Veterans Day: Lest We Forget

By John Kass

Nov. 11, 2024

Monday is Veterans Day.

And now that we’ve gone through a bruising political campaign, with Republican Donald Trump having the greatest comeback in American political history, winning the Electoral College and the popular vote, there is some talk–except on MSNBC–about American reconciliation and unity.

As they try to make sense of what happened to them, and what they did to themselves and to the nation, here’s my question:

Are we to open our arms to our leftist neighbors, even if they spat on the American flag and used the power of corporate media to compel many Americans to kneel during our national anthem?

Our memories are short in America. We are encouraged to forget much of what happens to us. Memories get in the way of commerce.

But I can’t forget what the left has done. I just can’t. I once loved watching pro-football on Sunday. I began to fall away from it with the mounting evidence that the sport created brain damage. And still, those of us who loved it, loved it. We ignored the moral implications of avoiding the truth.

Yet the universe changed. Those who refused to bend the knee, and kneel during the singing  of the national anthem–or worse, dared complain about it–were threatened with public shaming as racists and fascists. The corrupt corporate media was the lash that forced many to their knees. And once denounced as racists by the jacobin left, many believed they’d be isolated and fired, especially if they worked in government or for a corporation. And some were indeed fired, their lives upended, their families hurt.

The National Football League is a corporation too. Now the NFL is all about cammo and snappy salutes and Old Glory. The league of gladiators has become the NFL that loves America now, as it loved apple pie and Chevrolet. And like those other corporate interests, like the corporate media and the Democratic Party just loves the red, white and blue.

But like I said, November 11 is Veteran’s Day. Have we forgotten what they did to strike at Republican hearts?

Forgive me Jesus, but I just can’t easily open my arms to those who spat on our flag and compelled other Americans to kneel–not to God during prayer–but to the Godless jacobin left during the hateful rituals they spewed out on Sundays, with the Democrats of the American left that was finally slapped down on Tuesday by Americans who voted them out of office and elected President Trump.

I’m for redemption, yes. And forgiveness.

But how can there be public redemption without public confession? Without public admission of sin? Without saying: America we took your pastime and threw it in the garbage to weaken Donald Trump. I don’t know if I’m alone in this. If I am, it wouldn’t be the first time. And it’s natural that after a long, often an ugly political campaign, that Americans want to get back to “normal.” Ok that’s fine. But what is “normal” exactly?

Years ago, the argument over kneeling during the anthem at NFL games jumped to the Chicago Police Department. Two Chicago police officers, both African-American, made news for being photographed in uniform, kneeling in support of protests against police brutality.

Then Democrat Mayor Rahm Emanuel didn’t want to touch it. He had troubles of his own with black voters, having sat on that video of a white police officer shooting a black teenager to death until after his re-election was secure. Police were prohibited from engaging in political activity in uniform. But the mayor declined to engage about the cops on their knees. President Joe Biden made him ambassador to Japan.

And the hint of the lawlessness to come for Chicago during the next “Summer of Love” was revealed by Chicago’s politics. Democrat politicians were either of the hard left, like Kamala Harris or they were terrified by the left, and so, they capitulated as did Rahm.

Of his kneeling police officers, Rahm told reporters:

“They were somewhat betwixt, between two different aspirations.”

Betwixt? I’ve never heard a Chicago politician use “betwixt” before.

Remember that conservatives didn’t push this NFL protest drama. The Democrat Party, the left, pushed it for years. Remember also that in St. Louis and Washington, black NFL players raised their hands on the field, in the “Hands Up, Don’t Shoot” pose in support of slain Ferguson, Missouri, police shooting victim Michael Brown, who turned out to be a dangerous thug, not some hero. The remaking of Michael Brown into some kind of plaster saint was was a lie. It was a Democrat organizing stunt and the same thing was done with another thug, the BLM sainted George Floyd.

And it was all a lie.

