On the EDge: Time to evict the tenant of the People’s House

Stock image, St. George News

OPINION – I never played for a Super Bowl championship team.

I never kissed a layup off the backboard and through the hoop during an NBA game, let alone win a title.

I don’t see a Pulitzer or Nobel in my future and it’s a rock solid fact I will never be acknowledged for my campaign contributions.

But, just in case somebody miraculously decides to send me an invitation to the White House, the answer is no.

Nope.

Nada.

No way.

I’m with Golden State Warriors basketball star Stephen Curry when it comes to a White House visit: I’d rather stay home, even though that historic building at 1600 Pennsylvania Ave. is just as much mine as it is the current occupant’s.

It’s the People’s House and it belongs to all of us, whether young or old, black or white, Republican or Democrat.

It doesn’t matter if you are gay or not, a Muslim, Jew or Christian.

It is your house, my house, our house.

It is customary for championship sports teams or others of noted accomplishment to be invited to the White House in what is basically a political photo op.

Not this time.

“… by acting and not going, hopefully that will inspire some change when it comes to what we tolerate in this country and what is accepted and what we turn a blind eye to,” Curry said in declining.

The president immediately rescinded the invitation, via Twitter, of course.

“Going to the White House is considered a great honor for a championship team,” he tweeted. “Stephen Curry is hesitating, therefore invitation is withdrawn!”

He tried to couch it by saying what a “privilege” it is to play professional sports.

Not really.

It is a privilege to serve the nation in an elected capacity.

It takes a lifetime of training and a host of well-developed God-given skills, intense dedication and focus and a world of physical and emotional sacrifices to make it to professional sports.

The Warriors immediately issued a statement supporting their star:

While we intended to meet as a team at the first opportunity we had this morning (Friday) to collaboratively discuss a potential visit to the White House, we accept that President Trump has made it clear that we are not invited. We believe there is nothing more American than our citizens having the right to express themselves freely on matters important to them. We’re disappointed that we did not have an opportunity during this process to share our views or have open dialogue on issues impacting our communities that we felt would be important to raise.

In lieu of a visit to the White House, we have decided that we’ll constructively use our trip to the nation’s capital (sic) in February to celebrate equality, diversity and inclusion — the values that we embrace as an organization.

Curry is among a growing list of athletes estranged from the administration over the last few days after the president also hammered the NFL for “going soft” by instituting new rules to protect players from traumatic brain injuries that lead to violence and cognitive disorders and for not firing players who participate in silent protest during the playing of the national anthem.

The flame was touched to fuel Friday night when he visited Huntsville, Alabama.

“Wouldn’t you love to see one of these NFL owners, when somebody disrespects our flag, to say, ‘get that son-of-a-bitch off the field right now, out. He’s fired,’” Trump said.

“You know, some owner’s going to do that. He’s going to say, ‘That guy who disrespects our flag, he’s fired.’

The president also took a slap at new rules implemented to protect players from serious injury, including the traumatic effects of concussions that have left a startling number of NFL players with cognitive disorders and aggressively violent behavior, saying the rules are “ruining the game.”

He then encouraged fans to walk out of stadiums if they see a player taking a knee in protest.

The NFL Player’s Association quickly condemned his words.

“This union … will never back down when it comes to protecting the constitutional rights of our players as citizens as well as their safety as men who compete in a game that exposes them to great risks,” DeMaurice Smith, executive director of the NFLPA, said in a statement on Twitter.

The commissioner agreed.

“The NFL and our players are at our best when we help create a sense of unity in our country and our culture,” Goodell said in the league’s statement. “There is no better example than the amazing response from our clubs and players to the terrible natural disasters we’ve experienced over the last month. Divisive comments like these (made by the president) demonstrate an unfortunate lack of respect for the NFL, our great game and all of our players, and a failure to understand the overwhelming force for good our clubs and players represent in our communities.”

New York Giants owners John Mara and Steve Tisch also said the president’s remarks were out of line.

“Comments like we heard last night from the president are inappropriate, offensive and divisive,” their statement, released Saturday, said. “We are proud of our players, the vast majority of whom use their NFL platform to make a positive difference in our society.”

