President Trump's latest message to NFL players who offer a silent protest by kneeling during the national anthem during televised games: pack your bags and look for a foreign domicile. In his words:
“Maybe you shouldn’t be in the country.”
Well, then. Is deportation next? And even more importantly, isn’t Trump -- our TV-minded president -- thinking about the obvious:
How is this going to affect TV networks?
Trump was responding to the NFL league mandate that players need to stand during the
national anthem. If they want to kneel -- or perhaps lie down, roll on the ground -- that can only be done in the locker room, out of range of TV video cameras.
Trump seemingly has a plan.
But what about the NBA? And Major League Baseball? Or the people in the stands who just sit and drink beer? Should they also be thrown out?
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What about viewers at home -- should they stand as
well?
And what about those shopping in Macy’s? Buying a coffee in Starbucks? Or perhaps doing an upfront TV deal? Anyone within earshot of the national anthem: Stop whatever you are
doing. If you're in traffic and listening to the game, get out and stand.
Should all workers stand before starting their day at work while someone plays the national anthem on their mobile
phone? There should be a law.
Traditions are all well and good. Respect being earned and honored. But an individual chooses. If you interact with a soldier or solid community-minded law
enforcement officials, thank them personally.
Long before kneeling protests raced across the NFL, there was some concern about professional athletes who took to “swaying” (while
standing) when it came to the playing of the national anthem. That was also deemed disrespectful when shown on TV, preliminary to game coverage.
Remember the U.S. national anthem had its
origins in an 18th-century drinking song in British
pubs. So that next time you hear the national anthem -- stand if you like and perhaps toast those who deserve it.
But that may not be enough. Trump added this suggestion: “You have
to stand proudly for the national anthem.” No slouching. As the President knows, TV cameras don’t lie.