On Protests: 9/13/2016

This madness over protests is getting absurd. Protests are annoying, and are meant to be. Protests are also central to our history, from the very start, and a core part of free democracy. I abhore modern protests that harm uninvolved innocents and endanger other people- this is one of my primary issues with the so-called Black Lives Matter Movement (though I recognize the loose nature of that group and try not to hold its membership responsible for the acts of a few). The arrogance of such acts has gathered no small amount of anger and disdain. 
The caveat, here, is that if we show (justified) disdain for protests that harm innocents, we have to be accepting of protests that do not harm innocents- recalling that protest is a cornerstone of America. 
The NFL is an organization I despise. I despise many of the players, too, for taking part in this organization that profits from and abuses municipal investment and hires players that too often do horrible things. I’m not saying I agree with these people refusing to stand for the rewritten pub song we have chosen to symbolize our nation, but the hatred, the animosity being generated over it is nothing short of disgusting. We cannot have it both ways, folks. The points being raised are legitimate and worth considering, even if we conclude doing nothing is acceptable. The act is truely harmless, save for the bruising of a few egos, a shocking sensitivity coming from what those bruised folks consider the greatest nation on Earth; you would think we would feel more secure in our patriotism. The alternative here is more highway blockages, more storming of private events, and likely more violence. 
We have to stop. Stop harassing quiet, harmless protests. Stop calling out protestors with money for just having that money (unless, of course, you are going to begin doing the same for everyone with money the moment they talk about social ills). Stop pretending a real issue isn’t being highlighted, because it is, and you don’t get to tell someone their complaint is not worth making- your job becomes to either resolve the issue or articulate convincingly that the point is moot, and if you cannot or will not do either you can ignore the issue, sure, deeming it not worth addressing for one reason or another, but you can not get upset when the complaint continues afterward. That requires somewhat thicker skin than many seem to have, though, as they are offended so deeply by a refustal to stand. I have to wonder if those responsible for writing our Constitution would have stood a playing of “God Save the King” just after our complaint was lodged with the crown and sent back. I wager not.