Let’s think about this a little bit; and it should only take a ‘little bit’ of thought.  Which should we really be concerned about as Americans; athletes not standing and placing their hands over their hearts during the playing of the National Anthem or an American, with the aid of a group of other Americans, in essence placing America and its survival as a democracy in the hands of a foreign adversary?  And let’s give this American and the group that is aiding him the benefit of the doubt by stipulating to the statement that all of them stand up and put their hands over their hearts during the playing of the National Anthem.  Which would you say should be of greater concern to Americans?

If we stand and put our hands over our hearts during the playing of the National Anthem but then in some private setting out of sight of the public and absent the auspices of other Americans who might caution, criticize or disagree with us and offer savory counsel admonishing us not to do the thing that we are about to do because it would not be in the best interest of America; and yet we do it anyway, does the fact that we stood and put our hands over our hearts during the playing of the National Anthem make our decision better or mitigate it in any way?  No.

Mr. Trump knows this too and he knows that his ranting and raving about athletes not standing and placing their hands over their hearts when the National Anthem is played has nothing to do with patriotism.  Much the same as some of the fans at these games who do not stand and place their hands over their hearts and those staffing the concession stands and those visiting those stands do not stop and put their hands over their hearts, has nothing to do with their patriotism.  The fact that he is causing these Americans who are angry for various reasons – and many are also confused and frustrated, to misplace their patriotic enthusiasm doesn’t matter to Mr. Trump.  It does not matter because his true aim is not to serve these people who helped to elect him, it is to manipulate them.  And his true aim does not appear to be to honor and serve America and all of the American people but, instead, to enrich himself and his family.  As regards the Republican-led congress that is enabling him, even if they do not share his goals, their actions are reprehensible.

Hypothetically speaking, if Mr. Trump were the ‘American’ referred to in paragraph one of this article, then the picture taken by Yuri Kadobnov/AFP/Getty Images and used in a recent article in Bloomberg would not only speak a thousand words but it would go a long way in reinforcing the fact that standing and placing ones hand over ones heart during the playing of the National Anthem, if it is not supported by true patriotism, is absolutely meaningless (Mr. Trump stands and places his hand over his heart when the National Anthem is played, even if at times it does take a bit of nudging from First Lady Malania).  The expression on Mr. Trumps face – especially vs. that on president Putin’s face – in this picture is unforgettable and likely etched in the memory of all peoples in the world who viewed it and read the article.  The Bloomberg article was written by Ros Krasny and is entitled ‘Trump’s Two Hours Alone With Putin Still Rattling Washington’.

What a sad thing to think, let alone say, about the person who occupies the Oval Office.  What lofty heights that office has fallen from since Mr. Trump was elected.  Everyone – friend or foe, accept in some cases deserving Americans, is invited into this once lofty office.  Even Russian president Vladimir Putin has been invited to come there.  As to whether or not this will actually happen remains to be seen.  But the very fact that Mr. Trump has invited him is astonishing and humiliating wrapped up in one gigantic ball of confusion.  After all, president Putin did direct some of his military personnel and other Russians to meddle in America’s 2016 elections.  And for this he is being rewarded with a trip to the White House?

Although this whole scenario seems surreal, it is actually occurring right now.  All Americans should be concerned about this.  And since congress is unwilling to do anything about it, all Americans must step up and let these so-called statesmen know that what they are doing (or not doing) is unacceptable.  We must let them know this through all available non-violent means leading up to the 2018 and 2020 elections.  And then, when it comes time to vote in each of these elections, we must let them know by way of our ballot that we mean business.  We must let them know that they must shape up or we will ship them out!

So be sure to get out and vote.  And always remember, whether you are a Democrat, Republican or Independent, your vote is the most important one of all…unless you don’t use it!

Eulus Dennis – author, Operation Rubik’s Cube and Living Between The Line