that Americans have the right to protest as they see fit. I personally would never kneel. However I also would never Burn our flag. I also would never fly the German Flag. But the American Citizen that chooses to do so has the right. Why do so many people have something to say about kneeling and nothing to say about the people who protest with German Swastikas on their arms ??
Chase
Posted at 06:57h, 17 SeptemberAs a 3x Afghan veteran and a minority, I find it extreme offensive that the President would use the military as a dog whistle defense against this argument. First, kneeling is a more respectable approach (suggested by another veteran) to Kap’s protest. Second, it is not in any instruction labeled as disrespectful or unwarranted to kneel to the flag, and furthermore, most of what we as Americans do to look “patriotic” are in direct violation of the US Flag Code including “the parading of the flag” because it states it shouldn’t be flown flat. So this whole argument is bs propaganda. And how dare a 3x draft dodger like Trump assume he can use the military to foster his bs argument to halt another mans protest. It’s a disgusting excuse, and what most fail to realize is what Kaepernick is protesting for would apply to a vast majority of military personnel. If there is evidence of police misconduct amongst a certain demographic whatever that demographic is will be that regardless of their service to their country. So at the end of the day when a black service member changed into their “civi’s” as we call it, they are just seen as a black person, and are just a vulnerable to the same threats that are imposed on the rest of their demographic. So it is disgusting to me how we as a nation can accept the service of black and brown veterans, but not stand up to protect their liberties as well. Their is nothing wrong with holding police officers accountable, every veteran I’m sure has had their ass handed to them more times than they can count for smaller mistakes and we usually receive the harsher punishments twice over if we were to ever mess up. So why should we run to the defense of police officers who refuse to police their own actions? Police officers get called out for their plain and obvious gross misconduct that has gone on for decades and the media half the nation USES the military as a scapegoat to mask the issue. Talk about disrespecting the troops.
BOBBY BRIAN
Posted at 15:17h, 30 AugustMost of the folks who have commented here and feel that it disrespects the flag to kneel……Never ever served this country, either in civil service nor in military service! I’m a veteran of both! And to boot I’m a Christian first and foremost! It’s GOD, Family then Country! Think about it, If not for GOD we wouldn’t exist! If not for Family, we wouldn’t work as hard and go to war to protect our country! And I know that the Bible states, that Every Knee will Bow and Every tongue will confess that JESUS CHRIST is LORD! It doesn’t matter how much power you have or what position you’re in or what color your skin is or gender you are! Your knees will bow……and it will not be an act of Disrespect but an Act of the Highest Respect and Humbleness! So again, taking a knee is NOT a sign of disrespect but actually it’s a humbling act of Respect!!
Amos
Posted at 01:40h, 30 AugustIf kneeling is a sign of respect. If it is a humble position. Then what is standing. Opinions about why you think it is disrespectful is not a valid point to argue. Why? Because opinions are not facts. The meaning of kneeling is not an opinion, it is a definition. Calling someone childish or ignorant for making a radical move like all others to get the public’s attention isn’t wrong. Could they have did it at a different time, maybe. Could they have assembled somewhere else to take a stand for what they believe in, maybe. The point was to get the world’s attention to push for change. I love my country, making change from within takes the action of more than just a few people. To be the change you want to see in the world, then take a stand before the nation. Instead of judging people, in this country of brotherly love, help your brother. Stop critizing and try to understand and help. We are not other countries, so why compare. We are the greatest. That is what the fights should be about. I figured this may be asking to much, but thought I would give my opinion anyway.
James
Posted at 09:02h, 25 AugustKneeling or standing it doesn’t matter how someone shows respect. People kneel before God. I would say kneeling is a far more powerful sign of respect for our country since that gesture is usually reserved for the creator of the universe. Its a remarkably nit picky thing to get bent out of shape about. I’d be more angry for those that sit or don’t engage the flag at all or those that willfully ignore it. People’s posture during the pledge/anthem is hardly a topic of importance. There are far more important things to be worried about in our country. Etiquette is literally the last thing anybody should be whining about.
