The trouble with group think?
There’s too much of it, especially in the mainstream media. Add to that precious little in the way of diverse view points, and woe be to anyone who dares to step outside the boundaries of what passes for political correctness.
Take billionaire businessman Clark Hunt.
The mere fact that the Chiefs owner did not enthusiastically take part in the knee jerk bashing of Donald Trump for saying what millions of sports fans around the country agree with garnered Hunt a wrist slap from mild-mannered Kansas City Star sports columnist Sam Mellinger.
I know, big effing deal.
But check out the headline:
“Chiefs Clark Hunt responds to Donald Trump, whiffs badly on an opportunity to lead.”
In other words because Hunt failed to tow the line of thinking many in the liberal news media subscribe to, he failed as a leader…and pretty much at everything else, as Mellinger sees it.
According to the Samster, Hunt is little more than “a man in charge of a historically underachieving sports franchise that is nonetheless a foolproof business, so maybe it’s unfair to expect substance when it comes to speaking on anything other than ways to ensure revenues exceed expenditures.”
Cheap shot, anyone?
There’s more.
“President Donald Trump directly insulted Hunt’s family business, and Hunt responded with the electronic statement version of the guy who’s challenged to a fight and jumps into his friends arms, screaming, ‘HOLD ME BACK! HOLD ME BACK!’
Juvenile taunting aside, here’s what Hunt actually said:
“We are blessed in the National Football League to work with an outstanding group of players who, through their thoughtfulness and generosity, are deeply engaged in their communities. We believe in honoring the American flag and supporting all of those whose sacrifices protect the many freedoms with have in this country, including the right to have differences of opinion.
“Sports have long been a unifying force especially in challenging times and hatred and division have no place in our game. As a nation, we face serious challenges, and I believe as Americans, each of us has a responsibility to engage one another with empathy and humility to gain a better understanding of ways we can work together to solve these difficult issues.’
Sounds pretty straightforward to me.
However since Hunt obviously doesn’t think it’s good business to have his paid employees drumming up controversy with paying customers via political protests while on the clock, that renders his opinion devoid of substance…according to Mellinger anyway.
Now allow me to share something with you.
No way does the Kansas City Star or even The Pitch for that matter allow employees unbridled freedom of expression on the job. Every single word that goes into print is strained through a bank of editors.
Trust me on that, the editors at 18th & Grand are total control freaks.
As for Trump’s opinion on players protesting during national anthems at games…
“If a player wants the privilege of making millions of dollars in the NFL or other leagues, he or she should not be allowed to disrespect our Great American Flag (or Country) and should stand for the National Anthem. If not, YOU’RE FIRED. Find something else to do!”
Here’s the deal.
Having an opinion on either side of this issue does not entail being dead right or wrong like the Star is couching it.
Nor is President Trump weighing in on the controversy something new, because football fans around the country have grousing about this for more than a year.
Anyone who halfway follows public opinion on this knows that since former NFL quarterback Colin Kaepernick initiated his protests last year it’s not gone over well with football fans and left team owners struggling with how to handle things.
And clearly there’s a legitimate argument to be made for owners of businesses not allowing employees to mount public political protests while on the job.
That’s just common sense. Something that precious few media types seem to have much of.
Speaking of which, what sense does it make to belittle the Chiefs owner for being patriotic and recognizing that wading into a controversy might alienate paying customers?
Frankly close minded thinking and piling on topics like this at 18th and Grand doesn’t bode well for the Star hanging onto a subscriber base that’s dropping like flies.
I don’t see what Clark said as being against any of Chiefs players protesting. I just don’t envision Clark as being the type of person who is gonna personally get involved in the protest other than to say that he respects his players and they can protest if they want to. I do see Clark as saying under his breath to those who think he should run his business the way someone else wants him to run it, “GO FU** YOURSELF. I’LL RUN THIS BUSINESS THE WAY I SEE FIT” And to Sam Mellinger “GO FU** YOURSELF. I’LL RESPOND TO MY PLAYERS THE WAY I SEE FIT. “
Wow, the Clark Hunt you know is a pretty heavy duty kinda guy!
Not a bad guess though, probably.
It was kinda weird to see the mild-mannered Planet sports reporter get all prickly over it and call out Hunt’s for his manhood (or lack thereof).
Excellent article, dead on the money.
We’ll see if the NFL remains a “foolproof” business.
We will, indeed
chuck these guys got so much money they could do anything they want.
