To Stand or Not to Stand? That is the Question
Two days ago, NFL commissioner Roger Goodell announced that players could continue to kneel or sit during the National Anthem without facing any penalties. The next morning, President Trump predictably took to Twitter to decry the decision: “The NFL has decided that it will not force players to stand for the playing of our National Anthem. Total disrespect for our great country!”
As I reflected on this ongoing controversy, I found myself thinking about my dad, who passed away a little over a year ago, and what he would likely say about it all.
Lt.Col. (USMC) William C. Holmberg was a bootstraps-kind-of-guy and one who loved, fought for (Navy Cross honoree; veteran of WWII, Korea and Vietnam ) and found a hundred-and-one ways to serve this country.
Over his 88 years he developed and nurtured an acute sense of justice and fairness. Much of that was born from empathy. As someone raised on the wrong side of the tracks and holding the short-end of the stick, Dad understood the pain, fear, hopelessness and anger that often gnaws at those whose color, economic status, upbringing, etc. can push them towards the margins.
Back before it was cool, he ruffled feathers advocating for total equality and respect for the black soldiers under his command and later throughout the entire military.
Forced to retire after a heart attack in Vietnam, Dad’s next “tour of duty” was with the Selective Service. The feather ruffling continued as he fought for the rights and honor of conscientious objectors, including perhaps the most famous and important incident of an 
athlete taking a principled stand against what he believed was injustice in America. (One can only imagine the Twitter-equivalents that would have gushed forth if Trump had been president when Muhammad Ali refused induction into the military.)
Connecting the dots between kids being raised in blighted inner-city neighborhoods and systemic poverty and crime, he started a program to place them in a more regulated and rural environment for two weeks in the summer. There, at a semi-retired military base, they lived in the barracks, experienced military style discipline and physical training from actual drill instructors (significantly dialed down and fun-infused, of course), went to school, played games, and engaged in basic-life-skills exercises. For most, it was their very first step onto the path to the the true American dream.
Finally, literally up to the day his old heart gave out, Dad did what he could to fight for the family farm, for the environment, sustainable agriculture, renewable energy….and the little guy.
So what would Big Bill say about this kneeling brouhaha?
Well, I heard his voice almost perfectly channeled in an interview with Nate Boyer, a former Green Beret who played football briefly with the Seattle Seahawks. Nate had spoken out last year when Colin Kaepernick got the whole NFL protest train rolling. Then they 
met, talked and found a very interesting and compelling place of understanding and compromise. Instead of sitting during the national anthem, Kaepernick began taking the knee.
And now, as more and more NFL players are also kneeling , Nate has spoken out again, this time in a letter to “Every Single American.”
His bottom-line?
“So please, no more lines in the sand, not at home, not among our people. No more choosing sides, no more “for or against.” I believe our Veterans will be called upon to lead the way in healing the world and solving its problems; right now our country needs that more than I can remember. So I’ll be here, standing in the radical middle, doing what I can to continue fighting for those that can’t fight for themselves. Let’s get this thing fixed together, you and me. I love you all with all my heart.”
De Oppresso Liber” (To free the oppressed)
It’s great to hear your voice again, Dad, cheering from the sidelines.
(As for my thoughts: like it or not, you introduce an element of politics into any event where The Star-Spangled Banner is played. And that anthem is there to commemorate our national creed, which has at its very heart the freedom of speech and political expression.
That speech and expression becomes most meaningful and important to the vitality of our country when it is born out of thoughtful engagement with the transcendent values of truth, justice and mercy. I know that not everybody who sits or kneels is doing it out of this type of engagement with the issues. But not everyone who stands is doing it from that place either. Personally, I think it’s great for America that there is this type of debate and reflection going on right now.
Lastly, as Americans we should applaud anyone who takes the playing of our anthem seriously rather than just going through the motions and/or following the herd. (I would that we took our other civic responsibilities—particularly voting—more seriously and thoughtfully as well.) Standing, singing along, covering one’s heart or lifting up our eyes and hands to the great hill (and, FYI, it’s not the Capitol version) from which our redemption comes is great. But so is kneeling as a sign of humility, compassion, contrition, reverence and prayer. Again, while not everyone will have hearts and minds that truly reflect their respective postures, I will choose to look at them, smile to myself and think, “Well, it’s at least a beginning.”
I would recommend that “every single American” consider doing the same.
Nate Boyer’s interesting, six-minute radio interview can be heard here.
can you get januvia without insurance
купить аттестат в иваново купить аттестат в иваново .
Hey! Do you know if they make any plugins to help with Search Engine Optimization? I’m trying to get my blog to rank for some targeted keywords but I’m not seeing very good results.
If you know of any please share. Appreciate it!
вызов нарколога на дом частная скорая помощь [url=http://masa.forum24.ru/?1-16-0-00002643-000-0-0-1730875713/]вызов нарколога на дом частная скорая помощь[/url] .
диплом о высшем образовании государственного образца с занесением в реестр диплом о высшем образовании государственного образца с занесением в реестр .
частная скорая наркологическая помощь частная скорая наркологическая помощь .
срочная наркологическая помощь [url=www.vip.rolevaya.info/viewtopic.php?id=6944/]срочная наркологическая помощь[/url] .
куплю диплом специальности куплю диплом специальности .
вызов нарколога на дом частная скорая помощь https://ximki.ukrbb.net/viewtopic.php?f=12&t=3719 .
buying celebrex without prescription
наркологическая срочная помощь http://internetmoney.bestbb.ru/viewtopic.php?id=31709 .
