From CGI member GeorgeEaton:

There is a part of this current controversy of standing or kneeling during the national anthem at football games that is not being addressed. And that is the Constitutional issue of having the right to do as you please, and for the people to be tolerant of someone else's dissent. In my opinion it is an honor to stand for the national anthem and I cringe at those that refuse to do so. But I would defend their right to make a political choice - because this nation was founded on that right to have the freedom to do and say what you believe politically. I feel that the president and others are reacting to this political display in a reactionary way and should actually be seeing the larger issue here and celebrate the right of others to make that choice. Our military and police officers defend all citizens to say and do things in public as long as it is non-violent. This is what our Constitution insures, which is the opposite of how dictators and totalitarian governments operate. If I were president I would have applauded what the football players did, but at the same time give my opinion on how we can also respect the flag and our nation in a larger sense - rather than focus on one political issue and disrespect the entire nation and the system of government our forefathers fought and died to give us.

This situation actually crept up on us in a subtle way but was always present under the surface. We have had protests against society in one form or another for decades. The hippies of the '60s and '70s would boo military men in parades during the Vietnam war. And during the Olympics black athletes would raise their fist in defiance as the national anthem was played after they won a medal. These are political statements and they are being reactionary, but we don't have to like it. But our Constitution guarantees their right to make that choice. In an open forum and open society the people decide what they want and they vote their approval or disapproval. They also make their choices known by their pocketbook. This is also true with actors that make a choice to stand for one political opinion which could impact their movie ticket sales. They have the right to do that, but I also have the right to dislike it and not watch their movies.

To be honest with you what the football players are doing by not standing is rather childish. It reminds me of a parent telling a child not to walk in a mud puddle after the rain, and then they look and see the boy promptly stomping his feet in every mud puddle he can find. It is a typical childish act of defiance. This is what happened at the football games. It became fashionable for the black players especially to make a defiant statement to the nation. They arrived at a conclusion in their minds that their act of defiance was due to a variety of political injustices in America - like police brutality, perceived racism or even in protest of foreign wars, poverty, discrimination, and migrant policies, etc. It is an "us against them" mentality, when in fact the right for them to make that statement is being protected by the Constitution all a long. Quite ironic actually. If people like that got into total control of a nation they would outlaw such freedoms.

There is a balance to this issue and both sides - the kneelers at the football games and the president and others were both wrong in what they did and they were both reactionary. The people that demonstrated their displeasure at the stadiums had the right to do so, and I would agree with their opinion. But the president went too far by saying those player should be fired. What those athletes did will hurt the sport because the majority of the people disagree with their behavior. But,those players had a right to do what they did, even as distasteful as it was. The president is supposed to be the president of the entire nation and defend the Constitution. But instead he acted like a brat and railed against US citizens like a tyrant dictator. That attitude puzzles me and I am deeply disappointed in him. But I'll hand him one thing, he is consistent - he lashes out at anything he disagrees with regardless of the Constitutional issues or the consequences. You can't fire everyone you disagree with Mr. president. You aren't running a mega corporation anymore, you are supposed to be managing a nation as efficiently as possible - for the good of all citizens.

The way out of this mess, that has suddenly popped up, is to eliminate the ability for the athletes to express their political opinions at the games. You do that by what the Pittsburgh Steelers did - by staying in the locker room until the national anthem is sung. It is a shame it has come to this, but it helps prevent politics from becoming an issue at sports events. However, that cant be easily accomplished at NASCAR races. That is a completely different type of sport and the great majority of the drivers and the race fans are highly patriotic and their hearts swell with pride when they hear the national anthem. Next we may see protests against NASCAR races because they stand for the national anthem. Or perhaps groups like Antifa, black block and black lives matter will start protesting car races because there is national patriotism being performed in that area and there are too many whites in the stadiums and not enough minorities. The world has gone mad.

George Eaton