Hendersonville Standard
HENDERSONVILLE WEATHER

More to worry about than NFL players taking a knee




LTE

LTE

For the past several weeks, news cycles have been inundated with NFL players “disrespecting” the American flag for taking in knee in silent protest to bring a voice to the social injustices plaguing our country. The public outrage has been prolific even causing the President to repeatedly weigh in his opinion as an attempt to bully everyone from the players to the NFL Commissioner to the owners. But let’s call these tactics what they are diversions

You know what’s really disrespectful? Four American soldiers dying in Niger and a callous President taking two weeks to call a family member only to belittle their family sacrifice.  For the President to sign an Executive Order holding healthcare hostage impacting the health of millions of Americans. 

Congress allowing the CHIP program to run out that covers 9 million children. The NRA pushing hard for legislation to legalize silencers and oppose bump stock bans even though an American is 10 times more likely to be killed by guns than people in other developed countries. Betsy DeVos rescinding 72 documents outlining the rights of our most vulnerable students, the special needs. Yes, these are disrespectful.

But you know what’s disgusting?  The average Tennessee constituent cannot talk to their representative unless you pay for a ticket to a private event, receive a special invitation or have the patience to stand outside a venue hoping to catch your Member of Congress’ ear as they walk away from you.  Lamar Alexander, Bob Corker and Diane Black refuse to have Town Hall meetings and are so out of touch with Tennesseans. 

A good example of this is on Nov. 2, gubernatorial candidate, Diane Black, is hosting at her palatial mansion in Gallatin a general reception for $1,000/individual followed by an intimate dinner for $8,000/individual, $16,000/ couple.  If you don’t find this disrespectful and disgusting, then well, I guess you can go back to booing the NFL players. Oh, and by the way, when you wear that t-shirt emblazoned with the American flag or eat off those red, white and blue disposable plates during your 4th of July picnic, you’re being just as disrespectful as those NFL players.  Look it up. It’s in the U.S. Flag Code Title 36 Chapter 10 Section 176. 

Jen Yamin,

Hendersonville

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