K-9

Wouldn't they have done that last year when this first blew up? The NFL is powerful, but they can't dictate editorial policy to that extent. The optic of a major media outlet being told what and what not to report on is not a good one. Not even the NFL is that stupid.

I'd add giant, field-size flags, color guards, camo gear, etc. The military spends MILLIONS on this kind of advertising. Remember how outraged we were a few years ago when we found that out; that it wasn't a genuine outpouring of respect and a genuine display of patriotic love for our country? I was wrong when I suggested they were pushing an agenda. It's much more insipid than that.

Devil's advocate question: Does the NFL use the anthem during "broadcast time" to push any agenda?

Will the league put out memos to every other media outlet as well?

Inflammatory in their ignorance. Such fluidity of prose. So, you're not angry. OK, then what? Certainly, the people defending the actions of the protesting players has struck some kind of emotion in you so how would you label it? Anyway, my question remains; is it the fact that people don't have an appreciation for the difference between their guaranteed rights granted by the Constitution vs. what behaviors a private employer can mandate to its employees really the reason for your reaction (however you want to label it)?

I'm curious as to whether the NFL's new policy regarding the anthem will have the desired outcome of putting the issue to rest as the media will continue to report on who is deciding to stay in the locker room. Will those players be any less vilified by those that find their protests reprehensible? A very small percentage of players actually participated in the kneeling protests and look at the outrage that engendered. By giving the players the option to stay in the locker room, I think there is the potential for MORE players to do that than actually took a knee during the anthem. It won't be long before not showing up for the anthem will be even worse that kneeling for it.

The points are often conflated due to the overlying principle at the crux of the argument; the right to protest or not. Is it really a surprise that people may not appreciate that private companies are allowed to mandate employee behavior? Is that what really angers you about the issue; that people don't have that understanding? Yes, people are allowed to be hypocrites. It would be hell for so many if that weren't so. As this debate has clearly illustrated.

I'm not confusing our government with the NFL's right as a private employer to mandate employee behaviors. I mentioned our government as part of a larger point, that's all. Oh, and I'm not screaming. But my antennae is up for the off the charts hypocrisy surrounding this issue.

What am I exaggerating here? That there is no end to the merchandising of the American flag for monetary gain? That can't be overstated enough.

And isn't that the whole fricken point? You, me, and ESPECIALLY our government don't have a right to mandate such behavior or decide what is and what isn't a correct display of love for our country. Glad you're a man of principle that defines his own meaning and behaviors. That's laudable. But you don't get to tell everyone else they are wrong because they differ. Bottom line for me is, a symbol should NEVER mean more than the right it represents.

Good point, here. These same yahoos decrying such disrespect for our flag, will have no problem wearing their flag underwear, flag socks, flag speedos, etc., while picnicking on their flag blankets and drinking beer out of their flag cozies. Let us now await the replies from those who claim that if it's not made from an actual flag, then it's not disrespectful of the flag in the least; that it's perfectly OK to wear it, sit on it, or even make toilet paper out of it.

If my moniker had anything to do with the association between dogs and K-9s, I'd find even funnier. But it doesn't so I can only give it a slight chuckle. And while I don't poop on newspaper, I have used Bucky's column to wipe afterwards.

As if the immediate aftermath of 9/11 and the start of the Gulf War were the same as any other time. As if the thousands of times the anthem has been played at sporting events before and since those events rose to the same level of attached emotion and feeling of national pride. Can you honestly tell me you've experienced that exact level of high emotion EVERY time you've heard the anthem before or after those events? Do you get out of your chair at home to stand EVERY time you hear it on television before a game? People are free to "feel" whatever they want when hearing that song. From pride when it's played while welcoming a returning veteran home to revulsion when seeing it played at a white supremacists rally and everything in between. Regardless, the playing of the anthem commands a certain solemnity. And playing it at raucous sporting events cheapens it far more often than it inspires people. Especially with the NFL and other sports leagues getting paid big money to stage such phony displays to advertise for the military.

Wrong. There has been debate on the subject for decades.

The playing of the national anthem before sporting events violates the solemnity of the the anthem itself. It serves to cheapen rather than glorify. And the NFL further cheapens it by accepting money to stage these phony displays of "patriotism." Sinclair Lewis was right.

I disagree. No creature on earth poops more happily than when its pooping on a Gleason column. Just can't achieve the same level of satisfaction. It is known.

Darn. I'm running out of columns to line the bird cage with .

How the F can anyone, ANYONE, screw up the Browns?

I’d rather be lucky than good as the old saying goes.

Screw that bum. I wouldn’t want that trash on my team, regardless.

I can understand the “ceiling” thing, but Do some QBs have more room for improvement than others? Imo, yes. Josh Allen’s potential has barely been scratched given his limited exposure to coaching, camps, experience, etc., whearas Rosen has been on the star QB track since high school. Rosen is leaps and bounds ahead in those areas. Yes, Rosen can still improve and improve a lot, but given their relative starting points, Allen has more room.

Great point here! And while I’ve heard that old Buffalo money has been cool, if not resentful to the Pegulas investment in the area, I think they are uniquely positioned to leverage some other relationships.

No surprise at all. Rosen had been considered the most pro ready college QB since last August when the scouting books were opened up and the work began in earnest. Nothing has changed that since. But he is closer to his ceiling than anyone else, too, so it will be interesting to see how quickly he levels off relative to the improvement of the other top prospects.

That’s why I value your expertise. A creative marketer can create revenue producing experiences for the fans. I still think corporate dollars are critical though, and I worry about our market being tapped out in that regard.

Isn't that more a function of the local corporate dollars available than anything else? Or is there an untapped well of corporate money just waiting to buy up suites and sponsor opportunities in WNY?