Unfortunately, that doesn’t seem to be the attitude of the current tenant of the People’s House.

No, what we have here is a highly irrational, crude and combative guy itching for a fight as he tries to deflect all eyes away from the ongoing investigation of his ties to Russia and that nation’s influence on our last election.

He’s called our house “a real dump.”

He’s disrespected our First Amendment.

And, he seems intent on duking it out with foreign leaders, from Mexican President Enrique Peña Nieto to German Chancellor Angela Merkel to North Korean strongman Kim Jong-un.

There is no filter, no grace, no sense or sensibility, just ham-fisted anger and spite.

It’s time for Congress to serve an eviction notice on this guy and return the People’s House to its rightful owners.

Ed Kociela is an opinion columnist. The opinions stated in this article are his and not representative of St. George News.

Email: [email protected]

Twitter: @STGnews, @EdKociela

Copyright St. George News, SaintGeorgeUtah.com LLC, 2017, all rights reserved.

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59 Comments

  • bikeandfish September 26, 2017 at 7:59 am

    The condemnation and analysis of Trump is spot on and you had me until the last sentence. But what grounds do we have to “evict”, ie impeach, Trump? The most broad and lenient reason would be “high crimes and misdemeanors” but even that has never been successfully levied against a president beyond the House.

    I would recommend citizens and officials be more conservative with their use of that tool. Trump is an embarrassment to our nation, ideals and government legacy but we are at a level of partisan bickering and tension that leaves us extremely vulnerable to dangerous choices. If we weaponize critical tools like impeachment at this moment I fear we may never recover. At a minimum we should at least wait until Mueller finishes the Russian investigation and presents concrete facts about the level of collusion and obstruction of Justice did or did not happen. Those types of charges could unite enough people, government and citizens, to rightfully “evict” Trump without causing undo harm to our country at one of our most divided moments. But if we weaponize it now then we condone a haphazard and partisan framework for impeachment that will cause more harm than good for years to come. It will radicalize a base and subset of the American population in a way we haven’t seen in a century or more.

    • Bob September 26, 2017 at 9:07 am

      Very well said, I agree 100%

    • Curtis September 26, 2017 at 10:01 am

      Like it or not Trump was elected President in accordance with the Constitution. You don’t cast that aside because you don’t like how he performing.

      • bikeandfish September 26, 2017 at 11:00 am

        I mostly agree. If there is an impeachable offense then we have every right to use it but I have yet to see a viable example, yet. If the Russia investigation turns up evidence of collusion or obstruction of justice then I say impeach him. But that is a big IF right now. Without strong legal rational these types of calls for eviction just seem to further hurt a constitutional democracy.

  • Who September 26, 2017 at 8:09 am

    I’m pretty sure you don’t have to worry about an invite!!!!!
    Divisive hatred like yours isn’t welcome very many places. Even tho people like you make a lot of noise, you’re still the vast minority. It’s time to come down off your high horse and use your opportunity to unite. Remember God loves us all.

    • Bob September 26, 2017 at 9:25 am

      Funny how you think the vast majority of people are on your side. Last time I checked Mr. Trump’s approval rating was around 41%, and that’s a Fox news poll to be fair to you Trump supporters. Not to mention that Trump lost the popular vote by 2.9 million votes. That is nearly the entire population of the state of Utah. So before you go thinking that we are the minority you better do your research. You are only the majority in places like Utah and the bible belt states, the rest of the country and the world are against Trump. The baby boomers are dying out and change is coming, even in southern Utah. Give us time and we make Utah blue with diversity.

      • CADET321 September 26, 2017 at 10:56 am

        You’re right change is coming. but probably not the kind you think. Being among my young peers on campus and in the work place, I would say that I have a pretty good grasp of what the opinions are of young people in my generation. (20-25 year olds) Yes you’ll see a loud minority of students on campus’ making a lot of noise, but what you don’t see are the students that refuse to buy into the ” blue” “diversity” that we’ve been fed with our whole lives. Baby boomers were the ones teaching us how to be blue. We are the ones that quickly realized that freedom and choice are better than an over bearing government and wanted to start a change. We were the ones that elected President trump. That is the change you will continue to see.

