McMaster says stand for flag and anthem, most on social media say no, or #TakeAKnee
South Carolina Governor Henry McMaster issued a statewide proclamation designating Sunday as “Stand for the Flag Super Bowl Sunday.”
The governor’s proclamation encourages all South Carolinians to stand for the playing of the national anthem before the Super Bowl LII matchup between the New England Patriots and Philadelphia Eagles.
In a campaign email to his supporters, McMaster was more pointed in his attack against NFL players.
“This football season we’ve seen NFL players disrespect our veterans by taking a knee to our nation’s flag and anthem,” McMaster wrote. “In South Carolina, we respect our veterans and our men and women in the armed forces.”
It didn’t take people on social media long to react to McMaster’s proclamation. And the overwhelming response on Twitter disagreed with McMaster.
It wasn’t universal condemnation, and there were those who approved of the request. A second tweet on the issue after President Donald Trump delivered his State of the Union Address garnered more support.
But the vast majority of those who responded to McMaster’s initial post of the proclamation on Twitter disagreed.
Some people refuted McMaster, others criticized him and several suggested there are more important issues for the governor to focus his energies on. Many people claiming to be veterans took issue with McMaster’s proclamation and the #TakeAKnee was a common thread.
Here’s a look at some of the responses:
Give me a proclamation telling police to stop killing people and I’ll consider it, Henry
— INSTRUMENTALS FROM MY MOMMAS CHRISTMAS PARTY (@BilliamWennett) January 30, 2018
As a veteran I don't feel disrespected by those who kneel to protest injustice. I do feel disrespected by Trump pissing on the Constitution.
— She persisted (@CaseyHinds) January 30, 2018
I'm embarrassed that you're my governor.
— Trey Bloomer (@TreyBloomer) January 30, 2018
Where is the “Governor’s Proclamation” on veteran healthcare? Veteran housing?
— Chris Stanley (@chrisinfdl) January 30, 2018
Veteran education?
Veteran employment?
Veteran PTSD and suicide?
I think our Vets would appreciate your time working on these problems instead of drawing attention to yourself.
I fought for My Country so that those people would have the right to kneel and Protest and for you to ask people to stand shows you have no Respect for Our Constitution, which validates the right to protest! When is your term up so we can send you up the road with the POS !! pic.twitter.com/CRxn8fl4rf
— Jsurfer (@Jsurfer0730) January 30, 2018
I'm going to sit extra low & lazy to cancel out your standing and there's not a damn thing you can do about it
— The Discourse Lover (@Trillburne) January 30, 2018
Funny how a lot of Republican voters complain about politics in sports and yet, here are their leaders injecting said politics into sports. Double-standard much?
— Zachary Miller (@zachmiller) January 30, 2018
#FreedomOfExpression I will stand, sit, kneel, sleep, walk, run or whatever I want because my great uncle died in Normandy and my son served in Iraq so that we ALL have the right to express ourselves however we choose. #America pic.twitter.com/ULuPHCLv7V
— Tan Dump Lord (@tandumplord1) January 30, 2018
standing or not & respect for soldiers are not mutually exclusive.
— Jon (@JonTheEmpire) January 30, 2018
@henrymcmaster
— Louise Miller (@SandPolice) January 30, 2018
I will always take a knee in solidarity with those who suffer violence at the hands of others. Maybe you should work on solving police brutality against black and brown people instead of marginalizing the already marginalized in your community.
You want to do something for veterans and troops?
— Soonergrunt (@soonergrunt) January 30, 2018
Try fully funding state resources for mental health and food stamps, two state services that veterans and troops access at higher rates than the general population.
Phew! I was so horrified the Governor of South Carolina WOULDN'T ask people to stand on Super Bowl Sunday. This. Changes. Everything.
— Steve Bouchard (@sbouchard67) January 30, 2018
I support our troops by paying taxes.
— Adam Alvarado (@Adam__Alvarado) January 30, 2018
I support your unemployment by donating to your opponent.
