You'll never go broke betting on our august state legislature to propose cockamamie stuff, like that time a century or so back when it tried to legislate the value of pi.
In that fine tradition, here comes Rep. Milo Smith, R-What The Hell, floating a bill that would require the Indianapolis Colts to offer refunds until the end of the first quarter during home games in which Colts players protest police brutality and racial injustice.
In other words: If you're offended by players kneeling with their heads bowed during the national anthem -- not spitting on the flag, not cursing at it, but (as the Colts did) kneeling in an attitude of prayer -- you should be compensated by the ballclub for your hurt feelings.
That this sort of nonsense gets proposed in a reactionary state like Indiana is not outrageous, because it's not surprising. What would be outrageous is if the lege spends even five minutes on it when it has actual business to attend to. I don't pay my taxes so Milo Smith and his ilk can grandstand. If you want to do that, go into show business.
There are many things dopey about Rep. What The Hell's proposal, not the least of which is that it's probably not constitutional. It's a government entity threatening to punish peaceful and legitimate protest. That might not even pass the smell test with this Supreme Court.
Here's another thing: Legislation establishes legal precedent, and that legal precedent tends to come back to bite its authors in ways they might not have anticipated. For instance, if I pay for a Colts ticket and I find it offensive that the team is forcing the players to stand by state decree, can I get my money back, too? Can I sue the NFL, as a ticketholder, because I'm offended that Colin Kaepernick has been blackballed for trying to shine a light on injustice?
Of course that would be silly. But, hey: When you open that door, you open that door.
And if you're that offended by players kneeling at a time you've decided is inappropriate?
Stay home.
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