      • aaron September 26, 2017 at 3:06 pm

        Bob why not, just call yourself a communist.

        • Bob September 26, 2017 at 3:44 pm

          Can you please show me where you get your definition of “communist” I can’t find it anywhere? If I had to label myself it would be in line with a Libertarian, not a communist. Pretty sure you are confusing your words. I think you are just using the words of the Fox news anchors for your arguments and not caring about what it really means. But please prove me wrong, if Websters dictionary has it incorrect we need to notify them ASAP.

    • ladybugavenger September 26, 2017 at 8:44 pm

      To Who, God loves us all but not all love God- that is where humanity fails.

  • Real Life September 26, 2017 at 8:37 am

    Ed, you really need to get over yourself.

  • slowdown September 26, 2017 at 8:40 am

    Wow. He said some tough words. You don’t like them. Ok. But why is this reason to “evict” him from the White House? Sounds like your butt still hurts from the election. Get over it. Trump will be around for another 7 years. He will go down as one of the best Presidents in the history of our country — despite your trivial thoughts or hurt feelings, Snowflake.

    • Gi September 26, 2017 at 9:19 am

      Great comment couldn’t have said it better!

    • aaron September 26, 2017 at 3:08 pm

      Amen

  • blueford September 26, 2017 at 8:40 am

    Again, another acid rant on something you have no knowledge about. The president has a right to his remarks and his feelings also ED. You are a bigot and it shows in your writings. So what you said in that tyrad of crap you wrote is that the President does not have a right to his own feelings and remarks. What he said in essence is what many people feel. Pro Sports stars as well as the Movie Stars are the most over paid people in the world. Never has anyone deserved such money for playing a game or acting as someone else. Leave the politics at home and when your on the field play the game. The NFL has penalized players in the past for having their say on clothing and on their shoes. But for some reason they felt it okay to allow Asses to sit and kneel over a Flag that symbolizes the freedom to do what they do and make a lot of money. The media jumps at any chance to put the president down and makes accolades for these self serving people. But when Tim Tebow kneels and says a prayer the media and probably you, mock and make fun of him and tell him to take it to the locker room. Every newspaper needs a Idiot to be a writer and the St. George News has you. Keep up the good work. I need something like this crap to read every once in a while to remind me why I left California and Moved to an area filled with beauty and good people.

    • bikeandfish September 26, 2017 at 9:17 am

      So you move to an area with “beauty and good people” but willingly use language like “as*es” and “idiot” to describe people’s views you disagree with? Do you see the irony? Nothing wrong with disagreeing with others’ ideas but insults aren’t necessary.

      I am curious since you point out a perceived hypocrisy: do we condone players like Tebow and Colin K. making political statements on the job or do we not? Your condemnation appears inconsistent.

      • ladybugavenger September 26, 2017 at 10:16 am

        Don’t worry, if blueford is like me, he calls peolle he agrees with idiots too ? it’s a term of endearment and truth. We are all idiots at some moment of the day. It’s fun to say, lighten up and try it b&f . Next idiotic thing you do- say out loud ‘idiot’ it will make you laugh ?

        • bikeandfish September 26, 2017 at 10:56 am

          Simple answer… nope. Not going to happen.

        • bikeandfish September 26, 2017 at 11:02 am

          I should clarify…i call.myself idiot at such moments but I don’t think its a behavior of “good people” to call others that in public venues like this. Its harmful to decent public dialog.

          • blueford September 26, 2017 at 11:47 am

            Your judgement not mine!

          • blueford September 26, 2017 at 12:11 pm

            I consider Mr. Ed as as false teacher with false values that sprays his beliefs in the articles that he produces. So this statement rings true with me and I stand by it. “Standing face to face with these false teachers, Jesus Christ the Son of God, called them “hypocrites”, “blind guides, ” “blind, ” “whited sepulchers, ” “serpents, ” and “ye generation of vipers” (Matt. 23:23-34). Yet, we are told today that we are to fellowship with men whose doctrines are just as un-scriptural as those of the Pharisees. Some who say they are Bible believing Christians insist on working with the left and other assorted heretics. Yet, according to many, we are not supposed to rebuke them for their compromise.” Asses, Vipers, —- tomato/ Tomato whats the difference. Jesus Christ felt it was okay. So must I!!

