South Bend Tribune
Saying that NFL protests don’t “sit right with me,” an Indiana legislator has authored a bill that takes a stand against players who kneel.
Rep. Milo Smith, R-Columbus, said his bill would allow Indianapolis Colts fans who feel disrespected by the kneeling to ask for a refund during the first quarter.
“To me when they take a knee during the national anthem, it’s not respecting the national anthem or our country,” Smith said. “Our government isn’t perfect, but it’s still the best country in the world and I think we need to be respectful of it.”
The bill is reminiscent of another ill-advised piece of legislation that made headlines a few months back. State Rep. Jim Lucas’ bill would require professional journalists to be licensed by state police.
Lucas, R-Seymour, wanted to drive home a point about his signature issue: gun rights.
“If you’re OK licensing my Second Amendment right, what’s wrong with licensing your First Amendment right?” he said.
Well, plenty, but Lucas isn’t really looking to open a reasonable debate about the First Amendment. Nor is Smith trying to do anything other than stir up the masses.
Jane Henegar, the executive director of ACLU Indiana, has weighed in on Smith’s bill, saying that it could violate the Constitution.
“In effect by passing the law, government would be weighing in … and fining political speech by the Indianapolis Colts,” Henegar said. “It seems like the worst thing that could happen is government weighing in and trying to control in any direction the political speech of private actors.”
This publicity-seeking, pandering stunt isn’t what our lawmakers should be focusing on during this year’s abbreviated session. This is hardly the first time that a lawmaker has drafted a wrongheaded bill, mostly for show.
But in light of other pressing issues — most notably a crisis at the Department of Child Services that affects young lives — such proposals are particularly ridiculous.
