Off-Topic Forum

Reading my newsfeed over the past few days has brought me a bit of consternation over the continuing polarity that keeps fueling divisiveness in the United States. Let me say upfront that I believe both sides of the political fence are to blame. 

I don't know when the presidency began getting involved in acknowledging sports champions, except when President Nixon made a call to Texas Longhorns Head Coach Darrell Royal after Texas defeated Arkansas 15-14 in a classic game in 1969. Lately a call from or a visit to the White House has become a political firestorm, and the news this weekend kept it burning.

Mookie Betts, and other Boston Red Sox, have stated emphatically that they will not pay a visit to the White House as a protest to President Trump's policies/stances. He has that right, and that's not my gripe. Neither am I condoning President Trump's lack of diplomatic skill when publicly lambasted, whether factual or not. My concern is that neither side is willing to humble themselves and give an ear to what they oppose.

I believe both conservatives and liberals have dug in their heals so much that the game of chicken will end up tragically for both. And the new generation is following in the footsteps of both.

I believe what should transpire is this (and I don't care who takes the lead):

1. President Trump should offer an invitation to celebrate a team's accomplishments AND give the players a chance to voice some concerns about his policies;
2. Team leaders, Betts, Steph Curry, etc, should insist on a meeting with the President to discuss their political concerns instead of just refusing to show up to the invitation.

I believe both sides have been listening to the wrong advice, the one which tells them that there's nothing right about what the other wants. One side MUST show civility, and a desire to be open to another's viewpoint, otherwise the gap keeps widening and the old adage becomes a reality, "a house divided will fall."

And that's my concern.

From a Canadian trying to remember the old controversy, was the first White House visit boycott when the goalie Tim Thomas refused to visit the Obama White House?

It is the first time I remember hearing about such a thing. 

One side MUST show civility,

I would say  BOTH sides need to.  I understand it takes one side to get it started.   Years ago you may see it now and then.  Now it is made into a big deal and you see it almost very day.

Now days there is no middle ground.  If you are not on one side or the other you get hit by both sides.   

1995 Nebraska basketball team slip over a race issue.  Some whites and blacks on both sides.  Loss 6 games during the split.  They got back together at the end of the season and win the NIT.  Should have gone to the big stage that year.

I blame social media, and to a lesser degree the mainstream media, for ALL of it.

I know the white house boycotts go back at least as far as the Clinton presidency.  A football player, if I recall.  But not a whole team.

I bet 1/2 of these players don't even know what policies they are being told to act opposed to.

An invitation to the White House is an honor, regardless of who lives there at the time.

Michael Jordan didn't visit with the Bulls in 1991 because he didn't like HW Bush's policies.

I agree, David, with social media being a factor, but the individual is ALWAYS responsible for their actions. The vehicle gives them the opportunity to go wherever they wish, but they don't have to drive it there. Yet, there are those that get behind the wheel with no idea of the magnitude of damage they can do misusing it. Usually it's anonimity that emboldens one, but in this case it's probably more ease of use.

And, yes, the media are not innocent bystanders, by no means. They're as much part of the polarization of the U.S. as anyone or anything.

I'm with switzr on this.  An invitation is exactly that, an invitation.  It can be refused or accepted.  If social media did not make it a blown-out-of-proportion issue, who would really care.

If I don't like someone or what he/she stands for, I won't associate with the person no matter what status he/she has. It is no one else's business whether they think I am right or wrong.

A sports team doesn't want to go to the White House does it really affect any of our lives? IMO that is a who cares. Now when the two sides can not agree and shut the government down, that affects a number of Americans, and we all need to care.

With so many "news" websites out there, most people only read/year what they want to. Then they see no reason to bargain with the other side. Yes I agree with everyone else hear the problem lies with both sides.