It is not difficult to understand the motivation behind the protests by the NFL players, other athletes and private citizens.
Racial injustice is rampant in this country, and law enforcement is often guilty of it. But the national anthem is the wrong target. In spite of its suspect musicality, the song is totally inoffensive while being somewhat inspirational.
What is worthy of protest is the Pledge of Allegiance.
It is a series of phrases that are rife with lies, untruths and a little nonsense.
First, assigning “sacred” status to an inanimate, secular object violates the tenets of many religions. However, pledging allegiance to the “republic” that is America is a noble undertaking.
Stating that we are one nation indivisible is, of course, not true. The divisions are wide and deep.
The “under God” phrase is meaningless. If one believes in a deity, then all nations are under God. Actually, that part wasn’t added until the 1950s to differentiate the United States from the godless Soviets.
The most outrageous statement is the “with liberty and justice for all” lie. No one could actually believe that. “Liberty and justice for all” is not an aphorism; it’s an obscenity.
PHIL LaRUSSE
Lower Burrell
First Published: November 24, 2017, 5:00 a.m.