Apparently, there is a controversy over NFL players kneeling or holding up fists during the national anthem ceremony. Like everything else, there two sides to the debate – those that use the anthem to protest and those that argue that protesting the anthem is disrespectful. It is those that argue that it is about respect that should take a step back and look at their hypocrisy. Yup, hypocrisy.

The United States Flag Code is violated each day and yet the closet patriots remain mum.

The United States Flag code is neither ambiguous nor leaves anything for interpretation. There are eleven sections in Statue 1497 that discusses respect for the United States flag as enshrined by federal law. They are lettered “A” through “K”.

The federal code clearly states that the word “flag” means any representation of the United States flag to include parts “purporting to be either of” the U.S. flag. In other words, the national flag is any red stripes, white stars on a blue background which represents the U.S. flag, whether it is depicted in part or as a whole.

Section “D” states that the flag “should never be used as wearing apparel, bedding, or drapery.”

Section “G” states that the “should never have placed on it, nor on any part of it, nor attached to it any mark, insignia, letter, word, figure, design, picture, or drawing of any nature.”

Section “H” states that the flag should not be used as a receptacle for anything.

Section “I” states that the flag “should never be used for advertising purposes in any manner whatsoever.” That one is clear.

Section “J” is especially significant for the ongoing argument about respect for the national anthem and the national flag. This section states “no part of the flag should ever be used as a costume or athletic uniform.”

Clearly, the closet patriots are hypocritically arguing about something they ignore every day. More importantly, how many of the closet patriots stand during the national anthem when watching the game from home? I bet few, if any.

So, the question that each of the closet patriots should be asking yourselves today is whether your angst about the anthem protests is about respect or because you oppose the reason for the protests. It is a valid question because of your anger is about respect, then where is your outrage for the items above?