Wisconsin Patch Readers Sound Off On National Anthem Protests

If you've paid attention over the past few weeks, you know of the brewing public debate over professional athletes protesting during the National Anthem before major sporting events.

Regardless of the social issues that motivate each athlete to make a statement, the feedback hasn't been pretty. When President Donald Trump said that NFL athletes should be fired for their protests, it created a firestorm.

You don't even have to go all that far from home to see the controversy play out. On Tuesday, a local restaurant owner said that NFL players should be executed for their protests.

Related Reading:

Packers vs. Bears — National Anthem Takes Center Stage

"What happens on the field may not be the most notable event of the evening as a national fervor over how some NFL players protest during the National Anthem continues into the season's fourth week of play."

It's enough to make one's stomach turn.

Wisconsin lies in America's heartland, and when Patch.com asked its readers in the Badger State to reflect on all that has been happening related to the National Anthem, protests, and social issues, we found readers thought out their answers, and backed them up with their sincere personal beliefs.

Here are our responses:

Leigh Jedele Gould
"I feel like we're putting to much importance in the symbolism of the National Anthem, the flag, and the Pledge, and not enough in the things those symbols are supposed to represent. Like freedom and justice for all. "There's a time and a place"?? That time and place is here, and now. Social injustice is a major issue facing this country right now, and we should all be ashamed of that!!"

Sandy Lee
"Respect the flag, respect America!"

Jennifer Micheau
"Anyone else find it ironic that Trump again deflected from other issues concerning our country? Seems like his biggest asset is the ability to cause media frenzy to deflect from his accountability on other issues. I love our country and football, just food for thought."

Nate Shera
"The protests in the NFL have nothing to do with lack of respect for the flag and patriotism. It has everything to do with racism and police brutality in the country."

Kim Brunner
"They were having a peaceful protest, some of it was directed at our so called bully President who felt it was ok to call players son of b*$#hs. I was offended by the people who felt it was ok to boo during the national anthem, not a peaceful protest and in my opinion disrespectful."

Dan Schneiderman
"If you voted for someone who said he prefers soldiers who don't get captured, who insulted the parents of a gold star captain, who said he knew more than the generals, who said he always wanted a Purple Heart, who dodged the draft, and who called the US military a disaster, please don't pretend that you're angry at those who kneel during the anthem because it's disrespectful to our military.
And if you voted for that person because he's not politically correct and he says what's on his mind, please don't tell me that kneeling during the anthem is wrong.
And if you voted for a reality show star because he's an outsider and not a career politician, please don't tell me that athletes shouldn't voice their political views.
And if you voted for him because he cares about the Constitution, please don't tell me that people shouldn't exercise their right to free speech.
And if you voted for him because, despite his wealth and comfortable life, he was willing to go out there, be made a target, and say what's really wrong with this country, please don't tell me that black athletes should just shut up and be grateful to be rich."

Stacy Powers

"It's disrespectful to not honor what the flag stands for. Freedom. I do believe that they have a right to protest the president, the injustice of some police officers, racists, bigots, and haters. I do not believe this is the way to do it. In my eyes, They are looking the soldiers and everyone who died for the freedom in the face and telling them they are crap. That, I don't agree with at all"

Amy Rosno
"They have every right to protest, but they should be doing this on their own time. I'm a teacher. Imagine if I walked into my classroom and took a knee during the pledge or the National Anthem."

Patrick Riggs Ristow

"I don't mind whatever the protest is... go nuts. Just do it on your own time.
Protesters are some of the biggest idiots on the face of the earth and even they are smart enough not to bring their protest to work."

Cindy Rex Peterson
"People keep missing WHY they are protesting. It's easy for the privileged white to say "don't do that". But we don't have the worry that African American parents have. And they are protesting peacefully."

Wisconsin Patch would like to thank all of our readers who reached out to us.

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image by scott anderson, patch.com