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Al Jazeera reports
The National Football League (NFL) announced a new policy that will fine teams an undetermined amount if players on the field fail to stand during the national anthem.
[...] The new policy does not require players be present during the anthem, allowing those who wish to protest and not attend the ceremonial act to remain in the locker room.
Players said they were not consulted and threatened to challenge the policy in the courts. A statement by the NFL Players Association said its athletes had shown ample patriotism by way of their social activism and community support initiatives.
[...] New York Jets chairman Christopher Johnson said he supported the measure out of obligation to the membership, but said players can take a knee or perform another type of protest without fear of repercussion from the team. He will pay their fines.
"If somebody [on the Jets] takes a knee, that fine will be borne by the organisation, by me, not the players. I never want to put restrictions on the speech of our players," Johnson said.
New York Magazine notes
The monetary risk to Johnson isn't huge, since no Jets players took a knee last season. [...] Johnson is currently acting as owner of the team while his brother, Woody Johnson, serves as Trump's ambassador to Britain.
(Score: 5, Insightful) by c0lo on Saturday May 26 2018, @01:56PM (6 children)
If all you are left to define yourself as a country is standing for anthem, I deplore you.
But here's a crazy idea: how about actually offering the promised equality of opportunity, maybe the players won't need to beg for it?
You really believe that equal opportunity can't be achieved if the players aren't standing for anthem? 'I can't understand this twisted logic, I suspect this is more related with some sort of beliefs close to the religious in nature.
Isn't the "ask not what your country can do for you—ask what you can do for your country" a bit worn out by hollow repetition over ages to use it again as an argument? Look, it has been over 50 years of "doing for the country" and too many are still to see something about the country doing something for them; it starts sounding like a sham.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aoFiw2jMy-0 https://soylentnews.org/~MichaelDavidCrawford
(Score: 1) by EEMac on Saturday May 26 2018, @02:45PM (1 child)
"But here's a crazy idea: how about actually offering the promised equality of opportunity, maybe the players won't need to beg for it?"
Football players make MILLIONS of dollars a year doing something they were recruited for starting at a young age. If they complain about "equality of opportunity", it is hypocritical and offensive.
(Score: 4, Insightful) by c0lo on Saturday May 26 2018, @03:00PM
Because the equal opportunity is meant to be only for the footballs players, right?
They aren't suppose to say a word about the others who don't have even the remote opportunity to be heard?
Maybe even "social activism and community support initiatives" are offensive for the National Football League and need to be fined?
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aoFiw2jMy-0 https://soylentnews.org/~MichaelDavidCrawford
(Score: 1, Flamebait) by Runaway1956 on Saturday May 26 2018, @03:36PM (3 children)
No, never. Hollow repetition? Maybe, by cynical SOB's who have nothing to give, themselves. IMO, anyone who has nothing to give, deserves to take nothing. That goes for all those politicians in Washington, and the state capitals, as well as corporate officers.
(Score: 4, Informative) by c0lo on Saturday May 26 2018, @04:04PM (2 children)
There are thousands of persons** who almost do a shit for their country and move the rest overseas in tax heavens and yet are rewarded with tax breaks which don't expire after 7 years. Those tax breaks drive the country deeper in the deficit and you only need one guess for the money of whom will be used to balance the deficit.
If the country shits on those who give and rewards those who don't, where's the reason to continue giving?
---
** Hint: those persons aren't allowed to vote but are allowed to use their money as political speech. And by God, their whispered speech in certain lobbies weight a lot more than the voice of the citizens with voting rights
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aoFiw2jMy-0 https://soylentnews.org/~MichaelDavidCrawford
(Score: 2) by Runaway1956 on Saturday May 26 2018, @04:27PM (1 child)
I'm better than that. Millions of other people are better than that. A cop makes headlines now and then, because he is better. Teachers sometimes are cited for going above and beyond. In general, I have little use for social workers, because they can be so blind, and uncaring. But, the good ones - they are better than gold. A few rare politicians, who stick to their principals, instead of whoring themselves to every lobbyist who knocks on his door. And, I haven't even mentioned the little people who are never recognized.
You don't need a "reason" - giving is who and what you are. Unless, of course, you aren't.
(Score: 2) by c0lo on Saturday May 26 2018, @05:04PM
1. At least you admit is not rational and don't delude yourself trying to rationalize it. Raising my hat to you.
2. note that you are presenting people are justification for your giving. Not country. The difference is important: you'll find such people everywhere, no matter the country. And all of them worth your or my giving.
3. speaking of non-rational motives - I stopped playing the fool and loving a girl that loved another (and used my love to obtain benefits) at about 21 years of age Comes with growing up, I guess.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aoFiw2jMy-0 https://soylentnews.org/~MichaelDavidCrawford