My List of Disrespect

I have written about several issues, problems in America. I have written about our freedoms, our rights that are provide for us in the United States Constitution.

Looking back, I realize most of these issues stem from lack of respect, disrespecting others, those differences between you and them, those freedoms and rights provided in the Constitution. Yet how many of you will step up and claim “it’s my right to voice my opinion” “it’s my right to protest”.

You are correct!

If you said any of the above give yourself two brownie points, because you are correct, you do have those rights. But you are not the only one. Others have the same right and most importantly we all have the same rights, the right to protest, the right (and obligation in my opinion) to ensure everyone’s rights are recognized and protected.

However, no one has the right to disrespect anyone.

One of the most media saturated stories right now are athletes refusing to stand during the National Anthem. This my friends, readers and fellow citizens, is a form a of disrespect. Disrespect of our country and disrespect of each and every one of us.

Important side note.

Due to a marriage in our family we now not only root for our state teams (Seahawks, Mariners, Sounders, etc.) but also for the San Francesco 49’ers. But this has all changed.

Disrespectful

Colin Kaepernick refused to stand during the National Anthem and encouraged a following. No more 49’ers. NO 49’ers games will be watched in our house. No tickets will be purchased to attend any of their games. At least not until Colin is removed from the team or forced to stand respectfully during the National Anthem as per protocols and tradition.

Seattle Seahawks joined arms “in unity” as they stood (they were going to kneel but some players protested so the compromise was standing with locked arms). That is not acceptable. Traditions and protocols are clear, you are to stand, right hand over your heart, all head coverings to be removed. NO more Seahawk games will be watched in our house and no tickets will be purchased to attend any of their games.

Miami Dolphins, four of the players kneelt during the National Anthem. Use to be a team I would watch from time to time, but not now. At least not until the players are removed from the team or forced to stand respectfully during the National Anthem as per protocols and tradition.

Marcus Peters of the Kansas City Chiefs, yeah will, no more at our house.

As you see, I am not biased towards teams when they allow their EMPLOYEES/athletes to use such a disrespectful action towards our country, our military and our citizens.

Thank goodness, as of yet, no one on the Green Bay Packers (second favorite team) have pulled a stunt like the teams/athletes above.  I know there are other athletes and teams that have shown the same kind of disrespect, but this few I have listed gives you a good idea as to my stance on their actions.

It doesn’t matter

To me, it doesn’t matter which athlete, which team or which sport is involved. Keep in mind, I am a long time Seahawks fan, through thick and thin. I was at their first game, in Seattle at the King Dome. I have been a fan ever since, until now.

I’m not say these athletes don’t have the right to protest, I’m saying they don’t have the right to infringe on my right to a relaxing, drama free, sporting event. Protest on your own time in an appropriate place and in an appropriate manner. I understand what these athletes are protest, and I agree it is an issue to protest. It is being done in the wrong manner.

Owners wake up!

To the owners of sport teams, you have a right to stop these athletes protesting at the start of the game. You have a right to make them stand in a respectful way.  Read the contract you and your athletes signed. Unless you agree with their form of protest, I’m not taking the actual issue, you do have the right to make them stop. The athletes are on your dime, your time, while they are committing these disgusting disrespectful actions towards our flag, National Anthem and our country, the United States of America.

R martin

Patriot Day–Day of Remembrance

To day is a day of remembrance. Fifteen years ago we, the United States of America was attacked with great magnitude. The attack changed our lives, our sense of security and our thoughts.

Remember the fallen, our fellow citizens, law enforcement, firefighters, medical responders, private citizens at ground level trying to help and those private citizens at work and those in the towers for whatever reason.

This is our country, we were attacked on our soil. Do not forget this day, remember it, pray it does not happen again, pray for the family and friends of those we as a country lost, pray we can come together as a country to better ourselves and to better our country the United States of America.

We were attacked because of what this nation stands for; the good and the bad. Keep our fallen in your hearts, thoughts and prayers as we move forward to make change, to strengthen the good and to better the bad.

