Picture from http://newsbreakouts.com/nfl-teams-respond-to-trump-with-non-participation-kneeling-in-protest/

Letter printed in the East Hampton Star, Sept. 28, 2017

Dear Editor,

Here’s Lee Zeldin (leezeldinforcongress.com) on the N.F.L. protest:

“An entire N.F.L. football team (Pittsburgh Steelers) protesting the national anthem. These spoiled rich brats may think they are being cool and trendy, but they obviously have no true understanding what that anthem and flag mean to our service members, their families, and countless other Americans.”

No, Lee, you’re the one who does not understand. The flag is a symbol of our country, a country that has been degraded and divided by the bully-in-chief just about every day since he took office. Most Americans are horrified by the ignorance and petty vindictiveness of the president. One of the glories of this country is the freedoms it provides us, freedoms that include peaceful protest. (Perhaps it would have been more palatable for you if the players had been holding tiki torches?)

Why are you supporting an authoritarian wannabe who doesn’t understand the most basic tenets of our great democracy, let alone what it means to be a decent human being?

Sincerely,

CAROL DEISTLER