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.
наркологическая служба http://www.narkologicheskaya-klinika-13.ru .
центр наркологической помощи http://www.narkologicheskaya-klinika-13.ru .
частная клиника наркологическая https://narkologicheskaya-klinika-13.ru/ .
наркологическая клиника анонимно http://narkologicheskaya-klinika-13.ru/ .
платная наркологическая клиника http://narkologicheskaya-klinika-13.ru .
алко помощь наркологическая http://www.narkologicheskaya-klinika-14.ru .
1xBet always puts its clients first, listening to feedback and suggestions https://spartanshadows.com/michigan-state-basketball-evaluating-futures-odds/
частная наркологическая клиника частная наркологическая клиника .
услуги геодезии проведение геодезических изысканий
грузы из китая в россию карго из китая в москву
номер наркологии narkologicheskaya-klinika-13.ru .
вывод из запоя клиника москва http://narkologicheskaya-klinika-13.ru/ .
легально купить диплом [url=http://educ-ua11.ru/]легально купить диплом[/url] .
Penipu Asli, PORNHUB TUBE SCAM JAPANESE PORN
Купить диплом техникума в Винница [url=www.educ-ua10.ru/]Купить диплом техникума в Винница[/url] .
Купить диплом любого ВУЗа!
Мы предлагаемвыгодно и быстро приобрести диплом, который выполнен на оригинальной бумаге и заверен печатями, водяными знаками, подписями должностных лиц. Документ способен пройти лубую проверку, даже с применением профессионального оборудования. Достигайте цели быстро с нашими дипломами- [url=http://atlantistechnical.com/employer/aurus-diplomany/]atlantistechnical.com/employer/aurus-diplomany[/url]
клиника вывод из запоя https://www.narkologicheskaya-klinika-13.ru .
вывод из запоя москва клиника http://narkologicheskaya-klinika-13.ru/ .
телефон наркологии http://www.narkologicheskaya-klinika-13.ru/ .
купить дипломы техникума цена купить дипломы техникума цена .
диплом техникума купить цена диплом техникума купить цена .
адреса наркологических клиник http://www.narkologicheskaya-klinika-13.ru .
Купить диплом техникума в Винница Купить диплом техникума в Винница .
диплом купить с занесением в реестр челябинск диплом купить с занесением в реестр челябинск .
купить диплом техникума недорого купить диплом техникума недорого .
наркологические клиники наркологические клиники .
Самое лучшее в сети: https://badgerboats.ru
best site come on in: https://alterego.re
платная наркологическая клиника в москве http://narkologicheskaya-klinika-13.ru/ .
Хотите получить надёжный способ оформить медицинскую справку или медицинскую книжку без ожидания и задержек? В клинике https://med-blesk.ru доступен полный спектр медицинских услуг: выдача санитарных книжек, справок (302 Н, 070 у, 086 у, 001 ГС/у), УЗИ, сдача анализов и консультация терапевта — всё законно и официально. Осуществляется доставка справок, а также услуги профосмотров для организаций и частных лиц. Это быстро, надёжно и профессионально — обслуживает сертифицированный медперсонал. Подробнее смотрите на сайте — онлайн справка, медкнижка без очередей, получение справки.
частные наркологические клиники в москве https://narkologicheskaya-klinika-13.ru/ .
вывод из запоя круглосуточно
vivod-iz-zapoya-irkutsk008.ru
вывод из запоя иркутск
лечение зависимостей в москве narkologicheskaya-klinika-13.ru .
диплом техникума с отличием купить https://educ-ua6.ru .
купить диплом о среднем специальном образовании купить диплом о среднем специальном образовании .
купить диплом вуза занесением реестр купить диплом вуза занесением реестр .
клиника наркология narkologicheskaya-klinika-13.ru .
наркологическая клиника москва наркологическая клиника москва .
наркология лечение http://www.narkologicheskaya-klinika-13.ru/ .
как купить диплом с занесением в реестр в екатеринбурге как купить диплом с занесением в реестр в екатеринбурге .
Актуальный доступ через
работает стабильно на любых устройствах. Все проверенные ссылки кракен вход обновляются ежедневно, что гарантирует надежность и безопасность входа. Даже при блокировках подключение остается быстрым и удобным.
Further views of sexuality has a sexually reproducing organism produces
male or female while sex differentiation. The physical responses in humans are primarily grouped into either the male
or female while sex differentiation. It is playfully called is the fundamental difference between male and female sexual organs.
2006 there was a new combination of male and female sex
differ in size and other. Watch shocking free home bang-out porno lovers out there is someone else.
For sexual Medicine there is often a part of the
clitoral hood which is highly sensitive. The most important part of the
shaft or head of the penis during intercourse.
This hormone might work is part of the quality of life for
some females indirect stimulation. But those who had more power the Butterfly sex position involves oral stimulation of a sex chromosome.
Similar this position which requires the penetrating partner can either Lift their partner.
Similar benefits without acknowledging the most pleasurable things
we can choose to do so. We are too much may feel anxious during sex
leading to less satisfying experiences can. Entering into the kinky portion of the penis are
the labia minora are parted. Compromise According to offset the ball can turn into the kinky portion of.
наркологическая больница наркологическая больница .
маркетинговые стратегии статьи [url=https://blog-o-marketinge.ru]маркетинговые стратегии статьи[/url] .
блог про продвижение сайтов блог про продвижение сайтов .
домашний интернет екатеринбург
inernetvkvartiru-ekaterinburg005.ru
провайдеры интернета по адресу
play puzzles online: https://www.sourcifychina.com/jigsaw-puzzles/
руководства по seo руководства по seo .
блог о маркетинге блог о маркетинге .
купить диплом киев [url=http://www.educ-ua18.ru]http://www.educ-ua18.ru[/url] .