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3/15-3/21: Should Mahmoud Abdul-Rauf have been suspended from the NBA?

Denver Nuggets guard Mahmoud Abdul-Rauf was suspended from the NBA for refusing to stand during the national anthem. He claims the US flag is "a symbol of oppression, of tyranny." Do you agree with Abdul-Rauf's decision? Is he ungrateful and disrespectful, or does have the right to sit during the anthem?

slowpitch - I think rules are rules. If the N.B.A. has a rule about everyone stands for The National Anthem, everyone, including Mahmoud Abdul-Rauf, stands. Does he think he's special? He doesn't run up and down the court with the ball without dribbling it does he? Because it's against the rules. Maybe if he wants to do things his way, he shouldn't play the game.

Gheorghe - This issue has divided my peers like no other in recent memory. Fundamentally, I disagree with Abdul-Rauf's assertion that the flag is a symbol of oppression. The very symbol that he vilifies flies above the arenas in which he practices his craft, a craft that allows him, a twenty-five year old college dropout, to earn 2.3 million dollars a year. If that's oppression, torture me, baby. On the other hand, the flag is also a symbol of the many who've suffered to create a society in which personal freedom is cherished. Mahmoud Abdul-Rauf has every right to his actions, despite our reaction to them. Do I agree with his actions? No. Would I defend his right to act in this manner? Absolutely.

KEVINR - I think he should be suspended. Standing up for the anthem is a small price to pay for all the millions of dollars he makes here.

cowpres - He has the RIGHT to not stand, and the NBA should NOT have suspended him for not doing so. But if the Denver Nuggets wanted to do the right thing, they would let him go. He is being disrespectful to the country that GIVES him the freedom. By letting him go, he could feel free to go to another country to better serve his needs.

VLew - He does have a point. He has the right to choose. He can choose to stay or leave. He has the right to not stand up for the playing of our national anthem, but only if it is being played in another country. Our flag and anthem stand for something. Granted it's not all great, but that's our country. And to Mr. Abdul-Rauf, if you don't like our anthem and flag, then you can go to another country that won't play it!

jtb - These days, the anthem is nothing more than a formality at the beginning of a sports event. People at sports events (for the most part) only stand for the anthem because it is expected, myself included. The reason he gave for not standing was that he would be giving respect to the society that perpetuates oppression and tyranny. I have a problem with that. If the players were asked to pray at the beginning of the game, and their religious choices ran contrary to that prayer, that would be a valid protest. Or, if he were playing in a foreign country we were at war with, or a country such as Bosnia, I would agree with his decision. I realize that he believes what he said, but now that he is in the NBA, and one of the highest paid players in the league, what he doesn't understand is that 1) he is setting an example for the youth of America and 2) because of his economic standing, he is one of the few people in this "tyrannical" country that the system works for. Doesn't the Koran state that a Muslim's responsibility is to be a good and respectful citizen wherever you live? What country does he live in anyway? Don't get me wrong. I'm no patriot. I'll be the first on a plane out of the country if someone like Pat Buchanan is ever elected President. This country does have a lot of problems, but this battle he is fighting just seems silly and unnecessary.

mgirten - If the U.S. flag is a representation of freedom in America, why on earth would the right to ignore or disregard it be seen as a form of disrespect? Sure, boundaries have to be drawn on issues, but people, this one was a bit much! Some may be thinking: "These sports stars are heros and examples to our children ...what kind of example are they setting?" How about standing up (or sitting out) for what you belive/don't believe in? We have to remember that our National Anthem, The Pledge, and the U.S. Flag are only symbols. It's what we do to better ourselves, how we help our neighbor, and what we contribute to our family, community and society that makes the real difference.

eddyf - We should at least have the politeness to stand in respect even if we don't agree he is wrong.

hbucking - I don't think that he should be made to stand during the national anthem if he does not want to. That freedom to chose is what the flag stands for. However, that he doesn't want to, in incomprehensible to me. Yes, he has the right to chose whether to stand or not, but why not stand and honor the flag that gives him the right to chose, to speak freely, to have life, liberty, and the ability to pursue happiness. He is lucky to be an american citizen and not a citizen of other governments, that may not give him the choice and freedom he now has.

paisley - How dare he express his opinions through a symbolic act! That's like someone burning a flag, or wearing a red ribbon in support of AIDS victims, or endorsing a political candidate on TV, or standing during the National Anthem! The nerve ... In the manner of Voltaire, "I don't agree with what he says, but I'll defend to the death his right to sit on his butt during the National Anthem."

