OPINION:
Thank God we all do not share the same beliefs; I believe our diversity of thought is exactly what our Founding Fathers intended. What I am not thankful for, however, is the ignorance which is bountiful in our great nation (“Trump’s call for boycott of NFL reignites furor over players’ national anthem protests,” Web, Sept. 24). Our flag does not represent only our president. It represents much, much more. It represents you and me and all presidents past and future. It represents the men who died defending our freedom. It represents our children, nieces and nephews who were born into a nation with liberties unparalleled by any country.
To not salute our flag at home is shameful. But to not salute our flag especially on foreign soil? That is difficult to forgive. Yes, our flag symbolizes that you have the right to cast it aside, step on it, burn it or spit on it. But as my grandmother taught me, just because you can doesn’t mean you should.
No family is perfect, but you always have your family members’ backs and deal with your issues logically, systematically and never in the street. You are always a unified front, no matter what issues you are resolving at home. If you will not stand and salute our flag, you are disrespecting my entire family — my family at home and every member of our great nation to whom I am related by dint of citizenship. That is not OK.
CALLY KUSHMER
Brandon, Fla.
Please read our comment policy before commenting.