On Kneeling (2)

Sports venues are returning, and kneeling seems to be back in vogue. 

OK, I know I may be swimming upstream. I know I will be stepping on the toes of a number of good-intentioned friends – – – 

I’m sorry, but “Taking a knee is a cheap way to take a stand.”

And when kneeling is done at the playing of the national anthem, at the time we are coming together as one nation to celebrate our country and those that serve and defend her then, to me, kneeling is offensive. Yes, we do have many important issues that demand attention. We honor this country because here we can indeed freely address them. But, as for everything else, there is a time and a place for protesting and for kneeling.

It is fine to kneel in praise of God in church; it is important to kneel in gratitude for your many blessings before bedtime; it’s compassionate to kneel to help a fallen child; it’s productive to kneel to plant a flower – – –  

and Regrettably, kneeling does not resolve an issue and it does not advance a cause. It’s almost like signaling that there is a problem and, please, somebody else go fix it. To those that take the visible profile in kneeling at solemn national events, I would say go volunteer yourself to help take corrective measures, donate some of the wealth this country has afforded you to the cause you support, write your congressmen, organize and lead a peaceful demonstration, be an active vocal and constructive advocate. That will make a difference, kneeling will not.