WBOB Original Reads

A Veteran's Perspective: Kneel, Stand, or Turn Your Back - That's Your Liberty

9/27/2017

Kaleb Bajakian

Some whiny co-worker lady working the Patriots game with me Sunday said "Considering you're an ex-Marine, I'm surprised the protesting football players don't bother you."

As usual, I have no filter -- so I politely explained to her I don't care if you salute the flag or kneel or not do anything at all because liberty is freedom of choice regardless of who agrees with you.

And to the rest of America

There are no victims involved by kneeling, so stop pretending you support freedom if you use social media to hypocritically advocate a double standard punishment against NFL players who have the constitutional right to express themselves however they wish to or not.

Was America ever great?

I think so, in some ways. For example, freedom of expression being guaranteed through the First Amendment is kind of a big deal and part of what originally made us "great." So, I would lower my flag (if I had one) to half mast and upside down, as my country is in distress. I haven't saluted the flag in years. I will not stand. I'm even tempted to turn my back, because government has turned its back on Lady liberty.

For the people in the back

The flag represents privilege for few and oppression of the majority, so to hell with being politically correct. A colorful piece of fabric made in China doesn't make you an honorable person. Respecting liberty and freedom is what makes you honorable.

Singing a song and saluting means nothing when more than half the people running the show are clowns who stand against half of everything the anthem allegedly represents.

My decision, either way, is my business. Control over this decision is not rightfully yours or anyone else's, and if you think it should be -- then you are the one who's anti-American.

Being an American means live and let live -- if there is no victim, there is no crime. Whether Veteran or civilian, whoever you are, wherever you are, whoever you work for, be you. Don't let anyone ever try to silence you for protesting anything you feel passionate about, especially if you are forced to sit through a song worshiping a government who is out of touch with liberty.

A government who taxes people into poverty, locks record high humans in cages for victim-less crimes, and polices the world in places we don't belong -- resulting in endless veteran suicide -- does not deserve to be rewarded by flag worship, if people don't genuinely feel it in their heart to do so. As a recent ESPN article on the subject said "non-violent protest is as American as it gets."

(Editor's Note: This content was originally posted to Kaleb Bajakian's personal Facebook page, but was republished to 990WBOB with permission from the author)

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