        • ladybugavenger September 26, 2017 at 6:35 pm

          Well shux! I’ve called my husband an idiot and we laughed and laughed…golly gee. ?

          • bikeandfish September 26, 2017 at 7:38 pm

            Couples playfully teasing each other is obviously fine. What Blueford is doing is vastly different and its hateful.

      • blueford September 26, 2017 at 11:46 am

        Concerning Tebow and Colin K. yes its inconsistent of the NFL and the Media. Either way, Both attitudes need to be addressed and done in the locker room or at home. NOT on the Stage as a Player. YOU have to remember that these players are employed. They have Rules to follow. Just as you would in your own job where sometimes political views are asked to keep it to yourself. As far as my wordage. Do I not have the right to express myself. ARE you judging my use of language? Can I not speak freely online or in the open? Watch the speech that the president did and you will realize it was his own opinion expressed out in the open. Its the Media that blows it out of proportion. If Trump was the owner of a NFL team which he has tried to buy and did own one in the USFL in the 80’s. He can fire anyone of his players if he felt it was time. NFL players are employees. If they demean the game, cause fans to be mad, cause the franchise to lose money than they the players can move to another team or be fired. NO ONE has hired Colin K. Not because he is black or raciest but he cost the 49ers a lot of money in fan revenue and his play sucks. (is that to harsh of a word for you?). I say what I want to and asses like you like to judge others. I bet you have some issues of your own. Everyone does. But I feel that IMPEACHMENT in this article for a President to say how he feels than that is the attitude and Judgement of an Idiot. This writer is one and his attitude is one of a dumb Ass. By the way which ass are you talking about?? Your BUTT or a Donkey?? I qualify this Democrate writer as a Dumb Ass(Donkey). Need I explain again??? You know its their symbol right??

        • bikeandfish September 26, 2017 at 1:21 pm

          “i say what I like to asses like you like to judge others”

          You see the irony and hypocrisy of that statement, right? I don’t judge you or call you names. I analyze your statements and draw judgements about those. There is a fundamental difference and a civil society demands acting accordingly.

          No one is infringing on your privilege to speak on this private forum. But you mistake the privilege to speak here (free speach is right against gov. limitations not from private enterprises like this as you highlight) with the non-existent privilege to do so without criticism. When you write hateful and hypocritical ideas I am going to call them out.

          Owners of football teams do have the right to hire and fire employees, based upon the laws that govern the businesses. At the end of the day, we learned that these players are abiding by the rules of their employers. The league, owners and players have made that abundantly clear. Nothing helps unite different partisans like a demagogue attacking shared principles. Maybe the President should respect that business right and stop meddling. But we know Trump disrespects the fundamental privilege of free speech and press and has provided ample evidence to that observation. Respecting those higher values and principles means we get to critique him even if he is exercising his own right to speech. Its a beautiful thing.

          Interesting use of Matthew 23 on your part. 23:23 actually calls out Pharisees for collecting money allowed by law but ignoring “weightier matters of the law: justice, MERCY, and faith”. The “fifth discourse” you cite is Jesus’ “critical judgement against religious leadership” who he considers “hypocrites” (a word derived from Greek for the “role assumed by an actor”) because they “strain out a gnat but swallow a camel”. Jesus clearly expects followers to practice justice and mercy which are laid bare in Micah 6.8: “He has told you, O Mortal, what is good…..but to do justice, and to live kindness, and to walk humbly with your God”. Does insulting the author the way you have fit remotely within the parameters of kindness, humbleness and mercy, the higher values Jesus constantly requests of his followers? I think not and actually think you can do better for yourself and this forum by recognizing that dissonance.