Later came another try, with the hapless weakling Mayor Lori Lightfoot. It involved the left’s political point man and mediocre quarterback Colin Kaepernick — wearing warm-up socks with pink pigs as police officers on them — first sitting, then kneeling through the anthem to protest police brutality.

What did the political left want? It wanted a revolt of the gladiators on national television. And it got what it wanted.

And generations of politicians averted their eyes, to brutality and lawlessness. The Soros prosecutors amplified this trend.

The NFL watched the left march through the league and the corporate chieftains and the owners did nothing. That was fear talking. And confusion breeds more fear. The rogue gladiators pushed it and pushed it until it all became food for the “Summer of Love” overwhelming big city mayors who were also fearful of exerting leadership.

By the “Summer of Love” of 2020, the Black Lives Matter riots blossomed out of this firmament, and the cities burned. Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz and Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker were terrified of angering black rioters and looters, so they let the cities be destroyed. Gov. Fat Boy and company they talk tough about Trump, but like the coward on the edge of a barfight, when it was really time to throw hands, they averted their eyes and just looked away wanting mommy to bring them cookies and milk.

Will it all be erased by loving the Cowboys and the Bears and the Lions? And perhaps buying some NFL cammo gear? Perhaps.

But what about those NFL kneepads, for kneeling on hard ground as Old Glory is stretched tight and thousands sing? Can we get those in cammo, to save the knees if not our national pride?

This isn’t the ’60s. It is cops who are are under siege. They’re the ones being shot for a color: blue.  On Sunday, a mass was scheduled for fallen Chicago Police Officer Enrique Martinez at St. Christina Church on the Southwest Side. Officer Martinez, only 26, was gunned down by three thugs during a South Side traffic stop on Monday night.

America is not a racist country. We twice elected a black man from Chicago as president of the United States. Rumor has it that his bid for a “fourth” unconstitutional term in the White House was denied, unequivocally by the American people, on Election Day.

So are we a perfect country? No. Not exactly. But lest we forget, we are a great one. Yet all too often, we’re encouraged to forget.

Even on Veteran’s Day when we honor all those who served

And today, I’m all about remembering.

 

-30-

About the author: John Kass spent decades as a political writer and news columnist in Chicago working at a major metropolitan newspaper. He is co-host of The Chicago Way podcast. And he just loves his “No Chumbolone” hat, because johnkassnews.com is a “No Chumbolone” Zone where you can always get a cup of common sense.

Comments 83

  1. And I cannot forget the goons invading the US Capitol, setting up a gallows to hang Mike Pence, Trump saying “eh” and the death/injury of many police who tried to protect our hallowed building.
    He tried to overthrow the election, too. Notice there were no Dems parading that the election was stolen or threat shouting.
    I thought you might write a beautiful column, as you often have, about veterans. But no, a shout out to Trump had to intrude, the man whose dad paid a doctor to claim bone spurs to avoid service. The same who wondered about the losers, failing to go to the French cemetery to honor our WW 2 fallen, the same who told Kelly over the grave of his son that he didn’t get why people would die for the country.
    He is an indecent human being and he’s too old to change.

    1. Today I will honor our Veterans. Today I am very pleased we will have a change of leadership in our nation. Today as any day I enjoyed reading John Kass’s column.
      Any column on Veterans Day can be written in one way or another. John Kass chose to speak of the disrespect our nation witnessed over the many years to our flag, our veterans, our first responders. Mr. Kass wrote of the lack of leadership to defend our cities, our flag our veterans.
      I support Donald Trump. He has shown great love for our country and veterans. For many years misinformation has been spewed by liberal candidates and the media.
      President Trump has a lot of things to fix that were broken by Biden-Harris. I believe he will do all he can to fix our border, defend our nation, lower our costs and make America respectable again.
      The one thing I would hope is an honest investigation could be made into the lawfare against him. It was obvious many organizations were politically weaponized against Trump. Most importantly, an investigation into January 6. I have a hard time accepting that what happened was caused by Trump.
      May God Bless America and God Bless our wonderful veterans.

