Comments on: Gaetz Wants End To Sports League Tax Exemptions

By: Raul Pupo

Raul Pupo — Mon, 09 Oct 2017 14:26:36 +0000

A CALL TO ACTION
The disrespect shown our flag, our anthem, and our troops by those who would rather grandstand their grievances in public rather than play football calls for a response on the part of the Congress, corporate sponsors, and fans who, in the end, pay all the bills. For one, Congress needs to revoke the NFL’s antitrust exemption. Billionaire team owners must learn to operate, as most businesses do, in a truly free market environment for the benefit of their customer base if not their bank accounts. Congress also needs to step in and disallow the use of tax-exempt municipal bonds to finance any private use stadiums or facilities. Third, corporate sponsors who are conflicted about whether market share or respect for the flag carries the day need to be met by a heady response on the part of consumers. Let’s face it, the market is chock-a-block with candy bar and insurance suppliers. Finally, until such time as the flag, the anthem, and our troops get the respect they deserve we are probably better off reading a good book on game day.

Respectfully

By: David Huie Green

David Huie Green — Mon, 02 Oct 2017 03:45:18 +0000

REGARDING:
“First, these players are working for privately owned organizations. While “on the clock”, they have no 1st Amendment right to protest anything unless they have the expressed permission of their employer.”

This is true. The First Amendment right to say things Congress does not like has nothing to do with private organizations.

On the other hand….Use of the power of government to punish those organizations for allowing their employees to say things the government does not like being said, IS a violation of the First Amendment.
Government forcing folks to silence other folks or pay higher taxes is clearly intended to be a restriction on free speech.

Therefore, while what Congressman Matt Gaetz has proposed is unConstitutional, Congress has not violated the Constitution until and unless they pass his bill.

David for faithful public servants

By: Bob's Brother

Bob's Brother — Fri, 29 Sep 2017 02:12:06 +0000

I’m LOL at all of the ignorance in this comment section. First, these players are working for privately owned organizations. While “on the clock”, they have no 1st Amendment right to protest anything unless they have the expressed permission of their employer. Would Domino’s pizza let me wear an “I hate pizza” shirt while delivering pizza?
Second… if you are earning U.S. Dollars on a field of play while protesting the U.S. and it’s laws and policies, make your protest real and refuse those evil $$.
Third… If the police, and the laws of this nation irk you so much, why bother? There are plenty of nations who will be happy to tax your earnings and not bother to value your opinion.

By: David Huie Green

David Huie Green — Fri, 29 Sep 2017 00:33:14 +0000

REGARDING:
“There should be an age restriction and IQ restriction to serve in public office. The age restriction would stop people fighting dementia from serving, and the IQ test would stop people from introducing self serving stupid bills.”

Nah.

Dementia can happen at any age or never. Those without it should not be penalized for those who with it.

There is nothing about being smart or stupid which would stop people from introducing self serving stupid bills.

The main problem with an IQ test to determine who could serve, is that those in power are likely to force the creation which will guarantee only their group passes in the future. The government should not be in charge of deciding who can be the government.

David AGAINST snakes swallowing their own tails

By: David Huie Green

David Huie Green — Fri, 29 Sep 2017 00:26:24 +0000

REGARDING:
‘There is something I do not understand: Donald Trump, whose ignorance has no bottom,”

Come now. You can’t get below zero. Even at that, he is certainly above zero.

Regarding the other part, I was with you. I don’t watch football since it is destroying the bodies and minds of the players and watchers, but I also thought they were showing extreme respect by kneeling like someone before the king. (I was wrong, but that is what I thought.)

David for knighting them

By: Alabamian

Alabamian — Thu, 28 Sep 2017 13:01:31 +0000

@Ponderosa Hill I don’t really get the point you’re trying to make with your question. You brought up a world war against foreign aggressors (and both fronts of it), which is slightly different than a peaceful protest by American citizens, in America. In fact, it doesn’t even remotely apply to what I was talking about. But maybe you’re bringing up that fight, because it was among many other things, a fight to preserve our Constitution and subsequently our right to free speech? Which is what is being exercised in this whole fiasco. So yeah, uhh, what were you trying to say with that?

If your idea of solving issues you find disagreeable is sending those with opposing views to another country, then in reality, YOU are the ones who belong and would fit in places like North Korea.

By: Donn S. Miller

Donn S. Miller — Thu, 28 Sep 2017 00:20:08 +0000

There is something I do not understand: Donald Trump, whose ignorance has no bottom, characterized the act of kneeling (rather than standing) during the kowtow to the flag as an exhibition of disrespect. If that is what kneeling signifies, then why is kneeling in church — e.g., before an altar or other such venerated object — a common observance?

By: Grand Locust

Grand Locust — Wed, 27 Sep 2017 23:30:20 +0000

There should be an age restriction and IQ restriction to serve in public office. The age restriction would stop people fighting dementia from serving, and the IQ test would stop people from introducing self serving stupid bills. Of course we would have to make certain that the IQ tests were confidential and and anonymous. I would feel better about this bill if the sponsor had passed that IQ test, now I am stuck not knowing if he is a dotard or actually somebody with a good idea…….I suspect this was introduced simply for pandering to voters, but if he had that IQ certification, I certainly would be wrong.

By: BT

BT — Wed, 27 Sep 2017 23:06:08 +0000

I think the patriotic thing would be to support peaceful protest. Gaetz isn’t even smart enough to disguise his intentions – that he is doing this to suppress protest.

Shouldn’t the brave men and women who vowed to defend the constitution be proud that people are exercising their constitutional rights? Or is the flag more important than the constitution?

You can debate whether the protests are effective or justified, but how can you be an American and suggest these people be punished, arrested, or sent to North Korea?

By: Ponderosa hill

Ponderosa hill — Wed, 27 Sep 2017 22:07:19 +0000

To Alabamian: I guess you’re suggesting another national conversation?
Seems some among us just need to talk about things !
Think conversations would have changed things @
Pearl Harbor, Normandy, Hiroshima etc ?
To Tom: Canada is a fine Country andseems very respectful of their
Laws. I’ve driven a good bit up there and they far surpass
Us in cordiality etc. speed limits are much lower and it’s all
better. Sq mileage we’re about even with them but their
Population is 1/10 of ours. They’ve got plenty of room
For more people and might welcome 1000 or so multi-
millionaires. They’ve a fine National Anthem and may or
may not mind if one disrespects fellow Canadians.