          • blueford September 26, 2017 at 2:12 pm

            “But we know Trump disrespects the fundamental privilege of free speech and press and has provided ample evidence to that observation.” Really? I am part of that WE and yes he can say stupid things, But I reserve my right to say and criticize anyone I feel. He does too. You do the same thing by continuing this rant. And as usual you do not understand what was said earlier. I reserve the right to state a name on anyone I feel like. If I feel your an Idiot. I have the right to state that. If Jesus felt it was okay to call someone a Viper or serpent he did so. That is what was meant on that subject. If I feel that your a Dumb Ass. Then I will say so. Do you you really feel that Mr. ED will want to listen to and contribute to a reasonable dialogue? Really? I feel that you like to defend him because he says what you believe but he says it more tersely. He speaks his mind and I can disagree with him on his stance. I can call him a serpent or viper. Would that be better than an Idiot or Ass?? Jesus felt a certain way to describe his feelings towards someone or group as a snake. I chose a mule. The word Idiot means someone stupid. I do not describe him as smart in his judgement of HOW impeachment works. I just called him what I feel he is. These feelings are not just based on this article alone. But many others he has written.

          • bikeandfish September 26, 2017 at 3:01 pm

            It would appear from the teachings of Jesus in Matthew, that you brought up, that you prefer to “strain out a gnat” while swallowing a camel. You clearly missed the moral lesson of Matthew 23.

            Once again, no one is infringing on your privilege to call someone names. I am critiquing that choice which is part and parcel with freedom of speech.

            I am fully aware of what was said earlier.

            I do agree with Ed’s analysis about Trump’s disservice to the office of POTUS and his unprincipled attack on American citizens. More often than not I disagree with the means, tone and partisanship of Ed’s opinion pieces though. I have been rather consistent with that critique. I offer similar critiques to Bryan Hyde and also share values with him.

            Still find it interesting that you cite a bible dialog that explicitly deals with justice and use it to justify personal attacks.

    • aaron September 26, 2017 at 3:10 pm

      I agree blue ford.

  • tcrider September 26, 2017 at 9:05 am

    The sad truth is,
    How did the Dungle Trump get elected in the first place? The Dungle is a direct result of years of middle class carrying the majority
    of the burden for paying for these other people that do not have health insurance. And then all of a sudden you see the middle class
    not being able to retire because health insurance is too expensive and then you have berny and hilarious saying that they want to make 4.5 million illegals in this country citizens and they want to take 100,000 refugees from Sierra and they want to pay off everyone’s student loans, in the mean time the working middle class can not retire. That is the reason the Dungle Trump got elected.
    I personally think we could solve most of our nations problems by what obama initially intended on implementing ( a national healthcare plan). In the end it would of probably required approx. a 50% tax rate, but many other countries have it and it does work.
    Lets face it our country is based on greed and I doubt if politicians would ever go for it, there is too many special interest donations from pharmaceuticals and our nation is based on greed.
    The Dungle Trum, never my stinking pile.

  • John September 26, 2017 at 9:12 am

    No wonder we refer to him as “SPECIAL ED”. Ed has no clue wht the laws are and we already evicted the squatter that was in the White House . You can’t impeach the president just because he makes you cry EDDY..Sorry you are wrong again, as always..

    • mctrialsguy September 27, 2017 at 11:59 am

      Thank you John! Ed is so far to left, he’s fallin’ off the EDge. Stand up for the Pledge of Allegiance or get out of the country, simple as that. Would you fight for country, I did and would again! Ed uses his mouth and wouldn’t do anything at all for his own country.

      • John September 27, 2017 at 12:51 pm

        I fought for this country too..In the early 70’s ..I hate everything PC , people need to grow a backbone , put on their big girl panties and deal with reality and quit the crying because it hurts their feelings..that’s the stuff that got the country into this mess..Special Eddy hasn’t a clue !… He’s an Un American Misinformed meat puppet of the left..nothing more than one of those stupid blow up clowns we had as kids that we punch and they bounce back up..in fact i think the Clown was smarter than Special Eddy. And Eddy..you can’t get rid of a president just because he makes you cry !! and the democrats don’t have enough votes to impeach a dog catcher let alone the president..Keep chasing that carrot Eddy..

      • bikeandfish September 27, 2017 at 2:13 pm

        I love the ridiculousness of the “do such and such or leave the country”. Makes me laugh every time especially when it comes from folks who claim to value the Bill of Rights.

        There are a lot of honorable ways to make this country better without being a soldier.

