While anthem plays

Hail to the defender of Old Glory, our national flag. Our president, Donald Trump, was very upset over football players sitting or kneeling during the playing of our national anthem at football games. He viewed that as disrespect of the flag. So he bullied NFL team owners to deny the players their First Amendment rights by fining them if the kneeling continued in future games.

I must assume our president has never attended an NFL game in person. I have attended many. Let me paint the picture.

When they start playing our anthem, many of the fans are milling about, eating hot dogs and nachos and drinking cold beer. Some are still searching for a seat or taking selfies. Those standing and facing the flag are singing the lyrics, others are lip-syncing or mumbling what they think are the words. With all of that lax patriotism going on, our president chooses to criticize the players who are peacefully using their First Amendment right to protest police brutality on black citizens.

I believe we all love our country and our flag. But we live in a country that doesn’t force us to, every minute of every day. Our Constitution guarantees the right of free expression and

assembly. That’s what those players were doing. We all should take a metaphorical “knee” when we see injustice. BILL FARRELL Bella Vista