    3. TERRIFIC column, again, Kass!

      Despite the Queen of Vacuity’s verbal diarrhea and her now public arbiter of decency, you’ve tied together nicely the NFL’s mooch of Armistice/Veteran’s Day and its pathetic Kaeperneck/Floyd/Brown/BLM hypocrisy.

      On the other hand and a much more pleasant NFL note, did you catch the Anthem from Munich in yesterday morning’s game? Violin solo?! Goose bumps and waves of pride to see Old Glory unfurled to the notes of that virtuoso performance!

      THANK YOU, VETS, GOD BLESS YOU ALL

      hansen

      1. So Ms. Conrad’s telling the truth is verbal diarrhea? Trump has repeatedly referred to veterans, especially the ones who gave the ultimate sacrifice, as “suckers” and losers”. Honestly, what is the matter with you people?

        1. Cecelia you know those are lies, you have a severe case of TDS.
          You can repeat things that have been disproven time and time again and it doesn’t make them true.
          You have 4 years to think about the horrible mess President Trump must clean up but he will.
          Sorry your Canadian Communist candidate lost but not really…..

          1. I’m way beyond TDS. I’m truly terrified that Trump will form a government like the ruthless dictators that he admires so much – Putin, Erdogan et.al. and that there will be no more elections. That he will use the military (or the Jan. 6 folks that he plans to pardon) to deport masses of people of color, legal or not, and take revenge on whoever he doesn’t like, or won’t bend the knee. Cruelty is their MO. Maybe that’s OK with you, but I hope not. I also hope that I’m wrong. You can knock yourselves out making fun of me and folks like me, but these concerns are real.

        2. I believe “the Queen of Vacuity” was a reference to Mz. Veep. You & the Conrad’s of the left can’t seem to come out of your bubble. You prefer to believe and parrot the many debunked “mis-information” screes of the biased, untrusted media. Get over it!

        3. Cecelia, you’re breaking my heart
          You’re shaking my funny bone daily
          Oh, Cecilia, get down on your knees
          I’m begging you please just grow up
          Just grow up

          (stolen by) hansen

    5. Wow, you still parrot the lies of the left about Trump. You also did not, on Veterans Day, list the military history of Joe Biden and Bill Clinton. I will wait for you to do that,. He never stated anything about losers, or visiting a French cemetery or honoring our WW II dead. People like you disgust me. I am a disabled veteran and I was proud to vote for President Trump last Tuesday, far outnumbering the people who voted for Kamala and former so called Command Sergeant Major Tim Walz, the one of stolen valor.

      2. God bless YOU, Harry Kannry, and thank you for your service on this solemn day. I’m old enough to recall WWI vets filling me in on the Great War, augmenting and enlivening my grammar school history classes. I’ll proudly/gladly stand with you awaiting Ms. Vacuous’s truth vacuum correction/admission. I know, too, we would NOT stand alone given Kasso’s clientel; Ms. Miller for instance.

        hansen

      3. Mr Kannry, Thank you for your service. And the left never seems to remember that Biden nor Clinton served in the military. Biden had a medical excuse (asthma I believe), and Clinton just avoided it. (If he was drafted he was going “to serve in a way to provide pilot viability within the system. His quote)

    6. Happy Veterans Day, Geraldine. For four long years now, people like me have had to endure the incompetency and dereliction of duty of this administration. The majority of what you said has been debunked by many. My suggestion to you is to say a prayer for Donald Trump, his family and all of his supporters, which is what many of us have done for Joe Biden, his family and all of his supporters.