James
Posted at 08:50h, 25 AugustSo I really tried to like Trump.i think he does have some strong and likeable qualities.i even attended one of his rallies. But I am not impressed with his performance as a president. The US is more divided than ever before. I have never seen this much bickering and hatefulness. Our country is dealing with internal strife. It was Bushs job to unite us during 911, just as it was Obama’s job to unite us while we hunted Bin Laden. It is Trumps job to UNITE all of us, not just Republicans. He has failed miserably.
The Republican party is stuck in the 50s with very little ability to confront change. Even their core morals of “saving money” have been thrown out the window in the wake of this charlatan. Let’s blow 5 billion on a fence on the border. The great wall of China didn’t keep the huns out forever, the wall of France never kept Hitler out, and the walls of Jericho didn’t keep God out. Instead he took the money from our military. How about we actually use that military for once to kill the drug cartels that have overun Mexico and corrupted their government. Might be more useful than having them deployed in Israel picking sides in one of the oldest conflicts known to mankind. Seeing that it’s our fault in the first place that Mexico is crumbling. Not like our strict drug laws on stupid things like marijuana didn’t allow the Cartels to take over. This president is a spinless worm pushing an agenda that doesn’t even make sense, just to get votes. Bush or Obama would have those Cartels heads on plates by now and would be trying to fix the 3rd world country we created. Meanwhile he’s tweeting to his inbred followers like a teenage girl instead of actually fixing these problems. He’s just looking for votes.
Asim Asim
Posted at 05:09h, 22 AugustAny person that has gone across the ocean and has fought for the rights and the freedom of any and all that is in America, if you do not stand you are an enemy I repeat if you cannot respect the anthem and the flag that our soldiers go and fight in combat for you are a chicken shit coward and you are an enemy of the United States
Mike
Posted at 14:19h, 27 JulyYou dang right it disrespects our troops. The National Anthem is a part of America and the troops defend her.
Kor
Posted at 06:50h, 27 JulyI’m a retired veteran and completely support the rights and freedom of people to express their feelings and believes. After all freedom is what we are fighting for and we will not all agree on the same thing. That’s why it is ok for people to express their individual emotions, especially if they are doing it in a peaceful non violent way.
Sue
Posted at 03:16h, 25 JulyAnd our country. How about protesting without insults.
Doug Miller
Posted at 18:39h, 19 JulyI made a mistake in choosing NO for answering the kneeling question-my answer is NOT YES BUT HELL YES, it disrespects our Military and our Country, and all loyal citizens–and a “LOYAL CITIZEN” is one that respects other citizens and happy they were born or raised or came to this country LEGAL. Also they are the folks who don’t complain about how bad they or their ancestors were treated because most all of our ancestors went through very hard times, and don’t expect to receive handouts because of it. Just be happy to be here in this country.
Cameron Hightower
Posted at 03:25h, 04 OctoberLearn your history. This country was built off the backs of slaves. Not by hard working white men, but horrible slave raping, killing men who disregarded human life. No different from today. That’s what Colin was trying to show, respect to those who don’t have the ability to be supported. HIS CHOICE. I am a US Army War Veteran and a African American who seen and lived a hard life because of my culture. You would never understand it, because you were lucky enough to not be apart of a culture that endured pain for hundreds of years. So its easy for you to speak that way. I suspect you think what happened in Charolettesville VA with the neo nazi’s ok? So if those racist men and women can march around and wave a German nazi flag (Not an American flag), preach white supremacy and be violent., then Colin can kneel at every event he wants.
Frank Crocetti
Posted at 07:56h, 15 NovemberPoint Blank i Support Colin’s Right to kneel but do not agree with it. American soldiers And Sailors died so Colin could have the right to kneel like it or not. On top of that its an NFL Game where people pay money to see a sporting event and people shouldn’t have to put up with political bullshit at a football game. There’s a place for everything !
Gwendolyn
Posted at 00:35h, 01 JuneYes its disrespectful. You are disrespecting our FLAG, VETERANS,FALLING SOLDIERS, OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST AND ALL THE FAMILIES OF THE MILITARIES. Why would you want to kneel, that is STUPID.
