Dear Editor,
I have to disagree with your support of the UM basketball players taking a knee during the National Anthem. It was disrespectful of the American Service man and this great nation. I understand that they have the right to protest basically any way they desire. I spent 38 years in the ANG to protect and defend their right of expression, but disrespecting the flag and the anthem turns off my outlook to their protest. If they really wanted to make a statement and bring attention to their cause, here is what I think would really highlight their position. Take the Knee, JUST as the referee throws the ball up for the opening tip and allow the other team to score. Reckon what the support level would be then? Wouldn’t this be a powerful statement, that we will sacrifice to support our position.
Don’t disrespect this county, support and defend this country and work to improve it for all citizens.
Removal of any statues and memorials that are a part of our history, including Confederate, is just an attempt to hide or change our history. Even if you don’t like the statue/memorial let it be a reminder of our history, where we’ve been, where we’ve come from, and the challenges we’ve overcome. We should always remember “If we forget our history, we are doomed to repeat it”.
Richard Stampley
