Vice President Mike Pence attended Sunday’s game between the San Francisco 49ers and his hometown Indianapolis Colts briefly, in what appears to be a planned protest of kneeling football players.
Well, he says that he was attending the game specifically because Peyton Manning was being honored, but instead of focusing on honoring Manning, it seems that he has taken the focus off that and turned it into a political statement.
It doesn’t appear that Pence had planned on staying for the entire game, as the journalists with him were told to stay in their vans- that there might be an early departure from the game. Donald Trump tweeted that he told Pence to leave if there were any players kneeling during the national anthem.
I left today's Colts game because @POTUS and I will not dignify any event that disrespects our soldiers, our Flag, or our National Anthem.
— Vice President Mike Pence (@VP) October 8, 2017
This obviously reeks of a planned PR stunt.
Yahoo Sports columnist, Dan Wetzel was right on the button that “this is nothing more than political grandstanding.”
“Next up, Mike Pence will attend an R-rated movie and walk out in protest if there is any foul language, violence or adult situations,” he quipped.
This political grandstanding has been estimated to have cost around $242,000 for the use of Air Force 2 alone. Part of that is paid by the RNC, since he flew to a fundraiser in Los Angeles after that. The cost has not factored in personnel like Secret Service, or anything else needed to support his visit to the stadium.
Hawaiian Democratic Senator Brian Schatz tweeted his criticism that many are feeling:
Wait. This was orchestrated to make a point? That's not an inexpensive thing to do. https://t.co/Ze5jDw4Ifu
— Brian Schatz (@brianschatz) October 8, 2017
Am I alone in thinking that it as disrespectful to use the national anthem to make your own anti-protest political statement, as it is to some to kneel during the anthem? Our nation is hurting after hurricanes, mass shootings, and healthcare uncertainty, and instead of listening to those they are supposed to be uniting, the leaders in our White House are throwing tantrums and pulling expensive publicity stunts? Is this real Christianity put forth by those touted to be good Christian men?
What do you think could be done to unite our country? Leave a comment below.
Just think how many people that could feed for one year! Which is what a Christian is called to do in the bible. Never, anywhere, do I see the biblical suggestion or mandate to protect Nationalism at the expense of those who are hurting. JUST the opposite happens in scripture. Speaking out for those who have NO voice. This is exactly what I see our NFL protesters doing. If anything V.P. Pence should be joining them.
So very true, Rebecca! I think people in our nation have their priorities mixed up! Thanks for commenting!