# Trump Magically Turns NFL Games Into Anti-Trump Rallies **URL:** \ **Category:** The BBQ Pit\ **Created:** [September 24, 2017, 8:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trump-magically-turns-nfl-games-into-anti-trump-rallies/797216 "2017-09-24T20:34:51Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 14
**Author:** ![QuickSilver](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/quicksilver/32/7832_2.png) [@QuickSilver](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/QuickSilver)\ **Post date:** [September 26, 2017, 4:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trump-magically-turns-nfl-games-into-anti-trump-rallies/797216/261 "2017-09-26T16:51:58Z")
> [@Bullitt](#): > > Skull fucking is allowed in the pit? Deplorables like it. ---
**Author:** ![pulykamell](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pulykamell/32/3166_2.png) [@pulykamell](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pulykamell)\ **Post date:** [September 26, 2017, 4:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trump-magically-turns-nfl-games-into-anti-trump-rallies/797216/262 "2017-09-26T16:52:46Z")
What I mean is the president is exacerbating divides. Honestly, it wasn’t a big deal before. Everybody reflexively just stood up for the national anthem. There wasn’t a big divide that I remember. But I always thought it was a bit stupid, even though I’d stand for it. I just don’t like peer pressure patriotism. I love my country. I love my family. I think ritualistic and demanded public shows of “love” to either are hollow. I don’t make my kids come to me every morning or once a week or whenever, asking them to pledge allegiance to our family. Why should I my country? ---
**Author:** ![Procrustus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/procrustus/32/2994_2.png) [@Procrustus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Procrustus)\ **Post date:** [September 26, 2017, 4:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trump-magically-turns-nfl-games-into-anti-trump-rallies/797216/263 "2017-09-26T16:53:51Z")
> [@](#): > > Originally Posted by Okrahoma View Post > You (again, plural) think that the SDMB echo chamber is in any way reflective of the country. It isn’t. If you haven’t learned that from the 2016 election, you never will. Trump, whether intuitively or intellectually, has his finger on the pulse of the country more often than not. I will say this, Trump correctly figured out that there are \*\*\*a lot \*\*\*of deplorable people in this country. I’m still wrapping my head around that. It’s depressing as hell. ---
**Author:** ![Ukulele\_Ike](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/u/df788c/32.png) [@Ukulele\_Ike](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ukulele_Ike)\ **Post date:** [September 26, 2017, 4:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trump-magically-turns-nfl-games-into-anti-trump-rallies/797216/264 "2017-09-26T16:58:54Z")
Faculty of the Georgetown U. Law School take to the knee to protest Jeff Sessions showing up to “speak on the topic of Free Speech.” > **[Georgetown Law Faculty Take A Knee To Protest Jeff Sessions' Campus Visit](https://www.huffpost.com/entry/georgetown-law-knee-jeff-sessions-nfl-protest_n_59ca7448e4b06ddf45fba98b?ncid=inblnkushpmg00000009)** > > "This kind of government chilling of speech is precisely what the First Amendment to the United States Constitution is meant to prevent." ---
**Author:** ![VinylTurnip](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/v/b2d939/32.png) [@VinylTurnip](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/VinylTurnip)\ **Post date:** [September 26, 2017, 5:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trump-magically-turns-nfl-games-into-anti-trump-rallies/797216/265 "2017-09-26T17:02:49Z")
> [@Okrahoma](#): > > As with most of Trump’s brilliant strokes, it will only become obvious to you what it was in the future. At the time it is always a “blunder” for the political junkies. And they are always wrong. You’re right about one thing: there is wide-scale manipulation going on, and it’s heartbreaking to witness. But the only “brilliant strokes” are being administered by you and the other Kool-Aid Baptists stampeding over each other to be the Troll King’s fluffer. ---
**Author:** ![QuickSilver](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/quicksilver/32/7832_2.png) [@QuickSilver](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/QuickSilver)\ **Post date:** [September 26, 2017, 5:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trump-magically-turns-nfl-games-into-anti-trump-rallies/797216/266 "2017-09-26T17:05:09Z")
> [@Procrustus](#): > > I will say this, Trump correctly figured out that there are \*\*\*a lot \*\*\*of deplorable people in this country. I’m still wrapping my head around that. It’s depressing as hell. I wish people would stop giving Trump credit he doesn’t deserve. This entire clusterfuck of an election was every bit a surprise to Trump as to the rest of us. It _is_ depressing as hell. But not because that orange buffoon figured anything out about anything. ---
**Author:** ![Anny\_Middon](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/bc79bd/32.png) [@Anny\_Middon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Anny_Middon)\ **Post date:** [September 26, 2017, 5:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trump-magically-turns-nfl-games-into-anti-trump-rallies/797216/267 "2017-09-26T17:11:13Z")
> [@Procrustus](#): > > I have always stood for the National Anthem. I don’t think I will anymore. Trump has pushed me across the divide. I have always stood. I have always put my hand over my heart and sung along. The thing is, I love my country – but I never felt it was always right. I have been know to take to the streets, carrying a sign and chanting, when I felt our government wasn’t right about an important issue. Now it seems that standing for the anthem is saying that political dissent is somehow unAmerican. I really can’t get my head around that notion. But I don’t think I’ll be standing for the anthem any longer. ---
