On National Anthem Protests

My thoughts on National Anthem protests as concisely as I could probably express them:

1. You don't free speech when you're on the clock.
2. The original cause is getting lost. Kaep was protesting police brutality. Lately, it has just become an Anti-Trump statement.
3. Taking a knee realistically won't change anything. In fact, I think it will do (and has done) the opposite. Police officers are merely enforcers of the law. If you want to make real change, direct yourselves towards the lawmakers. The vast majority of NFL viewers have no real systemic power.
4. The people boycotting the NFL, specifically in the form of burning gear and tickets are just moronic. You're not hurting a team at all at that point.
5. Those boycotting by not going to the games are NOT in any way affecting the livelihood of the players or coaches. The people whose livelihoods they ARE affecting: people who work in concessions, security, etc.

A bonus 6th one because I've seen this going around from all sides: Veterans aren't a hive mind that you can use to speak for all of them just because their opinion suits your own. I know veterans who support Kaep as well as those who don't.