Republican Lawmaker Shows Anthem Protesters the Only Time It Is "Appropriate" to Kneel
Kneeling in the presence of the American flag is something we’ve seen happen all too frequently nowadays, usually as a political statement and typically around some sort of sporting event.
This doesn’t sit well with patriotic Americans. The NFL in particular found this out the hard way, after anthem protests threw the league’s 2017 season into turmoil via lower ratings and viewer boycotts.
Of course, the left tried to normalize these protests. These players were being patriotic, they said, by using their right to protest against the intolerable oppression of being a highly paid athlete in the freest country on earth. And after all, what was kneeling but an exercise of free speech? (At their jobs, sure, where their employers can qualify what speech is allowed and what isn’t — but why let facts get in the way of a good narrative?)
Rep. Kevin Brady is having none of that nonsense. On his Twitter account, the Texas Republican showed anthem protesters the only time it’s appropriate to kneel before the American flag.
In the photo, which Brady tweeted out Saturday, the congressman is seen kneeling by the grave of a veteran along with Judge Wayne Mack and two other individuals.
“This is an appropriate time to take a knee, not while the national anthem is being played,” Brady said.
This is an appropriate time to take a knee, not while the national anthem is being played. You stand, place your right hand over your heart and thank God you live in the USA. #NationalAnthemDay pic.twitter.com/Zns0LGvSXe
— Kevin Brady (@RepKevinBrady) March 3, 2018
“You stand, place your right hand over your heart and thank God you live in the USA.”
The tweet was in honor of National Anthem Day. According to the Washington Examiner, the grave was that of a local Vietnam War veteran.
It didn’t take long for liberals to get very annoyed at Rep. Brady. Apparently, honoring the flag or the anthem isn’t a big thing with the left, as you can see from the reaction of some Twitter users.
What a surprise.
I’ll take a knee when I feel it’s appropriate
and won’t thank anyone’s god for that right.— cumberickman ISN’T IT PAST YOUR JAIL TIME? (@cumberickman) March 3, 2018
The country trump is ruining while you do nothing to stop him.
— Jimmy (@jmrn1953) March 3, 2018
Said by a privileged white man with no understanding why there is a protest.
— Adam 🟧 🏳️🌈🏳️⚧️ (@AdamEPaine) March 4, 2018
Ah yes, respecting the anthem is a white privilege thing. I forgot about that. Rep. Brady and Judge Mack really needed to engage in some hardcore privilege-checking.
I’m not entirely sure who thinks that kneeling during the national anthem is going to help the cause they’re trying to draw attention to. While everyone who likely agrees with their cause is going to support what they’re doing, it’s going to completely alienate the undecided patriotic Americans they desperately need to convince. Who, after all, really changed their opinions after watching a professional athlete kneel on a field?
Beyond that, it’s inappropriate. It’s offensive to the men and women who have fought and died for this country, who have sacrificed for something bigger than themselves.
That’s what we should have been remembering on National Anthem Day — and what athletes and anthem-kneelers everywhere ought to take note of.
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