DT2 - I heard there was a choice given to him stating if he did not stand he could have waited in the locker room. He chose not to. That is his problem. If he has such a problem with this country and its customs he shouldn't be here. Basketball is an American sport not stipulated what some foreigner wants.

digitalg - No way.

Jimsan - No. But he should be suspended from the Moslem tradition for missing evening prayer-call to play basketball.

alvin - I think it's a "free speech" decision. As such, it's also ironic. Under any other form of government, he might be subject to much more than a suspension, but here he has a right to express himself. The suspension is stupid and counter productive. The basketball higher-ups are displaying their ignorance big-time!

nvance - ABSOLUTELY, it is in his contract. He signed it knowing the details, as well as how much it states what he is to be paid. He accepted the money, he also has to accept the other contract language.

MARK1974 - I am an Australian living in Australia, and this sort of thing just confirms to me that "It could only happen in America." Furthermore, who in the hell does this bloke think he is?

hasfari - The national anthem is national, the N.B.A is national. If Abdul Rauf is not part of this nation, he should not play in this league.

Hetterley - It is utterly ridiculous that people in this country condemn someone for simply doing what the U.S. Constitution guarantees them to do. I could care less whether he stands during the pledge of allegiance. Why this is such a big deal I don't understand. Voltaire said it all: I don't give a damn what you believe but I'll defend to the death you right to believe it ... or something like that.

jkelso - He has the right to stand on his head if he wants to. However, he may have waived this right when he signed his contract.

LONGDISTVOYAGER - I think since the NBA clearly states it's policy on this Mr. Rauf should have been a little more sensitive towards this. There is a little bit of right and wrong in what he says. In most of the Ball games I have seen the crowd is eating something or drinking or doing something in a totally indifferent attitude to the anthem and flag. Maybe he should try and respect what so many army veterans and others have put into this flag and its symbolic meaning. He should have the right to not be present when the anthem is being sung, but to say what he has been saying about oppresion is being insensitive. Maybe it is partially right considering the history of his race in the US to date. It should be left to the NBA and Rauf to sort it out, the press seems to take it out of bounds.

Haefer - He has the right not to honor the flag or the anthem. He does not have the right to play in the NBA. If someone is offered money to do something that violates her conscience, she can't keep both the money and her virtue. If he's doing this to dramatize the oppressiveness of life in America, he's in the worng tax bracket.

ALEXISH - Unless someone has forgotten this is still a free country. I believe he has the right to sit while the national anthem is playing.

Snow - The NBA is part of the United States of America, and standing for the national anthem is just something we do in America. If we Americans were in another country playing a sport, I'm sure almost everyone would stand for that nation's anthem. Abdul-Rauf should stand for our flag just to thank our country for letting him play and make money here. Get a life!!!

SethG - Well I think it's his choice and if he want's to sit his ass down let him and if he wants to stand up let him. The only thing is that that it says in the rule book that each member of the team has to stand for it and that should be changed.

chimaera - He has that right. This country is based on religious freedom, and if it's part of his religion to ignore the US flag, then we can't do anything about it.

PriestMan - I think he should have to stand or stay in the locker room until the anthem is over. He should have just stood because lost 30,000 dollars. I think it is great they found a resolution.

UltraHF - No I do not think he should be suspended. The owners of the Denver Nuggets should FIRE his butt on the spot. He not only is a traitor to his country, but an overpaid one at that. Where else in the world can he find a job paying millions to play a game most of us just play for fun. No one in any sport or bussiness is that good. Let him go to Libya, Iran, or Iraq and try to find a job paying millions, or anything at all for being a ball player...The NBA is a fool for letting this FOOL make a FOOL out of them.

The_Crow - While I may not agree with his actions, I do not aprove of his suspention by the NBA. As someone once said, "While I do not agree with what you said, I will fight to the death for your right to say it."

marco13 - He has an absolute right to sit. Freedom of speech. The NBA's rule does not take precedent over his constitutional right. The whole issue is much ado about nothing.

