Can someone explain why kneeling during the National Anthem is disrespectful to the troops?

[Homerboy]

If you are ignorant about a topic, then you should be silent and do not speak.
Firstly, this is not about the FLAG, but it is about the NATIONAL ANTHEM.
And yes, the US code specifically does require that you stand.
And yes, if you do not, it is disrespectful.

https://www.gpo.gov/fdsys/pkg/USCOD...2011-title36-subtitleI-partA-chap3-sec301.htm

So you're against the flag being brought out on display horizontally at these sporing events too?

 

[emperus]

He is a West Point grad, former Army Ranger and bronze star winner. He has more spine and guts than his entire team combined.

We can speculate but I take accept his explanation as truthful.

Have you read his explanation? Ask yourself how a West Point grad, former Army Ranger and bronze start winner, walked out of the tunnel alone and found himself standing by himself saluting the flag. I use the faculties God gave me in evaluating shit. He should have just showed that spine and guts and copped to the sole decision he made.

 

[HomerJS]

Oh deary me have I struck a nerve? As a veteran of the armed forces I do have a different sense of patriotic duty than someone who hasn't served. I see this public display as nothing more than a publicity stunt: one for which I have no respect.

Not criticizing your opinion but just asking. Do you have this same opinion of Tommie Smith from 68 Olympics?

 

[desy]

I don't see it as disrespectfull to troops, when did a flag come to represent the military? It represents the country, and yes its disrespecfull to not stand during the anthem, thats why they are doing it.
Showing their disrespect to a country that is failing a segment of the population in their opinion

 

[HomerJS]

Fire chief directs racial slur at Steelers coach over anthem protest

More deplorable behavior from "both sides"

https://www.cbsnews.com/news/fire-c...in-anthem-protest/?ftag=YHF4eb9d17&yptr=yahoo

 

[zinfamous]

Jerseys they paid the NFL for. Dummies.

And they'll be buying new ones by next year, or at least by the end of this season depending on their teams' playoff chances.

bet on it.

 

[zinfamous]

There was a time when on the field of battle, soldiers would literally die to maintain control of or lift the colors. The coffins of American KIAs come back draped in the American flag. The families of those killed in combat receive an American flag. The American flag is a prominent part of military drill and ceremonies. Most of you will never understand the pride of entering into a remote village of some god forsaken place, and witnessing people seeing the American flag as a symbol of hope.

Right or wrong, the national anthem at sporting events is inexplicably entwined in that symbolism. This is why at many sporting venues, a military honor guard is part of the singing of the national anthem. Most sports teams incorporate fly overs of military aircraft. You cannot deny that patriotism, the military and sporting events have a complex relationship.

So yes, for veterans, the flag is something to respect and honor. This doesn't mean you can't protest Trump or police violence or racism. Just don't sh!t on a symbol we hold dear.

This is why Alejandro Villaneuva's jersey is the top seller today.

...inexplicably entwined since 2009.

Yeah, there is nothing normal about these recent jingoistic displays that the league forced on the players only recently. There are definitely snowflakes making their voices heard in this issue, and they sure as shit aren't the ones kneeling on the field and those that support them.

 

[vi edit]

Have you read his explanation? Ask yourself how a West Point grad, former Army Ranger and bronze start winner, walked out of the tunnel alone and found himself standing by himself saluting the flag. I use the faculties God gave me in evaluating shit. He should have just showed that spine and guts and copped to the sole decision he made.

I did read his full explanation and at the very end he took the blame for everything. The most frustrating and absolutely mind boggling stupid part of this is that this entire thing is because of some unhinged rant by the Twatwaffle in Chief. The fact that he went off the rails on this subject and even turned it into the discussion that is left a US Veteran in this position. That's fucked up. This entire situation is beyond the pale. But here we are.

"
I would say that my personal thoughts about the situation is that regardless of this plan, very few players knew that I was going to the tunnel because I only asked the team leadership. And because of that I did not give them an opportunity to stand with me during the national anthem. That is the very embarrassing part of my end in what transpired, because when everybody sees an image of me standing by myself, everybody thinks that the team, the Steelers, are not behind me, and that's absolutely wrong.

It's quite the opposite. They all would have ... actually the entire team would have been out there with me, even the ones who wanted to take a knee would have been with me had they known these extreme circumstances that at Soldier Field, in the heat of the moment, when I've got soldiers, wounded veterans texting me that I have to be out there, I think everything would have been put aside, from every single one of my teammates, no doubt.

So because of that, I've made Coach Tomlin look bad, and that is my fault, and that is my fault only. I made my teammates look bad, and that is my fault, and my fault only. And I made the Steelers also look bad, and that is my fault, and my fault only. So unwillingly, I made a mistake. I talked to my teammates about the situation, hopefully they understand it. If they don't, I still have to live with it, because the nature of this debate is causing a lot of very heated reaction from fans from players, and it's undeserving to all of the players and coaches from this organization."

 

[trenchfoot]

This issue is about Trump not being able to keep his quick draw mouth and twitchy twitter fingers shut before thinking about the consequences of his actions.

It's comical to see him using the hole at the end of his rifle barrel to aim at his critics and those he wishes to disparage because his feelings got hurt or because it was a really cool opportunity to pander to his base.

He keeps shooting himself in the face and never ever wonders or realizes why it's happening.

 

[Starbuck1975]

...inexplicably entwined since 2009.

Yeah, there is nothing normal about these recent jingoistic displays that the league forced on the players only recently. There are definitely snowflakes making their voices heard in this issue, and they sure as shit aren't the ones kneeling on the field and those that support them.

i can't remember a time when the national anthem wasn't a part of sporting events. My grandfather was active in the American Legion, and I remember our community dragging him and the other WW2 and Korean vets out for all kinds of jingoistic displays of respect and gratitude.