    7. The things you point out have been proven lies made by people who were trying to make points with what they assumed was the winning side in the continuation of the Obama regime. The country refuted the policies of the Democrats who refuse to accept their policies were shit. They now turn on each other. One reality is that they fail to accept is their offending of the largest Hispanic voting bloc in this country. Mexican Americans. John’s old paper went to Pilsen and spoke to voters there and proved this. Mexican Americans AND Mexicans there witnessed Bidens Illegals being given work permits, free food and rent without ever contributing to a system that others have given to. California has already positioned itself as the center of ” resistance ” against deportation of illegals. Trump is not giving sanctuary cities any more money so California, New York, and Illinois are going to feed, house and give medical care to their new guests. Hopefully Gavin Newsom and his usual cast of idiots continue this offending trend since I’m pretty sure Mexican Americans carry a lot of weight over there at the ballot box too. Maybe California can throw out the trash like the rest of the country did.

      1. The politicizing of the NFL pretty much killed my viewing of that sport. The inept coaching of the Bears is helping with that also. I thought that when I retired I would get to watch football all day on Sunday. Not so. I’m sixty one years old. If I want to be ” reeducated ” I’ll take a class.

    8. J 6 was not a good look. it also, was not of the Party that I knew. It was alien, an alien response to an election that was flat out stolen – in too many ways to count. The Democrat will blame their defeat on everything in sight that it can blame. But they will never have the strength of character to admit this, they lost this time, because this was our fairest election ever. 2020 was not. And we won’t be bullied any longer in to silence about 2020 because we are still working on perfecting our elections. If the Democrat is to ever come back into power, they are going to have to learn to shoot straight.

      But agree – J6 was a terrible look for sure

    9. God Bless our veterans and the women and men who serve this uniquely great country. January 6th was indeed a shameful day. The only time, in my memory, when Republicans finally said “enough”. Match that against the countless demontrations Democrats have started in recent times – starting with the Trump Inauguration through the 54 straight days of George Floyd riots which rocked all our major cities. Four people died on January 6th. They were rioters not police. One unarmed rioter was gunned down in ‘cold blood’. Check these facts. I doubt, very seriously, whether those who stormed the Capitol would have actually hanged Mike Pence. But, it made a nice story for the liberal press. And, as for the “voting irregularity” reason for this disgraceful act, I only ask: Why in this recent presidential election cycle, billed by every media outlet as the “most consequential in the history of this nation”, were there nearly 10 million fewer votes than in 2020?” Why were the vote totals in 2020, which we were repeatedly told was “the most secure, transparent and verified” election in our history so “out of wack”? As for Mr. Trump’s supposed comments to Mr. Kelly, I do not believe any American who appreciates the freedoms we enjoy, due to the sacrifices of the fallen, would ever disparage their memories, much less any U.S. President. As for the reasons Mr. Trump was elected, I will simply say, a secure border, safe streets, cheaper everything, cops good, criminals bad, boys boys, girls girls and NO WARS.

    10. Ms Conrad, I pray that the Lord opens your eyes to the truth, and that He teaches you what you need to learn.

      I also pray that, in the meantime, you stop being a shill for the evil in the world.

    12. Oh, and by the way, since you are so concerned about the January 6th rioters storming this nations Capitol, “our hallowed building”, in your words, how do you feel about the Floyd rioters storming the White House to the degree that the Secret Service moved then President Trump to the bunker for his safety? The liberal press had a field day with this incident insinuating that then President Trump was a coward of some sorts. I also note that unlike the Floyd riots in our nations Capital, which resulted in looting and burning of businesses in the downtown area, January 6th rioters did no damage to private businesses in Washington, D.C.

      1. Ms. Conrad conveniently ignores the sustained attacks by ANTIFA on the Mark Hatfield federal building in Portland Oregon and the fact that the Portland City Council refused to provide Portland police to aid federal police. She conveniently ignores the illegal demonstrations at the homes of conservative Supreme Court Justices and the refusal of the Biden Justice Dept to intervene. A very selective memory indeed.

    13. The U.S. Veterans would risk their lives to protect you, even as you spit lies about the president. That Kelly stuff was a lie, no one corroborated it who was there. I know you’re a Democrat, but what happened to you Geraldine? Don’t feel compelled to reply.

