Gen. Michael Hayden: Put me down with Kaepernick

[Tanuki]

https://www.google.com/amp/thehill.com/opinion/white-house/352419-michael-hayden-in-trump-versus-nfl-standing-up-for-free-speech%3famp

..."And then President Trump, before a red-hot Alabama crowd of his political base, decided to treat the "SOBs" who wouldn't stand for the anthem the way he has previously treated other groups like Mexicans (murderers and rapists), intelligence professionals (Nazis), immigrants (deeply unfair), refugees (dangerous) and Muslims (they hate us).

When in political stress, attack the "other" - those dark forces that allegedly threaten our way of life - and pay no attention to the lack of legislative progress on ObamaCare or anything else, a careening crisis with a nuclear North Korea or the destruction of civilized life on an island territory of the United States.
.........

There were tough choices to make: respect for the flag, respect for the anthem, respect for your teammates, respect for justice, respect for your fans, respect for free speech. The president had created what logicians call a false dilemma, that support for free speech or for teammates equated to disrespect for flag, anthem or country. And he did it for political advantage.
.......

On Sunday, three full teams did not go out for the anthem, almost all players and coaches locked arms, and more than 200 in the NFL knelt, sat or otherwise demonstrated their displeasure.

And, to be specific, their displeasure was largely with President Trump and what he had said about them, their teammates and their rights. Forced again to defend the indefensible, White House press secretary Sarah Huckabee Sanders on Monday said the president's Huntsville stand was about "honoring the men and women who fought to defend" the flag.

As a 39-year military veteran, I think I know something about the flag, the anthem, patriotism, and I think I know why we fight. It's not to allow the president to divide us by wrapping himself in the national banner. I never imagined myself saying this before Friday, but if now forced to choose in this dispute, put me down with Kaepernick."

Gen. Michael Hayden is a former director of the CIA and 

[malaise]

1. Freaking wow!

As a 39-year military veteran, I think I know something about the flag, the anthem, patriotism, and I think I know why we fight. It's not to allow the president to divide us by wrapping himself in the national banner. I never imagined myself saying this before Friday, but if now forced to choose in this dispute, put me down with Kaepernick."

This!

Get thee to the greatest page!

[waltben]

2. As am I!

I also learned about the flag, the anthem, patriotism and why we fight after my twenty years worth.

[gademocrat7]

3. Gen. Hayden gets it.

Chump never will.

[Scarsdale]

4. I wish a team

would give Colin a job. He deserves one. He works out every day and would be an asset to a team needing a quarterback. He knows what hard work is, unlike any member of the tRump clan.

[elias7]

5. Defenders have his number, all scramble, poor pass

Maybe a few teams would have an offense set up for that style of play, but I believe that has been the main issue, not his protesting, though that has been the nail in the coffin until now. Perhaps with that piece removed, this brave man will find an NFL home.

[Major Nikon]

6. When you have to compel patriotism, it stops being patriotism and becomes something else

[niyad]

7. hayden????? wow!!

[ProfessorGAC]

8. Kaboom!!!

Now that(!) i didn't expect.

[Gothmog]

9. I also will stand with Kapernack

[leanforward]

10. Put me with those two Gentlemen

[Corvo Bianco]

11. "A false dilemma"

[ProfessorPlum]

12. I was with Kaepernick long before Friday

But glad to see Hayden come down on the side of rights and justice.

[DLevine]

13. Good for him. nt

[rainin]

14. One small problem -- not "forced"

"Forced again to defend the indefensible, White House press secretary Sarah Huckabee Sanders on Monday said the president's Huntsville stand was about "honoring the men and women who fought to defend" the flag."

Sarah Huckabee Sanders is not "forced" to do anything. I would change that to "eager to defend the indefensible."

"Put me down with Kaepernick" needs to go viral.