What's the Real Reason?

After this past weekend and what happened both in some NFL games around the country - plus the game played in London between the Jaguars & Ravens - I have several questions:

• What's the origin of this behavior; starting with the S.F. 49ers quarterback?
• Why is this behavior not being dealt with by the NFL Commissioner?
• What is the long-term outcome of this situation?
• Who's behind this for political gain?

I could ask several more questions, but these four are what I believe are the more important and to the point questions which should be asked. Below, I will give my view and understanding from what I see as the obvious answers.

1. The origin of this behavior is founded on what happened several years ago in Ferguson, MO and the Michael Brown shooting. The "social justice warrior" mentality has promoted a lie that this individual was "cut down" by the police man who shot him while he supposedly had his hands up and his back turned toward him. We know that is a lie! Forensics and research proved this. But that didn't change anything for them. Have you noticed how since then, there has been a gradual escalation of not only upholding a lie, but also that anyone who disagrees with that lie is a racist, bigot, etc. It is important to understand that the whole strategy of this divisiveness of our national culture of pride and unity is to counter any opposition to this meme.

2. Here's a fact:

"The NFL rule book specifically requires both teams appear on the field for the playing of the anthem, standing, remaining quiet, and holding their helmets in their left hands. Failure to do so can result in fines, suspensions, and the loss of draft picks. 

The rules are found on pages A62-63 of the league’s game operations manual:

The National Anthem must be played prior to every NFL game, and all players must be on the sideline for the National Anthem.

During the National Anthem, players on the field and bench area should stand at attention, face the flag, hold helmets in their left hand, and refrain from talking. The home team should ensure that the American flag is in good condition. It should be pointed out to players and coaches that we continue to be judged by the public in this area of respect for the flag and our country. Failure to be on the field by the start of the National Anthem may result in discipline, such as fines, suspensions, and/or the forfeiture of draft choice(s) for violations of the above, including first offenses."

The notion that Commissioner Goodell is respecting their right to exercise their freedom of speech is merely a ruse to appease the social justice warriors and those who don't understand the players are employees of the NFL who are fined and punished in some form every season. Take the time when some Dallas Cowboys players wanted to wear a small sticker on their helmets showing support for the police walking the thin blue line in honor of the five Dallas police who were killed by the shooter incident in Dallas and were denied and threatened with fines if they did so! Why are there penalties for certain displays of celebration in the end zone if they can exercise their free speech rights by kneeling during the National Anthem?

3. For many fans of the game the NFL is now seen as an organization which supports anti-American oriented policies and views. This reaction by intimidation is precisely what the social justice warriors count on to further break down our nation's values and traditions. This is alienating those who see this issue differently and many are in agreement that boycotting watching, going to the stadium to watch, or purchase any NFL paraphernalia and exercise their right to associate with that mentality. Why? Because many have sacrificed so much, their time together with their spouses, the start of their career, and for some, their lives, to serve their country and protect the freedoms and liberties that symbol stands for which unites our country. I believe, as does Rush Limbaugh, that currently the Commissioner is thinking that siding with the social justice warriors will be the best side of the high wire he's walking right now and doesn't think the fans will care. Yet, here's one comment found on this issue which states otherwise:

"Pastor Jeffres has issued the ultimate slap down to the Pro Sports Cry Babies These players should fall on their knees and pray they have the ability to protest without having a bullet put thru the back of their heads as would occur in many countries around the world. Many of these players have come into vast wealth from poverty and in my personal opinion don't really understand what they are protesting about because listening to many of these millionaires talk it becomes apparent they didn't master many of the subjects they were supposed to be studying while honing their physical skills to sink a ball or block or run.. This is just another nail in OUR COLLECTIVE COFFINS being the demise of OUR REPUBLIC. While the pundits continue to push the progressive agenda that prefers Venezuela and Socialism over our Constitutional Republic. Now that is total IYI ( Intelligent Yet Idiotic )"

I believe that eventually, as we've already started to see, some stadiums and viewer ratings on various channels are already diminishing. Eventually it will reach a point where the NFL will be forced to see the light as they discover their revenue is shrinking and they've fostered the "inmates running the asylum" has been allowed. However, I doubt they'll admit it was their fault. That the players are ignorant of the fact that England started and promoted slavery in their rise to the largest empire in world history only points out how they don't know their history, or believe it's relevant to their current actions. I agree with the statement which says, "Those who are inclined to disrespect the flag as a symbol of our overarching freedoms and liberties, are ones who've not had a folded one handed to them at their loved one's funeral."

4. So, who's now backing this and why? Of course, it's the liberal leftists like Nancy Pelosi on Meet the Press Sunday. As for why... to understand that answer, it's necessary to realize that the Democrat Party is now in dire straights for holding onto any hope of rebounding after Trump's win. Over the last several years, the party has watched a decline in the number of elected offices across the country; from Congress, to Governors, to local mayoral races. As a result, they're losing their funding sources as hundreds of thousands of liberals have begun to "see the light" about the party's policies not producing the results promised. So, in my view, I believe the leftists, like Nancy Pelosi, see the NFL as a cash cow in hopes that those who side with the actions of players exercising social justice activism on the field will garner them more donations to their campaigns for promoting divisiveness. Over my lifetime of 64 years the ONLY thing I've seen result from liberal democratic policies is death and destruction of American values; abortion, right to work, breakdown of the family unit, dependency on bigger government and more regulations which strangle economic growth.

Here's a great point from Glenn Beck about this issue:

If the players actually wanted to help create change, why wouldn’t they use their fame and go to the local level? Engage local police departments and build relationships. That would actually do some good. But they’re not doing that. This whole thing is a sham. So why is the President of the United States getting caught up in it?

Source: http://www.glennbeck.com/2017/09/25/three-things-you-need-to-know-september-25-2017/?utm_source=Sailthru&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=20170925GBDAILY&utm_term=Glenn%20Beck?utm_source=glennbeck&utm_medium=contentcopy_link

While I agree with the concept Glenn's expressing here, it's apparent to me that he doesn't understand the mindset of today's millennials and the difference in attitudinal approach about how to accomplish change is for them. They're convinced the only way to make change is to be an activists, garner attention because of their self-centerd lack of caring about what others may think, and had a great role model in the former president when it came to various events which occurred during his two terms. (We all know, all too well, what those were, now don't we?) 
  
For those who've read this far down this post, I want to provide you with something to help understand why so many Americans cherish our National Anthem; for they understand the story behind how and why it was written. It's well worth the time it will take to watch.

And now, we have an Oakland A's player being the first to kneel during our National Anthem. What's next once the NBA season begins this fall? 

If, and some predict this will happen, the National Anthem is eventually removed as a tradition for sporting events, what will be next?