We were attacked on our soil bringing us into WW II, we came together as a nation and for decades we strived to be a better united nation. Let 9/11 be the fuel to strive once again to be a better united nation.

Remember, “United we stand, divided we fall”.

Respect our nation, our flag, our pledge and our anthem. Respect our country even during protests, make it non-violent, make it about all the people, but…  RESPECT our country, symbols and etiquette designed to bring this country together and which represent those that have served so that we may have freedoms in the United States.

R martin

Sports vs Protests–Politics

There is no place in sporting events for politics including making statements either verbal or via actions.

I for one, do not tune into a game of any sport to watch a protest. I want to watch the game, it being baseball, basketball, football, tennis, golf, car racing, it doesn’t matter, I’m not there to watch a protest.

This is the United States of America, you have the freedom to choose, so choose the correct agenda, the correct words and the correct actions.

For those of you athletes who recent chose a sporting event to “voice” your protest by sitting or kneeling for the National Anthem, you have disrespected this country, sports fans and me.

I don’t want to hear about your issues, I don’t want to hear what you are protesting, I don’t want to hear what you stand for, you lost that opportunity by disrespecting my country and me!

Wrong agenda folks!

If an athlete wants to make a statement, they need to do it on their time, not mine.  I paid money to watch the game! The average person cannot go to work and stand in protest no matter the issue (excluding work related issues or stances such as a strike). So what makes these athletes feel the have the right to stage a protest at the beginning, in the middle or at the end of a game?  They don’t! It’s called lack of respect for the spectators, lack of respect for other athletes and lack of respect for the sport and the opportunity they are give to play said sport.

These protesting athletes think they have the right to interrupt my time to relax and enjoy a sporting event, they think they have the right to force their issues upon me.  They don’t! These athletes are teaching people it is okay to disrespect others.

Don’t get me wrong, I’m not saying I disagree with their plight, I’m saying there is an appropriate time and place, choose it wisely. Forcing their issues/cause does not make me want to listen and side or help them, it makes me want to tune them out until the sporting event begins. And in some cases, I will/have get up and walk out.

Protest in a positive way!

I agree we all have the freedom to protest, to air our opinions and our grievances but do it in a positive manner. If you give a speech cussing and belittling people, you will not get as much support as you would if done in a positive manner.  Think of it as a debate or giving an oral report. You are trying to persuade people to side with you and take up your cause. Positive actions create positive feedback and supporters. Negative actions create anger, bad feelings, less support and it distracts from your “fight” to bring about change in a positive way.

If your group of protesters start a riot, the riot becomes the issue, not the reason for protest. If your protest is forced upon someone, they will not support you, they will be angered by your actions.

Be respectful!

If you as a protest are respectful, more people will listen you and the facts you state. Don’t lie, or twist the facts to your benefit, respect your audience enough to be straight forward and honest. Your actions as well as your words, need to be respectful to everyone involved; fellow protesters as well as your audience.

A protest does not give anyone the right to be disrespectful. Is it common to be disrespectful? Yes, unfortunately even more so than it was five years ago. Do not disrespect traditions, protocols (such as standing and placing your right hand over your heart for the national anthem and pledge of allegiance), if you are out of the country or at an event where another country’s anthem is playing, be respectful and stand.

Think about it!

If someone approaches you to discuss an issue, a new law, better pay, equal rights, etc. who are you going to actually stop and listen too?  The person that is yelling and screaming obscenities, the person who is being disrespectful to you or your country or the person that calmly, politely explains their plight? I for one, will listen respectfully to the person that is respectful and polite.

Teach respect!

One of the major issues this country has right now is the lack of respect for individuals and their rights. Violence promotes more violence, be the “bigger man” don’t cuss back, stay calm, be respectful. People will accomplish more by showing respect, being calm and being polite. Others will learn from your actions. If you want people to treat you with respect, shouldn’t you show them respect?

Respectfully,

R martin

Make America Great Again Now Racist

Just when you think it is safe to read an ex-president’s statement without bashing a current president or possible future president, former President Clinton proves us all wrong.

