I’m angrier than a kitty cat without catnip over this next story. I mean, I’m really angry right now. Yesterday, I reported a story where Louisiana basketball players declined to participate in the national anthem ceremony at a game that took place right here in my city of residence, Albany.
Well, now Louisiana’s governor has showed his face and threatened student athletes with the loss of scholarships for not putting hand to heart and standing moronically when the national anthem is being played before a game begins.
It’s “a matter of respect,” says he. Well, see, that’s the thing. Many people died for the rights of people to either salute or not salute the flag. No one should be forced into it. This is the United States, not Russia or whatever.
The governor posted this to X:
“It is time that all college boards, including Regent, put a policy in place that athletes be present for the national anthem or risk their academic scholarship!”
Wow. How American. Not.
What’s next, forcing someone to recite the pledge of allegiance? I was intimidated into doing so in high school, up until my junior year. I refused to stand and my homeroom teacher threatened me with detention. I just looked at her and told her to stand down as this is America, not North Korea. She did in fact stand down. Refusing to stand like a sheep, I finally stood up for myself.
The LSU students should likewise stand tall, no pun intended. Of course no pupil should lose their scholarship over something so petty as not participating in the national anthem. Anyone who seeks to force them to do so should face the loss of their job and their pension. How about that?