Now get back to digging! They’ll all still make big money this year whether
the fools like you stop watching the games.
Best thing is ticket prices have gone down. Ya think clark cares. He spends
500K on landscaping his house. call him….maybe he needs some petunias
planted.
Ever considered wearing a cap, zebra stripes and sporting a whistle, HC? Even handed if devoid salt & pepper, a dash of this and pinch of that: refer it flavor or sniper fire, at the risk of being compared Mellinger (no no, not that), enters Kerouac:
CAPTION THAT FIRST PIC
‘If I had a hammer (or extra leg to stand on) I’d hammer (break it off in his backside) in the morning (noon and at night)’…
That my initial inclination this being America where one is free to ‘express themselves’ don’t we know. Am willing compromise: let them take their bended knees & have their raised fists and hanging heads – because the aforementioned worked out so well Carlos and Smith 1968 Olympics half a century ago, their ilk find themselves still at it today…
We’ll leave the lights on for you (until the 12th of never, and that’s a long, long time)
_____________
CAPTION THAT SECOND PIC
Good to see so many Native Americans supporting their local football team…
Glad we got that racism problem sports teams (using names/designation offend some folk due fans/mascots wearing affiliated Native garb) all straightened out after protest beginnings back in the 1960’s… Hail to the Chiefs (arms & tomahawks raised/lowered the attack the refs position here the gridiron ‘OHHHHH OHH OHHHHHH, OHHHH OHHHH, OHH OHHHHH!)
____________
What is it those hang, fist & kneel want, exactly? Fairness in life? What arbiter and by whom’s measure?
Hank Stram: ‘you can’t order it up like a sandwich’ (football player, same as fairness.)
NFL players struck for reasons free agency, pension benefit & safety in 1987 (mostly however, was about unfairness, measured $ in their pocket.) That the average player ’87 made over $253,000 and it increased over 790% to $2,000,000 by 2016, of note; life is so unfair here the grandstands.
‘Give em an inch, they’ll want to take a mile’ today’s mercenaries NFL (we aren’t even talking about spastic self-celebrations): ‘we should be paid just as much NBA players’ (even though NBA players and teams number far fewer in number & play many more games per season?)
Nod Rolling Stones: ‘you can’t always get what you want – but if you try – sometimes you might find you get what you need’. On the other/apologies Abe Lincoln: you can get all that you want sometimes, some of what you want all the time, but, not all you want all the time.
Upshot: the ‘I’m a victim’ line forms to the right, every color mankind. Take a number, stand there wait your turn (just don’t be a Michael Bennett & run when they command you STOP – otherwise, you may just get what you deserve.)
At one time it was patriotic to own people. Patriotism is relative to the times, yet nothing has been said about the insult done daily to the flag by good meaning citizens. The American Flag as a doo-rag, the Flag as a bikini, the Flag flown 24/7 in all weather conditions without being properly lit, the big ass Flag laid out flat on the football field prior to the game, the list goes on and on particularly among those who think they are patriots by doing most of the above. All the mentioned are violations of the Flag Code, so until these hypocrite patriots learn the rules they all should be fired, sons of bitches.
Interesting points, KK…
The difference being, of course, that the above mentioned appear to be well intentioned slights. As opposed to…
They know the “rules” enough to know that blacks are dishonoring the rules. So I’d say the sons of a bitches just don’t care about the rules when they do it. I mean, letting your ass touch the flag in a bikini. Come on! Or wiping slop off your face with a flag napkin. People claim to be sensitive to the solemnity of the flag but see know problem wiping their face with it. It’s not “well intentioned”. It’s “who cares” I’m not really offended that they don’t care so much as they and you try to pull some “well they meant well” bs on everybody
kansas karl hits one out of the park!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Grand slam baby!
Que bella, admin, buono argomento!
Very rarely do I comment on sports topics as I don’t really consider myself as knowledgeable enough to enter the fray and defend my position. Doesn’t seem to stop most others here however. K-man comes close but I don’t usually have the time to read and translate. 🙂
Since this topic crosses the line into politics, my preferred milieu, I’ll throw out some random thoughts.
First off I think I agree for the most part with your analysis. Sam was over the top with his take on Clark Hunt.
