I'm a big fan of molotov cocktails

 

Those aren't protestors. Those are rioters and looters. Remember?

She's not even close to the first person to represent a US National Team and protest social injustice while a member of the team.

 

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And I have no problem with what they did with that.

I didn't say she was.

 

Just checking. And yeah I find it ironic too. I know if I was a black dude in the 1960s I wouldn't participated in anything for a US National

team.

And I have no problem with what they did with that.

 

How can you not have an issue with them protesting during the anthem, but think she's white trash for protesting during the anthem?

Those aren't protestors. Those are rioters and looters. Remember?

 

That makes for better footage on FoxNews

I haven't really thought too much about this whole Anthem protest thing when it started with Kaepernick as it hit up against something that I've thought about for a long time: why on Earth do we play the anthem ahead of sporting events to begin with? What's that for? Nobody is representing their country out there, it's a bunch of folks representing their clubs, their schools, or their communities.

 

But this one is different. Rapinoe was wearing a USA shirt with a USA Soccer logo on it and was representing her country with citizens of another one standing just a few feet away. It feels different for me.

 

That said, I ultimately come down the same way: it's hard for me to get too worked up about it. I wish she'd choose a different forum in which to voice her opinions but that's mostly because I feel like it's akin to airing our dirty laundry in public for the neighbors to see. I don't want to bring light to America's shortcomings with foreign nationals looking right at it.

 

I will always stand for the anthem when it's played and, when appropriate, I like to sing along with it as well (I like an instrumental version so the fans can sing, but that's just me). The flag to me is not some religious icon or relic to be venerated, but a symbol, and when you feel like the meaning behind that symbol has let you down, it can be really disheartening and lead to things like this.

 

I've watched what can happen when you go the other way. Saw a guy sitting with his son at Slugger Field once during the anthem. Guy behind him poured a beer on his head. Wonder what that guy will now tell his son about the "patriot" they encountered at the ball park.

 

To me, that flag and the anthem played while it waves represent the fundamental idea of the American experiment: somehow things have gone all wrong but we think we can do better. I think the United States is constantly evolving and constantly changing because, as Americans, we always believe we can do better. I think sometimes that change comes too slowly or sometimes the folks that recognize the greatness of this experiment do a darned poor job of showing everyone else what it means.

 

Or maybe we've just lost sight of what constantly striving to do better looks like and we've gotten comfortable and complacent. And when that happens, anyone not in that position is bound to be frustrated.

 

I get where all of it comes from, on both sides of this debate, but I can't let myself get bogged down in which person hates America and which one doesn't, because we have real enemies out there.

 

I lost the thread on this post ages ago, but my point still stands: I wish they'd choose another avenue for their protests, but I get where it comes from. As for me, I'll continue to stand and sing and let my eyes well with tears on occasion, because I ultimately still believe in that vision for this country as constantly striving to do better, despite its blemishes, despite its missteps, despite all its faults. You'll see me at Cardinal Stadium on Saturday noon, hand over heart, looking up at the flag... warts and all.

How can you not have an issue with them protesting during the anthem, but think she's white trash for protesting during the anthem?

 

They are at least standing. They are not her.

They are at least standing. They are not her.

 

So standing and "disrespecting" the flag isn't as bad as kneeling and "disrespecting" the flag?

If she doesn't believe in her cause enough to refuse to put on a jersey (with a paycheck attached) with a US flag on it and USA on the chest then she doesn't really believe in her cause.

I'm perfectly okay with protesting but choose a better way to protest.

 

This way seems to be pretty effective.

This way seems to be pretty effective.

 

Agreed. It's worked so far.

This way seems to be pretty effective.

 

It sure is. These lawmakers are going right out there and putting a lot of money where its needed. The inner cities are now becoming like downtown Beverly Hills. The inner cities and education is now just like Harvard.

 

Thank God these protesters have convinced the lawmakers to finally do something.

I do love the irony of us being in the "land of the free, home of the brave" but as soon as someone is too free and too brave we want them to shut the hell up and act accordingly.

 

'Murica.

I was quoting you. If you are lucky enough to have a job, do it. I am for my country and thank God every day that I was born here. I will always say that anyone capable of standing, should, out of respect for every man, woman or child who lost their lives to protect freedom. And that's my family. I've stood at numerous military funerals. Watched how reverently the military removes the flag and folds it precisely into a triangle and presents it to the bereaved family. I've stood there and heard taps and I've shuddered through the 21 gun salute, and I have a spent cartridge from that honor and it is in my china cabinet alongside other memories that I value most. I will stand for my flag, National Anthem and my country for as long as I'm able to stand. I love my country. End of story.

I was quoting you. If you are lucky enough to have a job, do it. I am for my country and thank God every day that I was born here. I will always say that anyone capable of standing, should, out of respect for every man, woman or child who lost their lives to protect freedom. And that's my family. I've stood at numerous military funerals. Watched how reverently the military removes the flag and folds it precisely into a triangle and presents it to the bereaved family. I've stood there and heard taps and I've shuddered through the 21 gun salute, and I have a spent cartridge from that honor and it is in my china cabinet alongside other memories that I value most. I will stand for my flag, National Anthem and my country for as long as I'm able to stand. I love my country. End of story.

 

Nothing wrong with that at all. The flag and the anthem mean something different to everyone. I won't begrudge anyone who views it differently than I do and I will always respect their views of the flag and athem when it differs from mine. That's why I stand for the anthem and remove my hat when I am present when it is being played.

It sure is. These lawmakers are going right out there and putting a lot of money where its needed. The inner cities are now becoming like downtown Beverly Hills. The inner cities and education is now just like Harvard.

 

Thank God these protesters have convinced the lawmakers to finally do something.

 

Typically social ills get solved in about the same time it takes to get a fast food happy meal at a drive through McDonalds. :jump: