Take a Knee

Here’s a shocker: we Americans don’t always agree on everything. We have differences. We have problems and issues. And we even protect the right to disagree and voice our disagreement. But we are Americans. We are united in our goals and ideals of liberty but maybe not on how to tackle issues. But when Old Glory is going up or down or when the Star Spangled Banner is played we can all stand, remove our hats, place our hands over our hearts and for a brief few minutes be united – even committed and dedicated. We are respecting ideals not politics.

Now “taking a knee” is back in the news. These coddled overpaid athletes and their commissioners want  to divide this country. They want to take those few minutes that unite us away and kneel for their individual cause of the day. The issue suddenly surpasses our shared ideals.

I am not saying that these athletes don’t have a right to voice their view. They do – but timing and location is important. And unfortunately I am also convinced that too many want to increase their celebrity while displaying utter disrespect.  After all, being disrespectful to many is popular. Tearing our country down is cool to many. All I am asking for is a few minutes to be one indivisible nation before these athletes do something meaningful and important like hit a little ball real far, or catch an oddly shaped ball, or throw a ball through a ring mounted on a pole, or run real fast. And make millions doing it.

As I write this there is a commercial for the Wounded Warrior Project on the TV and there are kids (all are much younger than I so they are all kids to me) talking about taking rounds through the chest, being blown up by IEDs, losing limbs, becoming disabled due to TBIs. I have been to games and watched old vets in wheel chairs struggle to stand during the anthem and even render a hand salute while being held up by a family member. I have been to funerals and watched Old Glory folded and presented to the family. Somehow these folks had a few minutes to render respect. And they didn’t make millions.

So go ahead – take a knee. Then look those vets in the eye and try to explain. Take a knee and look at  that little kid in the eye while he or she is clutching a bit of cloth folded into a triangular shape with stars on a blue field showing – the last vestige of memories of a fallen parent – and explain your need to be disrespectful and divisive but popular. But don’t think a “Thank you for your service” is going to cut it. Trust me, it won’t while you take a knee. Especially coming from a person too good to serve themselves.

These vets and families served to defend your right to protest – and they all say they would do it again. Would a little respect on your part be too much? Is respect for our country so terrible? It is only a couple of minutes. And it is not divisive like taking a knee.

I’m an old guy and I don’t get it