NFL WILL FINE TEAMS WHOSE PLAYERS KNEEL DURING NATIONAL ANTHEM

What they were or were not intending to disrespect or protest is irrelevant. We stand for the anthem, put our hands over our heart, and face the flag and it is considered disrespectful not to do that - period. I agree the reason they are doing it is not about the flag, but when you choose to protest (or talk, play on your phone...) during the anthem (pledge, moment of silence, prayer...) you are being disrespectful to the things that are being honored.

 

My lord, let me try this again... The Constitution does not require me to like your speech, nor do the principles of free speech. A person who is offended a fellow citizen’s speech may turn off the TV. This is what happened in the case of the NFL, causing them to lose enough money to make a policy change.

 

Which is what I said in my previous post. Clearly you are only looking to troll. Bye.

 

Non sequitur: You are calling out Kaepernik detractors as hypocrites if they also claim to value the Constitution. The two are not rationally-related. One can be offended by free speech and still support it. When one of these "hypocrites" calls for Kaepernik to be thrown in jail for his actions, you let me know. Then you'll have a case.

 

You do agree a person has a legal right to be disrespectful however, right?

 

Nonsense. It is a tradition that many people enjoy. And in that context it is unpopular to disrespect that tradition. The employer sets the rules -- and in this case in conjunction with the union as the NFL is governed under collective bargaining. They make all kinds of rules based on how players may behave (on and off the field), how the uniform is to be worn, and how the game is played. They even make rules about how long you can dance in the end zone. Aghast! I don't see you complaining about that "free speech violation." If they player doesn't like the rule, he doesn't have to play the game.

 

You mean like Trump who thinks those who kneel..."maybe you shouldn't be in the country." or "shouldn't be playing"?

 

Irritate your customers and they go away - so complicated.

 

Here is a little civics lesson for you: the president’s opinion is not law. And the president has the same free speech rights as you and is certainly allowed to state his opinion publicly.

And if you're trying to claim Trump stated Kaepernik should be in jail, I'd like to see a citation, please.

 

And I support his right to free speech. As such I will not boycott watching him on TV like the Constitution-loving frauds did with the NFL games.

 

That is your choice. Get it?

 

With the exception of child pornography, you are free to consume or refuse to consume any content you see fit. Refusing to consume content with which you disagree or that you find offensive does not make you a fraud.

 

I don't think he does.

 

What’s “pathetically sad” is your (and your fellow lefties) ignorance on the 1A, which you demonstrate by linking to a private employers imposing workplace rules.

 

I keep hearing the notion that this isnt about disrespect for the flag. That characterization is wrong on every level.

- For starters, Kaepernicks exact words were "I wont stand to show pride for a flag for a country that oppresses black people". If that doesnt express a desire to disrespect the flag, then nothing does.

- On top of that, It is nonsensical to claim that a protest against the flag/ national anthem is not about the flag/ anthem, and is instead only about the issue that they are trying to highlight. If I decided to bring attention to the issues surrounding the metoo movement by publically punching you in the nose, you wouldnt accept the notion that this has nothing to do with your nose.

 

Offensive content is not the same as someone kneeling. These same people go on and on about how the Constitution is freedom and what this country was built on, etc, etc. Yet when some guys expressed their freedom of speech these same Freedom loving people held their breath and stomped their feet like a 5 yr olds. I'm guessing you were one of them?

 

Here is a quote by another poster that echo's my sentiment exactly---
"It is a culture war on freedom of speech. It isn't surprising that the typical football fan can't understand that what the flag represents is the right being denied. There is no better way of disrespecting the flag than to deny basic rights. Yeah, the NFL is in bad spot. And frankly I could care less except that popular opinion is to deny freedom of speech. That is pathetically sad and hypocritical. And it is a war on freedom of speech started by trump."

 

Since you seem so convinced that this is a constitutional/freedom of speech issue.....Can you explain how mandating that they wear their socks over their calfs, or that they cannot have 2 people with a coordinated celebration dance is not ALSO an infringement upon their right to free speech? How do those examples differ constitutionally from mandating that they stand for the anthem?

 

The players have freedom of speech at the expensive of their employers. But if someone protests removing a Confederate statutes they should be denied a permit to protest, shouted down and attacked.

 

You ignored the totality of my post, but even in your reply, how exactly is refusing to stand for the flag because of the "rights being denied" NOT an example of disrespecting the flag?

Your position makes no sense whatsoever.

 

Seeing as how NFL fines are paid by money disbursed by the league, the teams don't really have a choice. Everyone on the field next season will be standing, and there's nothing you can do about it.

 

So,today(your words) these" spoiled self important jackasses",get their rights taken away & what happens tomorrow when perhaps your rights are taken away? Would you protest?

 

Again my point wasn't about what the employer is doing. I know the employer can mandate certain things. I think the mandate is silly.

They can have 2 or more people with a coordinated dance. Sock height doesn't really seem to be a freedom of speech thing to me but whatever.

 

So soccer becomes even bigger ? What the f do3s a aussie care about American football ? American football will die if these idiots pit themselves against the American flag . Bank on it .

 

They should bomb Australia.