No honor on bended knee

Political correctness be damned when President Donald Trump takes a stand on an issue—he leaves no doubt where he’s coming from. His brutal honesty brings a freshness long gone from the political arena.
Last week, the president went right to the people when he declared National Football League players should be fired for taking a knee during the playing of our country’s national anthem and presentation of our grand flag.
Most Americans believe the flag and our national anthem deserve reverance and honor for what it stands for—our freedom.
Throughout our nation’s history, hundreds of thousands of soldiers have paid the ultimate sacrifice to ensure the freedoms we enjoy today. Thousands and thousands more have poured out their blood and sweat in that same cause.
When professional football players and other pro athletes take a knee during the national anthem rather than standing and honoring our flag, our freedoms and our country, they’re disrespecting the sacrifices of each and every serviceman who has put their life on the line for our freedoms.
Trump’s comments set off a hysterical frenzy in the liberal left community and media. What is a matter of respect and honor has been twisted into a race issue—one of their go-to tactics to divide our country on a continual basis.
For me and most Americans, when these athletes take a knee, it’s not about the color of their skin. It’s about showing the respect and honor our flag commands.
Race continues to be a divisive issue in our country, unfortunately. These players say they’re “standing” against the brutality that non-whites suffer at the hands of the police and taking a knee is their way to show their protest.
As an advocate of one of our fundamental rights—the right to free speech—I stand strong in their right to voice their views. But just as race isn’t an issue in this instance, neither is the right to free speech an issue. Let’s not make this something it’s not.
Professional athletes have access to a much larger forum than you or I. Why don’t they use that forum for their grievances versus taking a knee in “protest” and disrespecting our flag and everything it stands for.
As far as I’m concerned, there’s no honor in taking a bended knee.