Gershon Wolf Poet Couplet

Take a Knee -- Stand Up For Freedom

A question or two for those rebels who take a knee
   During the USA's National Anthem, openly, for all to see

When playing in Russia will you act similarly
   To protest a regime which kills dissidents indiscriminately

What will you do in India or Pakistan when you are there
   Will you countenance the torching of women who've had an affair

And against the Saudis, will you make strident demands
   When for stealing an apple they cut off their citizen's hands 

C'mon now, you heroes, and show us your 'cred'
   Stand up for freedom when it may cost you your head

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Sandra Haight September 16, 2018 at 11:56 AM I stand behind you on this, Gershon! Well done, and thank you for posting it! I just posted my offering to 'unsheath my sword' for a current contest. Bravo, Sandra Gershon Wolf September 16, 2018 at 12:16 PM Thanks, Sandra. Good to know that there a few other brave souls out there who are still willing to stand for freedom, warts and all, and to call out totalitarianism. Best always, Gershon

Michelle Faulkner September 5, 2018 at 1:30 PM I must respectfully offer a different view - the hallmark of a truly free society is to allow the dissenting voice to be heard - if you think about it, they are exercising their freedom of speech, which is what our brave soldiers are fighting for - so the ones suppressing that right are the ones unpatriotic - thank you for letting me have my say! Gershon Wolf September 5, 2018 at 3:47 PM Thanks for offering your point of view, Michelle. They are, indeed, expressing their point of view, which is their absolute constitutional right... I would just ask them to consider protesting the brutal suppression of basic rights in countries such as Pakistan, Russia, etc. Btw, when Senator Henry Jackson (D-WA) led the protest against the imprisonment of Soviet Jews 40 years ago, the USSR relented and let them emigrate to Israel. Thank YOU for giving me a chance too. :) gw

Brandy Nicole September 4, 2018 at 9:42 PM I will always stand up!! I thank you for posting this. Those that choose to be disrespectful!! Shame on them. When I saw these football players kneeling, my heart sank. Yes, stand up for Freedom, for those for fought for you and me!! For those that still fight. ~ Brandy Gershon Wolf September 5, 2018 at 3:50 PM I didn't like it much either, but they have a right to protest, as guaranteed in the Constitution---just as the owners of those teams have a right to fire them on the spot or to otherwise restrict them. Actions have consequences...But the owners are chicken. That's for sure...The consequences of the owners' cowardice will be more empty seats in their stadiums. Thanks for weighing in!

Maureen McGreavy Pigeon Tart September 4, 2018 at 1:30 PM Hmmmm ;) xomo Maureen McGreavy Pigeon Tart September 4, 2018 at 8:03 PM My hmmmm is without opinion, just taking in the take. Gershon Wolf September 4, 2018 at 3:54 PM Reasonable people disagree sometimes, Mo. It's alright. In fact, it's healthy. My response to your comment is mmmmH :) gw

John Lawless September 4, 2018 at 6:30 AM ...WHEN IN ROME!!!!! Gershon Wolf September 4, 2018 at 3:53 PM Interesting... "When in Rome..." was not really the intention here. For example, when in India, an American who speaks out against alleged racism, chauvinism, and discrimination in the USA should NOT do as the Indians do. He/she SHOULD take a knee when maiden-honor-burning Indians play their anthem---presuming he/she is not a hypocrite. My point is that these knee-takers don't stand up to/kneel down against real injustice...That's why they're not taken seriously except by their own kind... Most sincerely, Gershon

Tom Cunningham September 4, 2018 at 1:56 AM Love this Gershon, I can say NO, they can't do anything that might affect trade etc. It's all about money. Tom Tom Cunningham September 5, 2018 at 4:07 AM It's obscene the amount they are paid, same in the UK, you'd think they'd set a better example. Gershon Wolf September 4, 2018 at 3:44 PM Yeah---and they sure make a lot of it, those football players!