I don’t have a great deal to say about the NFL/national anthem/Trump kerfuffle but I’ll say it here. Both sides of the argument seem to think they’re winning. I don’t know whether it’s deliberate jiu jitsu but Trump has actually gotten the NeverTrumpers to argue against the national anthem. They seem to think that’s an argument they can win.
All I can say is that if this is winning losing might be preferable.
More politicization…….
As I watched a pre-NFL game panel while I waited for golf, where they weren’t protesting, to come on I was interested by the robotic response of the group. To a man they were supportive of players, but sadly conflated their cause with Trump not understanding free speech. Bull. I don’t recall Trump questioning free speech, I recall him criticizing disrespect for the flag and a pre-game patriotic ritual. As president, he could have spared us the sob’s comment, although I guarantee he was simply speaking for many in the audience. And if the president can’t defend the flag, then who?
Players may have a grievance, although millionaire entertainers complaining about being downtrodden right in front of Average Joes isn’t exactly good PR technique. Anyone who doesn’t understand who is winning this PR battle doesn’t know the NFL – especially the NFL – fan and hasn’t learned a lesson from the election and the current environment. Football is dying at the Pop Warner level. These things take time, but this is just another nail.
Anyone been in Chicago Stadium for the singing of the anthem? The fans go nuts. Very similar in other hockey stadiums. Guess who IS going to the White House?
Yes, he’s America’s id, isn’t he? I think that’s what a lot of his supporters like about him. Here’s the chart that should be considered:
Will advertisers pay more for a decreasing audience?
I think there are two appeals. First, he breaks the mold of the “on the one hand, on the other hand” politician. “My good friends on the other side of the aisle” has been replaced with ” those ignorant sons of bitches.” I’m not sure we are so less well off with hand to hand combat than guerilla warfare.
Second, he represents the end of the dominance of the well stationed in having a voice. I just don’t understand why the elite don’t celebrate the diversity and equality of ideas…….snicker.