**Author:** ![QuickSilver](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/quicksilver/32/7832_2.png) [@QuickSilver](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/QuickSilver)\ **Post date:** [September 26, 2017, 5:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trump-magically-turns-nfl-games-into-anti-trump-rallies/797216/268 "2017-09-26T17:14:49Z")
> [@Anny\_Middon](#): > > But I don’t think I’ll be standing for the anthem any longer. Thanks Trump! ---
**Author:** ![Okrahoma](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/90db22/32.png) [@Okrahoma](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Okrahoma)\ **Post date:** [September 26, 2017, 5:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trump-magically-turns-nfl-games-into-anti-trump-rallies/797216/269 "2017-09-26T17:15:26Z")
> [@Anny\_Middon](#): > > Now it seems that standing for the anthem is saying that political dissent is somehow unAmerican. I really can’t get my head around that notion. No, standing for the anthem is saying don’t involve the national anthem in your political differences. Whatever your political view is, you’re still an American, and that’s your anthem. That is why you’re standing for it. Using the anthem in order to air your grievances is disgusting to a lot of people. A LOT of people. A lot more than you think. People outside the leftist echo chamber, mostly. ---
**Author:** ![Airbeck](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/airbeck/32/6574_2.png) [@Airbeck](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Airbeck)\ **Post date:** [September 26, 2017, 5:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trump-magically-turns-nfl-games-into-anti-trump-rallies/797216/270 "2017-09-26T17:18:15Z")
Referring to citizens exercising their civil rights of free speech as “sons of bitches” and saying they should be fired for it was disgusting to a lot of people. A LOT of people. A lot more than you think. People outside the right wing echo chamber, mostly ---
**Author:** ![Procrustus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/procrustus/32/2994_2.png) [@Procrustus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Procrustus)\ **Post date:** [September 26, 2017, 5:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trump-magically-turns-nfl-games-into-anti-trump-rallies/797216/271 "2017-09-26T17:18:54Z")
> [@Okrahoma](#): > > No, standing for the anthem is saying don’t involve the national anthem in your political differences. Whatever your political view is, you’re still an American, and that’s your anthem. That is why you’re standing for it. > > Using the anthem in order to air your grievances is disgusting to a lot of people. A LOT of people. A lot more than you think. People outside the leftist echo chamber, mostly. Whatever. We’re screwed by the deplorables. I weep for my country. They hated the “status quo” and thought we needed an asshole-in-chief to “shake things up.” They may not like how it all ends up. ---
**Author:** ![pulykamell](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pulykamell/32/3166_2.png) [@pulykamell](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pulykamell)\ **Post date:** [September 26, 2017, 5:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trump-magically-turns-nfl-games-into-anti-trump-rallies/797216/272 "2017-09-26T17:19:59Z")
> [@Okrahoma](#): > > People outside the leftist echo chamber, mostly. I live mostly outside this chamber, so I understand what you’re talking about. Pledges and anthems creep me out, though. Like I said, I don’t demand public loyalty from my family. It seems odd to me for a country to demand public loyalty from its citizens. I mean, seriously, doesn’t it at all seem weird to you when you think about it? ---
**Author:** ![Tee](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/73ab20/32.png) [@Tee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tee)\ **Post date:** [September 26, 2017, 5:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trump-magically-turns-nfl-games-into-anti-trump-rallies/797216/273 "2017-09-26T17:21:44Z")
> [@Okrahoma](#): > > You (again, plural) think that the SDMB echo chamber is in any way reflective of the country. It isn’t. If you haven’t learned that from the 2016 election, you never will. Trump, whether intuitively or intellectually, has his finger on the pulse of the country more often than not. And bringing up this issue was one of the most effective ways for him to make his opposition seem like a tiny minority in the standing-up-for-the-anthem country. As I said, a brilliant stroke. See how Democrats are playing along with it by kneeling in Congress. Perfect. > > As with most of Trump’s brilliant strokes, it will only become obvious to you what it was in the future. At the time it is always a “blunder” for the political junkies. And they are always wrong. I did not say that he’s an idiot. I’m saying that he is slightly deranged. You have to have some native intelligence to pull off this shit but you also have to be some kind of warped to think it in any way necessary. Its your standard good guys vs. bad guys gimmickry. Why does anyone need this? Case in point, I’m visiting my mother and she has talk radio blaring, and some guy just said something like “Are you with the thug protesters or are you with the flag?” He might have said _anti-American_ and \*thug \*was earlier, but whatever, I DECLINE to believe I even have to make that decision, thank you. Let them protest. The flag will be perfectly fine. ---
