COLUMN: Keeping it ... civil

HOME STRETCH COLUMN
By: 
Pete Temple
Express Sports Editor

     A funny thing happened with my ill-fated Facebook post about the NFL national anthem issue.

     It wasn’t ill-fated at all. You might even say it was…civil.

     That doesn’t happen very often.

     This was, word-for-word, what I posted:

 

     Sure, I believe NFL players should stand for the National Anthem. But I also believe they have the right not to, especially since their employers not only support them, but in some cases have joined in. Those who oppose these protests have rights too; they can choose not to buy tickets, to avoid NFL games on TV, and to boycott its advertisers. I guarantee you that if ratings fall and stadiums are reduced to half-full, NFL brass will mandate standing for the anthem faster than you can say “Betsy Ross.”

     As for how players are protesting, we don’t get to decide that. You can’t say, “OK, go ahead and protest, but here’s how we want you to do it.” They have chosen the way that clearly is bringing the most possible attention to their concerns.

     Bottom line: Do we support the right to free speech, or don’t we? It doesn’t work to support it only when we agree with it.

 

     I recently read a column about the National Anthem issue that appeared recently on the website of my hometown newspaper, the St. Paul (Minn.) Pioneer Press.

     The column was written by Joe Soucheray, who is more or less a legend up there. You can Google it if you want to read it. Though his column was a great read, what struck me – but didn’t shock me – were the comments that followed. Naturally, the conversation was reduced to spiteful right-and-left rhetoric, insults, name-calling, etc.

     The comments on my Facebook post were not that way at all. I was pleasantly surprised (and relieved), several hours after I found the courage to push the “post” button, that people were being respectful.

     They didn’t hold back on offering their viewpoints, which came from all over the political spectrum, but at no time did anyone insult another commenter. In fact, it was quite the opposite, along the lines of “we’ll agree to disagree,” and “I respect your opinion even though I don’t agree with it.”

     I received plenty of “likes” and “reactions,” but also several comments. Some agreed, some partially agreed, and some disagreed, either partly or completely. All of the comments seemed to be from the heart, and many were lengthy.

     But all of them were civil. I think Frank Mere of Monticello probably put it best:

 

     My hat is off to all of you. I have strong feelings on this topic; I will choose not to air them here. I do want to say this is the most respectful dialogue on a hot topic I have seen in a long, long time. I applaud every one of you.

 

     And the Express’ own Kim Brooks added:

 

     Everyone here was able to express their views while also respecting others. Almost unheard of.

 

     So it IS possible.

 

 

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