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Letter: An open letter to all of the kneeling athletes: Your message is ambiguous

America is a free country. Consequently, you have freedom of speech. If you think that this country or system that pays you untold millions for playing a game, a game that you are good at (showing off?), is horribly flawed in some way, then it is your right to trumpet that claim at your every opportunity. In our sports-mad and celebrity-obsessed driven society, you certainly have enough microphones in front of your faces to squawk 24/7.

You don’t have to be a Rhodes scholar or a “rocket scientist” to understand that to use a demonstration of disrespect for our flag and national anthem as your platform perpetuates the stereotype of the “dumb jock.” Try looking up “ambiguous” in the dictionary.

{Vail Law Column: The right to take a knee is granted by the First Amendment}

That is the same American flag that is draped over the coffins of returning fallen warriors; the same flag that is presented to the parents, wives and children at the interment of their loved one who gave their life for their country; the same flag in the iconic Iwo Jima flag-raising picture that rallied an entire nation during World War II.



Here’s a scouting report, geniuses. What validity you may feel there is to your position, it is being lost due to your repulsive method of delivery.

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Tom Smith

Sarasota, Florida


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