Inferno1 -Abdul-Rauf has the right to do whatever he wants. However, he can't because his employer won't let him. And they shouldn't. Who knows what people like Dennis Rodman would do if they were allowed to do whatever they pleased during the anthem. I don't think that this is the big issue. The REAL issue is where he got the idea that the American flag symbolizes oppression. Is he in an extremist group? Islam's not a extreme religion, despite what we see in the media. The scary thing is that I'm sure that there are more people who think that way about the flag. And most of them aren't Muslim.

Jodie - I feel that it is his right to decided if he wants to stand or not. He is protected in the constitution, freedom of choice. I don't agree with him, he could stand but I don't approve of him being suspended.

Jodie - As an American I find it offensive that he chooses not to stand, but as an American I will fight to support him.

tsartodd - Personally, I think this is the athletic equivalent of the anti flag-burning amendment non-issue. All this whole thing is, is an excuse for the ultra- patriotic, "it's a grand ol' flag" types to express their "outrage" and "patriotically correctness." Mahmoud Abdul-Rauf may be a bit of a muddlebrain (who isn't?), but he has the constitutional right to not stand during the national anthem, and that's that. Who really cares, what with all the problems this nation is in? People should just grow up already.

Metallic - I bet he sure loves cashing that paycheck of his. Nothing but a hypocrate. If he wants to live and work in America he should respect the customs of America. The same courtesy is expected elsewhere in the world. Respect for others is the sign of a truly religious person. Tell him to go home.

JMGrote - Abdul-Rauf sits because he thinks the flag represents tyranny. The NBA says "You shouldn't think that. Here is what you should think and you HAVE to stand." Sounds like tyranny to me. Besides, respect comes from the heart, not from a position of sitting or standing. Even if he does end up standing, it doesn't mean he will suddenly respect the flag.

gbknox - Is it the law to stand during the anthem? Has anyone asked him how he prefers to show his patriotism? What about free choice? This is an emotional issue, full of landmines, I don't think there is a logical answer. Ya gotta follow yer HEART!

Scoop1 - No he is a show off and should be deported!!!!

BTerry - I Think That Mahmoud Abdul-Rauf should have been banned longer than he was. He lives in the USA he works in the USA if he wants to Play The Game In The USA he should have to stand and have the same respect as everyone else! The choice he made was wrong, this is my desicion for the reason, i'm 13 and every freaking day i have to stand upo and do the pledge. if i can do this with 400 other kids a day i think he can stand up for one song if its right not! This is just what i think if you don't think i'm right e-mail me @ [email protected] and i'll be glad to discuss it with you!

mags - For me, there are two questions at hand...First, should Abdul have the stand for the anthem. Second, is the rule justified. As far as the former question goes, I don't think that Abdul has a leg to stand on. I mean, he signed the contract, which included the NBA rules, and agreed to abide by them. So I don't think he has any right to argue that fact. But the rule itself should be changed, I think. I mean, doesn't forcing people to show respect/patriotism go against the purpose of the anthem? It is supposed to be a display of genuine respect and feeling towards our country. Granted, I think Abdul owes quite a bit of his present state of happiness and good fortune to the USA... but I wouldn't want to become some kind of police state that forces these kinds of feelings.

Ghia - I presume that Abdul-Rauf's attitude does not extend to declining to accept American dollars in payment for his services. As a Northern neighbour, I think his action is nothing short of despicable and parallels that of some of my own countrymen who propose the separation of Quebec province from Canada. A lesser player would have long since been fired.

BalesT - It is the NBA where he works. Work makes us wear a tie or a uniform. That's why they call it work. He can sit or ignore the anthem or anything, on his own time. Sorry, I believe in individual's rights. Including the right to choose where we work. Or if we work. Its his choice. Nice to have choices. Have fun.

niddala - This is America, where we have the First Amendment, which promises us freedom of speech and religion. Personally, I don't think anyone should be required to stand and salute the flag during the national anthem if they don't want to. In fact, I have to agree Abdul-Rauf that our country is oppressive, and I would go so far as to say at times we are down right imperialistic. I'm glad that at least for awhile, he stood up for his beliefs. I'm only sorry he caved in so easily. It just goes to show the power of the almighty dollar.

spud - If Rauf believes that the US flag is a symbol of oppression and tyranny then perhaps Rauf should consider relocating to a new country. Ofcourse he wouldn't think of that, because in no other nation can an above average basketball player make approximately 2.5 million dollars a year.

