America’s outrage a deflection for true outrages
I am no stranger to patriotism … nor do I need a lesson in respecting our flag. My father was a career Army officer who fought in World War II; my husband is a retired, decorated Air Force pilot who flew 198 missions in Vietnam; and my sister served her country during that same conflict as an Army nurse in Thailand.
I recently had a conversation with an acquaintance whom I had not seen in several months … months during which several terrible things happened in America. After some polite chitchat, I was surprised that the subject of kneeling football players was brought up. And I was astounded at the outrage accompanying the topic. Outrage is healthy if it leads to positive change, but this year brought devastation to Texas, Florida and Puerto Rico, a racist march in Charlottesville, Va., and a mass shooting in Las Vegas.
Where was the outrage over the delayed government reaction to the hurricane damage in Puerto Rico? Where was the outrage over the tiki-torch-carrying racists shouting “blood and soil” and “Jews will not replace us” in Charlottesville? Where was the outrage over the young woman’s death during that rally? Where was the outrage at the number of weapons legally purchased by the shooter in Las Vegas? Seriously? NFL players kneeling during the national anthem “trumps” all that?
Our president is the master of deflection and his base is buying it all. Sad!
Caren Ross
Beaufort
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This story was originally published November 8, 2017 at 6:00 AM with the headline "America’s outrage a deflection for true outrages."