        • John September 27, 2017 at 3:25 pm

          you are right..being a moron isn’t one of them…

    • vintagehippie September 27, 2017 at 7:25 pm

      John, thank you for your service to our country. I feel that you have earned a special right to voice your opinion. I do not feel that football players who got through college due to the generosity of their schools have the right to dishonor our country. I also feel that there are a lot of movie “stars” whose silence I appreciate much more than their acting ability. In short, I can do without watching these spoiled football players and most movie stars.

      P.S. – If these football players and movie stars feel that blacks are so disadvantaged why don’t they take 10-20% of their huge earnings and donate it to causes to help reduce the number of children born out of wedlock who have little chance to achieve the American dream. It might also help keep some of them out of gangs and therefore, out of prison.

  • NickDanger September 26, 2017 at 12:44 pm

    God Bless President Trump!

    There are plenty of things that set President Trump apart from most of the modern-era Presidents, but the main thing is that he is refusing to let the press (i.e. Ed and his ilk) run the country. He’s secure enough in his ideas, his agenda, and his abilities that he doesn’t mind getting raked over the coals by this nation’s liberal media.

    Just recently he said what needed to be said, as always. Our nation’s athletes, most of whom skated right past the “education” part of their education due to their athletic talent, are making fools of themselves and this great nation every time they disrespect the flag and the National Anthem. He called them out, now they’re whining like the spoiled-rotten millionaires they are.

    Of course many people in the USA are huge sports fans, and are forced to watch this childish display. It reminds me of a father telling his little boy to stop hitting his sister, so he hits her 5 more times in defiance. And then they actually have the nerve – the UNMITIGATED GALL – to say that President Trump is the one who brought politics into sports, when his only intention was to take it out.

    Let them play their game. What we found out in the last election, when Hillary Clinton was so sure of victory that she’d probably already hired an interior designer for “The People’s House,” is that there is a silent majority in this country who see right through all this liberal nonsense. We’re out here, watching you liberals act like the entitled brats you have always been – so bitter and angry in defeat that you won’t even accept the results of the election – and wondering how we could ever have considered you as worthy of a political platform.

    I’d like to see you try to evict President Trump. You don’t have a majority in the House or Senate, you don’t have the Supreme Court, and you don’t have the White House. The reason for that is that the citizens of the USA are no longer interested in your ridiculous agenda. We’ve seen enough. The Democratic Party is dead, God willing.

  • Who September 26, 2017 at 12:57 pm

    Hatred, nothing but hatred.

  • statusquo September 26, 2017 at 7:38 pm

    Time to evict Ed from the St George News! This is not journalism!

    • bikeandfish September 26, 2017 at 8:11 pm

      Its in the Opinion section which means editorializing is the name of the game. Its definitely journalism and his bias is intentional and explicit. Ed Kociela is a paid columnist for this very reason. If you don’t want opinion than maybe stick to the other sections of the “newspaper” that deal explicitly with factual news stories and expected to minimize editorializing. Disagree with him all you want, hence the purpose of the comments section, and even advocate for his dismissal but at least do so with an awareness to the long history of journalism and opinion pieces.

      • blueford September 27, 2017 at 9:11 am

        Really, wow, Your telling people they have a right to say what they want to MR.ED but you put down the way people say what they want to say. YOU pass judgement on how we state our feelings on the subject and you miss construe the messages presented. Matt. 23 and its message was not what I looked up. I pulled that info of the internet asking if Jesus used words to describe haters of his beliefs. The whole Idea was correct. Jesus did call others who went against his feelings and messages names. But again you misunderstood my message and went on a rant to further some others Ideas that did not relate to my overall feelings on the subject because you chose to rant on my rant and pass judgement on what I stated. Let people say their own feelings on what MR. ED wrote without you telling us any supposed ground rules. Because there is none. Let the Commentator allow what can me said and not said. That is their job not yours!! Go and have a bike ride and eat some fish and get out of our hair!!

        • blueford September 27, 2017 at 9:12 am

          Sorry Moderator not Commentator.

        • bikeandfish September 27, 2017 at 12:30 pm

          Nope, not going to stop. The internet is a cesspool of inflammatory name calling and I am consistent in calling it out.

