Those of us that have served in uniform understand the Constitution as a sacred document. The first amendment; stands as the likely the most sacred.
This speech that those of us swore to protect was not limited to that speech which we happen to agree. In fact, the protestor whose speech is diametrically opposed to our own principles and sensibilities is among those which we ought to consider most sacred. It has been enabled, and can only exist, by the positive work of those standing a post with a rifle, and the patriotic notion that every viewpoint, regardless of how offensive it happens to be to us personally, has value. Protest is a testament to the effectiveness of how well we did our job.
I have no problem at all with those that kneel, or turn their back on the flag during the national anthem. I do not find it outrageous at all. I choose to stand, and salute, and will as long as I have a right arm, but my way does not need to be the only way. When we concede this point, of permitting liberty of views regardless of how disagreeable, we are standing by our oath. We are in fact saluting the good flag in another way.
Outrage and counter-protest only fuels the power of those with these views, and deriding such protests only invigorates the issue. It is the only method that a third place finisher can be known, so calling for their censure or removal makes them only that more legitimate. If this protest was done for effect, those standing in opposition and commenting on this behavior demanding removal and censure have generated this- their intended- effect.
Still, there are those portions of this behavior that I find curious. I understand that the former President of the United States, surely was an ardent nationalist, and that nationalism could and does generate such protest. He’s not there anymore. So, my question is exactly what is being protested now? Is this new version, and the new President, in the protestors view not of the people and for the people? Not enough, evidently.
Is it still about the police? First, the police department is not the national anthem, or a nationalist enterprise, and it is curious to me why we would use a national stage to protest a local community institution. Second, they are men and women that took a similar oath. They will still protect you, if you protest them. All said, isn’t the current administration working through reform strategies on this topic? Not fast enough? The solution is to find a remedy for crime first, police reform second- it anyone cares to listen to my opinion.
Is it about racial supremacy and groups that promote it? I’d protest them too, but again- regardless of how ridiculous, their views have value. There is a remedy for such foolishness, but protest is not it. In fact, it makes it worse. Isn’t the current administration working on this, too? Not fast enough?
Is it about the “system”? I know that bias- in one form called racism- exists in institutions, and these biases are fundamentally unfair, causing some groups or individuals to have to carry a heavier load than I have. When they do, and succeed, aren’t they the very epitome of the American dream? Americans love a comeback story, and one so accomplished earn tremendous respect, and apply remedy to this bias- through American centric discourse.
This bias by its nature is subjective, and athletics are generally not subjective, and a matter of mathematical objective. Objective and mathematical in that, if you do score the most points, run the fastest, throw the thing the farthest, jump the highest; you win. The system is certainly not perfect- but it cannot be all bad either; as it was fair enough that it enabled your success and your presence on the podium. Is this protest in addition, or in spite of, personal success in these endeavors?
Or, is it fashionable these days to be of the protest mindset, solely to be against something- and the flag is the biggest something that we all own? Ok, I think you have me there. My one word of advice is that fashion changes, and when it’s cool to be an American again, we’ll let you come back in with us. Maybe. Unless you are a politician, and then you’re out.
Information in this day and age has certainly been weaponized, and protest is an effective use of the informational element of power, surely. Those of us watching as the intended audience get to decide how big of a boom or how much mental shrapnel is generated from such an attempt/ protest/ weaponized expression. If we smile and grin, simply say, “oh, how cute’, than this protest cannot injure us.
For those of us that stand, it is my honor to stand with you. For those that don’t, thank you for letting me know how well I did my job. Your ideals have value. Oh, and I think you’re cute. Best of luck doing better than third.