#taketheknee

The thing people don’t get about this whole #taketheknee thing is that this protest is not about politics. These players are protesting the treatment of African-Americans by police in this country, which is, everyone should admit, a real disproportionate problem. It has nothing to do with (as our President said about taking a knee during the national anthem AND the taking down of the confederate statues) “Honoring our heritage.“ Whose heritage? White supremists? We are not this body!!! We are spirit soul. Everything is politicized because people are missing the point. That is spirituality 101. Thinking we’re these bodies is the root of all of the problems in this material world. Racism, nationalism, etc. These players are grown intelligent men with a right to free speech under the first amendment of the constitution. To conflate free-speech with “honoring our heritage“ turns it into divisive and political issue that is used by politicians to rabble rouse and gin up hatred among right wing nationalistic flagwavers who are offended by what they see as an affront to their illusory bodily conception of life, in that they feel that their allegiance to nationality is being disrespected. Like Congressman Joe Walsh, said of Stevie Wonder taking a knee in solidarity, "Stevie Wonder takes a knee for the Anthem during a concert. Another ungrateful black multi millionaire." What a condescending racist statement! The flag and the nation is not being disrespected. The players and kind souls like Stevie Wonder are the ones being disrespected.

Leaders Who Disregard the Well Being of Their Constituents are Destined to Suffer

The Lord is the seed giving Father in everyone's heart, and as such every living being is dear to Him. If anyone - especially leaders and lawmakers, are callous toward any living entity, they will be punished by the laws of nature which were created by God for the guidance of human beings. The duty of government officials and leaders is to provide for the well being of the citizens.

The supporters of the Graham/Cassidy "health care" bill (including the President) claim that the measure keeps in place protections for people with preëxisting conditions, but experts have concluded that this bill affects about fifty-five million Americans, and many of them "would be unable to purchase comprehensive coverage with premiums close to those under current law and might not be able to purchase coverage at all.”

The Vedas describe the fate of those who are callous and devoid of empathy and compassion. For example, those who enact such laws as this simply for political reasons, (even if they claim to be good Christians), ignoring the suffering they would cause the people they are supposed to represent:

“When someone worships the Deity of Lord Visnu, but disrespects or disregards Lord Visnu residing in everyone's heart, then they also go to hell - what to speak of committing offense or violence to a Vaisnava devotee! If someone offends or tortures even an ordinary living entity yet worships Lord Visnu, the Lord of every living entity, then all their worship is worthless, and they suffer great pain. It is verified that to worship Lord Visnu on one hand, but on the other hand to be ignorant about Lord Visnu as the Supersoul in everyone's heart is like touching a brahmana's feet for blessings with one hand while beating him on the head with the other.” - Caitanya Bhāgavata, Madhya Lila, Chapter 5