Dean Haggerty
Posted at 20:09h, 28 MayKneeling during our National Anthem is disrespectful to all that have served, or worse made the ultimate sacrifice for Americans to live free of oppression. If you cannot stand, stay still and observe the colors move to another country clearly you have no idea what it means to serve.
Willie
Posted at 20:33h, 21 MayAs a retired US Army veteran of 24 years, I do not feel disrespected in any way by kneeling athletes.. Disrespect is seeing Nazi flags being waved in Charlottesville.
Venetia
Posted at 15:02h, 02 JuneI am a veteran and I don’t understand the divisiveness of our nation. I served proudly and would do it again without reservation.
Both veterans and active duty, served to represent our nation as a whole, some having made the supreme sacrifice, (and we honor them), dying for our nation and it’s people. The sacrifices made were for all of us as a nation whether we agree or not with a particular stance.
It is now so very disturbing that we say we have freedom and justice for all but condemn those for exercising the rights of those freedoms. We really need to grow and still have much to learn as a nation and as people.
Brent
Posted at 21:10h, 10 MayDepends on the employer. The Bill of Rights was not made to protect your right to force your opinion on others in the civilian context. It’s purpose was to defend us from government intrusions. The NFL seems to realize it will lose business by giving voice to these people. They are no better than you or me and have no right to force private entities to amplify their voices over ours. I thus have a fundamental right to not have to watch them. They can protest at the courthouse; at the game they are violating my fundamental right to not participate in their protests.
Michael
Posted at 18:59h, 30 AprilThe very idea that “kneeling to protest during the national anthem disrespects the troops” is just ridiculous and is politically motivated. Kneeling to protest during the national anthem is protected by the 1st amendment. The stated purpose of kneeling to protest during the national anthem was stated by those who were protested: to specifically protest what police are doing.
Anyone troops, active or retired (as I am) have no reason to feel they are being disrespected. If you feel as if you are then YOU are going out of your way to feel that way.
Sara
Posted at 20:07h, 26 MarchDo our troops fight for this country and our freedom, or do they fight for a piece of cloth? Pretty sure they fight for our freedom. The flag is a symbol of the country. Not just the troops. These men aren’t protesting our brave troops. They are protesting the horrific living (and dying) situations of the brave black men and women in this country. Be educated, be open minded and put yourself out of your privileged shoes and into those of someone else that doesn’t have the same life as you. You might be surprised what you learn. Stand or Kneel – do you, but don’t judge how someone else makes their statement.
BobbyBrian
Posted at 17:15h, 26 MarchI ‘m a veteran, and I’m upset at those who get upset about honoring our flag and never served…..a.k.a. like our President, Trump! Also, kneeling does not show disrespect towards our flag. Kneeling is a humbling position! If anyone turns their back purposely during the time of saluting our flag, then that’s a show of disrespect! I wonder if those who called kneeling disrespectful, ever kneel to pray to our GOD Almighty, JESUS CHRIST!! Why aren’t you upset about the murders, rape, robbery, child molesters, and the even the Treason that takes place between our country top officials and Russia top officials…….I think you got it all Wrong!! {That’s actually a Terrorist act against our Great Country which stands on….the motto of: In GOD We Trust!!
Robert Romero
Posted at 13:33h, 13 MarchWe should always Honor our flag. Taking the knee shows disrespect for those who have fought and died.we should respect our laws and those who enforce them. Police die in the line of duty too.
Dave Holdipp
Posted at 23:02h, 08 MarchWhat does kneeling during the National Anthem have to do with the troops? The Con Man is trying to tie them together and why is people falling for this crap?
