Great Moments In American History.

"I may disagree with what you have to say, but I'll defend with my life your right to say it."

I see your point, but have to ask, do you feel that the First Amendment protection extends to employees on the work site?

If so, do you feel that even if there are written rules provided by the employer, that the employee can still express their views with no repercussions?

Finally, if one individual or group expresses one view, why is it such a big issue if another individual or group expresses an opposing viewpoint?

Cheers?

Dear Abby,

having been in the workplace from 1972 to 2008, I can affirm that employees say many things and have had many social and political issues they discussed on the worksite. Some things have been banned as being politically incorrect, such as say a co-worker has some honking hooters, while other things, such as complementing a co-worker's outfit, are considered iffy.

I've seen some meme makers here posting the boycott of the NFL. Big deal. I've been boycotting them since they pulled the Super Bowl from Phoenix that was scheduled for 1993 because there was no MLK day. Why would I be upset? I didn't go a few years later when they finally did have it at Sun Devil Stadium, but the fact that the NFL didn't observe MLK day itself, I found offensive. Next MLK day, call their head quarters and you'll see it's business as usual.

In the long run, you'll find the sports fans will outnumber those upset about the take the knee initiative. Maybe Fox will get upset enough to cancel their contract with the league, I haven't seen anyone selling their season tickets to boycott the games. Surely some patriot out there would buy season tickets just so they could burn them for a photo op. I'm thinking all of the right wing political commentators from Rush on down to Bill O'Reilly, but it could be anyone that opposed the actions.

The players have the right to protest, the fans have the right to react.

The League Rule Book only covers game play. The operations manual, OTOH, covers how the game is to be conducted.
"The National Anthem must be played prior to every NFL game, and all players must be on the sideline for the National Anthem.

During the National Anthem, players on the field and bench area should stand at attention, face the flag, hold helmets in their left hand, and refrain from talking. The home team should ensure that the American flag is in good condition. It should be pointed out to players and coaches that we continue to be judged by the public in this area of respect for the flag and our country. Failure to be on the field by the start of the National Anthem may result in discipline, such as fines, suspensions, and/or the forfeiture of draft choice(s) for violations of the above, including first offenses."

Two words in the op-man, "should" and "may" are why the players are not being disciplined. Had it said "players on the field and bench area are required to stand at attention, face the flag, hold helmets in their left hand, and refrain from talking" The penalty section would require the word "may" changed to something like "Failure to be on the field by the start of the National Anthem WILL result in one, or more, forms of the following disciplines"

Just clearing that up.

"There must be state action for the First Amendment to apply. And the NFL is not the state. They have an absolute right to fire those players because of their speech."