It Was Fun While It Lasted...

(Source)

For those who aren't aware of the ongoing brouhaha in the professional sports world (specifically football and, to a somewhat lesser extent, baseball), you can read a bit about it here, I'll just say this - while I concede the players' right to disrespect the National Anthem, the flag, and all those who have served, fought, and died for that right, I don't have to like it, and I most emphatically don't. Those same players are, quite frankly, not going to pull any punches here, pissing on those who served, fought, and died for their right to protest, um, er, something.

They're also pissing on the fans, the folks who pay their over-inflated salaries by buying tickets, buying the stuff advertised during the games, and buying all the merchandise the league offers, online, at the stadiums, and at most major sporting goods stores. I don't think they can do that for long. I mean attendance is (from what I understand) down and TV viewership is also down.

I guess this latest upheaval came about because of something the Prez said. I mean really, I think I get it, but in reality I don't. While this country has some lingering problems with racism, sexism, whatever-ism, we're still a lot better off than the majority of the rest of the planet.

Try this protest crap in China, Russia, Turkey, damned near any country in Africa, and the odds are pretty good that the protestors would be arrested. Then probably tortured, imprisoned, maybe even executed, depending on the country.

Yes, yes, I know, I know - just because things are far worse elsewhere doesn't mean they can't be better here. But kneeling on the sidelines during the National Anthem isn't going to fix anything. It isn't going to help that kid in the projects being raised by his grandmother because mama's working two jobs trying to make ends meet and the "baby daddy" is in prison, or on the street, or otherwise doesn't give a flaming fire truck about the kid or the mother.

These protests aren't going to help the Hispanic kids whose parents entered the country illegally then had the kid here in the U.S.A. so BINGO, instant citizen. Unfortunately, though mom and dad may work their asses off, because they can't speak English and the little guy only knows Spanish and the schools have to teach them in Spanish (which isn't going to get them any good paying jobs in the future, hey, America, we speak English here) or not teach them at all.

Because they are illegals (no they are not "undocumented" immigrants, they are ILLEGAL aliens) they can't (in most states) vote, collect assistance, or otherwise have all the rights and privileges of citizens (and the states where they are treated as citizens are rapidly going broke and will start looking to the Feds for money, that's right YOUR money). It literally sucks to be them, and ya know what, most of them are hard workers. But they're not citizens. Period. Full stop.

Now there are professional athletes who do volunteer work in the community to try and make things better. But I don't believe those a-holes taking a knee during the Anthem really give a crap about the poor and the downtrodden, who, by the way, come in all colors, including white. The kneelers are "virtue signaling," they're fire trucking social justice (whatever the Hell that is) "warriors" who want publicity. Do they really think that mainstream America is going to care about their antics?

Yeah, just like we give a crap about "antifa." (Is it just me or does anyone else think "antifa" sounds awfully close to "intifada"?)

My love affair with professional football is over. Dead. Passed on. Joined the choir invisible and is now an ex-love affair.

Well, on the bright side, it certainly frees up my schedule. (Actually I haven't watched much since about five years ago, I did watch the playoffs, but I may even give that a pass now.) I'll still watch the Army-Navy game but even that is starting to wear thin. Ever since the academies went Division I, I'm not so sure that they recruit freshman based solely upon their potential to be officers in the Armed Forces. I mean most of 'em yes, but there are a few, let's admit it, who are there to play football.

Yeah, that was my shocked face. On that score, I think West Point is not as guilty as Annapolis. As for the Air Force Academy, I don't really know.

It was fun while it lasted. Watched the Packers and the Cowboys in the Ice Bowl. Saw The Drive. Couldn't believe The Fumble. Celebrated The Tuck Rule. I've watch a lot of games since I was a lad of 12, back in 19 and 65, back when Lombardi prowled the sidelines. When players stayed with one team their whole career and when they had to have real jobs in the off season.

But those days are gone.

I'm done.