Bcharri48
Posted at 23:35h, 20 FebruaryWhen a person bows one knee to me that means humbling. A man goes down on ‘one knee’ when he proposes to the woman he wants to marry, when a player is hurt in a Jr High game, ALL the team members go to one knee. When Colin Kaepernick did so NOT out of disrespect for the flag or veterans but to bring focus on all African American males who have been killed senseless by law enforcement because they felt their lives were threatened even when they had no weapon in hand or was running away from them because they felt their lives were in danger. I am a veteran and an African American. When America stop killing our black males and all are treated with the same dignity as other Americans this will stop. What I do feel is when I see people wearing the flag as bikinis or when someone burns the flag because it is their right then I am horrified. No matter where I am I always stand and place my hand over my heart when I hear the National Anthem is played. I am proud to be an American!! Can you say you do the same?
Michael
Posted at 15:25h, 20 FebruaryThe right to protest is fundamental. Emotional “unpatriotic” accusations are immature forms of blind obedience. I fought for the right of individuals to peaceful protest. Whether I agree or not I support that right. I’ll take a knee with him anytime and I am proud to do so.
Michael Diaz
Posted at 13:42h, 04 FebruaryI can totally see why anyone would see this as a sign of disrespect. However, from the protester’s perspective, they are protesting perceived local police and other biases, and are using this action as a signal of protest. I don’t believe they intended to disrespect our military or service members. So for me, taking a knee doesn’t offend me (I’m a Navy veteran) when its used as a sign of protest to air grievances. However in general, most people don’t know what’s behind the mind of someone taking a knee, so I can see this from both sides. My advice, give them the benefit of doubt and move on.
Franz
Posted at 01:52h, 20 FebruaryThe problem with your last statement is that there is no doubt about their intentions, just as there is no doubt about any of these kinds of public antics. They all knew that there were other public venues to grind their axes. These antics were not spontaneous, but, rather, were pre-planned to take the opportunity to hijack the moment for attention. This is neither sporting, manly, nor is it patriotic. Yes, move on is exactly what a lot of fans did, and ironically, Kapernick freed many of us from the sport to do more edifying and worthy things other than watch overpaid grown men exhibiting their temper tantrums, unsportsmanship, and celebrations of self-congratulatory gestures for simply doing their job of field jesters for the enjoyment of those in moments of idle leisure and entertainment. Thank you, Mr. Kapernick, you are a liberator of much more than you can imagine.
Stephen S Wilson
Posted at 17:19h, 11 JanuaryI’m a veteran but I’m also African American. I don’t think its disrespectful to kneel at a flag that doesn’t respect all its citizens. Kneeling has nothing to do with veterans.
Chazz Graves
Posted at 10:35h, 09 Januaryif you are of color you no! what it is all about?
Chazz Graves
Posted at 10:28h, 09 Januaryif you are of color you no! what it is all about, oh what about a wall just for mexico is cause they are the wrong color?? why not put up two walls??
Franz
Posted at 22:57h, 19 FebruaryVery good, Chazz, but the majority of criminals, terrorists, diseases, gangs, drugs, and illegal crossings by illegal aliens comes from the Southern border, not the Northern border with Canada. With that said, after We The People’s Wall is finished on the Southern border, we should revisit the Northern border and the frequency of any illegal crossings, etc. Since you are an advocate of a wall there, I nominate you as our advocate and emissary to champion the cause. Thank you, Chazz, for your concern that we not overlook any other invaders who might trespass our homeland violating our immigration laws at our Northern border.
jim
Posted at 03:59h, 08 JanuaryYes…. If they want change, turn in the football uniform and put on a badge. Make the change from within. Where is the community advocacy and work if they really care.
Jon
Posted at 04:02h, 04 JanuaryYou need to wake the fuck up! We always stand to the national anthem as as symbol to both military and country! Some rich non-vet with no experience in the military is not oppressed! Martin Luther King never knelt for the national anthem. Malcom X never knelt! Now some football celebrity with no military experience disrespects the national anthem and for what? a football game! Where is that asshole now? Has he ever been on TV addressing the country about these issues he’s “protesting?” Has he published any articles? NO! and NO! That motherfucker has no clue what a protest is!
Rita Ann Farias
Posted at 17:40h, 04 JanuaryAgree with you 100 percent. IT IS disrespectful to kneel during the national anthem. I was stationed in Germany for 2 years, try kneeling or sitting during their national anthem and see what happens. Our country deserves our respect, no matter what our current injustices to people of color. Our country betrayed them, yet none of their great leaders chose to disrespect the flag or anthem in any way.