 

[Puffnstuff]

Not criticizing your opinion but just asking. Do you have this same opinion of Tommie Smith from 68 Olympics?

Yes I do as I would if klansmen had made a racist public display in a similar venue.
https://www.adl.org/education/references/hate-symbols/ku-klux-klan-hand-sign

 

[vi edit]

i can't remember a time when the national anthem wasn't a part of sporting events. My grandfather was active in the American Legion, and I remember our community dragging him and the other WW2 and Korean vets out for all kinds of jingoistic displays of respect and gratitude.

That part yes, but the presence of players on the field during it is something fairly new. Internet way back machine says it was sort of a big deal when players came on field after 9/11. Prior to 2009 it was the players discretion.

 

[Starbuck1975]

Have you read his explanation? Ask yourself how a West Point grad, former Army Ranger and bronze start winner, walked out of the tunnel alone and found himself standing by himself saluting the flag. I use the faculties God gave me in evaluating shit. He should have just showed that spine and guts and copped to the sole decision he made.

I did and found nothing lacking in either his interpretation of events or decision to offer an applogy to his team mates. I doubt he wanted to become a martyr or symbol in this ridiculous debate. What do you find lacking or spineless in his taking accountability for his actions?

 

[Starbuck1975]

That part yes, but the presence of players on the field during it is something fairly new. Internet way back machine says it was sort of a big deal when players came on field after 9/11. Prior to 2009 it was the players discretion.

Not a huge NFL fan, so didn't even pick up on that. I've always watched hockey where the national anthem has always been present as players stand on the blue line.

So specific to the NFL, if players standing during the anthem is a new thing, attributed to 9/11 or patriotism or respect to our troops, does that not emphasize how some might find taking a knee as misdirected protest?

 

[vi edit]

Not a huge NFL fan, so didn't even pick up on that. I've always watched hockey where the national anthem has always been present as players stand on the blue line.

So specific to the NFL, if players standing during the anthem is a new thing, attributed to 9/11 or patriotism or respect to our troops, does that not emphasize how some might find taking a knee as misdirected protest?

There's a number of nuances going on that we'll probably never get a good answer on. You can google/snopes/whatever your cross check of choice. I'll leave the source up to you. But most of what I can find says this...

In 2009 players started being on field "as a team" for the anthem.
Also in 2009 it was found that DoD was funneling money to sports teams to pump up patriotism.
Now there is no clear line that it was a mandate. But there certainly is some correlation going on there.

Take that as you will.

 

[zinfamous]

Not a huge NFL fan, so didn't even pick up on that. I've always watched hockey where the national anthem has always been present as players stand on the blue line.

So specific to the NFL, if players standing during the anthem is a new thing, attributed to 9/11 or patriotism or respect to our troops, does that not emphasize how some might find taking a knee as misdirected protest?

It was specifically tied in with cross-marketing the military with the NFL, and nothing more. It's really just propaganda and it isn't in any way subtle. It's all over the canned dialogue of the commentators, the air time devoted to big scary military weapons and such displays. And flags, and symbols.

 

[bshole]

I think the easiest solution to the problem is to ban players from the field during the national anthem. After they do the anthem, send the players in. Repeat this for all pro sports. Everybody is happy.

 

[soulcougher73]

I love the outrage here when just a couple years ago...

Good grief everyone is a bunch of triggered snowflakes anymore.
In the words..err...letters of Aaron Rodgers.....R-E-L-A-X

So now praying to a sky fairy is the same as protesting? Not even remotely similiar situations. Person who made this meme should be shot for being an idiot.

 

[dainthomas]

Not a huge NFL fan, so didn't even pick up on that. I've always watched hockey where the national anthem has always been present as players stand on the blue line.

So specific to the NFL, if players standing during the anthem is a new thing, attributed to 9/11 or patriotism or respect to our troops, does that not emphasize how some might find taking a knee as misdirected protest?

Except every time blacks protest against discrimination in ANY way, the "I'm not racist, but" crowd says "well, you should have protested some other way".

 

[OILFIELDTRASH]

Wonder if my job would mind if I made a political protest while I was at work?

This shit is ruining sports. All I want to do when I watch football is watch football.

 

[KMFJD]

Wonder if my job would mind if I made a political protest while I was at work?

This shit is ruining sports. All I want to do when I watch football is watch football.

Agreed, no need for the players to stand then...

 

[OILFIELDTRASH]

Except every time blacks protest against discrimination in ANY way, the "I'm not racist, but" crowd says "well, you should have protested some other way".

I've been discriminated against my whole life. Fat kid, half asian, bad acne that was abused by both parents. I couldn't even talk to people until I became an adult. I went to a severely racist all white school. Point is fuck the excuses. At some point you get the fuck over it and make the best with what you have.

 

[OILFIELDTRASH]

Agreed, no need for the players to stand then...

That's fine too. Leave the politics out of it.

 

[HomerJS]

Wonder if my job would mind if I made a political protest while I was at work?

This shit is ruining sports. All I want to do when I watch football is watch football.

In reality almost all people who say they don't want politics mixed in with their sports ready don't want politics they don't like.

Almost 100% of the country was on board mixing 9/11 with their sports after it occurred and that is political.

 

[HomerJS]

I've been discriminated against my whole life. Fat kid, half asian, bad acne that was abused by both parents. I couldn't even talk to people until I became an adult. I went to a severely racist all white school. Point is fuck the excuses. At some point you get the fuck over it and make the best with what you have.

I don't recall an offense called driving while Asian. Discrimination by the state in in a different league.