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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: 2) by edIII on Tuesday May 29 2018, @06:55PM (1 child)
I agree with you on comprehending how some people can be offended. I'm offended due to my patriotism as well. The anthem and flag I consider sacrosanct, and representative of ideals that we've fallen pretty far from. Nonetheless, our founding principles of Freedom are, and have, been worth dying for. The patriots that gave their lives with such passion will always have my deepest respect. I'm one of the few in my family that was never in the military, and that's because I don't qualify medically. Otherwise, I would be a former Marine (is that the way to say it?).
That's why I will always salute the flag and give respect to the anthem; It's not me that has betrayed the principles of a real American, and the principles themselves are still noble and righteous, so it's the fucking politicians, the avaricious billionaires, the c-suites that have truly betrayed the American principles of Freedom I hold so dear. It's like that scene from Office Space where Michael refuses to change his name just because people confuse him with Michael Bolton :) I AM AN AMERICAN, and I'm proud of the principles my country stands for. I feel like utter shit because of what has become of us, which is truly deplorable. We're not living up to the hype.
That being said, I wholly disagree with you on the motives of the players. I don't believe it is to show disrespect and piss people off. Yes, it was most certainly an earnest attempt at resolving issues by bringing the conversation forward. If you consider it a protest, it was a protest against police brutality and how our militarized police are not providing the service we've asked of them. Protesting, peacefully, is a very American thing to do with a long history going back *before* the founding fathers were discussing revolution. To protest peacefully, in the ways promulgated by Dr. Martin Luther King and Gandhi, is something worthy of respect in of itself. I think you would be well served to put your feelings of offense on the back burner, and consider what these players are bringing up.
Personally, I would tell the players to honor the anthem and respect the flag, then double down on their protest movements elsewhere. With the money they have, you can certainly create a grass roots organization quickly. Something better and more sane than the BLM preferably.
Technically, lunchtime is at any moment. It's just a wave function.
(Score: 2) by The Mighty Buzzard on Wednesday May 30 2018, @12:54PM
The thing is, I'm not offended due to patriotism. I'm annoyed that one guy trolled a good chunk of the nation and an entire political party refuses to even admit that him being seen as an asshole by perfectly decent people is even possible.
My rights don't end where your fear begins.