Bruce
Posted at 22:17h, 17 AprilSo why do/did we fight for this country ?
Alexster
Posted at 15:14h, 03 JanuaryI’m a navy vet and I fought for peace while others stayed home…i have no problem with a k we being taken because even when black service members came home from. Vietnam they were still injustices here in the states as regards to black people…so yes it’s about time the fight is again taken up…..
Alexster Sumbry
Posted at 15:14h, 03 JanuaryI’m a navy vet and I fought for peace while others stayed home…i have no problem with a k we being taken because even when black service members came home from. Vietnam they were still injustices here in the states as regards to black people…so yes it’s about time the fight is again taken up…..
Mike
Posted at 22:11h, 22 DecemberAs a 21 year veteran with 49 months of combat deployments it’s not about disrespect to what those before me, nor is it about those that serve after me. Think about it like this….. You can’t go to another country and kneel during a countries national anthem. You can’t go to another country and speak badly about their leader. You can’t go to another country and speak about Christianity without being jailed or killed. We fought and we still fight in order to kneel in this country we call America. That’s what made this country so great and that’s why so many other nations/countries hate America so much. This guy you call president of the United States is Destroying and dividing this country.
Robert
Posted at 02:02h, 21 AugustI agree with you 1000%!!!
Richard PapA
Posted at 06:40h, 22 DecemberI agree , This young man has his god given right as an American to kneel if he pleases.
I remember watching military people running inside the barracks at 1700 each day to avoid standing for the greatest song ever. Mr Kapernick I support you and your decision and it takes a lot of “footballs” to do what you did…. STAND UP FOR WHAT YOU BELIEVE IN.”
Franz
Posted at 22:43h, 19 FebruaryAnyone has a right to kneel, sit, stand, lie prone on the ground, etc.; however, noone is exempt from the consequences of their actions or inactions. If one believes that they must interject their political beliefs prior to a sports event by kneeling during the national anthem, which is a sad and poor idea at best, they must accept the consequences of their actions, which responsible citizens do and must do. If one wants to display their political views, there are many venues much more appropriate than a sports event, which is on one’s employers time and under one’s employer’s banner or brand and on the fans time, who are there to watch a football game. As for your anecdote about some military personnel rush to avoid the 1700 hrs national anthem, shame on them, but that does not excuse a public insult to our national anthem and all for which it stands. That also applies to flag burning, both of which are not expressions of free speech, but, rather deliberate childish insults aimed at America.
Again, if anyone with an ax to grind has something to say or express, they can do it elsewhere. Moreover, that elsewhere should never impede others individual rights to free passage on sidewalks or roadways. One can never claim a right that infringes upon ligitimate individual rights of others, otherwise rights have no meaning at all. Individual rights and freedoms are what the U.S. Consitution is all about. And, to preserve those individual rights, everyone must also accept individual responsibility of their words, actions, and inactions.
Jason
Posted at 21:57h, 21 DecemberAs a US Army Vet;. It has nothing to do with kneeling. 1st amendment. Freedom of speech. It’s a protest on how people of color are treated in this countrry. Only ignorant people think otherwise.
Franz
Posted at 00:59h, 20 FebruaryThere’s a time and place for many things, but protests at sporting events, is neither the time nor the place to grind axes. Even before Kapernicks childish and unpatriotic display, I always questioned the level of intellect and character of many of the players, especially those who act like little boys in a schoolyard. But, when Kapernick and others chose to kneel during the national anthem, that finally confirmed what I always thought about many of these overpaid and not so swift players, whose antics on and off the field bring a disgrace to the notion of what sports are supposed to be about, which is not about politics and personal axes to grind. Role models many players are not, and those who are, like Tim Teebow, are belittled for their religious beliefs and are prevented to advance in their career. By the way, kneeling during the national anthem or flag burning are not exercises of the 1st Amendment; they are childish and blatant displays of disrespect for not only the symbols of our nation and pledges of loyalty to our nation, but they are an insult to anyone of intelligence and a flagrant disregard for NFL fans who are there to watch the game. Fans expect entertainment at sports events, not spoiled athletes seizing the opportunity to display their grievances. I don’t know of any NFL player, with the exception of Tim Teebow, who is treated in a less than kind manner. If the attention-seeking Kapernick is really concerned about the treatment of those of color who aren’t as fortunate as he, then it would be much better for him to put his money where it counts in tithing his millions to those under-privileged people he supposedly champions, rather than deminishing the image and reputation any further of NFL players and reputation and image of his team and the NFL, not to mention his virtual spitting at the patriotic nature of the national anthem. If Kapernick and the other equally spoiled little boys on the field want to kneel, they should try two knees on the ground after the national anthem to thank God for His many blessings to them and to pray for victory and no injuries on the field. Period.