Why would Trump attack the NFL on this topic? Why isn’t he focusing his attention on Healthcare, Taxes, North Korea, Puerto Rico, you name it. Just a couple of weeks ago I’d say the fan base for NFL teams covered the spectrum of politics. Liberals love their football teams as do Conservatives. Sit with each other and cheer or boo together. Sports should be an escape from politics, not a source of political conflict. Trump is supposed to be close friends with several team owners (heck he used to own a USFL team) and seems especially tight with Robert Kraft/Patriots. Now he has successfully alienated a large portion of each teams fan base and that means $ in their pockets. Now the owners can’t win regardless of how they respond. And now Trump supporters can’t watch the NFL.
Personally I’ve got zero problem with athletes, or anyone else who doesn’t stand, put their hand over their heart, or recite the anthem. Actually the anthem is a pretty racist poem (read the third verse and research it) but that’s not the point. I don’t think the protest has anything to do with disrespecting the armed services. Those who have served and are serving are defending the right to protest. Protest to me is aimed at treatment of blacks in this country, a valid point.(That should set off our resident Grand Dragon). Shouldn’t we be bothered by more important things?
My final thought is that the circumstances are very different now than what Carlos and Smith faced in 1968 or even Kaepernick faced last year. Now we have an issue that entire teams are supporting. Those first three names couldn’t generate much support or sympathy with the public at large and knee jerk reactions that resulted at the time. Now we have white athletes, idolized by fans that otherwise would never support the protests, standing or kneeling with the protesting African-Americans. You might think about canning Michael Bennett for a nano-second but when his teammates, white and black stand/kneel with him he bring a lot more gravitas to his position. Fans who can’t reconcile that conflict will either actually give some serious thought to the issue and maybe alter their perspective or else decide to abandon their team as a result. Abandonment might work for a while for teams that suck this year but much tougher for a Chiefs fan, a Falcons fan or a Patriots fan who look to have great years and a serious shot in the post season. Don’t think there should be a problem filling those seats given up in protest. Social change like this may seem to move at the pace of a tectonic plate, but it won’t be stopped.
Bellissimo admin!
Boys the NFL is a business, the owners are in it for money, planes, cars, mansions, power and some to WIN a super bowl. For the most part Clark wants and has most of all that..right. Sure he wants to win and have a super bowl. Hey I give the man some credit, he has rebuilt a bad franchise into a regular play off team the last several years. True, a low level one but in it…this year he fired his G.M. out of the blue still not sure what happened…but at this moment has one of the two best teams in the NFL. Will that hold up, will they go to the super bowl? They have a real chance for once, will they, its a long hard ride….and nobody knows…ask Atlanta.
As for his position on the kneeling/the league is over 70% African American players, you kinda need them to win. Almost all of them hate Trump and are believing our country leans to being racist and always has…they want something ‘done’ about it. Will many of them go out and help stop the violence led by young black men? No…its too hard, late nights, not fun. So no, easier to be interviewed and bitch. There are a few who will try, but a few is not enough from the NFL and NBA. When the violence slows way down on our streets the anger towards non blacks from law enforcement and whites in general will also fall. Thats what will fix it…it ain’t around the corner is it. Until then protests will continue and as always be forgotten when the next media hype things happen. So Hunt is right to be quiet and step away…you can’t win this one.
wdaf had a guy complaining about these people taking a knee
while he wore a t shirt wearing an american flag. Wearing the flag is against regulations. It was all another trick bag by trumpwhile
millions in houston/florida and puerto rico were facing death.
Houston is a mess…puerto rico is flattened and all of us were
talking about kneeling.
Even the draft dodgers on kcc like glaze and hearne. You were old enough to serve during vietnam….why not? We know!
Theonly guy who really can say anything is chuck and as much
as i disagree with the guy on every issue there is…i havethe utmost respect for the guy for his service.
Watched part of vietnam on pbs….and saw what these guys suffered thru. Abolutely beyond anything i ever imagined!
No problem, not know.
If you read the US flag code, the only proper way to display the flag is to fly it freely. There are proper ways to fly it, but the code explicitly states that any other method of display than flying it freely is disrespectful. You can not put the flag on apparel, which means that the flag on a hat is disrespectful. Now, the president has the right to change the code as he sees fit. So if he wanted to say that MAGA hats with the flag on it is respectful, he could. But once he knows that it is currently disrespectful and/or he changes the code to say that it’s okay as long as the word MAGA is attached to the flag hat, then all this “you have to show respect for the flag” is in reality meaningless. Let’s face it. People (currently blacks) are gonna kneel for the flag to protest police abuse in this country, and people (many whites) are gonna wipe their asses with flag toilet paper and their mouths with flag napkins. They’re also gonna eat flag designed birthday cakes, and we all know where the cake ends up and it’s not red white and blue any more.
