10 August 2018

Fun with Flags ~ Stars and Stripes part 1


Greetings Dear Reader,

This is an excerpt from Sheetrock on the Road.  You can get the entire novel on Amazon.  When I wrote it, I had no idea it would become so relevant:

“There are many who do not understand the importance of the national anthem.  Before we begin what has been often called the national pastime, we first pay tribute to a nation that allows us to have such leisure.  When I was a boy this meant that you stopped talking, put your hand over your heart, looked at the flag, and sang with all your might.  You showed reverence for the moment.  Vendors stopped selling hot dogs, peanuts, and beer until the song was over.  I do not know what has changed but people stopped teaching their children about this and those children grew up into ignoramuses who talk on their cell phones, shout for the beer boy, or even complain about the national anthem itself.  That song is hard to sing, has too many high notes, and is still one of the best reminders that people died so that we could go to baseball games.  So, the next time you are blessed enough to go to a baseball game, hang up your cell phone, put down that beer, stand up straight, put your hand over your heart, face the flag, and sing till your throat hurts.” 

As the football pre-season begins we are already hearing protests of those taking a knee or raising a fist during the National Anthem.  I am not saying that those protesting do not have a just cause.  Even if they did not they have a constitutional right to protest whatever they please. 

What drives me to the wall is their choice of where and when.  It may be lawful although that has not been legally established yet.  It is not, however, wise.  It is not prudent.  I do not care what your cause may be or how just it is. That is not the right time to draw attention to it.  It disrespects the thousands of men and women who have given their lives and limbs so that you can get paid to play a GAME.  Real wisdom understands that there is a time and place to make your concerns heard.  This is not it.

The purpose of the National Anthem is to remind us of the freedom we have to enjoy public sporting events.  It is to call to mind those who died so you could play ball.  When you disrespect that moment, you dig into far more than your cause. 

Our nation is not always right but I do not see anyone of those protesting the anthem leaving so that they do not have to endure the problems.  There is a Canadian football league.  Again, I am not saying your cause is unjust but this is not the kind of fun with flags that solves problems.

I care about your concerns and I value justice for everyone.  I even care about justice for those who died to give you the freedom to disrespect their sacrifice.  You treat the dead unjustly when you disrespect the flag and the National Anthem.  I cannot follow in faith if I do not seek justice in all things, not just your cause.

Wishing you joy in the journey,

Aramis Thorn
Mat 13:52 So Jesus said to them, "That is why every writer who has become a disciple of Christ’s rule of the universe is like a home owner. He liberally hands out new and old things from his great treasure store.”
(͡° ͜ʖ ͡°)

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