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Related: Editorials & Other Articles, Issue Forums, Alliance Forums, Region ForumsGOP thinks flag protests are a winning issue for them
You don't have to convince me, I know that kneeling isn't disrespectful to the flag, to our soldiers, or to the country in any way. But you have to know that Trump and his twisted band of fascists think this is a winning issue for them. This group of Tea Partiers thinks that minorities kneeling in protest is akin to using the Declaration of Independence to roll a joint. Vilification of rich black athletes comes natural to this group. Trump is feeding this issue because he knows it riles up his base like no other issue can. Symbols mean more to these people that ideals.
So while I am glad to see so many people standing up for what they believe, this is no doubt politically beneficial to Trump, if it wasn't he would shut up about it.
LonePirate
(13,424 posts)The Velveteen Ocelot
(115,702 posts)Yes, he's got his "twisted band of fascists" behind him, but that's it. Remember, it wasn't just the players who are protesting; the NFL team owners and people like Tom Brady and Dale Earnhart are supporting them and not Trump. Trump often does things that are not politically beneficial to him in the long run because he isn't thoughtful. He's just reactive and says and does things without understanding what he's doing.
pangaia
(24,324 posts)He's got almost the entire US government behind him plus russians,
Whatever he is doing, it sure is working because the intended chaos is happening.
Johnny2X2X
(19,066 posts)He is using this to say, "look, the other side hates America." As if he's some authority on America.
And listen, the owners and coaches only took umbrage with the words he used, "SOB", you know they absolutely still abhor that those uppity minorities (who they think are only free of chains because rich whites allow them to be) dare to complain that they're being abused by the police.
The slave owner mentality many rich whites have comes through loud and clear on this issue. They couldn't give two shits about the flag, it's the fact that blacks have the temerity to complain about anything when they could still be slaves that grinds on them. That's what I see at play here.
Eliot Rosewater
(31,112 posts)for me and hopefully anybody else with a brain, soul and heart.
If this is a winner for him, then what does that say about this country and that flag?
It better not be a winner, otherwise this country cant survive.
SharonClark
(10,014 posts)RiverStone
(7,228 posts)I imagine as the kneeling grows and diverse athletes from ALL sports (professional, college, and even high school) express what's wrong with his words, he will become increasingly isolated.
Next, expect to see fans at games locking arms and/or kneeling.
inwiththenew
(972 posts)I have no doubt the GOP would rather turn 2018 into another battle in the culture war than a debate about policy or governing. I know sure as I stand here Trump would too.
Gothmog
(145,255 posts)The Velveteen Ocelot
(115,702 posts)Political considerations must take a backseat when character is at stake, when matters of conscience come into play, when standing up for ones beliefs is paramount. By speaking out, by taking a knee, by not bowing or buckling to pressure from as high as the Oval Office, Kaepernick and those now joining him are showing the power of our Constitution and the promise of our nation. They neither need nor deserve lectures on patriotism. Freedom of speech and freedom of expression are what make America great.
https://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/post-partisan/wp/2017/09/24/taking-a-knee-with-colin-kaepernick-and-standing-with-stephen-curry-against-trump/?tid=hybrid_collaborative_1_na&utm_term=.b427d7bef5a5
Johnny2X2X
(19,066 posts)I think this piece fails to look at it from the other side. This group loves their flag worshiping. The symbol is more important to them than what it represents. My Facebook feed is proof, the Righties have gone crazy with this, "if you won't honor the flag get the hell out of the country."
It's like shooting fish in a barrel to Trump. This issue is a winner for him.
Proud Liberal Dem
(24,412 posts)I know that Republican voters and other regressives eat this s**t up but still........just proves what a bunch of undemocratic fascists they all are.
Johnny2X2X
(19,066 posts)Here's the thing. Do you think Trump gives one thought to anyone disrespecting the flag? Not a chance, this is a draft dodging racist who sold out to Russia, the flag means absolutely nothing to Trump, it means no more than a flag with Mickey Mouse on it to Trump. He could care less if people burned the flag before every sporting event. It's about dividing people and it's about rallying the racists. Nothing divides us like this issue and nothing rallies his base like love of symbols.
Do people realize that Republicans literally have tried to make laws to throw people in jail for any form of disrespect of the flag? In a fascist state, symbols are very important because they can be used to force people to comply.
njhoneybadger
(3,910 posts)Iggo
(47,552 posts)You don't have to convince me. But that's not how they have framed this.
There are tens of millions of Trump voters who think this is absolute proof that the other side hates America.
Iggo
(47,552 posts)It's a protest against police brutality and the killing of unarmed black people by police.
As I told one of my coworkers this morning, "They're not protesting the anthem. They're protesting police brutality DURING the anthem."
SharonClark
(10,014 posts)The deplorables are 'truthers' on multiple issues.
DBoon
(22,366 posts)Truth is an unfamiliar concept to Trump voters
LeftInTX
(25,337 posts)Trump may have broken a law with all of this. He is crossing a line that the GOP knows is wrong. I don't think the GOP wants to get behind this. Sure, there will always be Louie Gohmerts, but the rest knows you don't try to control private business with verbal threats.
http://www.politicususa.com/2017/09/24/trump-broken-law-dalling-boycotts-nfl-doesnt-fire-peaceful-protestors.html
The GOP likes these kind of issues because they're:
1) cheap;
2) highly emotional;
3) symbolic.
Perfect for a party that has no substance/content!
Johnny2X2X
(19,066 posts)And notice that the owners and/or coaches who were Trump supporters aren't denouncing Trump because of this, they're saying, "Well, I don't agree with what he said." or "what he said is just a little too divisive."
This issue hasn't swayed many if any Trump voters away from him, period. All of this tide has turned talk is premature. This issue is exactly what Trump wants to talk about.
grossproffit
(5,591 posts)by this administration.
ChoppinBroccoli
(3,784 posts)Every time you hear a RW'er or RW media try to frame this as a "protest against the flag" or paint the protestors as "America haters," you fire right back and point out to them that it is NOT a protest against the flag, but a protest against racism. In order to help in this regard, I made the following post on my Facebook page this morning. Feel free to use all or parts of it to your liking.
"I have always stood and removed my hat for the National Anthem. Always. I would even scold people who didn't. But after this weekend, I would #TakeAKnee too, because it's not about the flag or veterans or any of the other lies right-wing media wants you to believe. It's about not letting a tin-pot dictator tell us what is and is not "acceptable speech." I value the Constitution. I do NOT value #Dolt45 or his opinions."
L. Coyote
(51,129 posts)This isn't about winning on this issue, this is about making the issue of the day the one of their choosing so they don't drop below 30%.
Link to tweet
maveric
(16,445 posts)It's the injustices that are being carried out by certain parts of our establishment.
They don't get it.
maryellen99
(3,789 posts)I now know they dont like black people/minorities and equality.
Lotusflower70
(3,077 posts)The hardcore thirty percenters love it. But I don't think it expands it at all. And the bs argument that you can't support military and police and still support the rights of those who choose to protest is ridiculous. I loved seeing all the vets come out in support of the players. The president blatantly disrespected a segment of the American people. That shit has to be called out.
LovingA2andMI
(7,006 posts)Flag Protests are Freedom of Expression, which is Freedom of Speech -- even if that speech is silent speech. This is NOT a "winning" position of the Alt-Right or Right.