Before Sunday

The solidarity of the NFL, in my opinion, while presenting in a manner as Colin started, has evolved.

Colin took a knee to protest societal injustice.  The way minorities are treated under the flag.  When it was only about this, the entire league did not stand (or rather, kneel) together.

Then, while in Alabama, Trump said that players who didn't stand were sons of bitches who should be fired.

Then kneeling during the anthem became about more.  It became about freedom.  To protest, to express, to champion a cause, to use a voice.  To use the rights afforded to all Americans.

Before, players were allowed to stand, kneel, or sit.  And while the team supported those who kneeled, some chose to stand.  Just as those who kneeled supported those who stood.

When our President resorted to vitriol, he personally accosted their teammates.  In essence, he made it clear that if you choose to protest in this manner, you should not only be fired... But you were un-American.

In my opinion, Trump made this political. 

Trump attacked Americans.  And if you attack Americans, we have a way of banding together.  The NFL did this.  And many fans did too.

I am happy to see the league stand up to a President who attempts to enforce his views upon the nation and its people.

But we shouldn't forget why this all started a year ago.  And we shouldn't be afraid to make the changes necessary to make the problem go away... And give everyone, regardless of color, the same sense of pride under the flag that so many of us already feel.

Take the Knee

In 2005 I joined the USAF.  It was my dream.  My family was full of vets and I loved the history of our country.  But above all that, I loved our penchant for freedom.  True freedom.

When I joined, it was with the idea of defending that freedom.  Not just the rights I care about most.  All.

Now, my disorder prevented me from serving.  I can only speak now as an American citizen, not a former vet.

But why do most serve?

Did you fight to defend the rights you agree with?  Or did you fight to defend the rights of all Americans?

Doesn't a vet fight to defend all rights?

This is about more than what we personally enjoy.

Serving, to me, meant I was protecting those back home.  I never did it with the intention to return and demand what freedoms Americans could or could not exercise.

I think many vets feel that way.  Serving was an honor to the country, not a reason to act as though those back home owed me reverence.

You standing or kneeling isn't why I wanted to serve.

I wanted to serve so you'd have the choice between the two.

I respect those who serve and who have served.  You were and are better men than I.

I hate myself for my genetic weakness that prevented me from what was to be a lifetime of service to country and those within.

Still, I would hope those who served would believe as I do... That all freedoms are worth defending.  Not just the ones I personally enjoy.

So.  Please. 

Don't use your service to justify demanding subservience.

Trump's America

I've seen a lot of posts that show people helping during the aftermath of Hurricane Harvey.

But there are some I find a bit distasteful.

The posts I am referencing don't mention ways to volunteer or donate.  No.  They were created and are shared to disparage and blame the media for our current nationwide division.

They all say the same thing.

"This is America helping.  Mexican Americans in boats.  African Americans providing shelter.  The media is lying to you.  They are brainwashing you.  This is Trump's America."

It's an interesting way that some are using the tragedy to bolster Conservative support.

To this point, I merely say...

You are right to say that the nation coming together is America.

But to claim it is Trump's America?

I'm sorry.  But we are not Trump's vision of us.

Alonso Guillen used DACA to stay in this country.  He was able to help in Houston.  He died helping.

And his mother, still in Mexico, was denied a humanitarian visa to bury her son.

And that?  That right there?  Denying a mother the right to bury her child?

That is Trump's America.

And we are better than that.