NFL endorses criminal-justice reform bill in the midst of anthem debate

[Eleazar]

NFL endorses criminal-justice reform bill in the midst of anthem debate

By Karoun Demirjian and Beth Reinhard
The Washington Post
October 16



The National Football League, still in political crosshairs over whether players should take a knee during the national anthem, is throwing its weight behind another cause in Washington’s debate over racial inequality: criminal justice reform.

The NFL’s spokesman said on Monday that the league has decided to endorse a bipartisan bill to reduce mandatory minimum sentences for low-level drug offenders, eliminate “three-strike” provisions that require life sentences and give judges more latitude to reduce sentences for certain low-level crimes.

“We felt that this was an issue over the last months, as we have continued to work with our players on issues of equality and on issues of criminal justice reform, that was surfaced for us, and we thought it was appropriate to lend our support to it,” NFL spokesman Joe Lockhart said Monday during a conference call with reporters.

The owners appear to be seeking middle ground between football players and their critics during a heated national debate over the growing phenomenon of players kneeling during the national anthem to protest police brutality and racial inequality. It is not clear what effect the NFL’s effort will have on that debate — or on President Trump, who has fueled much of the vitriol against kneeling players through his personal and official Twitter accounts.

...

https://www.washingtonpost.com/power...=.1f86c6a1bf32

So, hoping to curry favor with the players who are kneeling, the NFL is endorsing a piece of soft-on-crime legislation. The optics of that are amusing.

Goodell's winking and nodding at the kneeling players will probably just encourage them to take it further, not make them respect the country again. The NFL will not be better off for bowing to them. Look at Mizzou.

The NFL doesn't seem to understand what's happening here at all. Fans do not want the NFL to be political. Fans are not going to be amused by Roger Goodell wading into politics. ESPN has already made this mistake by becoming another politicized media outlet... it's fascinating that Goodell thinks the way to resolve the fan ire over this conflict is to make the NFL more political.

[GloryDayz]

Originally Posted by bigjosh006

Not to mention, with the internet boom, these broadcast companies have not been able to keep up with the times.

I live in new england, and because of internet availability, I have not seen a single patriots game aside from the opening night. I dont watch on CBS or Fox anymore. I watch on pirated streaming sites because I would rather watch the chiefs and not the ****ing pats, dolphins, jets, and giants every ****ing week.

I am contributing to the ratings dip, because i refuse to pay directv 300$ a year and be mandated to have sattelite tv to watch my favorite team.

That explains a lot!! New England, the bosom of American terrorism.

[GloryDayz]

Originally Posted by stumppy

Nice try....not really, at projection.
Move the goal posts much? I didn't say a ****ing thing about drug DEALERS.

LOL, no way. We're talking about why people are going to jail, not move of the goalpost..

Again, if ya don't break the law ya don't go to jail. Problem solved.

[GloryDayz]

Originally Posted by bigjosh006

yeah, I have noticed that he interjects thoughts that have nothing to do with your original point.

LOL, it looks like you're doing the drugs you think have no victims. You are a victim!

I'll say again, don't break the law, stay out of jail. It's really simple actually.

[Fish]

Originally Posted by GloryDayz

To be fair, he purports to be, just like John McCain, and we all know John McCain is either not a Republican, or a traitor to his party.

But Roger is in a tough spot, his primamadonna employees are liberals and he needs them more than they need him.

Ohh, bullshit. His father was a Republican Senator. Goodell worked on his father's campaign. His wife was a Foxs News commentator. He's even met multiple times with top GOP leaders:

http://www.politico.com/story/2015/0...ell-nfl-119895

[GloryDayz]

Originally Posted by ThaVirus

Seems his, and possibly your, view of drug dealers is basically the cartel and crack, heroin and meth dealers shooting up corners for territory. But probably the vast majority of them aren't dealing hard, life-ruining drugs or out there killing people.

People like to alter their state of mind. These dealers aren't putting a gun to people's heads and making them buy. Why is the dude who's selling a little weed a shitty person?

And on topic, haven't you admitted to popping pills while you drink?

These dealers aren't putting a gun to people's heads and making them buy.

A dude gives your kid a little Meth "to try" and you high-five him?

Why is the dude who's selling a little weed a shitty person?

Because it's illegal.

[eDave]

Originally Posted by GloryDayz

Because it's illegal.

They are doing a public service.

[ModSocks]

Originally Posted by GloryDayz

Because it's illegal.

Maybe in whatever shitty state you live in. But don't worry, i'm sure your state will come around too.

[GloryDayz]

Originally Posted by Fish

It's not your definition of drug dealer that's at issue. It's the law's definition that causes problems. Which absolutely includes the mostly innocent selling of a few grams of smoke.

Is that like being mostly alive? Or like being mostly pregnant?

[GloryDayz]

Originally Posted by ARROW2

they are not disrespecting a damn thing and have said as much. You stop watching football because of some shit you don't even see? I have the ticket and never see the anthem, the game just comes on. Silly ass shit to not watch because somebody doesn't stand for the anthem. I am watching my damn football. Sports has always been an escape for me. It's not like players are making political speeches before games. Every time this dies down, the divider in chief pipes up when he should be focusing on his own job.

Nobody gives a shit what the **** they have to say. The ****ers need to stand the **** up, shut up, and then play football.

He's an awesome POTUS... He's keeping the truly important things going so we can solve them. And being a ****ing asshole, cop-hating, military-hating, unAmerican piece of shit like these players are is one of the problems.

[GloryDayz]

Originally Posted by Fish

Ohh, bullshit. His father was a Republican Senator. Goodell worked on his father's campaign. His wife was a Foxs News commentator. He's even met multiple times with top GOP leaders:

http://www.politico.com/story/2015/0...ell-nfl-119895

So? Does that make Ron Reagan a Republican?

Don't get me wrong, it's great if he is because the world needs as many Republicans as we can get, but I'm not sure he's declared. And he might not want to announce he's a republican if he is, the NFL's employees might not appreciate it and they aren't looking to be very rational either.

[GloryDayz]

Originally Posted by eDave

They are doing a public service.

How?

[eDave]

Originally Posted by GloryDayz

How?

Dealing pot to me.

[GloryDayz]

Originally Posted by Detoxing

Maybe in whatever shitty state you live in. But don't worry, i'm sure your state will come around too.

If/when they do, it'll be OK within the constraints of the law. But sometimes you have to wait until the law passes.

I live in the state of your Kansas City Chiefs.

[GloryDayz]

Originally Posted by eDave

Dealing pot to me.

[Hoopsdoc]

Originally Posted by Fish

Ohh, bullshit. His father was a Republican Senator. Goodell worked on his father's campaign. His wife was a Foxs News commentator. He's even met multiple times with top GOP leaders:

http://www.politico.com/story/2015/0...ell-nfl-119895

Meh, he's a rabid never trumper. Which is almost as bad.