Sorry Frank, but that’s a pretty narrow minded viewpoint…
And so President Obama and practically every other politician and any number of other Americans are guilty of the same thing some say the football players are?
C’mon, you never ate a cupcake with an American flag toothpick in it?
No I’m not saying I’ve never eaten a cupcake with an American flag toothpick in it. I’m saying that I probably disrespect the flag at least twice every year just like everyone else, definitely on Independence Day. It’s in the code, Hearne. You need to stop disrespecting the flag, and you need to stop immediately. When all the “patriots” in the stands are looking at that absurdly oversized flag that’s touching the ground, they are witnessing the disrespect of the flag, and they need to show “great anger” at those people who put that flag on the ground (oh crap, it was members of the military who did it. I wasn’t the one who opened up this Pandora’s box, but I’ll play around in the absurdity of it. If people want to show “great anger” over people disrespecting the flag by kneeling for the anthem, then they need to stop trying to one up each other every day by showing how much more patriotic they are by disrespecting the flag themselves. Most people know that the only way to TRULY RESPECT the flag is to fly it freely on a flag pole. Don’t eat it, don’t wipe your mouth with it, etc. Fly it as an actual flag. Most people really don’t care, except when the wrong group of individuals do it. If you don’t want to be honest about it, I don’t really give a shi*.
OK, OK, Frank you win…
Except you don’t.
Ever learn about the concept of apples and oranges when you were a kid? Guess not
Geez admin, a little thin skinned aren’t we. Lighten up on Frank. He’s not attacking you, he’s just making the point that if certain people are going to go berserk saying this protests are an attack on the flag, then they need to be consistent and protect the flag 100%. Your apples/oranges defense misses the point. He admits he violates the flag code and we all do. Heck,flag burning is protected free speech (Texas v Johnson, 1989). The people who are upset are trying to say this is an attack on the flag or an attack on the military are trying to reinterpret the meaning of the protests and divert the attention away from legitimate dissent. Tons of examples of members of the military supporting the protests. The teammate standing next to Kaepernick (Nate Boyer) was a Green Beret. How about the 97 year old vet from Mo. (John Middlemas) who tweeted out pic of himself kneeling in support of protesters. I still can’t believe this is what some people, including our President, think is important. Shouldn’t we, and he be spending time (ok, and tweets) on things that really affect our lives and our country like healthcare, tax reform, hurricane relief, North Korea, and not stupid trivial stuff like NFL fans/players/owners. Seriously???
Too harsh, huh?
Nothing personal Stomps, but his point is borderline silly and doesn’t come close to equating with the situation at hand.
Imaginary flag decorum from centuries past have long since fallen by the wayside and in today’s culture those rules no longer apply and are not widely seen as a reflection of disrespect for flag and country.
That’s beyond obvious, as it’s not even a topic of conversation (except briefly here) whereas the anthem protest is spreading like wildfire and the polling – and not along party lines either – says the majority of folks don’t like it
Maybe the same polls that had Hillary winning?
Not quite, this was taken in the last week…
Think Boom Boom conducted it. He’s the one who predicted a Hillary win, no?
Somewhat obviously, Trump is spending time on all of the topics you mention. Far and away more time than on the NFL controversy.
However, as I pointed out – that’s a weak to non argument – because we all put in a full effort in full time jobs yet find the time to watch football, basketball, movies and sports.
Life is not a zero sum game.
Does anybody honestly think (just because you disagree with his opinion) that in order to mention briefly in an ultra long speech and put out a couple tweets that Trump is spending a ton of time fixating on NFL protests?
C’mon, you know better.
And again, that BS about the code of how to fly the American flag is a distant relic of the past and doesn’t apply to the world we live in. Another weak argument that ignores the current situation.
By the way, having served in the Navy for six years, I can tell you that people in the military have differing views on every topic known to man. That one person likes it versus another hating it, means little.
Again, the early poll numbers indicate that far more people find it distasteful and or a needless distraction that takes away from their enjoyment of escaping into a sporting event – a mindless game.
Did you notice that the NBA has a league rule about standing for the anthem?