There’s literally decades of SCOTUS rulings saying you don’t have to do this lol https://t.co/peA0jWse3V
— Regan Freeman (@ReganFreeman) January 30, 2018
Could you focus on substantive policy instead of this? We all support troops that keep us safe, but we know that this gesture is just posturing for partisan politics and to sow division in our communities.
— Tipsy Tiger (@SC_Beaux) January 30, 2018
A perfect example of politicians wasting our time. SC is 50th in education, 45th in Healthcare, and has the 12th highest obesity rate. But hey let's talk about what position we should be in at a certain time during a football game.
— Ej (@ThatEpicguy720) January 30, 2018
I will #TakeAKnee
— Puppymnkey (@RobinBrenizer) January 30, 2018
Oh gosh yes. Put down your bibles beer and chicken wings where ever you are. Cuss those people exercising their constitutional rights. Listen to the racist hypocrites who'll be betting on which of those who #TakeAKnee is MVP.
— LynneGuire (@LynneGuire) January 30, 2018
I will #TakeTheKnee pic.twitter.com/aJmoV0VUvq
— Mary Quite Contrary (@ContraryMeri) January 30, 2018
We live in an age where the louder you proclaim to be a patriot, the less patriotic you are likely to be.
— Mr Texas (@RGVCritic) January 30, 2018
Whereas, South Carolina was the first to secede from the Union, this proclamation is extremely ironic.
— Kate Gilligan (@KEGilligan) January 30, 2018
You claim to love and support the troops………… but have not spoken out against the 3rd amendment??? Interesting……it would seem you do not actually support the troops at all
— ＷＥＴ ＡＲＭＡＤＩＬＬＯ (@BauceSauce) January 30, 2018
McMaster of None
— TGB (@twitersgoodboy) January 30, 2018
This South Carolinian is perfectly able to support our troops without participating in a showboat edict issued by you. I stand for the anthem at sporting events and I fully support and empathize with the peaceful protestors who choose to kneel.
— Diane Smith (@TheDiane0905) January 30, 2018
Dog-whistle politics.
— jamie berndt (@jberndtwojo) January 30, 2018
I’m a veteran, as is my husband. I think it would impress me more if you showed support for troops by respecting the first amendment right to protest, and peacefully at that. Learn what #TakeAKnee is actually about.
— TFM (@tierrafaemarea) January 30, 2018
LOL at the state that flew the Confederate flag at its Capitol until 2015 telling people to respect the American flag.
— Michael G. (@MichaelGarofola) January 30, 2018
I'll be sure to remain seated during the anthem, just for you. I will, however, stand up for the coin toss. Some things are important. #SouthCarolinaIsAnEmbarrassment #NoOneElectedYou #ForcedPatriotisnIsNotPatriotism
— kevin finkelstein (@kfinkelstein) January 30, 2018
— DiverCity (@Diversificatio) January 30, 2018
Many of my friends and family have or are currently serving in our military. I love & appreciate our troops, but refuse to follow a proclamation from a member of the treasonous Republican Party. Get your house in order, Governor. Us patriots will do whatever we feel like doing.
— Independent_lefty (@independent_r21) January 30, 2018
You betray veterans with your policies all the time. Stop using them as scapegoats for your political agenda when you care nothing about them. Just for that I will be sure to #TakeaKnee
— holly abair (@HollyAbair) January 30, 2018
I ask that you take the concerns of people angry at the frequent murder of US civilians by police seriously.
— DREAM Machine (@bdragon74) January 30, 2018
How about you declare to make the education better for our children in the low country and stop with all the standardized testing. Make Education great again instead of worrying about a flag....
— King Pak (@pakmann864) January 30, 2018
How about issuing a proclamation that SC police treat all people equally without regard to race or anything other identifying trait?