Bob
Posted at 04:01h, 21 DecemberThe kneeling has nothing to do with the military or veterans. The flag is not a symbol of the military; it’s a symbol of the whole country. Unfortunately, our country has a problem, and it has for a long time. I’m one of the many people who grew up saying the Pledge of Allegiance at school every morning, and I proudly enlisted in the Marine Corps when I was in high school. I was much older before I realized that the Pledge of Allegiance is an unkept promise. It ends with the words “with liberty and justice for all”. Those words have never been true. The kneeling is a wake-up call for all of us to work to make our country live up to that pledge.
Franz
Posted at 23:40h, 19 FebruaryYou are right about the flag, but you are very wrong about disrespectul displays at sporting events by kneeling being a wake-up call to live up to equal justice before the law. There has never been absolute equal justice before the law, just look at the many criminals in high, privileged, political positions: Barack Husein Obama, Hillary Clinton, and many other anti-American traitors and socialist enemies of We The People. Holding the aforementioned accountable for their crimes would be a good start toward equal justice before the law, unless one is only seeking public attention to a personal ax to grind for the purposes of a political agenda, such as what the attention-seeking Kapernick and others of his misguided ilk attempt to do at sporting and other public events.
skipper
Posted at 17:45h, 17 NovemberFranz, you are right, but you forgot to name the biggest Criminal we ever had in this Country. I don,t have to name him because every body knows who he is. The person who was a traitor buying his way out when drafted to serve his Contry no one time but three times, a guy who hates Hisapanics, blacks and minorities, a guy who think that women are only sex object, a guy who think that he is important because he has lot of dirty money made in a questionable way and think he can buy his way into Heaven, a guy who talks like the low life person he is, a guy who has divided not only our Country, but the whole World. Maybe he is the one who is going to start the whole wide World War to put an end to Gods Creation.
LTC William T. McGuire
Posted at 17:59h, 20 DecemberKneeling has always been a symbol of respect and prayer. As a twenty year veteran, I call the whole notion that it is non-respectful as bunk. Only in America would anything other than standing be called unpatriotic — I say they’re all just picking a fight, instead of having the required conversation.
Jerome Nixon
Posted at 21:33h, 25 AprilLTC, would it be okay if soldiers refused to salute you? Kneeling for prayer is respect, not stand for the nation that allowed you to do what you do is disrespectful….
Michael
Posted at 19:04h, 30 AprilThis is a straw man defense. It is NOT OK for soldiers to salute an office. It is also not OK to yell fire in a crowed theater. Your argument is specious.
Not standing is a fundamental right. This isn’t Russia or North Korea. American’s like me (and I will assume you served, so you as well) served our country to defend these rights. You don’t have to like it or agree with it, but is is NOT wrong and it IS ok.
Adam
Posted at 21:11h, 02 JulyThe whole reason they started kneeling was to show it wasn’t out of respect for military. Retired Army Green Beret Nate Boyer is the one who suggested kneeling. How is following his suggestion being disrespectful of the troops?