    14. Well Ms. Conrad, Mr. Trump may in fact be ” … an indecent human being and he’s too old to change” as you say, but the people have spoken: he is now Mr. President whether you like it or not. You see Geraldine, as Mr. Obama once said, elections have consequences. And the consequences here are the total rejection of Democratic Party insanity: a wide open border, “men can get pregnant”, highest sustained inflation in the past 40 years, effectively legalizing criminal behavior, and finally the three year conspiracy to hide the severe cognitive decline of a sitting President. You and your fellow bolsheviks got exactly what you so justly deserved.

    15. You are an angry person. Most Dems are and you need to chill out. Thanks be to God we have him back in the White House after the failed Biden-Harris regime. You owe we the conservatives an apology.

    16. Your utter stupidity tarnishes this site. Nobody referred to the fallen as suckers and losers, unless it was your side. No, your anti American side burned churches, police stations, black owned businesses that their owners had worked a lifetime to build.

      I suggest you crawl back in the hole you live in. The Americans have won, not some Leftist POS like you.

    17. I’m going to help you…. J6 was a guided tour of the capitol by the police, and those jailed are political prisoners. No police died as a result of the guided tours, but one citizen was shot to death, and another beaten to death by the police. The election was fraud, we all know this. The losers comment was manufactured by the media. Turn off cnn before its too late!!!!!

      1. Yes, J6 was a total SET UP. How come no mention of the pipe bombs placed at the DNC and near the RNC? Turns out they didn’t need them. Just heard that the cell phone records are now available for that day where the pipe bomb (and Kamala) were located. I hope there is a REAL investigation this time. Maybe Ms Conrad will change her tune when she sees the extent of what the deep state Dems would do to stay in power.

  2. Great column, as always, John.

    I remember the guys who were a few years older than me who came home from Vietnam with horrible wounds and worse scars on their souls.

    I remember seeing the wounds that my Dad bore (arms, back ankle and face). I asked him at a doctors officer before he died why he did not hold a Purple Heart. He said, ” I wasn’t wounded. Every guy took home Jap shrapnel. If you could walk, you weren’t wounded. Simple.”

    I did not serve. I must honor. Simple.

  5. Mr. Kass- wonderful job as always. I’m retired from both the military (20 years) and am also a retired Cop (36 years), and my take on some things is a little different.

    I couldn’t care less when an athlete, or anyone else, chooses not to stand for the National Anthem, or chooses to disrespect the flag. As a matter of fact, I’m not really sure why the National Anthem is played at sporting events, as many people couldn’t care less. Refusing to stand is the right of anyone.

    What bothers me is when these folks are somehow made into “heroes” by our beloved (sic) “media” and by some politicians. If we are so hungry for heroes, how about acknowledging some real ones, like the men and women who put their lives on the line every day in the military and in public safety?

    But, having served in both, I never did expect to get any respect, recognition, or appreciation for either of my careers, it was something in which I believed and what I chose to do. When I have a hat or shirt on that identifies me as a Veteran or a Cop and someone says “thanks for your service”, I always reply “You’re welcome, it was my privilege”, and it was. Keep making your Greek ancestors proud, Mr. Kass, and to all my Veteran Friends, have a great day.

    2. Mr. McDevitt I would also add to the list of heroes all the E.R. doctors and surgeons, the high school counselors and teachers, the scientists working to cure cancers, parents etc. These people and countless more have spent careers, 30 and 40 year careers, making important, meaningful contributions to society. Pro athletes with their short window of public exposure come and go, they fade into obscurity. They entertain but they don’t matter. They are far from being true heroes.

    3. First and foremost, thank you, Dan, for your service and honor.

      Your comment is well stated and you totally nailed it.
      I’ve heard a few veterans make the statement that they fought to give these jamokes the freedom to do what they want, so they’re not bothered by that. But,nputting the on a pedestal for it is totally wrong. Thank you for noting that.