— Better Whirled (@betterwhirled) January 31, 2018
You can actually affect a change w/ police, not with forced patriotism.#walterscotthttps://t.co/xtIK6RvBlV
#TakeAKnee #TakeAKnee #TakeAKnee #TakeAKnee #TakeAKnee #TakeAKnee #TakeAKnee
— SueMe (@Sueme39164137) January 31, 2018
South Carolina is one of the worst states for veterans, and our Governor's idea to support them is to have people stand up in their living rooms for two minutes.
— _wampa__stompa (@eddyapplesauce) January 31, 2018
How North Korea of you! What next forced ring kissing?
— Yinzer_Girl! (@ace_maddie) January 31, 2018
You are an obscene idealogue. You are spitting on the Constitution and the veterans who sacrificed their lives to preserve our right to protest. Resign now!
— Daniel Santos (@mr_dsantos) January 31, 2018
My spouse and I are proud Army veterans. No.
— Taylor (@LackTact) January 31, 2018
hey henry, stop using us veterans as a prop for your political discussion. we don’t need you to speak for us.
— stephenjoseph ن (@stephenvstrex) January 30, 2018
I'm not going to stand.
— Chris K (@chriskirchein) January 30, 2018
Well this seems a good use of your time. How about actually doing something tangible that supports our troops.?
— KarenHeff (@karenheff) January 30, 2018
.@henrymcmaster As a Vet, I'll defend those who kneel like I defended the constitution that gives citizens freedom of speech. Now you know!
— JNinMentor (@jnmentor) January 31, 2018
And what are you doing to show your support for the cause of black people who are trying to tell you that they are being unjustly killed? You could read the Constitution again and figure out that patriotism by proclamation goes against all of this country's founding principles
— Austin Swafford (@Astros290) January 31, 2018
I can’t wait to vote you out.
— k (@khabxgg_) January 31, 2018
REALLY? I think I will kneel and pray that South Carolinians will wake up and elect a thinking/intelligent/rational/smart governor in the next election. That is the most patriotic thing I can do. Vote @JamesSmithSC Oh yeah, he's a true patriot who served in combat...
— Patty Hall (@SCWebbie) January 31, 2018
One more reason to kneel in prayer for our country. #TakeAKnee
— Suri Crowe (@KSuri) January 31, 2018
When you sign up to serve your country, you take an oath to "support" and "defend" the Constitution. Popular or not it's a right.
— Joshua (@JoshuaRunkART) January 31, 2018
NO. #TakeAKnee
— ❄️Snowy Doc Jen❄️ (@jennylehman2) January 30, 2018
— jump kick, sweep ☕ (@FGC_illuminati) January 30, 2018
Gee sure glad your spending your time on something so vitally important. Good God man try working on something that actually helps citizens that instead of grandstanding. Trying to be SCs Trump? Well Bless Your Heart!
— Leon Russ (@LeonRuss1) January 31, 2018
#ikneel The national anthem is just a song and I still respect the military and America I just decide to protest
— Matt (@matt_reisacher) January 31, 2018
As a native and current South Carolinian, who also happens to be a vet, I respectfully say no. Forced Patriotism isn't patriotism at all. Please address matters that helps the majority of vets, not this. Thanks!
— Greg (@gregtoggweiler) January 31, 2018
I support the troops 100%. I will #takeaknee to show my support for the First Amendment.
— GeorgiaGirl (@GBrennanSC) January 31, 2018
Have you lost your mind?
— Wendy Smith (@wendyfarrsmith) January 31, 2018
What is this? North Korea??
— chilo villalobos (@ceciliovillalob) January 31, 2018
I ask that all South Carolinians show their love of country and the values it was built on and vote you out of office!
— Cynthia B (@Cynthia91597428) January 31, 2018
I plan on #TakeAKnee @TopRopeTravis
— Chris W (@chris_walsh10) January 31, 2018
I think it's a bigger respect to our service men and women and especially our vets, is to take care of them when they come home. Worrying about what someone does with their knee/knees not so much.