A. Newcomb
Posted at 13:29h, 30 SeptemberI agree with that
bhdjbkjs
Posted at 00:18h, 19 Decemberya it would i don’t care if they salute or not they did something for me i should be saluting them
MARYLAN KAY SCHMALZRIED GRAVES
Posted at 17:28h, 18 DecemberIt is just not the troops who fought for our freedom but for every American who takes the Pledge of
Allegiance and the National Anthem as a sign of Patriotism. I want my children and grandchildren to take pride in these two ionic symbols as AMERICA. My father fought in WWII and I know if he was alive today, he would have some choice words for the athletes and those words would not be nice. If these athletes are so unhappy, move from America and let them see how the other parts of the world live. God Bless the United States of America.
Franz
Posted at 01:17h, 20 FebruarySpot on! As a military Vet, who served in Vietnam and retired after over 20 years in the USAF, I highly resent these cheap, childish, and unpatriotic antics on the field. The 1st Amendment was to protect unpopular speech, but it does not and should not protect flagrant displays of contempt for national symbols and pledges of allegiance to our nation, especially by those who have benefitted so much from being an American citizen. Moreover, by allowing these unpatriotic displays at sporting events, their employers and fans are getting something that is not in the job description of professional athletes, i.e., political protests at football games. For those kinds of stunts, the owners should have fined and/or fired them or forced them to pay for fan refunds, since they are misusing and abusing their highly public athletic positions. Well, many fans, such as me, simply walked away from an already tiring sport of grown men out on the field acting like undisciplined little boys. And, yes, if these ungrateful wretches don’t like it here in America, they can pack their jock straps and head on over to some Third World country and dispense their wealth among the downtrodden in socialist and communist countries.
God Bless The United States of America
Larry H Sirmans
Posted at 06:40h, 06 DecemberAmen Brother. Couldn’t have said it better myself
L.G. Swift
Posted at 23:48h, 21 OctoberAmen.
Adam Carpio
Posted at 01:56h, 17 DecemberI couldn’t agree more it’s disrespectful. If you have a problem with police or whatever protest those unities. Don’t respect those who are resting in peace after you can have freedom and the luxury of life you live to protest!
jermaine johnson
Posted at 20:58h, 03 JanuaryBut the president is disrespecting them by colluding, lying, don’t you think so?
Bill Morgan
Posted at 17:50h, 19 JanuaryI don’t think the question was about our president. There is another poll if you wish to grade the President.
Michael
Posted at 19:05h, 30 April…and the protest have nothing to do with the military.
selvin
Posted at 20:10h, 27 Septemberyour gay
Sgt Nukm
Posted at 13:42h, 30 SeptemberThat’s was a reach! There’s no collusion or lying. I watched Obama try to run this country into the ground, but I didn’t look for opportunities to talk bad about him every chance I had.
Robert Bard
Posted at 15:35h, 11 January62% of American Veterans feel that NFL players have the right to protest during the game/National Anthem. They understand the BIGGER picture, which is that they fought for our freedom to do so without persecution, even if they themselves would not do it. THAT is what needs to be understood.
DENNIS K LIVINGSTON
Posted at 11:44h, 16 AugustNever has political views or opinions been compared to disrespecting the troops. Especially those who have sacrificed until Trump came on the scene. So quit trying to make lemonade from a dog turd.
Sgt Nukm
Posted at 13:43h, 30 SeptemberThat would taste terrible
Ronnie
Posted at 00:33h, 19 SeptemberWell now that that has been proven wrong how’s this comment working out for ya ?
David Dabney
Posted at 15:28h, 17 NovemberSocially, kneeling, similar to bowing, is associated with reverence, respect, submission and obeisance…
disrespecting the flag and the anthem would be to be moving around and or creating a disturbance!.. to remain still and silent is the way that a person is supposed to conduct themselves as the anthem is playing.. kneeling is remaining silent and not moving is remaining still!
The ultimate disrespect to the flag is to burn it and that action is protected under the First Amendment… to wear it as a garment like a jacket or a shirt or a pair of pants is disrespectful.
those who have read the UCMJ or otherwise known as the uniform code of military justice would know that and understand that
Kelly
Posted at 15:21h, 09 DecemberDude, you don’t know what your saying, go get educated and come back and leave an opinion based on facts and stfu. Thank you