Just can’t let this go, eh. Even the slightest hint of disagreement from a commenter here generates a meaty response from you. I know you’re too smart to rely on polls very much, especially after so many misjudged the last election. Wasn’t just Harley and me. You know that poll results can vary depending on the question. Saw a poll today with two questions. First asked about support for the protests and the majority were against the protest by athletes at sporting events. Second question was about whether Trump was out of line with regards to coming out against protests and by about the same majority, people thought he was.
When women protested about gaining the right to vote, public opinion was overwhelming against them. Same with Vietnam protests. Same with Climate Change deniers. Takes a while for the masses to accept any new idea. There are still a few that cling to the notion that the world is flat. Saw that Ewing K wanted to eliminate the anthem before Royals games but he was too forward thinking for the time back then. Also saw a count for the tweets in the past week or two that totaled up the topics the orange man wrote about. The NFL protests surpassed the total for N. Korea, Healthcare, and Taxes combined.
And you thought Trump had better things to do that mumble a few sentences and a couple tweets about the NFL!
You and Frank have worn me down. In the words of a gentleman I used to work with, you’re entitled to your opinion no matter how wrong you may be.
I’ll print the full questions and numbers on the poll and then I’m going into hiding!
“And again, that BS about the code of how to fly the American flag is a distant relic of the past and doesn’t apply to the world we live in. ”
So, Hearne, if I want to fly the flag upside down that’s okay? And if I want to do a whole “ripped jeans kinda thang” using the flag as a substitute, that’s okay? Because how we fly the flag is just a “distant relic”. I guess the National Anthem could be considered a “distant relic” in KC since it’s not the “Home of the brave” anymore, but “Home of the Chiefs”. Don’t get me wrong, Hearne, I’m not personally offended to the point where I’m gonna burn up season tickets because I’m so angry, I can’t figure out that I could make money if I sold them. However, if you are willing to poo-poo the way the flag is flown as a “distant relic”, we at least know that we don’t have to pay any attention to your anger (real or fake) regarding any kind of flag decorum. I don’t think I’m comparing apples to oranges. We’re both talking about “the way to fly the flag”
All the rules for how to display the flag and conduct oneself during the playing of the national anthem in the US Code (which to my understanding isn’t a distant relic, but what do I know) are advisory anyway. And all of the people that have “great anger” over Colin Kaepernick are aware that it’s advisory and not mandatory, there the changing of the lyrics of the National Anthem at Chiefs games. Who wants to honor the brave anyway when we’re at a Chiefs game? Know what I’m saying?
I do know what you’re saying Frank, but…
My understanding is that people don’t want to have to put up with politics while they’re having an entertainment escape at a football game. They don’t particularly like that they’re using that column ceremony to protest against the police either, so it appears twofold.
First of all, the last thing I am in angry…
So let’s start with that. I’m taking exception with the media being so one-sided and strident over an issue that is actually very nuanced.
As for flying a flag upside down, that’s clearly a means of showing disrespect for the flag and the country, whereas having an American flag sheet cake on the 4th of July is at the very least, well-intentioned.
Let’s not mix up modest, common, everyday things like toothpicks in cupcakes, tee shirts, oversize flags flying at night with car dealer lights on them, etc. with blatant attempts to diminish the red, white and blue.
Somewhat obviously, few to nobody is making much if any of an argument there.
However intentions matter
Trump’s a wonderful president for inciting culture wars and creating division within society. He’s going to continue to incite issue after issue, repeatedly. Afterward, he sits in his office watching the manipulations on cable news. I thought people were smart enough to avoid being used by this clown for his own enjoyment; apparently not.
Yeah, I remember when Trump did his “If I had a son…” schtick. Getting involved in a local law enforcement issue, which was a slam dunk self defense, that then, almost got the “Half White” guy the media hated so much sent up the river for 20 years was really bad.
Then, after that, Trump never, NEVER missed an opportunity to throw gas on the fires of racial animus and even gave a speech at the funerals of dead Dallas cops justifying the assassinations. Of course, we all were appalled at the “Clown” when he invited Black Lives Matter terrorists into the White House and feted them like dignitaries.
I think Trump really is a clown. Who would invite Al Sharpton, a fuckin murderer as guilty as Ray Lewis into the White House 84 times for advice?
Yep, Trump is a divisive clown.
Careful there Chuck, Hearne voted for Obama twice. If you’re not careful, he might focus on you and let Frank and me slide
I’ll gird my loins.
