These athletes who "take the knee" for the national anthem or anybody for that matter who is מבזה and defames, derides and scorns the US of A is worthy of great contempt.
It seems that never, ever, in the history of the world has there been a place where it is so good to live [of course for us Eretz Yisrael is the place but I am referring now to the non-Jews]. The political and religious freedoms that people enjoy, the freedom of speech, the free market [so much free yet everything seems to cost so much], that every person regardless of race, gender, religion, ethnicity is legally protected, the technological advances allowing for so much comfort and pleasure, the health care, the volume of available food, drink and comfortable shelter, the education that is given to all [with an option for a free one], etc. etc. make it a spectacular country for one and for all.
Are there problems? Loads. Is there corruption on all levels of government? Endless. Are there a lot of sick, perverted people walking around, many of whom hold public office or are otherwise famous and powerful? Countless. Is there a lot of sickness, both physical and mental? You bet. Have many people lost there sense of values? Definitely.
But it is still a great place to live with unlimited opportunity. It bothers me when people who benefited so much from all the US has to offer, spit her in the face.
Gratitude is not only a Jewish trait - it is a human one.
So this Thanksgiving [and every day], whether you have the turkey dinner or not, thank G-d for this country which has been so open to Jews, which served as a safe haven when our ancestors came over not so long ago, which has allowed Jews to thrive financially and thereby help Israel both materially and spiritually and which allows us to be as Jewish as we choose and doesn't allow anybody to hurt us. The only reason we don't fully appreciate what we have is because we never lived under an oppressive regime BARUCH HASHEM. If we would have - we would "get it".
In short - be thankful:-). A Yehudi means a thanker.
And then daven that you are zocheh to come home to Israel.
ותחזינה עינינו בשובך לציון ברחמים!!!
