Slidell vet declines award 'tainted' by NFL protests; Saints call his decision 'sad and divisive'

[Calista241]

Source: New Orleans Times-Picayune

The head of a Slidell-based military veterans' organization has declined to accept a senior citizen award that was to have been presented during Sunday's (Nov. 5) New Orleans Saints game in the Superdome, citing the ongoing demonstrations by players before and during the national anthem at NFL games.

Retired Navy Cmdr. John Wells, executive director of the national Military Veterans Advocacy, was named a Peoples Health Champion, an award given by the Medicare health insurance advantage organization to citizens over 65 who have made significant accomplishments after reaching "senior citizen" status.

But on Wednesday, Wells told the organization he was unable "in good conscience, to enter an NFL stadium" while some players "disrespect" the American flag by kneeling or sitting during the anthem. Some Saints players in recent weeks have kneeled before the anthem, then stood while the anthem is sung.

A disabled veteran who served in the Navy from 1972 until 1994 and later became an attorney specializing in military and veterans law, Wells said he is dismayed by the NFL's refusal to disallow the protests

Read more: http://www.nola.com/northshore/index.ssf/2017/11/slidell_veterans_advocate_decl.html

[Scoopster]

1. Fuck 'em.

Give it to someone else who does good work for seniors that isn't a misinformed idiot.

[Pacifist Patriot]

5. That was my first thought.

Completely within his rights to decline, but he does seem rather clueless if he thinks it's about the flag and the anthem.

[Corgigal]

2. My crystal ball

says....white guy.

[Abouttime]

13. Deplorable...

Screw this guy, the majority of Americans are supporting the NFL protesters.
The NFL will do just fine without the "deplorable" element of its fan base. For every Papajohn pizza eating braindead the teams lose they will gain hundreds of more progressive fans. Look at the Seattle Seahawks as an example as the leagues most progressive franchise they are thriving.
The NFL like the rest of American society is moving to the left, I hope these protests grow into a general protest of tRump, his administration, the Republican Party and white privilege in general which if you think about it is about the most pro American thing one could to in this time.

[turbinetree]

3. What part of the Constitution did you defend------the way that says flag throughout the docuemt

or the one that says that says you will defend and protect?

I guess you forgot the basic one called the First Amendment !!!!!!!

[Calista241]

4. Wells comment below:

"They can do it," Wells said. "They have that right, no question. I've got the right to turn it off. I got the right to not go into an NFL stadium and I have the right to decline the award."

[DinahMoeHum]

6. Well, hell, then. HIS loss, not the Saints', not the NFL's.

and not ours.

[Historic NY]

7. Just put it in the US Mail.

[ret5hd]

10. US Mail...what are you, a commie??? Send it Fed-Ex Ground.

[SCVDem]

8. Stop playing the anthem!

Except for playoffs and the Superbowl.

If someone wants to be patriotic 24/7, they can play John Phillip Sousa marches all day and salute their own flag.

Like religion, patriotism is a personal thing.

So many Americans would fail a current events test.

Why are they kneeling? BZZZZ! WRONG!

[DBoon]

9. Nothing says "fighting for freedom"

Like denying the right to peaceful protest.

Have our troops died so that NFL players could be silenced?

[TimeToGo]

12. Yep

[Blue_Tires]

11. They'll do what they do and we'll do what we have to do...

[maxrandb]

14. Fuck Him

I'm a Vet. Served 30 years in the Navy. I'll stop watching the NFL if they try to "force" players...OR ANYONE to stand during the Anthem.

You want "respect" for the fucking flag Commander? I'll respect the damn Flag when it starts to stand for a country that doesn't put a flaming racist asshole in the White House

That's MY requirement for "respect"

Oh...and if you voted for Donnie Short Finger...GO FORNICATE WITH YOURSELF

[GeorgeGist]

15. I'm dismayed a lawyer doesn't respect the Constitution.

[Ferrets are Cool]

16. Not as much as my dismay that we have a pResident that doesnt respect the Constitution.

[Skittles]

17. the protests are not about YOU or the FLAG