The American Flag

[Darkhorse]

Honoring the flag does not imply that the republic for which it stands is perfect. Far from it, honoring the flag is our collective commitment that we will constantly attempt to get better as a nation, to improve as a people, and to use the freedoms we have been given the make the earth a better place.

I spent 37 years defending freedom of speech and freedom of expression. Nothing is more important to this democracy. Nothing! However, while no one should be compelled to stand, they should recognize that by sitting in protest to the flag they are disrespecting everyone who sacrificed to make this country what it is today — as imperfect as it might be.

Those that believe the flag represents oppression should remember all the Americans who fought to eliminate bigotry, racism, sexism, imperialism, communism, and terrorism The flag rode with the Buffalo Soldiers of the 9th, 10th, 24th and 25th Calvary and Infantry Regiments. It was carried by the suffragists down the streets of New York City. It flew with the Tuskegee Airmen of WWII. It was planted in the fields where Cesar Chavez spoke. It marched with Martin Luther King Jr. It rocketed into space on the shoulder patches of women, gays, Hispanic, Asian and African American astronauts. Today it waves high over the White House. It is a flag for everyone, of every color, of every race, of every creed, and of every orientation, but the privilege of living under this flag does not come without cost. Nor should it come without respect.

The nation and everything it strives for is embodied in the American flag. We strive to be more inclusive. We strive to be more understanding. We strive to fix the problems that plague our society.

I would, once again, ask the Presidents and the Athletic Directors to convey my message to your teams. The young student-athletes are future leaders of this nation. By showing respect for the flag, they are making it possible for America to be everything we dreamed it could be.

William McRaven,
Chancellor of the University of Texas System

[callmeslick]

I agree with this sentiment, but defend the right of an adult athelete on a national stage to express his protest directed at either flags or anthems. It's a fine line.

[Reservoir_Dog]

Just because you CAN do something. Doesn't mean you SHOULD.

[callmeslick]

Just because you CAN do something. Doesn't mean you SHOULD.

sure, life is that way. However, I am REAL averse to putting myself in the shoes or minds of others. If some folks find that a valid form of protesst(and much of it isn't really disrespect for the flag so much as for the celebration of 'my nation right or wrong' at certain moments), I'm not about to say they shouldn't do it. I suspect the triggering event here is Kaepernick and his little protest. As first, I pretty much saw it as frivolous, however, seeing as how it has a months worth of legs to the attention, is growing into a larger movement and HOPEFULLY ignites more depth of dialogue, maybe he SHOULD have done exactly what he's done. Sure took balls, I will say that much.

[callmeslick]

further, in no way do I buy the premise that to disrespect the flag IN ANY WAY is intended or ought to disrespect those who fought under it. That is mere projection on the part of any veteran who feels that way. A reading of the past 3 weeks or so on FB shows a lot of vets(some I know personally) that applaud the whole premise under which Kaepernick is operating. I've never heard a soul in my adult life(admittedly post Vietnam by a few years) who ever badmouthed our military past or present when protesting either the flag, anthem or Pledge of Allegiance. YMMV.

[Pudfark]

Just because you CAN do something. Doesn't mean you SHOULD.

sure, life is that way. However, I am REAL averse to putting myself in the shoes or minds of others. If some folks find that a valid form of protesst(and much of it isn't really disrespect for the flag so much as for the celebration of 'my nation right or wrong' at certain moments), I'm not about to say they shouldn't do it. I suspect the triggering event here is Kaepernick and his little protest. As first, I pretty much saw it as frivolous, however, seeing as how it has a months worth of legs to the attention, is growing into a larger movement and HOPEFULLY ignites more depth of dialogue, maybe he SHOULD have done exactly what he's done. Sure took balls, I will say that much.

It would mean more? If'n he took that knee in the unemployment line, that takes balls.

[Darkhorse]

All his creditability went out the window when he showed up to a press conference wearing a Fidel Castro t-shirt!

[Pudfark]

That'd be the icing on the turd.....it is.

[callmeslick]

All his creditability went out the window when he showed up to a press conference wearing a Fidel Castro t-shirt!

why so? You determine the credibility of an issue based on the clothes someone chooses to wear? You dismiss his point because of a Fidel Castro shirt? Sort of shows you weren't really caring to listen from the outset, don't you think?

[callmeslick]

also, DH, can you explain why someone protesting a display of the US flag automatically means they in ANY WAY disrespect the active duty military, who is FORCED to salute, I note, or those of past generations? Because, you made that assertion at the outset with nothing to back it up but your feelings.