Open letter to the NFL players...read and share - Page 3

vienna · 10-26-17, 01:37 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rockstar

Those NFL players, even drunken Finlanders have every right to peacefully protest. Not too long ago Kapernick took a knee in peaceful protest of perceived injustice. Now the very reason he took a knee has been swept under the rug and forgotten. Hijacked by so called patriots accusing him and others of being un-American for not venerating an inanimate object.

How does that saying go?: "Patriotism is the last refuge of...?"; oh what was that word?... Oh yes, "Trumpettes"...

I'm sometimes surprised Trump doesn't burst into flames when he hugs the Flag...

<O>

u crank · 10-26-17, 05:31 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rockstar

Those NFL players, even drunken Finlanders have every right to peacefully protest.

That is true and as it should be. But when and where? These guys are on the job and highly paid when they are doing this. Imagine if you will, being confronted by this kind of thing everyday and all day as you attempt to buy goods and services. It would not be tolerated. The players are getting away with it because the NFL is letting them. The NFL is disrespecting their customers and should expect the full force of the rights of consumers to complain about it. I hope this national boycott of the NFL on the Veterans Day Weekend is a huge success. After all everybody has the right to protest ...don't they?

Rockstar · 10-26-17, 08:05 AM

Like I said I believe the original intent had nothing to do with disrespecting fans, customers, flags, or country. It had everything to do with one mans belief, real or perceived, of injustices towards others. And when it started to snowball into something about the flag instead. I think that elicited other Americans to protest with him and now they too are demonized.

The reason for this peaceful protest appears to have been entirely disregarded and forgotten. Sadly the argument is no longer about why he did what he did. Its now about the fact he did, how he should be ashamed for such a deed and cursing the NFL for not firing him sooner.

Buddahaid · 10-26-17, 08:34 AM

How many people have had jobs outside the armed forces that required singing the national anthem before work started? I'm nearing retirement and I haven't had one ever.

Rockstar · 10-26-17, 08:59 AM

Good point and even then, when we knew the flag was being hoisted or lowered there was no requirement compelling us to go outside to render honors.

u crank · 10-26-17, 10:18 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rockstar

Like I said I believe the original intent had nothing to do with disrespecting fans, customers, flags, or country. It had everything to do with one mans belief, real or perceived, of injustices towards others.

I would agree but I think it was a poorly thought out plan of action for a number of reasons....

I don't think Kaepernick took any consideration as to how this would play out or the reactions of fans and yes even politicians. Or how it would effect his career. Obviously some of those people didn't like it and their reaction should not have been a surprise.

What is the end game here? Does Kaepernick honestly think that this protest, which seems to have lost all meaning, have a positive effect on race relations in America? It seems to have had the opposite effect and caused an even deeper polarization of views. Quite similar to protesters blocking traffic. And when does the protest stop? How can you call it off and declare a victory?

Finally I have to ask...could they have done something different? NFL players have enormous celebrity status, gobs of money, 200 days off and all the media attention they want. Surely they could have collectively come up with something that would have had a positive effect and got everybody on their side.

mapuc · 10-26-17, 11:20 AM

I'm divided on this issue/question

I understand those NFL-players who kneels as a protest

I also understand those who see this as a disrespect to the flag and the country.

Ok, maybe some will say "It's just a flag, so what" or similar.

And some may say "the flag is the spirit of the country and should be met with respect".

I myself would never kneel in front of the Danish and the Swedish flag or other flags.

Markus

Schroeder · 10-26-17, 12:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Buddahaid

How many people have had jobs outside the armed forces that required singing the national anthem before work started? I'm nearing retirement and I haven't had one ever.

YOU HATE AMERICA!!!!

Rockstar · 10-26-17, 12:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by u crank

I would agree but I think it was a poorly thought out plan of action for a number of reasons....

I don't think Kaepernick took any consideration as to how this would play out or the reactions of fans and yes even politicians. Or how it would effect his career. Obviously some of those people didn't like it and their reaction should not have been a surprise.

What is the end game here? Does Kaepernick honestly think that this protest, which seems to have lost all meaning, have a positive effect on race relations in America? It seems to have had the opposite effect and caused an even deeper polarization of views. Quite similar to protesters blocking traffic. And when does the protest stop? How can you call it off and declare a victory?

Finally I have to ask...could they have done something different? NFL players have enormous celebrity status, gobs of money, 200 days off and all the media attention they want. Surely they could have collectively come up with something that would have had a positive effect and got everybody on their side.

I believe he had a right to do what he did and should not be condemned for it and the his reasons for doing so should not have been lost in the shuffle. But I also agree with you one should always without fail consider the consequences of their actions. As it does seem too me it wasn't all that well thought out.

August · 10-26-17, 01:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Buddahaid

How many people have had jobs outside the armed forces that required singing the national anthem before work started? I'm nearing retirement and I haven't had one ever.

Singing? Who is being asked to sing the national anthem?

Oberon · 10-26-17, 01:26 PM

America:

Fought in WWII, hates America

Got spurs, loves America.

Buddahaid · 10-26-17, 06:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by August

Singing? Who is being asked to sing the national anthem?

Splitting hairs? No one but athletes participating in sporting spectacles are subject to having the national anthem performed before they begin "work" then. Anyway, the upshot for me is I don't really care what they do. Football lost me years ago.

CaptainCruise · 10-26-17, 07:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Commander Wallace

You didn't do anything wrong as the letter you posted as part of your thread was a sobering reminder of the sacrifices made by our people in uniform like the military. As mentioned, you were inviting an open, honest and intelligent discussion on a current news Item that the U.S and it's citizens are grappling with.

Unfortunately for the players, what was meant to be a protest against unfair applications of the law was derailed or morphed into a protest against the country which is not what the players were trying to accomplish.

By the way CaptainCruise, I thought this was a great thread that you started and very timely. Nice job.

Thanks for the prop. I think I needed one. Felt like I got clubbed a bit!

I don't know about the boycott that the original author of this post is asking for. I get the feeling this person is current military, or the family of someone in the military or maybe family of a soldier who was KIA'ed, and they're venting their emotions any way they feel they can. It's asking a lot, and I don't see a lot of people being that committed to going through with a boycott like this, but some will do it, and maybe that was the goal....at least turn a few heads.

As for the players, I'll say it again.....yes, they absolutely have the right to protest and make their feelings known. The issue they created here is choosing how you voice your opinions without starting a whole new problem. There are right ways and wrong ways to speak your mind and protest an injustice. I think they chose the wrong path to follow because now it seems like they've created more problems than what they started with by choosing something as touchy as disrespecting the National Anthem and the flag. Maybe they felt that would get them the most attention to their cause, or maybe they feel the flag and Anthem are symbols of what they believe is wrong with this country. Honestly, I don't know. It's a confusing issue. I would have to say what I believe the most is that they should have found a better way to voice their opinions without inflaming the situation. As u crank mentioned earlier in this thread....they have money, power, media exposure, they had plenty of options to choose a better voice for their cause, they just chose poorly and started a whole new problem. Instead of getting the public to rally to their cause, they turned many away and it will probably make this whole nightmare more difficult to resolve.

Rockstar · 10-26-17, 07:44 PM

“It (“Feliciano's rendition) was a disgrace, an insult,” a baseball fan, Arlene Raicevich of Detroit, told The Associated Press. “I’m going to write my senator about it.”

“It sounded like a hippie was singing it,” said another Detroiter, Bernie Gray.

Pitcher Dick Hughes said: “Thumbs down all the way. That’s a conformist’s song and should be sung the way it was written.” (We should add, there is no official version.)

But their teammate Tim McCarver said: “Why not that way? People go through a routine when they play the anthem. They stand up and yawn and almost fall asleep. This way, at least they listened.”

In the 1950s, the Baltimore Orioles, of all teams, decided that playing "The Banner" before every game cheapened its impact. The general manager at the time decided that he was going to only play it during special occasions.

Onkel Neal · 10-26-17, 08:29 PM

If these ball players wanted to help their cause they went about it the wrong way.

10-26-17, 08:05 AM	#33
Rockstar In the Brig Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: Zendia Bar & Grill Posts: 12,614 Downloads: 10 Uploads: 0	Like I said I believe the original intent had nothing to do with disrespecting fans, customers, flags, or country. It had everything to do with one mans belief, real or perceived, of injustices towards others. And when it started to snowball into something about the flag instead. I think that elicited other Americans to protest with him and now they too are demonized. The reason for this peaceful protest appears to have been entirely disregarded and forgotten. Sadly the argument is no longer about why he did what he did. Its now about the fact he did, how he should be ashamed for such a deed and cursing the NFL for not firing him sooner. Last edited by Rockstar; 10-26-17 at 09:02 AM.

10-26-17, 08:34 AM	#34
Buddahaid Shark above Space Chicken Join Date: Jun 2008 Posts: 9,331 Downloads: 162 Uploads: 0	How many people have had jobs outside the armed forces that required singing the national anthem before work started? I'm nearing retirement and I haven't had one ever. __________________ "However vast the darkness, we must provide our own light." Stanley Kubrick "Tomorrow belongs to those who can hear it coming." David Bowie

10-26-17, 08:29 PM	#45
Onkel Neal Born to Run Silent Join Date: Jan 1997 Location: Cougar Trap, Texas Posts: 21,385 Downloads: 541 Uploads: 224	If these ball players wanted to help their cause they went about it the wrong way. __________________ SUBSIM - 26 Years on the Web

10-26-17, 08:59 AM	#35
Rockstar In the Brig Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: Zendia Bar & Grill Posts: 12,614 Downloads: 10 Uploads: 0	Good point and even then, when we knew the flag was being hoisted or lowered there was no requirement compelling us to go outside to render honors.

10-26-17, 11:20 AM	#37
mapuc CINC Pacific Fleet Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: Denmark Posts: 20,543 Downloads: 37 Uploads: 0	I'm divided on this issue/question I understand those NFL-players who kneels as a protest I also understand those who see this as a disrespect to the flag and the country. Ok, maybe some will say "It's just a flag, so what" or similar. And some may say "the flag is the spirit of the country and should be met with respect". I myself would never kneel in front of the Danish and the Swedish flag or other flags. Markus

10-26-17, 01:26 PM	#41
Oberon Lucky Jack Join Date: Jul 2002 Posts: 25,976 Downloads: 61 Uploads: 20	America: Fought in WWII, hates America Got spurs, loves America.

10-26-17, 07:44 PM	#44
Rockstar In the Brig Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: Zendia Bar & Grill Posts: 12,614 Downloads: 10 Uploads: 0	“It (“Feliciano's rendition) was a disgrace, an insult,” a baseball fan, Arlene Raicevich of Detroit, told The Associated Press. “I’m going to write my senator about it.” “It sounded like a hippie was singing it,” said another Detroiter, Bernie Gray. Pitcher Dick Hughes said: “Thumbs down all the way. That’s a conformist’s song and should be sung the way it was written.” (We should add, there is no official version.) But their teammate Tim McCarver said: “Why not that way? People go through a routine when they play the anthem. They stand up and yawn and almost fall asleep. This way, at least they listened.” In the 1950s, the Baltimore Orioles, of all teams, decided that playing "The Banner" before every game cheapened its impact. The general manager at the time decided that he was going to only play it during special occasions.