    5. Dan you are ABSOLUTELY correct. The bar for being a hero has been considerably lowered in the last few years by the Left and its media. It used to be you committed a heroic act in your service during the war. Maybe a fireman who saved lives during a fire. Shot it out with bad guys robbing a bank. A bystander that saved a baby from being hit by a car in traffic. Now our Leftist media anoints you as a hero for kneeling during the national anthem at a sporting event. You are a hero for being a male who competes in womans sports since you now consider yourself a female. A hero for being so dumb to think that your vapidity would be enough to get elected president. The bar for being called a hero is in the basement low. Even the Cowardly Lion doesn’t want to be considered with the present company. Heroes indeed.

      1. Yeah you are right Enrique. The hero journey has been a long downhill decent from the heights of heroism like civilian federal employee Lenny Skutnik to the present day vapid clowns on the Left.

  6. Did you see where Nick Bosa of the 49ers was fined for wearing a hat proclaiming MAGA and Trump. Yet, the players can put Black Lives Matters on their helmets with no fines. Roger Goodell is a total complete jackass.

  7. Bravo! Excellent column. I attended a Veteran’s Program yesterday which is an annual event in Yorkville. We had 9 veterans who spoke about their experiences. The attendance was larger than previous years. This is the first year there was no one from WWII, though several of us are children or grandchildren of those who served. Every branch of the military was represented and once again, a woman, a nurse, was one of the speakers.

    As a daughter, niece, wife and friend of several who have served and some who perished, I celebrate the Veterans every day. God Bless our Veterans and God Bless America.

  8. The withdrawal culminated in the Abbey Gate terrorist attack on August 26, 2021, which killed 13 U.S. service-members, wounding another 45. The withdrawal concluded on August 30, 2021, when the last U.S. military aircraft left Afghanistan.

    Let’s not forget the most recent, because Biden and Harris both have forgotten. They claim over and over, that no service personal died during their administration.

  9. God bless our veterans. I moved from Chicago to Beaufort South Carolina several years ago. This area has several Marine bases, Parris Island and the Beaufort MCAS. We have a huge population of veterans and active warriors, and it takes about half a second to appreciate having heroes walking among us as opposed to Chicago’s thugs and illegals.
    As to the NFL, let’s not forget the preposterous “Black National Anthem.” That’s such an affront to American unity and the fight against racial segregation that it’s hard to believe anyone actually thought it was a good idea.

  10. Yianni,
    We must never forget those who made the ultimate sacrifice serving in uniform for our country. I actually wanted to learn to fly so I applied for NAOC (Naval aviation officer candidate) program. However, the program started running out of funds mid year 1969 and I subsequently enlisted as a Naval Aviation “airdale.” Served 3 years active duty, and I continue to tell others, it was a privilege to have served. Folks that I tell that to have a hard time comprehending that phrase. Looking back on it all, it was still a privilege to be of service to my country. God bless the USA!!!

  11. “But how can there be public redemption without public confession? Without public admission of sin?
    John, the answer is evident in history since the Civil War. The democrat party has never acknowledged their participation in slavery, Jim Crow, the KKK, the Civil War and total resistance to any civil rights legislation until the Johnson administration one hundred years later.

    They are the most politically perverse party in America with a solid history to prove it. They try to erase the memories….remove statues….and act like they are the only people who care for America’s minorities.

    Signed,
    One Happy American

  12. God bless you John Kass for this wonderful column. Yes, we need to have these people “confess” their sins as to kneeling for our USA anthem and other things that MATTER to all of us. Yes, we can reconcile our differences, but still we need to have the left come back to Old Glory and Stand up with hands over our hearts if not saluting our flag. Not enough of us have “served”….period.
    /Users/thomaseadams/Desktop/FlandersField_1024x1024.jpg This poem, In Flanders Fields was always one of my favorites and should be always put forward to those who have not read it. No, we never took part in that WWI, but this poem serves a tad of relief to it. Supposedly the “final peace”……which we all knew was a lie.
    God bless you and yours always John Kass and thank you for being there.

