Donald J. Trump on Twitter, October 8, 2013
Wouldn't you love to see one of these NFL owners, when somebody disrespects our flag to say, 'Get that son of a bitch off the field right now. He is fired.'
The very same, Donald J. Trump at an Alabama campaign rally, September 22, 2017
My God, the man does love to start shit. He is either the dumbest fuck on the planet, or, in his own brutish way, the smartest. In nearly seven decades on this blue ball it is hard to think of any American--politician, or otherwise--who creates a seemingly endless stream of public chaos like Don Trump does. Hell, even Dick Nixon had to come up for air sometimes.
So far the NFL owners have stuck by their players during the peaceful and--yes--respectful protests which have taken place during the national anthem in stadiums across the land. No one has been fired, as Trump suggested, although it's worth noting no one has hired, free agent quarterback Colin Kaepernick, who started the protests last year either.
Indeed, it would be nice to think people like Robert Kraft, who owns the New England franchise, truly believes their employees have the right to freely express their views. However, the real truth is it's a lot easier to be tolerant of a politically and socially aware receiver corps than it is to replace them wholesale.
Let's face facts, the bottom line is you can find scads of people who will stand during the playing of the Star Spangled Banner. It's a bit tougher to find someone who can blow by a cornerback and consistently haul in deep out passes from Tom Brady.
Trump doesn't seem to get this simple aspect of competent labor availability. On Sunday he returned to Twitter and posted, "If NFL fans refuse to go to games until players stop disrespecting our Flag and Country, you will see change take place fast. Fire, or suspend!"
Actually in a couple of places, namely that great seething conservative cauldron known as Los Angeles, fans are staying away from games in droves. Their absence has nothing to do with players kneeling though. They aren't there because the Chargers and Rams are new to town, therefore haven't built any local loyalty and even more importantly, they both stink.
The truth is, thanks in large part to Trump's bellicosity and intolerance, anthem protests are going to continue during the rest of the NFL season. And they're going to spread. Just wait until the NBA takes the court in a couple of weeks.
The divider in chief has already personally insulted Golden State's Stephen Curry and he didn't do anything, but say his team was undecided about meeting Trump at the White House. The affront to Curry prompted Cleveland star, LeBron James to publicly call The Big Orange Guy a, "bum."
All of which brings us to Oklahoma City, home of the NBA's Thunder and some of the craziest right wing wankers found in America. The first pre season home game is October 6th against New Orleans. It is almost guaranteed a majority of the Thunder players are going to take a knee during the national anthem. When it comes there will be gnashing of teeth, curses, and cases of spiked blood pressure.The threat of cerebral aneurysms among many in attendance will be real.
Trust me though, despite the anger and because OKC's general manager, Sam Presti added Paul George and Carmelo Anthony to the roster, they will be back.
Hey, in this town and many more, a real shot at a league championship out weighs a moment, or two of patriotic ire every time.
And as for El Don's current faux displeasure? Well, his base, as always, is happily outraged and no one is talking about the Russians right now are they?
sic vita est
9-25-17
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