Here are my views on items in the news

 THE NFL HAS LOST ME AS A FAN – The term “political football” has long been used to describe issues being debated in Congress, but not since the last arguments over the NFL’s ridiculous tax-exempt status under 501 (c) (6) has the league been in the Washington spotlight.

The Oscar’s, the Emmy’s, free speech, late night talk shows, and even the weather have become political lately, so I’ve decided to use my “voice” to blow the whistle on the NFL, whose members, for the most part, have shown a gross disrespect for the national anthem and the American flag by refusing to stand before their games.

It all began last year when then 49er quarterback Colin Kaepernick took a knee during the national anthem. “I’m not going to stand up to show pride in a flag for a country that oppresses black people and people of color,” Kaepernick said after the game. He went on to say “there are bodies in the street and people getting paid leave and getting away with murder,” referencing police officers being acquitted for killing a minority individual.

NFL Chief Roger Goodell could have controlled the situation, but released a wimpy statement: “Players are encouraged but not required to stand during the playing of the national anthem.” It only served as a “green light” for the 2017 season, as we see hundreds of players showing disrespect.

During an Alabama rally for Sen. Luther Strange, the president gave his opinion regarding the disrespect of NFL players, but perhaps went a bit far with his suggestion that the SOB’s be fired. Goodell fired back at the president, citing an “unfortunate lack of respect for the NFL.”

Of course, ESPN,  CNN and MSNBC referred to the president’s remarks as “racist,” though there was no mention of race.

And it isn’t just the NFL. One of the NBA’s premier players, Stephen Curry, said he would not visit the White House with his team. And LeBron James accused the president of further dividing the country.

A few good NFL stories have immerged of late, including Texans’ J. J. Watt’s raising of $4 million for Houston Harvey victims, and Pittsburgh Steeler Alejandro Villanueva’s solo appearance for the anthem yesterday.

Then there was the respect for the flag at the weekend NASCAR event that The Root’s Stephen A. Crockett Jr’s decided to turn into a negative piece, stating, “NASCAR confirms that it is still the favorite sport of white supremacy.”

Some people, including Fox’s Brian Kilmeade, have suggested that the president invite representatives of the NFL – owners, coaches and players – to the White House for a “beer summit” to settle this controversy. I disagree. The NFL is on the losing end, with fewer viewers and less revenue. Bronco Von Miller just lost his commercial gig. Goodell needs to put his house in order.

Recalling my days in school when we stood and pledged allegiance to the flag, I could never have imagined seeing the American flag burned as a symbol of free speech in Charlottesville and Berkley, and disgraced by overpaid professional sports figures.

I am a huge football fan, but I can no longer watch the NFL in good conscience.

REMEMBER THOSE BILLIONAIRE COMPLAINTS? – The media thought they had a winner when they published those stories about all those billionaires being appointed to the cabinet by President Trump, but taxpayers didn’t bite. In this blog, and a number of others, we reminded readers that the appointees had made their fortune and don’t need the government to build their wealth, like some in the Obama administration.

This week we learned that Education Secretary Betsy DeVos does not fly commercial airlines when she travels on the job. Instead, she takes her own private plane, and never bills the government. “The secretary neither seeks, nor accepts, any reimbursement for her flights, nor for any additional official travel-related expenses, such as lodging and per diem, even though she is entitled to such reimbursement under government travel regulations,” her spokeswoman Elizabeth Hill stated. DeVos also plans to donate her government salary.

As earlier reported, the president also contributes his salary, the first quarter going to the National Parks and the second quarter to the Education Department’s STEM program.

Other cabinet billionaires, like Secretary of State Rex Tillerson, are proving their worth by demonstrating how their departments can function with less bureaucracy.

TWO OUT THREE NETWORKS ignored the recent 41^st record stock market high since President Trump’s election, as if they believe that they alone can keep the news from viewers. ABC World News with David Muir and NBC Nightly News did not report the new high on their “news” programs. Even more news worthy was the fact that it was the seventh record close in a row. They wouldn’t want to broadcast anything that credits the Trump administration. (Media Resource Center)

DREAMERS JUST NEED TO STOP DREAMING, and get in line to become citizens as a number of them have. There’s really nothing to stop them, except they still believe the Democrats are going to give them an easy path to citizenship. Did you notice the group that took over Nancy Pelosi (D-CA) and Barbara Lee’s (D-CA) townhall last week? They want a free ride, not just for the 800,000 Dreamers, but all illegals in the U.S.

Again, the media has been taken in by Dreamer sob-stories, like having to leave college and various training programs for fear of deportation. The president has given Congress six months to resolve the illegal DACA program, that will certainly not include mass deportation.

A recent Politico poll revealed that 68 percent believe Dreamers should be allowed to stay in the country and 58 percent believe that they should be allowed to become citizens.

My view: Require them to join the military or apply for citizenship, and give them a work permit they can use while their citizenship is being processed. However, if they commit a felony during the process, they must face deportation. No amnesty.