— Blue Bird Says (@BlueBirdSells) January 31, 2018
I’m gonna take a knee
— NEW BOYZ fan account (@meek_minajjj) January 31, 2018
And I ask that all South Carolinians show the world our state’s resolute commitment to democracy and the rule of law. Standing up for the National Anthem is a personal choice. Standing up to authoritarianism is imperative.
— Carol Kerrigan (@SeaKerr18) January 31, 2018
— J⚾️hn Franc⚾️ (@heierup) January 31, 2018
Give me a proclamation that fixes THE DAMN ROADS!
— Joey Conway (@J_Conway88) January 31, 2018
I'm a vet. I'm not offended by people kneeling because I know its not in disrespect to the troops. Its the double standard our flag represents.
— gone country (@casekaem) January 31, 2018
— Zulu Love (@Zero_FuCksGiv3n) January 31, 2018
Ok to stand. But peaceful protest against injustice is what I served 23 years for. Don’t twist this into something it never was about. Veterans suggested #TakeAKnee & support their right to do so. Suggesting not standing is against vets & the flag is un-American & political spin.
— Seventhwave (@Seventhwave2) January 30, 2018
Wow...people not agreeing and speaking out against a politician is AWESOME! "Welcome to democracy Henry"....we get to disagree with you.
— The Papa String Band (@funkynewgrass) January 30, 2018
I'd rather bring them home from the needless, endless wars we keep sending them to, but empty gestures and dumb culture wars can be fun, too, I guess.
— Very Stable Genius (@drewlewtoo) January 30, 2018
#IKneel to shed light on the oppressed.
— The Tease (@CrosseyedTease) January 30, 2018
— REZZBIAN (@aidanfogg) January 30, 2018
As a Veteran, I am appalled that you are coercing people to stand in my name. I have no problem with anyone who decides to kneel. That's all a part of EVERY American's First Amendment right. How DARE you bully them otherwise.
— Mandie Marron (@Caprickah) January 31, 2018
How do you still manage to deflect the point that making the conscious choice to protest the societal injustice rampant in the country (and in the White House) by not standing for the anthem and attach it to being an affront to veterans. This is about YOU, not them.
— Bill Watters (@billrw3) January 31, 2018
Like those who claim to be pro-life but care less about taking healthcare away from sick children..children with nowhere to call home,you care less..you aren't pro-life. NFL players has a right to kneel in protest against police brutality & still respect/honor the military/flag.
— Nicolette Love✌❤ (@nickibabylove) January 31, 2018
As a South Carolinian and an american, I reserve the right to exercise my constitutional freedoms.
— Seth Carolina (@sethcarolina) January 31, 2018
I served so that all Americans could exercise their constitutional right to peaceful protest. I am not at all offended by anyone taking a knee. USMC 1982-1988 Semper Fidelis
— Martha M Kimbrough (@MarthaMKimbrou3) January 31, 2018
I'm going to be watching at my home and no I'm not going to stand for the national anthem because I live in America where i can choose to not do this. I served 20 yrs in the military to preserve everyone's right to choose. So miss me with the BS #ISit
— BoricuaEnSC (@ArroyoEacid) January 31, 2018
Also since you wanna stand for something how about stand in line to fix the schools in Great Falls the elementary school children can’t even have gym because it rains inside and there are bats. The middle and high school can use some work also governor @henrymcmaster
— Kiya's (@kiyas_bigknot) January 31, 2018
With all the issues you could spend time on.....you choose this Governor? Please.
— Kevin Simmons (@KPSimms) January 31, 2018
My husband is a Navy veteran and will be proudly taking a knee. Regards, from Hilton Head, SC #TakeAKnee #Resist pic.twitter.com/GET6Yd6nzv
— Bitter Lemon (@solonl2001) January 31, 2018
This story was originally published January 31, 2018 at 2:04 AM with the headline "McMaster says stand for flag and anthem, most on social media say no, or #TakeAKnee."