  14. The 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month, 1918, was originally called Armistice Day in commemoration of the signing of the peace agreement ending WWI–maybe the most useless war ever fought. The United States has spent more time at war than at peace these past two and a half centuries. Here’s hoping that President Trump’s aversion to war gets us through four years of peace like it did during his first term.

  15. John, thank you. As the son of a member of the “greatest generation” who crossed the beach at Normandy I was always taught to respect our veterans. I pledged allegiance every morning in grade and high school. I recently delved into the massive spike in votes in 2020. Covid Lockdowns allowed a lot of questionable “voting” to occur. The return during what was the most important election of our life of numbers in line but slightly increased from 2012, 2016 and now 2024 make me think someone has their finger on the scale in 2020. Surprise , surprise. We cannot let this activity get swept under the rug. Jan 6 was a bad day but good people fueled by righteous outrage wanted their voices heard. Pelosi did nothing to protect the capital. Had proper precautions been taken the capital likely would not have been breached. The political prisoners (who were handled and jailed like a banana republic) deserve true justice. We are on the dawn of a new day. The left will be exposed.

  16. John, I totally agree with your column, Geraldine be damned. Dan McDevitt had a very good take on the attitude of a serviceman.

    But, the NFL is not the only corporate sport guilty. The NBA may be worse and MLB is, on a somewhat smaller scale, guilty too. For that, I just don’t give any of them the time of day in ways that would attract their revenue and/or their cash streams.

  17. I worked in Ferguson, Missouri in 2014 when Officer Darren Wilson shot Michael Brown after he resisted arrest. When Wilson was cleared of wrongdoing, everyone knew that there would be civil unrest in Ferguson. However, Governor Jay Nixon, a Democrat, refused to deploy the Missouri National Guard to Ferguson, which would become the epicenter of the unrest. So Ferguson burned, businesses were destroyed, and Nixon looked the other way.

  18. Thank you to all who have served in the U.S. military in protection of our nation. Thank you also to our first responders protecting us within our boarders. Your service is appreciated.
    Regarding the NFL, we abandoned it completely over the take a knee controversy. Dropped any interest in the Bears (aided by Jay Cutler) but maintained fondness for the team of my youth, the Chiefs. As it became apparent not all teams supported the knee, we allowed ourselves to watch only the Chiefs. I guess timing is everything. ❤️. Go Chiefs!
    P.S. Still Cubs fans (glad to not be suffering as much as Sox fans), and Royals in our back pocket.

  19. There’s never a time you don’t weave into current circumstances historical references that most people have long since forgotten. It’s like a written word version of when Tim Russert would playback video to a guest on Meet The Press he was grilling (always gentlemanly and with decorum of course) when they would attempt to gaslight the American people. Thank you for that. I for one always appreciate your institutional knowledge! Great column today.

  21. Good day John;
    I saved your column today for my last read, after I swished RCP, PLB, et. al.
    I only read the first few paragraphs of your post and stopped there.
    I’ll finish this post later.
    But for now? HELL NO. The Marxists-Communists have done SO MUCH DAMAGE to the republic I demand accountability of all the Marxists-Communists.
    We’ve played patty-cake with them far too long.
    The Marxists-Communists need retribution good and hard!

  22. Can anyone answer this?
    Was the mayor, governor, our 2 US senators, any IL US house of Reps., elected city officials, state reps/senators/ city Aldermen at this brave policeman funeral?

    1. Thomas. Welcome back. You can now address the orange man as Mr. President … and “you can put it on the board … yes.”

      Regarding your question: As near as I can tell from reading various news reports, Ald. Ray Lopez attended. I seriously doubt the Mayor attended, but I don’t know for sure. In fact I’m betting he likely was told by the family to stay away as he was for fallen officer Luis Huesca’s funeral earlier this year.

  23. Your utter stupidity tarnishes this site. Nobody referred to the fallen as suckers and losers, unless it was your side. No, your anti American side burned churches, police stations, black owned businesses that their owners had worked a lifetime to build.

    I suggest you crawl back in the hole you live in. The Americans have won, not some Leftist POS like you.

