Anger over anthem protests misses point

Two letters about NFL protests appeared [Sept. 29], a thoughtful one from Sam Emerson, the other from Rev. Bobby Hall, who repeats common talking points I would like to answer.

First, why is kneeling considered so disrespectful? People kneel in church. People used to kneel to their sovereign. The flag code says nothing specifically about kneeling.

There are veterans on both sides of this issue, so military experience does not justify only one point of view.

The argument that veterans fought to defend this country or specifically to guarantee free speech doesn’t hold water. Soldiers fought because leaders told them it was necessary, sometimes based on mistaken assumptions (domino theory) or for geostrategic reasons (protect oil fields or shipping lanes). World War II was the last time U.S. soldiers fought against a real danger to the homeland.

I respect the heroism and sacrifices especially of combat veterans (about one-tenth of all veterans). But I also feel they are victims who have been used to fight wars that should not have been fought.

Rev. Hall says free speech doesn’t give anyone the right to disrespect our flag, national anthem, or president. Does that include making jokes about the POTUS? A lot of folks disrespected the president during the eight Obama years. And a lot of folks disrespect our current president.

Some people resent that NFL players are highly paid. The majority have salaries in six figures; stars get seven figures and a handful get more. It should be remembered that players have a limited time in their life when they can earn these high salaries, often at the cost of concussions and fractures. Meanwhile, hedge fund managers may get paid 100 times more than players do. Are they so vital to society?

Rev. Hall proposes that native-born people who “don’t like it here” should leave the country, and that they would be loved in Russia, North Korea, or Iran (highly unlikely). The implication is that no one should ever protest any injustice or try to reform anything because the USA is totally perfect.

Keep in mind that the protesting players are not just “dissatisfied” and “unappreciative” but they are protesting a specific situation that threatens the lives of all American black men. Note they protest at some risk to themselves, as Colin Kaepernick has not been signed up since his earlier protest. CORALIE KOONCE Fayetteville