[Woodworkers] OT: I'm done with the NFL

Chuck Steger chuck.steger at gmail.com
Mon Sep 25 10:18:41 PDT 2017


First of all this is definitely an off topic subject so I labeled as such.
Secondly, how in the hell did we go this long w/o talking about Trump, yet
the NFL is the trigger?

Me personally, I am with Brian & Clint. I agree with most Americans that it
is disrespectful to the flag and to the people who have much on the line
protecting our freedom. Also, Colin K lost ALL credibility when he informed
us he did not vote. You want change - then VOTE!!!! So do I agree with what
they are doing - no. Do I agree that they have every right (as you and I do)
to do a peaceful protest - you bet I do.

As mentioned, there are ways we can show our disapproval, and not watching
and supporting is certainly a way. But what the players are doing is well
within their rights as Americans. But please notice, what Trump did was
unite all sports - not just the NFL. Yesterday more players kneeled or
locked arms in solidarity to the players because of Trump. Even Trump's
buddy Kraft denounced Trump's position and LeBron called him a bum (just to
name 2).

Bottom line " I do not agree with what you have to say, but I'll defend to
the death your right to say it" (Evelyn Beatrice Hall)

Interesting note: The fans jeered the Patriots when they kneeled and locked
arms but were sure cheering when they scored the winning touchdown (can you
say "fickle").

Chuck

> -----Original Message-----
> From: Woodworkers [mailto:woodworkers-bounces at lists.sawdusters.org]
> On Behalf Of Brian Johnson via Woodworkers
> Sent: Monday, September 25, 2017 11:15 AM
> To: A place where woodworkers talk about woodworking
> Cc: Brian Johnson
> Subject: Re: [Woodworkers] I'm done with the NFL
> 
> Hey Dave -
> 
> So I'm going to play a bit of Devil's Advocate on this one.
> 
> As Americans we are given a set of innate rights. The first of which is
> "Freedom of Speech". This freedom includes the right to protest, and isn't
> limited to the poor, downtrodden, nor the rich and successful.
> It's a right we all share. This includes NFL players making WAY, WAY too
much
> money (on that we totally agree).
> 
> The NFL, as an organization, is also awarded this Freedom. If the NFL were
to
> start limiting the freedoms of it's players they would be stomping on the
> rights that so many have fought and died to protect.
> While I don't agree with what Kaepernick started, I don't have a problem
> with him protesting in his own way. It's his right. There is nothing in
the
> constitution that states we MUST stand and MUST place our hand on our
> heart during the anthem or we will be forced to leave the country.
> In fact, the right to NOT do so is protected under that first amendment.
> 
> When our President stepped up onto his podium (twitter) and directly
> attacked the right to that protest, he was stepping outside the rights of
the
> office he was elected to. He has the privilege to represent the United
States
> and the Freedoms we all value, but he instead decided to throw dirt on
those
> Freedoms. While the entirety of the NFL (players, staff, C-levels) likely
don't
> agree with what Kaepernick was doing, they do agree that he has the right
to
> protest in his way. The NFL decided to take a stand behind that Freedom.
> They aren't backing Kaepernick and what he stood for. They are backing his
> RIGHT to do what he was doing.
> They are showing a unified front against tyranny, the tyranny of our
> President directly stating that Kaepernick shouldn't be allowed to do what
he
> was doing.
> 
> Kaepernick's actions are not dissimilar to the right to burn the flag.
> That right has been upheld by the Supreme Court. Most of us don't agree
> with it, but it's being done as an extreme measure to bring attention to
> something that somebody believes strongly in. In this case, Kaepernick
> believes that African Americans are mistreated in the United States. Is he
> right? Probably. Is his form of protest the way to go about it?
> 
> Consider this: We are all talking about it. He has forced an entire
nation, even
> the world, to have a conversation about something that nobody was talking
> about previously. If 50,000 people from Harlem march in protest, it's
briefly
> mentioned on the news and we all move on. But when a couple thousand
> rich folks link arms in solidarity? Funny how there is suddenly tons of
> attention on the subject.
> 
> I, for one, applaud the NFL for not stomping on the rights of it's players
and
> giving them the opportunity to institute real change, to be role models,
to
> show that the voice of one person really can make a difference. I come
from
> a family of veterans. My Grandpa was in WWII, my Dad was in Germany
> during Korea, both his brother served in the military during (relative)
> peacetime, my brother was in the Air Force during 9/11 and for years
after, I
> was unlucky enough to not be able to serve. I respect every single
individual
> that makes the choice to put on that uniform and make a stand for Freedom
> in the world. But, this is exactly what they fight for every single day.
The right
> to do what Kaepernick, and subsequently the entirety of the NFL, have
> done.
> 
> That said, you also have the right to turn off the TV and make a stand
against
> the NFL. :)
> 
> -Brian
> 
> 
> 
> 
> 
> Dave Heitstuman via Woodworkers wrote:
> > First I am not a gotta watch it type of football fan. But I do pay
> > attention and when NASCAR is over I will watch the SeaChickens. If
> > they have the early game I generally will have the second game on.
> > Although I am not allowed to watch with my wife as I have a tendency to
> yell at the TV.
> >
> > Kappernick started my disdain for the NFL when they said nothing. Then
> > Bennett started his little protest, which made me start thinking about
> > not watching the SeaChickens.
> >
> > This weekend the NFL takes a stand. Well guess what NFL. Take your
> > stand. I am too. There will be no football on any TV in our household.
> > I hope your sponsors appreciate this.
> >
> > I have said for years that the players are paid way too much. If they
> > feel that they need to protest then take some of that money and start
> > a worthwhile endeavor to get your message out. Who knows maybe I'll
> > even support it.
> >
> > In the meantime, when the national anthem starts, stand your ass up
> > and respect the flag.
> >
> > Better yet take a lesson from NASCAR, sure it is basically a bunch of
> > southern boys and hillbillies but guess what they stand with their
> > hats off and hands over their hearts during the singing. At the end
> > the cheer. Why? Because they are true Americans.
> >
> > At our local track the Canadians come down a couple of times a year.
> > The Canadian national anthem is played first, we stand and respect
> > their flag. And they stand and respect our flag. Respect, that is what
> > it is about.
> >
> > _______________________________________________
> > I want to be one of my friends for a day so I can see how cool it is to
hang
> out with me.
> > Woodworkers at lists.sawdusters.org
> >
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> >
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> _______________________________________________
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hang out
> with me.
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> 
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