  24. Thank you for yet another wonderful column, Mr. Kass.

    But one thing I’d like to point out: I’m willing to talk peaceably with those who vocifersously supported Biden and Harris. I’m willing to see if there is any common ground on, at least, outcomes where we can work together on means. As their icon famously said, “Elections have consequences.” We dealt with the consequences from them for four years. We can work with them, to at least some degree.

    But what I hear from friends is that they will “never give in.” They firmly believe that the issues are of morality, and we are the heathens and immoral and will immediately enact The Handmaid’s Tale. THEY are not willing to talk with us. THEY are not willing to see if we want the same outcomes. THEY do not believe consequences can possibly apply to them.

    As a retired educator, I can understand the youth of America no longer believing in consequences, but I’m talking about persons in their 40s through 70s – long before schools were prohibited from actually educating kids. I am beyond concerned about where this country is going – but caving in and electing leaders who espouse that kind of attitude, which we fortunately did NOT, is not ever going to be the answer.

    That would indeed be tyranny.

  25. Another great column, John; please don’t ever change. I salute you and your late and very wise Father.

    As a Vietnam Veteran suffering the effects of Agent Orange, I don’t have a problem with President Trump having bone spurs. Biden had Asthma. Bruce Springsteen had a concussion and was having LSD Flashbacks, which kept him out of Military Service, but he made a career of jumping around the stage and now is a big Veteran Supporter.
    How many sons of Senators and Congressmen served in Vietnam? Al Gore was there for a few weeks, but I cannot recall anyone else. The escalation of that war was strictly for $$$.
    Unlike now, we didn’t come home as heroes; we were the cause of the war. Back in the 1970s, it wasn’t cool to be a Veteran like it is now. I am happy that Americans finally recognize the sacrifices that Veterans make. Do most truly understand those sacrifices? Not unless they have been through it themselves or with a loved one.

    I work with a group called Warriors Walk-IL.org to raise funds to help prevent Veteran’s Suicide. An average of 22 Vets/day commit suicide. Civilians don’t know the stress they have been under in Combat areas. We cannot raise enough to stop it all, but in 5 years, we have raised $100k for them and are looking to raise a lot more this year.
    If President Trump called Veterans that sacrificed their lives for us Suckers and losers, I don’t believe he did. I am looking forward to his de-escalation of the wars in the Middle East and Eastern Europe.
    Let’s be cautious in forgiving the far left because their Brown Shirt Antifa will gear up this summer or soon in warmer climates.
    One more thing about the Jan 6 “Mostly Peaceful Demonstration”: the only person killed was an UNARMED Female Veteran climbing through a window shot by a coward who got an award for his heroism, while other Law Enforcement Officers constantly get chastised for killing real thugs.
    I know that President Trump will keep his friends and enemies close. I pray that there won’t be a third try on him.
    P.S. Why do people refer to BO as a Chicago hometown guy when he grew up in Hawaii?

  26. Another great column by you, Mr. Kass – thank you, Sir. And thanks to our Veterans for their service and sacrifice. We will NEVER forget.

    To those few readers who fear the forthcoming presidency of Donald Trump, it seems you have bought into the lies of the leftist media and the propaganda machine of the Democratic party. Please remember President Trump did not do any of the things you fear during his first term in office while Biden/Harris has been doing the things you fear for the past four years and longer – suppression of free speech, attempts to rig elections by illegal voting and controlling social media, using government agencies to harass and imprison those who do not support their agenda, prosecuting political opponents, attempting to govern by intimidation (for example, the harsh treatment of J6 prisoners, sending swat teams to arrest non-violent persons whose only “crime” was to support President Trump). Your fears about Donald Trump are based on the lies of the left, not on reality.

    The Trump administration will have a “heavy lift” to undo the damage done by whoever was pulling the strings during the Biden administration. Trump and his administration will need our support and prayers as they work to re-establish the God-given freedoms upon which our country was founded and for which our Veterans served and sacrificed. A better America will make a better world.

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