Tag: Take a Knee

Pence (and Trump) choose to politicize Niners – Colts game in Indy; Pence walks out on orders from his boss

Published on by Charlie O. MalloneeLeave a comment
niners kneeling in Indy
49ers players kneel during National Anthem in Indianapolis with Vice President Mike Pence in the stands Photo: Mike Conroy/Associated Press

by Charlie O. Mallonee

Vice President Mike Pence and his wife attended the San Francisco — Indianapolis football game in Indianapolis on Sunday. They did not stay long but they did make it to their seats.

As the former governor of Indiana attending a Colts game was a perfectly natural choice for the Vice President. He attended games as the governor of the state and was known to be a Colts fan. Pence was not at the stadium on Sunday to watch a football game.

The Trump Administration has picked a fight with the NFL and its players

The President made a bombastic speech where he called for NFL players to be fired if they “took a knee” during the playing of the National Anthem. The President has framed his argument that “the kneel” is showing disrespect to our troops, flag and country.

The players have consistently said that the protest is not against the military but against the inequality that is experienced by people in America on a daily basis. If the President was really concerned about the situation, he would invite protesting players to the White House and open a dialogue about their grievances.

That has not happened because the “Trump political base” would not like him sitting down with protesters. The President can say there were “good people” among the white nationalist who created havoc and ultimately the death of a young woman in Charlottesville, Virginia but evidently there are no “good people” among the NFL players who exercising their Constitutional rights to Free Speech and non-violent protest in the tradition of Dr. Martin Luther King.

Sunday was a show for the Trump “MAGA” base

Pence, the White House and the political handlers knew exactly what was going to happen before the game began. They knew members of the 49ers team were intending to “take a knee” during the anthem. The Vice President and his enterouage had their walkout already planned.

If you do not think this was a political stunt, look at Trump’s tweet concerning the incident.

From @realDonaldTrump

The President could not even let the action look like a strong move by his Veep. “I asked @VP to leave … “. Simply put — this was a political stunt orchestrated out of the White House and this is not “Fake News”.

In the meantime not a word about the protest in Charlottesville

Charlottesville nbc29
White nationalist protest on Saturday night in Charlottesville Photo NBC29

The white nationalist returned to Charlottesville, Virginia again on Saturday night with their tiki torches and vile speech. There were only 40-50 protesters but they were back. Their leader posted a “victory” speech on the internet.

Not word on Twitter from @realDonaldTrump or @VP about that protest and the on-going attempt to incite violence against minorities.

This is a diversionary tactic plain and simple

Plan

This “counter protest” by the President is simply designed to make people look away from what is happening in his house by getting people to look what is going on over there.

Thank you to every member of the military

military

Finally, let us all be thankful for our active military and military veterans who protect our Constitutional rights of free speech. Because of their work, we have the opportunity to agree or disagree and work for change.

Bruce Maxwell explains why he is “Taking a Knee”

Published on by Charlie O. MalloneeLeave a comment
canha and maxwell
Mark Canha offers support to his teammate Bruce Maxwell

by Charlie O. Mallonee

According to the latest count, there are 64 black players in the Major Leagues. One would think that after Jackie Robinson broke the color barrier 70 years ago the number of black players in majors would be much higher, but it is not.

The smaller number of players does not mean that those who play professional baseball have not been affected by the words of the President and the controversy they stirred about athletes being active in social issues “on the job”.

A’s catcher Bruce Maxwell was moved by the events that followed the President’s remarks and decided he needed to take action. Last Saturday evening before the game versus the Seattle Mariners at the Oakland Coliseum, Bruce Maxwell took a knee during the presentation of “The national anthem”.  His actions were reported nationally.

After the game on Sunday, Maxwell spent some time answering questioning from the press about his stance and the reactions to his choice to take a knee.

Maxwell disclosed that he has received support not only from current players but from former players as well. Maxwell appeared to really appreciate that support.

The Athletics catcher also expressed his hope that he would be cleared through the Concussion Protocol in order to return to the playing field. Maxwell took a hard foul tip direct to the mask in Detroit last Wednesday in the bottom of the ninth inning and had to come out of that game.

Maxwell did return to the lineup on Monday going 0-for-3 versus the Seattle Mariners.

No matter how you feel about Bruce Maxwell taking a knee — do not doubt his sincerity. This is no stunt or show. This is a young man who is acting on his conscious to speak out on issues he sees as critical to racial justice. And, he is willing to face the consequences if there are any that come his way.