Taking a knee used to mean downing the football in the end zone during a kick. Now it has a dual meaning, as football players are “taking a knee” during the National Anthem. “Taking a knee” is a political statement taken by an individual, and can have repercussions. In the NFL of today, the owners, or the League, have decided to let the players continue with their protest by not disciplining them, and by their actions have contributed and encouraged the protesters. They have been shocked to realize that there are repercussions. Patriotic Americans have turned off their TV sets, canceled their cable Sports Packages, burned NFL jerseys and stayed away from the stadiums. Just as it is the right of players, owners and league officials to make political statements, it is the right of those with opposing views to voice their objections. That is what the First Amendment is all about: the opportunity to freely voice ones opinions.
When a business promotes, (or allows their employees to promote), political, or even sociological or religious ideas, they must accept the simple fact that those who oppose their ideas will react in opposition. A business that openly promotes an ideology, or a political idea, leaves itself open to public condemnation. Businesses, generally, have not openly declared their allegiances to political candidates, by placing campaign placards on their establishments, for fear of potential repercussions from their customers who might support the opposing candidates. Some do, and accept the repercussions.
ESPN decided to promote a Far Left ideology. As a result, they have been losing massive amounts of subscribers, and are seeing their bottom line severely affected. Likewise Target, which promoted transgender bathrooms. Hollywood and the music industry are seeing declines in viewership, also, as pictured in the low ratings for the Oscars and the Emmy performances.
Of course they are whining about it being “unfair” that customers are boycotting them, but that is what happens when you use business to promote an ideology. If ESPN wishes to promote a Far Left ideology, that is their right, but I have the right to not pay for the promotion of their ideology, and I have the right to actively oppose them.
I could care less if anyone gets “triggered” by my actions in opposition to the Far Left. That is their problem, not mine. As for the NFL, well, they may be contributing to their own demise by offending large segments of their audiences. So be it. It was their decision. Now they must suffer the repercussions.
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