I love watching football, not just any football, but the Broncos, Maroons and all SLV grid teams, along with the ASU Grizzlies.

Today, acts of protest have consumed much of the political debate. People who once were friends now battle over whether NFL players are protesting the National Anthem and the U.S. Flag. Participants explain the protest is against racial and economic inequality.

People are unfamiliar with the U.S. Constitution, the First Amendment, the Rule of Law.

The cry at rallies has been “lock her up” in reference to Hillary Clinton. Those shouting do not understand she must be considered innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt. In court, not at a rally.

Protesters seem to believe this can be bypassed if enough people shout.

On the picket line as a young adult, I rapidly learned not to protest if I couldn’t offer a solution. This isn’t happening in today’s USA.

Protests gave birth to the United States of America and its early leaders had something else in mind. You can bet the British Crown didn’t like what was happening in this new land. How dare those “pilgrims” set up their own government? What will happen without revenue from all that tea thrown in the harbor?

It led to a war. The current NFL protests aren’t worth it.

No one “wins” a war.

The Founding Fathers knew that.

Skin color and surnames are a factor in the inner cities and the issue bubbles to the surface in my own mailbox. Some of my mail is printed in Spanish by organizations who seem to believe my surname means I am not fluent in English.

An unpublished number can still be found and mine will soon be changed and unlisted. I am not involved in DACA but am being told I can purchase protection. I can do away with republicans if I approve a $20 per month charge to my credit card. It goes on and on, even on line.

My heart hurts.

I feel people can effect change or support the status quo by calling and writing our congresspersons and, when the time comes, getting our ballots marked and in the mail.