I understand your concerns and it is quite noble to take the high road. That has to work both ways however. There was plenty of sniping going on last year because of the anthem kneeling. The respect has to go both ways. Many of us have taken the high road before and got our teeth kicked in.

I agree many of the comments should be in the political section, but there comes a time when you simply have to stand your ground.

I think this nation is where it is right now because people have refused to fight back when they know they are in the right.

There's a new-ish saying I see floating around alot. "Don't start no ****, won't be no ***".

Kneeling during the anthem is the definition of starting some ****.

An elevated understanding and objective discussion doesn't require a concession of standing or high-ground neutrality.

It is very easy to keep things civil; decide your goal, what tone you want to set and don't get pulled into the weeds. I am naturally inclined to address each of the concerns that you have in your reply but I am not interested in an itemized tug of war with you and I wont be pulled into one. Obviously you need to vent; a lot of other people around here do as well but no one wants to just listen.

What sets these boards apart from other Saints boards is our ability to have a thoughtful discussion instead of just pages of strung together comments.

We all believe in our own strength and intelligence, well put it to the test. Engage in intellectual conversation and do not deviate.

These players need to learn to listen to OTHERS.

I have one question for both of you. In 10 words or less, what is your specific end game/goal/want?

How do we teach men the value of listening over being heard?

I have not disagreed with anything that you or Danno have said and fully understand your points.

My abilities afford me the opportunity to sit in meetings with PHD Chemists, corporate executives and career engineers. My role is to listen, process and later provide feedback. My first observation is that I am the only one listening and I am not a decision maker.

I have one question for both of you. In 10 words or less, what is your specific end game/goal/want?

Oak, I get your sentiments. No one wants to devolve everything into an argument. Well, some people only want that, but they are in the minority. The thing is, when you say "no one wants to just listen", I only see that coming from one side. And I trust you know which side I'm referring to.

We've been listening to this "message" for decades. Oak, there IS no message. Some people will never be satisfied until we bow completely to political correctness and pay reparations for things that have nothing to do with any white or black person alive today. There is nothing to listen to.

George Floyd was murdered. We can all agree on that. These kinds of incidents involving white cops killing black people is extremely rare, but ALWAYS cherry picked against overwhelming criminal statistics coming from the black community. These statistics have been shared, not maliciously, but in a matter of fact way. No one "listens". They don't care. And by "they" I am talking about these militant black AND white liberals.

There are plenty of white and black people who get along just fine. But when the mob comes in and starts attacking the rest of us for not bending the knee to the made up narrative of "systemic racism" we need to be able to speak our minds. If that floods into these boards, so be it.

If you want us to lead an example for these football players, the example I refuse to set is to sit back and allow this rhetoric to fly in my face because I don't want to "offend" anyone, or cause a ripple in our little internet utopia. I'm sorry, but there are more important things than football and trying to hold on for dear life to fandom. I agree with remaining civil. I think, with the exception of just a couple of people, we manage to do that just fine.

These players need to learn to listen to OTHERS. They always want us poor little peasants to listen to them and honor their "greatness". I can't speak for you, but I've had enough. I can speak my mind without senseless bashing. I've done it for a long time, and I'll continue to do it. I wish people WOULD listen, but like Danno said, that needs to go both ways. I'm tired of trying to reason with people, being as patient as I can be, showing FACTS that refute the narrative, and getting ear muffs on the other end, only to be told I am the one who needs to listen.

We're not going to make "progress" until people quit bending over to political correctness, or just trying to avoid the issue for the sake of being friends. If a person is incapable of listening to your point of view without disowning you, then you don't need their friendship.

That's all I'm going to say about it, for now.