Letter: NFL players who protest deserve respect

Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds' priorities are skewed. She considers the simple protest act of kneeling during the playing of the national anthem 'disrespectful,” even presuming to speak for all veterans by claiming that a simple protest act 'disrespects” them, too.

Yet, Reynolds said nothing about her own party's president using a crude sexist slur to insult the athletes (and their mothers) who courageously protest police brutality and racism. Colin Kaepernick and his mother are far better profiles in courage and grace for youth than the Republican Party's president, who has not only disrespected ordinary citizens protesting injustice, but also women, Mexicans, Muslims, blacks, transgenders, domestic political opponents and world heads of state.

Seeing NFL players standing or kneeling together, arms locked, was an awesome sight, testifying to the power people have when they protest, in unity and in numbers. That deserves respect. The GOP president and his apologists do not.

Jeff Klinzman

Coralville