Why People Take A Knee

With all of the controversy about the NFL and players getting down on one knee during the playing of the national anthem, it may be helpful to just think about the act of getting down on a knee or knees. There are many reasons that people take a knee. I'm not the greatest sports follower or authoritiy but I've seen team members, even opposing team members, taking a knee when another player is hurt on the field. It's a sign that someone's in trouble and that they may need help and that others should pay attention.

And we're all familiar with the act of genuflection on one knee as a sign of respect and adoration in the religious sense. People also take to both knees to pray. But under certain circumstances, prayer or the symbol of prayer may take place on one knee.

Many times I've seen first responders and other emergency workers, taking a knee as they assist someone in distress. Some of it has to do with comfort and the ability to assist a person in that position.

I'm sure there are other examples but these are a few that come to mind. The point is, taking a knee is not all that odd in and of itself.

So almost a year ago Colin Kaepernick began sitting and than getting down on one knee during the playing of the national anthem. He was very clear about his reason. He spoke about it openly because he wanted to. He wanted to make a statement about the lack of justice relative to the treatment of black people in the United States. "I am not going to stand up to show pride in a flag for a country that oppresses black people and people of color," Kaepernick told NFL Media in an exclusive interview after the game. "To me, this is bigger than football and it would be selfish on my part to look the other way. There are bodies in the street and people getting paid leave and getting away with murder."

Now, the valid protest that he started, is being turned into an attack on the flag, the anthem and the military. It is a bizarre twisting of facts and reality. Agitators and protesters have most always been attacked and turned into the bad guy. Prophets, men and women, have been arrested, jailed, beaten, killed and demonized. Authoritarian leaders most often use nationalism and patriotism as the justification to insult and harass those who stand up for justice. Flags are symbols. They are fabric and cloth. Values are real and some need to be protected. Injustices are also real and need to be identified and dealt with.

Perhaps we should view taking the knee today as a sign, a warning that our nation is in trouble, that some of our people are hurt, they may need help and we should all pay attention. 

How Bad Can It Get?

When the President of the United States starts name calling the leader of a country who has acquired nuclear weapons and seems to believe it's a valid foreign policy strategy, we're in some deep trouble. Nuclear war is but a tweet away and few seem to take it seriously. And this week Donald Trump will take on the United Nations as well. Sadly, many have become desensitized to Trump's tweets. This is not only sad but dangerous. Ignoring his tendency toward destructive behavior against all of us just seems to empower and encourage him and that's the last thing we need.

It doesn't matter if it's John Kelly, Congress, Melania or just us, the ordinary people of the United States, but someone has to let him know when enough is enough. The reality is that we seem to have a very sick man the White House. He is a danger and a threat to himself and others. The last thing he needs is unlimited power or attempts at unlimited power where others seem afraid to provide legitimate checks.

His tweet this past weekend showing a video of him doing harm to his former opponent by a golf swing and a golf ball is distasteful and wrong on so many levels. It is another attack on women. It promotes violence and violent acts under a cloak of humor. It exposes a number of his obsessions. Interestingly, Hillary Clinton as the spouse of a former President, is protected by the Secret Service. Perhaps this tweet depicting violence against her will be or should be investigated as a violent threat against a protected subject. Perhaps the Secret Service could protect all of us against an out of control President. Then again, Twitter could stand up and be useful by enforcing its own rules and blocking Trump's account because of the dangers he is presenting through violence on so many levels.

The real question I guess, is how quickly someone will act to check or control this madness? How bad can it get? We're about to find out.

The Big Question - What Do You Do In Retirement?

I guess it happens to everyone who retires. People are always asking what are you doing in retirement? In the beginning of my retirement in 2011, I actually found myself making things up because there seemed to be this expectation that you had to do something. I actually told one person that I was going to read the internet. He looked confused and moved on. People of course had their own ideas on how I should be spending my time and most of it didn't appeal to me. What I have found is that people evolve in their own retirement. They find their own interests, projects, community and people that they choose to spend time with.

Having experienced the question fairly often, I was happy the other day to hear what the great songwriter, John Prine, says about his daily life. It seems to fit my routine pretty well. “I do as little as possible. I do a lot of little chores; ones that most people would take care of in half an hour, I stretch them out over a day. I always try to include lunch. If it’s a really slow day, I include a nap. By the time the 5 o’clock news rolls around, my day is done.” Amen!

Now John Prine is nowhere near retirement. He continues to write, tour, sing and he has a great way with words. He's a great storyteller and I love a good story. I've told a few myself and retirement is a great place to hone the skill. Prine has a book called Beyond Words that gathers thoughts and pictures and songs together. But here's an example of his storytelling about his first job at Skip's and his thoughts about bees John Prine and his job at Skip's. You can skip the ad in 4, 3, 2, 1 seconds.