Можно ли купить аттестат о среднем образовании, основные моменты и вопросы
скорая наркологическая помощь в москве скорая наркологическая помощь в москве .
вызвать наркологическую помощь вызвать наркологическую помощь .
наркологическая скорая бесплатная наркологическая скорая бесплатная .
http://maxpillsformen.com/# Tadalafil price
can i get cheap zyvox pills
https://generic51.ru/sialis-tadalafil/djenerik-sialis-20-mg
купить чистый диплом о среднем образовании купить чистый диплом о среднем образовании .
купить диплом о среднем образовании в волгограде 4russkiy365-diplomy.ru .
http://fastpillsformen.com/# Viagra without a doctor prescription Canada
Я думаю, что Вы не правы. Я уверен. Пишите мне в PM, пообщаемся.
in this study, 40 sick people participate and in it uses two subcutaneous capsules with beta cells producing insulin, obtained from ESC for https://everlastingroofingcorp.com/10-reason-why-roofing-are-factmake-easier/.
Viagra tablet online FastPillsForMen.com buy Viagra over the counter
купить диплом о высшем образовании проверка 4russkiy365-diplomy.ru .
It’s amazing how fast cryptocurrency is changing the financial world.
https://t.me/s/cryptonetlake
интересные новости
_________________
приколы тотализатор
coverene buy-no-prescription sheffield aceon 8mg
Официальная покупка диплома вуза с упрощенной программой обучения
cost of generic cetirizine prices cetirizine hydrochloride same as Zyrtec how to buy cheap cetirizine online
where buy cetirizine no prescription buy liquid cetirizine hydrochloride order generic cetirizine pills
how to get generic cetirizine
buy cetirizine hydrochloride uk where to buy cetirizine without a prescription order cetirizine price
where can i get cheap cetirizine pills get cetirizine for sale cost cheap cetirizine without dr prescription
Medicament information for patients. Brand names.
order bactrim for sale
Actual about meds. Get now.
https://fastpillseasy.com/# online ed pharmacy
Buy Tadalafil 20mg: Generic Cialis without a doctor prescription – Buy Tadalafil 20mg
Гранитная мастерская памятников – это предприятие по изготовлению памятников на могилу из натурального камня. Памятники в подарок бесплатно
can i buy generic nemasole without a prescription where buy generic nemasole without a prescription generic nemasole without a prescription
cost of cheap nemasole without a prescription can i purchase cheap nemasole without prescription can you get nemasole for sale
how to get cheap nemasole without rx
where can i get nemasole without dr prescription can you get generic nemasole without insurance order cheap nemasole for sale
how to get generic nemasole pill can i get nemasole without rx can i purchase cheap nemasole no prescription
А где их можно посчитать?
по мере продолжения сушки нити полиизопрена склеиваются, https://website.informer.com/td-uzrti.ru образуя электростатические связи. Резинотехнические изделия (РТИ) – это различные изделия, продукты, которые производятся из каучука, и применяется во ряде отраслях промышленности.
Meds prescribing information. Long-Term Effects.
can i purchase cheap aricept for sale
Actual what you want to know about pills. Read here.
There are various tools and websites that allegation to allow users
to view private Instagram profiles, but it’s important to edit these
in the manner of caution. Many of these tools can be unreliable, may require
personal information, or could violate Instagram’s terms of
service. Additionally, using such tools can compromise your own security or lead to
scams. The safest and most ethical mannerism to view a private
profile is to send a follow demand directly to the user.
Always prioritize privacy and admiration in your online interactions.
order lisinopril online buy generic lisinopril pills where can i get generic lisinopril without rx
get generic lisinopril without dr prescription lisinopril hctz coupons compare enalapril lisinopril
highest dose of lisinopril allowed
can you get lisinopril prices where to get cheap lisinopril without a prescription cheap lisinopril tablets
buy generic lisinopril buying lisinopril in mazatln increasing lisinopril dosage chart
Pills information sheet. Generic Name.
how can i get neurontin without a prescription
All about meds. Get information now.
кухни на заказ в спб — Выбор, которому доверяют в Санкт-Петербурге. Эксклюзивные проекты для вашего дома.
cost celebrex prices
can i purchase nemasole without dr prescription where buy cheap nemasole for sale cheap nemasole pill
how can i get cheap nemasole without insurance can i purchase cheap nemasole pills where to get nemasole without a prescription
how can i get cheap nemasole no prescription
how to get generic nemasole online buy nemasole price can you buy nemasole pills
can i get generic nemasole tablets order nemasole no prescription how can i get cheap nemasole without rx
Drug information for patients. Drug Class.
can you buy cheap tolterodine pills
Actual what you want to know about medicine. Read now.
where to buy generic fincar without insurance where buy fincar without a prescription cost cheap fincar no prescription
get cheap fincar pills cost of cheap fincar without prescription order generic fincar without insurance
can you get fincar for sale
where to get fincar for sale where to get fincar without prescription can i buy fincar without dr prescription
can you buy generic fincar without a prescription buy fincar for sale order generic fincar
Buy Cialis online Cialis 20mg price Generic Cialis price
Официальное получение диплома техникума с упрощенным обучением в Москве
https://www.rlkk.ru/ — Официальный сайт для заказа кухонь и получения консультаций.
best online ed medication FastPillsEasy online ed drugs
неотложная наркологическая помощь неотложная наркологическая помощь .
Гранитная мастерская памятников – это предприятие по изготовлению памятников на могилу из натурального камня. Купить памятник за 1 рубль