**Author:** ![Okrahoma](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/90db22/32.png) [@Okrahoma](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Okrahoma)\ **Post date:** [September 26, 2017, 5:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trump-magically-turns-nfl-games-into-anti-trump-rallies/797216/274 "2017-09-26T17:26:39Z")
> [@pulykamell](#): > > I live mostly outside this chamber, so I understand what you’re talking about. Pledges and anthems creep me out, though. Like I said, I don’t demand public loyalty from my family. It seems odd to me for a country to demand public loyalty from its citizens. I mean, seriously, doesn’t it at all seem weird to you when you think about it? No. It is not demanding loyalty. It is expecting it. Do you see the difference? When you stand for the national anthem, together with all the other people around you, of all colors and political creeds, you express unity. You all belong, you are all Americans, and you identify with the country. Whatever color or party or political persuasion you are. When you don’t stand for the anthem, for whatever stupid reason, you are separating yourself from others. And then, pathetically, you (plural) have the audacity to claim that those that are disgusted at your behavior are “dividers”. ---
**Author:** ![pulykamell](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pulykamell/32/3166_2.png) [@pulykamell](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pulykamell)\ **Post date:** [September 26, 2017, 5:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trump-magically-turns-nfl-games-into-anti-trump-rallies/797216/275 "2017-09-26T17:27:38Z")
> [@Okrahoma](#): > > No. It is not demanding loyalty. It is expecting it. Do you see the difference? > > When you stand for the national anthem, together with all the other people around you, of all colors and political creeds, you express unity. You all belong, you are all Americans, and you identify with the country. Whatever color or party or political persuasion you are. > > When you don’t stand for the anthem, for whatever stupid reason, you are separating yourself from others. And then, pathetically, you (plural) have the audacity to claim that those that are disgusted at your behavior are “dividers”. Who said I don’t stand? Pretty sure I said I did. (OK, you mean the general “you.”) I just don’t see it that way. It’s easy to stand. It doesn’t mean anything. It means you’re too chickenshit to sit, or just like to go mindlessly with the flow and ritual (as I do, good Catholic boy I grew up as.) It’s a pointless exercise, in my opinion. Like I said, I don’t expect loyalty from my family, nor ask them to show loyalty to me in a public way. Why should the country do the same? ---
**Author:** ![JohnT](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/johnt/32/15048_2.png) [@JohnT](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JohnT)\ **Post date:** [September 26, 2017, 5:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trump-magically-turns-nfl-games-into-anti-trump-rallies/797216/276 "2017-09-26T17:27:59Z")
:sobs: ---
**Author:** ![Okrahoma](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/90db22/32.png) [@Okrahoma](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Okrahoma)\ **Post date:** [September 26, 2017, 5:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trump-magically-turns-nfl-games-into-anti-trump-rallies/797216/277 "2017-09-26T17:29:14Z")
> [@pulykamell](#): > > Who said I don’t stand? Pretty sure I said I did. That was why it was you (plural). I could have said “when one doesn’t stand for the anthem” but I really dislike using that form of phrase. ---
**Author:** ![Airbeck](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/airbeck/32/6574_2.png) [@Airbeck](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Airbeck)\ **Post date:** [September 26, 2017, 5:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trump-magically-turns-nfl-games-into-anti-trump-rallies/797216/278 "2017-09-26T17:32:29Z")
Do you hate this guy too? Is he also a “son of a bitch”? [https://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/wwii-vet-97-took-knee-support-nfl-protests-photo-goes-n804576](https://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/wwii-vet-97-took-knee-support-nfl-protests-photo-goes-n804576) ---
**Author:** ![Bullitt](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bullitt/32/5725_2.png) [@Bullitt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bullitt)\ **Post date:** [September 26, 2017, 5:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trump-magically-turns-nfl-games-into-anti-trump-rallies/797216/279 "2017-09-26T17:34:24Z")
> [@Tee](#): > > … talk radio blaring, and some guy just said something like “Are you with the thug protesters or are you with the flag?” 1960s and flag burning, and 2010s and sitting for the National Anthem, they are protected rights free speech expressions. I don’t have to like or agree with what you’re doing (the generic you), but you’re free to do it. But for Trump to make it an issue is beneath the Presidency. A President has much more important matters to attend to. Let it go, Donald, just drop it. ---
**Author:** ![QuickSilver](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/quicksilver/32/7832_2.png) [@QuickSilver](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/QuickSilver)\ **Post date:** [September 26, 2017, 5:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trump-magically-turns-nfl-games-into-anti-trump-rallies/797216/280 "2017-09-26T17:38:46Z")
> [@Okrahoma](#): > > When you don’t stand for the anthem, for whatever stupid reason, you are separating yourself from others. And then, pathetically, you (plural) have the audacity to claim that those that are disgusted at your behavior are “dividers”. It’s that offensive to you? Awww… snowflake… [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trump-magically-turns-nfl-games-into-anti-trump-rallies/797216.md?page=13) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trump-magically-turns-nfl-games-into-anti-trump-rallies/797216.md?page=15)