“Please Stand.” That was the polite and simple message of an ad developed by the veteran’s group, American Veterans (AMVETS), for the upcoming Super Bowl program. A gentle request to honor our nation’s flag and the veterans who served under that banner.
The NFL had invited AMVETS to purchase a print ad in the Super Bowl commemorative program. The ad, pictured far left, would have cost the veterans group $30,000. As the Stars and Stripes newspaper reported, the group had planned to use the ad as a fundraiser for its “Americanism” initiative, in which its members travel to schools nationwide to teach flag etiquette. The program also involves a poster and essay contest for K-12 students.
However, when the ad was submitted to the NFL, it was rejected because the NFL deemed those two little words – “please stand” – as too “political.”
NFL Vice President of Communications Brian McCarthy told the Army Times that the Super Bowl programs have “never been a place for advertising that could be considered by some as a political statement.”
How ironic when last year’s Super Bowl had several blatantly liberal political commercials supporting illegal immigration and LGBT ideology!
And since when has standing for the American flag been a “political” statement? It has always been a sign of patriotism – not politics. Rather, it’s NFL players who politicized the customary observance when they began to kneel as a sign of protest against our law enforcement and American ideals.
As Gary Bauer stated: “The same NFL leadership that in the name of free speech defends the rights of its players to get political on the sidelines is denying free speech to a group of veterans (even though they were willing to pay $30,000 for that speech).”
Considering the bad publicity, plummeting ratings, and poor attendance of NFL games since Colin Kaepernick and other NFL players began kneeling during the National Anthem, one would think the NFL would want to avoid another public relations nightmare.
Joe Chenelly, the national director of AMVETS, told the Stars and Stripes that the group was “surprised and disappointed” when the NFL rejected the ad. “The NFL said it does not want to take a position on that,” Chenelly said. “Really, by not letting us run an ad, we think they are taking a position.”
Chenelly also stated that the same advertisement that the NFL rejected was accepted by the National Hockey League and National Basketball Association for programs for their upcoming all-star games.
AMVETS National Commander, Marion Polk, wrote to NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell: “Freedom of speech works both ways. We respect the rights of those who choose to protest, as these rights are precisely what our members have fought – and in many cases died – for. But imposing corporate censorship to deny that same right to those veterans who have secured it for us all is reprehensible and totally beyond the pale.”
Click here to send a message to NFL Commissioner Goodell or call him at 212-450-2000 and let him know you are appalled by his blatant disregard of our veterans and their freedom of speech.
Join us in Fremont on Friday February 9th at 7 PM or on Saturday the 10th in Grand Rapids at 9 AM. (See bottom of email for location addresses)
On February 9th and 10th we will be featuring Stephen Coughlin. Steve is one of America’s finest truth-tellers, but it has cost him dearly for exposing Islam and its agenda. Steve Coughlin loves America and masterfully warns those who will listen.
Mr. Coughlin “earned recognition as the Pentagon’s leading expert on the Islamic-based doctrines motivating jihadi groups that confront America. He came into demand as a trainer and lecturer at leading commands and senior service staff institutions, including the National Defense University, the Army and Navy War Colleges, the Marine Corps-Quantico, the State Department, and the FBI. So effective were his presentations that some in the special operations community dubbed them “Red Pill” briefings, a reference to an iconic scene in The Matrix. It’s an apt metaphor: once the facts and doctrines are properly explained and understood, there is no going back.” (taken from the back of Catastrophic Failure—a book that was banned by the Obama administration.)
Register now; you don’t want to miss out on this important and informative event. Let your friends know and urge them to join us on Friday February 9 at the American Decency headquarters (203 E. Main St in Fremont MI.) at 7 PM. Or register with us for February 10 at 9 AM. We will be meeting at the Prince Conference Center—Willow East room. (1800 East Beltline Ave SE. Grand Rapids, MI. 49546) Call 231-924-4050 for more information. Register here for Fremont. Register here f or Grand Rapids.
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