          You chose to use a biblical dialog completely out of context of it meaning and lesson. Its fair game to expose the ironic hypocrisy of that usage. You focused on Jesus calling Pharisees names to justify your crude behavior despite the passage being about a calling of Christians to the higher values of mercy and justice. There are so many layers of irony in this instance I would be remiss not to highlight them. Its especially ironic given Colin K’s kneeling for issues of social justice. Its your job to vet your sources beyond wether or not they happen to justify your crude behavior.

          If you can’t deal with the accurate criticism then maybe its time to reconsider the ideas you post. But I’m not going anywhere.

        • bikeandfish September 27, 2017 at 12:33 pm

          Per the comment you chose to insert yourself into…. there is a difference between an opinion like “i like strawberry ice cream”, which clearly i have no say in, versus “this is not journalism” which can be fact checked and critiqued. You are supposed to know the difference when making statements in public.

    • ffwife September 26, 2017 at 8:17 pm

      Agree – what a waste of time and space. Quit reading anything he writes a long time ago.

      • ffwife September 26, 2017 at 8:18 pm

        Just came to see the comments, lol

        • mctrialsguy September 27, 2017 at 12:02 pm

          Yeah, me too …sorry I read it…waste of time!!

    • mctrialsguy September 27, 2017 at 12:04 pm

      No, just Ed’s Free Speech Rights due to those that have served their country and support the Pledge of Allegiance and patriotism for Ed’s benefit!

  • John September 26, 2017 at 8:19 pm

    Bob, you drink the same liberal kool=aid as Special Eddy..haha!! your’e right change is coming !! the stupid is coming to the end and the democrat party is on it’s death bed. check out their fundraising for the year. next election the whole country will be RED…get ready… get kleenex and stock up mommy’s basement. hahahahaha!!

  • mesaman September 26, 2017 at 9:19 pm

    Didn’t bother to read the standard “whine” and “whimpering” of a ultra-left winger but I can offer a suggestion based on it; exile Ed back to Baja. It won’t be any more comfortable for the next 3 + years and you are reaching care center age, Ed.

  • Ladyk September 27, 2017 at 2:15 am

    The NFL should be required to follow it’s own rules:

    Excerpt from the NFL league rule book, pages A62-63:

    “The National Anthem must be played prior to every NFL game, and all players must be on the sideline for the National Anthem.

    “During the National Anthem, players on the field and bench area should stand at attention, face the flag, hold helmets in their left hand, and refrain from talking. The home team should ensure that the American flag is in good condition. It should be pointed out to players and coaches that we continue to be judged by the public in this area of respect for the flag and our country. Failure to be on the field by the start of the National Anthem may result in discipline, such as fines, suspensions, and/or the forfeiture of draft choice(s) for violations of the above,

    • bikeandfish September 27, 2017 at 9:30 am

      The rule book doesn’t mention it as it about in-game play. The paragraph you cite is from the Game Operation Manual.

      Notice a couple key words:

      “The National Anthem MUST be played”.
      Must means obliged to do so and the stadium plays the song.

      “Players on the field and bench area SHOULD stand”. Should refers to best conduct without obligation hence the ability to kneel.

      “MAY result in discipline”
      May expresses possibility not certainty, hence the lack of discipline. The NFL gets to choose if they want to discipline. It also doesn’t mention anything other than being on the field, ie the obligated behavior.

  • jaybird September 27, 2017 at 8:18 am

    Always like it when an indefensible draft dodger – sexual predator calls anyone out for disrespecting ou flag. What a douche that Trump is. And those who support him, well birds of a feather…

    • mctrialsguy September 27, 2017 at 12:01 pm

      Sounds like “Jaybird” has his feathers ruffled…birds of a feather….are in bed together. You and Ed brothers?

    • John September 28, 2017 at 10:48 am

      ?ok..we already knew obama did those things..Insult my flag? Insult me.. you unamerican liberal meat puppet. Trump will be president for at least the next 7 1/2 years.. get yourself plenty of kleenex and coloring books and get back in your cell Jailbird

      • bikeandfish September 28, 2017 at 2:41 pm

        “at least”? You hoping to radically change the Constitution to allow longer terms? That is the type of rhetoric of authoritarian demagogues.

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