This army veteran had the perfect takedown of the NRA after it criticised people for ‘taking the knee’
The National Rifle Association isn’t happy with people who ‘take the knee’ during the American national anthem.
Kneeling during the national anthem has become a form of protest against police brutality against African Americans in the US.
Donald Trump doesn’t like it, and neither, it now appears, does the NRA. Don’t ask us, ask, er, Oliver North.
"When you take a knee during our National Anthem you disrespect the men and women who lost their limbs so you could spend your Sundays playing games…We Stand for our veterans and military. We Stand for our law enforcement. And We Stand for our flag." –#NRA's @OliverLNorth #NFL pic.twitter.com/czSZWU18DH
— NRATV (@NRATV) November 30, 2018
Now there were plenty of winning replies to this, including people who said this.
I don't know if this has dawned on you, but hear me out. And it's just a thought:
You don't get to dictate how people use their freedom of speech.
Literally:
The end.— Lizabeth Paulat (@LizabethPaulat) December 2, 2018
Oliver North sold weapons to Iran. He doesn't get to lecture the rest of us on what being a patriot is.
— you hit me with a log (@RC2671) December 2, 2018
I’m a Vietnam Veteran and you don’t represent me, I believe and was told we fought to defend our freedoms. Which includes the freedom to peacefully protest.
— Lowell (@macstheknife) December 2, 2018
But the best reply came from this chap, an army veteran called Steven Kiernan who served in Iraq and said this.
Hey @NRA I lost both my legs in Iraq and the only thing I'm upset over is not being able to kneel alongside them, you fucking ghouls https://t.co/5vBI501X6t
— Steven Kiernan (@MsgToObserver) December 1, 2018
And if the NRA ever wondered what side of the argument it’s on, it need only look at the 100,000 times it was shared (and 400,000 times it was liked) the reply was shared on Twitter.
I am a combat veteran who served in Iraq, was exposed to Sarin nerve gas, and if a person wants to take a knee to bring attention to police violence against the black community, I encourage free speech, because that is why I fought.
— erik schlobohm (@ebohminator) December 2, 2018
The @NRA doesn't own the rights to patriotism. Period.
— Nathaniel Williams (@Charm850) December 2, 2018
Sending massive respect from the UK to you Steven 🙌🏽
— sara cox (@sarajcox) December 2, 2018