Thanks Hearne. Your disdain for the Kansas City Star is legend and I get that. I hope you’re not taking your position on this because the Star is on the other side. Clark Hunt, as the team owner, is in a very different position than the rest of us and as much as I would have liked for him to come out more strongly supporting the players, he is in a position where I think his response was appropriate and correct. You were absolutely correct in chastising Sam Mellinger for his column and his take. He was out of line and you correctly nailed him. With regards to your position on the protest issue itself, not so much.
In the years I have know you HC, you have almost always been out front and correct in your choice on cars, music, trends, etc. This time I think you bought the Edsel.
Funny guy!
I have no disdain for the Star…only an appetite for keeping them honest to the extent that’s possible.
I remind you I was highly critical of them for years while running the Pitch and wrote a number of columns critical of the Star while working there (I had to be somewhat delicate in my approach and a few didn’t didn’t make it out of the gate but…).
Something you might not know is one of the primary missions of alternative journalism has long been to provide a counter point of view to daily newspapers who essentially have monopolies on local news.
My “position” if you will, is to point out that these sort of activities have long been under the control of of the teams. Even when patriotism has been involved.
Try protesting at your place of business at your own peril.
And I guarantee you the owners would far and away this not gotten out of hand because they know it’s going to cost them.
I was watching Pardon the Interruption on ESPN yesterday. Steve Young was on there and suggested that the NFL have a month dedicated to racial inequality. No more taking a knee. I thought it was a good idea. I am with them in what they are saying, but not about taking a knee. I hated that we boycotted the Olympics. Sports is where people go to get away from their lives.
And Goose 13’s comments are what people don’t seem to mainly like; mixing police and football
As long as it’s not one of the fall months. I love the fall, and I don’t want my fall months ruined by politics. There’s another guy and girl that likes the spring, winter, and summer, so those months are out as well.
Can’t believe I’m even writing this but according to your flag code, “Traditional guidelines call for displaying the flag in public only from sunrise to sunset. However, the flag may be displayed at all times if it’s illuminated during darkness. The flag should not be subject to weather damage, so it should not be displayed during rain, snow and wind storms unless it is an all-weather flag.
And out of respect for the flag it says to NEVER:
*** use it as wearing apparel, bedding or drapery. It should not be used on a costume or athletic uniform. However, a flag patch may be attached to the uniform of patriotic organizations, military personnel, police officers and firefighters.
****use the flag for advertising or promotion purposes or print it on paper napkins, boxes or anything else intended for temporary use and discard.
No regulations for speeding a giant one out on a football field and other uses you kinda mentioned or implied. And there are no penalties for any of these violations BTW
“out of respect for the flag it says to NEVER: use it as wearing apparel, bedding or drapery. It should not be used on a costume or athletic uniform.”
– for the love of minutiae: is the NFL helmet part of a uniform/a flag marker upon it considered misuse? A ‘flag’ (definitions include any “device, symbol, or drawing typically resembling a flag, used as a marker”) for years now has adorned the back player helmets.
The fine line between self-righteous NFL treading/weighing profit & public relations nightmare, one way or the other. An few years ago, pre-Superbowl ‘XLIV’ Saints vs Colts 2010, NFL had a problem with the slogan “Who dat?” being used/put on/sold any paraphernalia – unless by the NFL, of cour$e.
NFL claimed a 1988 registered trademark gave it exclusive rights the slogan, ownership the ‘fleur-de-lis’, ancient symbol French monarchy, and the team colors New Orleans Saints – all of which happened be associated with and/or adorn their helmets/uniforms.
Louisiana’s attorney general sent a letter to the league defending fans/vendors right to use the ‘Who dat?’ chant, fleur-de-lis as well black & gold team colors. The NFL decided to make no more claims on the chant and agreed send letters to vendors informing them of said (NFL lawyers stated that they only intended to crack down on ‘counterfeit’ official merchandise.)
Among definitions counterfeit is ‘imitation’… does flag on a helmet qualify? As case National Anthem topic: what shall it profit a man/men (NFL) if they gain the goodwill league’s players but lose its fan base the process?
In conclusion: what constitutes a flag as compared a symbol and/or a marker?
For clarification this and other issues re: protest, kneeling, bowing and fisting, suggest that we turn to former Oakland Raiders Head Coach John Madden his book – ‘One Knee Equals Two Feet: And Everything Else You Need to Know About Football’.
