Jim Geraghty of National Review and Greg Corombos of Radio America agree with President Trump’s disapproval for national anthem protests but also believe it is wrong for the president to suggest anyone be fired for their constitutionally-protected beliefs.  They also unload on those who took a knee during the anthem, which turned into a referendum on Trump – a fight Trump is sure to win.  Thy hammer three NFL teams for refusing to take the field for the anthem, blast the Pittsburgh Steelers for condemning their own player who is an Afghanistan war vet for defying the decision and honoring the anthem, and shake their head as Bob Costas frets that the anthem is only used to honor military instead of teachers and social workers.  Finally, they slam John McCain for once again breaking his promise on health care reform and planning to vote against the latest Senate bill.  They also question Rand Paul’s decision to oppose it.

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There are 5 comments.

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  1. BD1 Member
    BD1
    @

    National Review always slams McCain after he’s been safely reelected.  When he’s running for reelection, they support/protect him.

    • #1
  2. Kevin Schulte Member
    Kevin Schulte
    @KevinSchulte

    There is no one who wants to jail Kapernic. I turned you off at this point. Might give you another try. Nah

    • #2
  3. Peter Gøthgen Member
    Peter Gøthgen
    @PeterGothgen

    My basic problem with the first martini is that it shows an ignorance of basic English grammar and sentence structure.  Saying “Wouldn’t it be great if…” is not the same as calling for something to actually happen.  I can say “Wouldn’t it be great if I walked into a bar and they offered my a free glass of a new beer they have” without anyone thinking that I am demanding that this actually happen.  It is clearly fantasizing, and not policy declaration.  This is a basic distinction, and I am deeply disappointed that it is not made.

    • #3
  4. Deborah Oakes Member
    Deborah Oakes
    @DeborahOakes

    Amendment I of the Constitution of the United States of America does not apply to NFL players not standing for the U.S. National Anthem.

    Amendment I:   Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting thr free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances.

    This amendment is directed at congress not private corporations.

    • #4
  5. Dr. Jekyll Member
    Dr. Jekyll
    @DrJekyll

    An Amicus Brief for Jim Geraghty,

    You missed the mark in yesterday’s [Sept. 25, 2017] TML podcast badly, I believe.  I have three reasons:

    1. Free speech is ALWAYS regulated by private entities when you are on the clock and wearing their uniform. At those times, you do not represent yourself, you represent your organization. After hours, athletes can say whatever they want and have their free speech.  It is noteworthy that men and women in uniform, in the military for example, do NOT have free speech but must avoid saying anything overtly political or that would criticize the chain of command – that ends at the top – the President.  Any organization – public or private – has the right to make rules about what their employees say while in uniform and on the clock.  Firing is often an appropriate reaction to a breach of these rules.
    2. The problem is with the NFL and its official policy towards the national anthem – it does not have one. The players are apparently given the freedom to participate or not by league rules. Teams should still be in the business of requiring their players to act in such a way as not to hurt the image of the franchise. If dishonoring the flag and nation does not hurt the image of the teams, the teams have an unpatriotic image – and that is precisely the problem.  The simple solution here is for the NFL to write the rules that have been adopted by other sports – and require players to stand respectfully.  If they are unwilling to do this, they will continue to hemorrhage fans.

    http://articles.latimes.com/1996-03-15/sports/sp-47420_1_mahmoud-abdul-rauf

    1. Finally, Kaepernick’s ignorant protest was simply out of place. It was divisive in that it attacked a symbol of unity for the country. You alluded to this in your piece – but concluded that it should be left up to the players and that booing is the proper consequence.  I will not follow a sport that boos players for their politics.  I do not even want to know the politics of the players.  The insertion of politics into sports is poison for our public square and you did not seem to grasp that.  What do we have left where Americans of all creeds and parties can gather and recreate?

    DrJekyll

     

    • #5
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