Traylor letter: NFL protests
The Great Distractor strikes again. Amid natural disasters affecting millions of Americans, potential war with North Korea, and many other challenges facing the country the president chooses to publicly vilify professional football players for exercising their Constitutional right to peaceful protest. Even though the players have been crystal clear about the reason for their protests, the president and others have determined that this is a protest against the military, first responders, and the United States itself.
Democracy is founded on basic principles, not the least of which includes the right to publicly bring forth concerns such as racial injustice. History is full of examples of countries who have not tolerated dissent by individuals or the press. They are called dictatorships. If anyone needs a reminder of this I would advise them to study government actions during the McCarthy and Vietnam war eras. Blind allegiance to any government or leader is dangerous. As Americans we have the right and the responsibility to speak up, in whatever peaceful manner we choose, when we see/experience injustice. You may disagree with the opinion, but you can’t disagree with the right to express it.
LeAnn Traylor, Boise
This story was originally published October 5, 2017 at 11:46 PM with the headline "Traylor letter: NFL protests."