🙂
However it does describe a code of conduct of sort for when the national anthem is played and it doesn’t include kneeling, sitting, raising one’s first, etc
First of all, you pointed out that there are no penalties. The rules are not mandatory. Second, not being included doesn’t mean you can’t do it. And third, and I think most importantly. If you are at a game and a player is kneeling, you won’t see it, because you will be facing the flag in a full sign of respect, yes?
Now you’re really getting silly, Frank…
I think we’ve ridden this dead horse about as far as it can go. No?
Here’s the poll:
Q7: Last week, Donald Trump said NFL players should stand and be respectful during the national anthem. Do you think NFL players should stand and be respectful during the national anthem?
Yes: 64%
No: 25%
Unsure: 11%
Q8: On Sunday, a number of NFL players knelt during the national anthem in protest of Donald Trump’s statements, including players from your favorite team. Does this make you more likely or less likely to watch your favorite team’s games in the future?
More likely: 30%
Less likely: 50%
No difference: 20%
Now, just thinking about this year, have you watched more football or less football compared to previous years?
More football: 19% [GO TO Q6]
Less football: 51% [GO TO Q5]
About the same: 30% [GO TO Q6]
Q5: Why would you say you are watching less football this year?
Players using the NFL as a stage for their political views: 69%
New rules that reduce physical contact: 5%
There are too many games during the week: 6%
Games last too long: 2%
Pace of play is too slow: 2%
Something else: 12%
Unsure: 4%
Q6: Do you think NFL players should stand and be respectful during the national anthem?
Yes: 64%
No: 24%
Unsure: 12%
Q9: Do you support protesting during the national anthem at the beginning of NFL games, or is there a more appropriate place for players to protest?
Support: 31%
There is a more appropriate place to protest: 60%
Unsure: 9%
Q10: In the future, would you prefer to see more politics, less politics, or the same amount of politics during sporting events?
More politics: 7%
Less politics: 80%
Same amount: 13%
Most Americans, 51%, say they have watched less football this year compared to the past. Of respondents who said they have watched less football this year, 69% cite their reason as players using the NFL as a stage for their political views.
Republicans and Non-Partisans have been cutting back on watching football at a higher rate than Democrats, as 66% of Republicans say they have watched less football this year compared to 33% of Democrats. Among Non-Partisans, 55% reported they have watched less football this year compared to the past.
More fuel for the fire, from one of the most liberal sites in the U.S. – Yahoo.
https://www.yahoo.com/finance/news/exclusive-poll-62-nfl-fans-plan-watch-less-football-163908368.html
“In the words of a gentleman I used to work with, you’re entitled to your opinion even if you’re wrong”
Ditto !!
How about you mark you calendar for a year from today, let Father Time work his magic, and let’s take another look at this issue. Assuming we’re both still alive, your blog still exists, and we’re all not dead from nuclear fallout as a result of two immature world leaders. If the pendulum of public opinion swings my way and the majority moves to my position, I win and if the it stays where it is now, you win. Loser buys the winner lunch. How about we include Professor Paul Wilson (You reading this Professor?) I’m more than happy to but you both lunch and I’d love sharing a meal with Paul anyway.
Sound like a deal ?
Silly goose
Stomp, you have my number, we can lunch any time. October is difficult but we’ll figure it out.
GUYS…GUYS…OLD DUDES…IT DOESN’T MATTER.
Argue all you want about players kneeling….the dumpster an his mafia team are
going down.
Mueller is taking all the white house staff and questioning them. In there will be
an FBI agent so if one of these knumbskulls says anything wrong they’ll get a
obstruction of justice indictment.
Who cares who knelt. Maybe 20-30 players. All i know is 80K in arrowhead stood
and saluted and sang. That’s the fact. I hated what the players did but it’s their
right.
And draft dodgers you guys have no right to complain especially glazo and hearne.
Everyone has the right the express their opinion…right/wrong/indifferent…..
so please cut the b.s.
An glaze…you usally pump up your list of comedians. What happened…..haven’t seen one story about who’s at your place. And I do want to seee bobby before the worldends.
Geez Harley, for a guy with such a HUGE brain you sure are forgetful…how old are you again?
I logged six years in the Navy, dawg. How about you?
hey stomp….i wouldn’t offer to take pauly walnuts to lunch. He loves
dennys and might make you pay for a quadruple grand slam right before
he kicks off. Take a defibrilator with ya. hahahahahaha!
I heard if you go there you have to pay in advance of getting your food if
you look black. Take a lot of cash….those 2 eat heavy and it might set you
back $150!
Good to hear from ya. Happy New year to you and your loved ones!