Guess who needs an education in patriotism? “Players take knee, Pence takes walk,” (October 9), reminds us of the continuing fight for justice that the oppressed minorities struggle against with nary a sympathetic ear found in this Administration.

Let’s be clear: There’s a wide gulf between not showing blind allegiance, sometimes naïvely called “respect,” and showing disrespect. That said, why I think the NFL players actions are not disrespectful: Our country offers the great promise of “equal protection under the law” but when law enforcement officials do not employ this standard in practice, routinely resulting in minority mistreatment and unaccountable black deaths, the brave NFL players risk much in the noble fight for justice, a patriotic action seeking America to meet the glorious “equal protection under the law” promise that is our country’s claim to fame.

Pence on twitter: “I left today’s Colts game because @POTUS and I will not dignify any event that disrespects our soldiers, our Flag and our National Anthem.”

I am sorry kind sirs but when Mr. Trump’s demands to “Get that son of a bitch off the field right now, he’s fired. He’s fired!” Trump and Pence obviously need an education of what patriotism means, their current employment status notwithstanding.

Jay Lustgarten

Stonington