To The Reader’s Forum:

I don’t get what the big deal is about the NFL, its players and the national anthem. Frankly, in the first place I don’t even get why the national anthem being sung at domestic sporting and other events. Why isn’t the anthem reserved for international events where it might be reasonably argued that the honor of the nation is at play? With the NFL, and any other sporting event, it’s entertainment for heaven’s sake, and was not envisioned to be, nor should such events be seen as a display of momentary patriotism.

The problem with kneeling, sitting or locking arms by players, for whatever purpose, is that they already bought into the mistaken notion that the anthem is somehow seen as a requirement of employment – a need to show honor or respect to the flag or certain groups such as the military, veterans, first responders, etc., and, therefore, is useful for a display of dissent. The same false understanding holds true for many fans who feel the forum should not be used for any kind of dissent. And the “rule”, as it is seen by many fans, somehow applies only to attending events in person and not watching somewhere else, which seems rather illogical. Why? The venues are purely money-making business, and money-spending entertainment choices and participation with any other expectation is neither a condition of employment nor an obligation of citizenship.

Think about it – neither side of this, as I see it, manufactured brouhaha is either right or wrong; it’s a personal choice regarding “freedom of speech”, so why is this controversy happening? Being reasonably cynical, I feel Donald Trump chose to magnify a relatively minor issue of quiet, personal dissent into a mountain of controversy over “respect” and “patriotism” for his personal gain. No one wins, except him, because of the publicity he created for himself. All we are left with, if it persists, is another diversion of unnecessary division among ourselves. How sad!

Paul L. Demler

Jamestown