Apparently, the phrase “Make America Great Again” is a racist slogan according to former President Clinton. With the ideals of promoting business, to strengthen our economy, build character, strengthen our military and to build our nation to a strong, respected country one might use the slogan “Make American Great Again”.

Over the years, several presidential candidates have use a slogan just as this or similar to forge their ideals to win an election. Former President Bush did, former President Clinton did (almost the exact wording) for his election and re-election campaigns and again when speak to elect his wife for president.

However, now, according to former President Clinton, it is a racist comment. Why? Because presidential candidate D. Trump is using it for his election campaign AGAINST President Clinton’s wife in her bid for the presidency.

D. Trump is using the slogan and backing with statements as to what he plans to do to make America great… again; as we once were, a respectable, strong country working to a betterment for it’s citizens.  A country to be feared by our enemies, a country leading the way to better human rights, equal rights for all it’s citizens and legal documented visitors.

Former President Clinton says (apparently what comes to his mind) the slogan is racist.  A slogan meaning things are to regress, an economy equal to decades ago, a social status structure of decades ago, stating if you are a white southerner, you know exactly how racist the slogan is.

Let’s think about that for a minute.  Isn’t former President Clinton from the south?  A slogan he himself used for his presidential bid and re-election bid. So what did he mean when he used the slogan?

What did he accomplish as president?  A regression in the economy? A further space and divide among lower, middle and upper class? A more prevalent social ladder to a plateau leading to the top where corrupt, rich stand looking down at the general public with a “I am above the law” attitude?

Again the Clintons present themselves as better than all others, their actions and speeches are more of a “do what I say, not as I do” attitude.

The phrase “Make America Great Again” is NOT a racist slogan or statement. If an individual sees it as such, it is only perceived in their mind based on their attitudes, thoughts and life style.

R martin

Black Lives Matter! Don’t all lives matter?

In 2013 a group was formed called Black Lives Matter. Via media outlets there have been an increasing number of stories regarding the deaths of blacks. I understand the premise; a group to bring attention to the deaths of black individuals in hopes of finding ways to reduce the violence and longevity of black people.

 

Keeping in mind news outlets are selling the news. Whether it is newspapers, on television or on the web, it is their job to bring you the news and the more of you that tune in, means more views, higher ratings; all of which equal advertising dollars.  That is how news media makes their money. The more sensational the story, the more viewers and more advertising dollars.

Has there been a sudden rash of law enforcement killing black people? You would think so with all the news coverage these events receive. More views, more dollars.

What about law enforcement killing white people? The news stories of these of events are of greatly lower percentage.  However, the actual events involving law enforcement involved in the deaths of white people are more common than black people.

If a white persons is killed by law enforcement little to no media attention is brought forth because it does not bring in viewers. Now a black person being shot (no matter the circumstances surrounding the event) brings in viewers, it brings people to the streets, arms raised, chanting, screaming for justice all of which is promoted by most media outlets.

Most media outlets fuel the fire.

It is standard practice in most law enforcement agencies to restrict an officer to administrative duties when the officer is involved in a shooting. Does the media inform the viewers of this? Most don’t and some will state the regulations of administrative duties but only once or twice. NOT six or seven or twenty times the same media outlet will tell you a black person has been shot by an officer.

Most media will state they are unsure of what exactly happened and the circumstances surrounding it, however they are happy to show the viewers the 100 plus “friends” of the “victim” all saying he/she was a perfect, law abiding citizen with a grieving mother and now fatherless or motherless children.  For days the headlines are filled with additional stories/comments regarding the person who died. Stories of protesters, riots, marches, pictures of signs demanding justice for days and days.

Weeks or months later when the whole story comes out, if the officer was justified, he/she is condemned at the very least by not receiving the coverage the incident and condemnation of the office originally received during the onset.

People, everyone matters!  Black, brown, green, white, all people, all races, all colors, all religions; LIFE MATTERS!

R martin