Fairbanks - I would respect the man if I believed he was standing up for his convictions, but let's face it he's not. The man will not honor our flag and our fallen vets but he will take our American money and live in his American house. Where else in the world could he make the money he is making? Sorry pal, this is America love it or leave it.

Sapphire - Does he live in the U.S.A? Yes. Does he work in the U.S.A.? Yes. Do we all live and work in the U.S.A.? Yes. If we stand for the national anthem and the pledge of allegiance, then he can do it to. He has to do it maybe 40-50 times a year, and personally, I don't think it will kill him to have to stand for 3 minutes. It was rude and disrespectful of him not to stand during the national anthem. Even though our country does give the right to freedom of choice to each and every individual, I still believe that he should have shown respect to the flag of the country he lives in. If I was in his country, I would respect his flag, and if he's in my country, he should respect mine.

jlewis - He needs to stick to something simple, like basketball. What we do not need is one more daffy amateur social critic, especially when they whine the tired cliches that this individual finds so much comfort. As to the question, of course he should have been suspended. He accepted the rules. That's the end of the matter. It is an index of these nattering times that the question would even be posed. Why does every dingbat believe that the rules no longer apply to him when they become somewhat inconvenient? O tempora! O mores!

kirbyw - Yes, suspension was the correct way to handle this. Initially, he was staying in the locker room, or some other place during the Anthem; then he decided to makes some type of statement and move courtside and be disrespectful to the country he was born and raised in and which pays him millions of dollars to play basket ball in. If he wishes to not stand for the National Anthem, let him denounce his Citizenship and move to where his statement would be appreciated. Also he should give up the millions this country has paid him.

truff - Mahmoud Abdul-Rauf has a right to his opinions, however, his declaration that the US flag is a symbol of oppression, whether true or untrue is somewhat hypocritical given that his declared religion is extremely oppresive to certain groups. Be that as it may, when I attend sporting events in other countries I stand during thier anthems. I have a friend who says grace when we dine in her home. While I don't share her religion or join in her prayer, I do wait quietly until she's done. No one is asking him to put his hand over his heart, or sing or pledge, they are just asking him, and everyone else in the arena to stand our of respect.

scubagirl - I think that he has the right, that's what makes it America. I don't agree with him, if he thinks he is oppressed he is free to leave and live somewhere elese, but if I was able to force my opinion onto him, wouldn't he be right.

Essence - No, he should not have been suspended. I don't stand for the National Anthem either because it is a symbol of oppression. In response to other comments I've heard about comparing this incident to flag burning, I don't even think that comparison is valid. Telling me what to do with an object is one thing...telling me what I have to do with my body (standing up) is another. The bottom line is, I feel that it is his, as well as anyone else's right to choose whether they want to stand for the National Anthem and I don't know why such a big deal was made out of the whole situation regardless of how much he gets paid to play in the NBA. Also in regard to the comments that he (and I suppose any other person that "doesn't like America") should leave the country is the most ignorant and thoughtless comment that I've heard so far...people need to face the truth about what this country is and how it continues to oppress many of its inhabitants...people who made that comment might as well have been saying that Blacks should go back to Africa if they feel they are being oppressed...people need to wake up and stop glorifying this racist country.

Moochie - Our flag stands for the freedom to worship any way we choose. If his religon forbids him to pay respect to the US during the playing of the anthem then by the very nature of what the flag stands for he should be able to do what he feels is right. He is not harming anyone, or trying to impose his beliefs on others (like so many of our accepted religons try to do every day). I think you need to judge a country by how it treats the citizens who have views that are considered unpopular by the majority of the population. If we start telling this man what he has to do, are we any better than some of the more oppresive governments we condemn?

TYOUNG - He definitely deserved to be suspended. He shouldn't be playing for the NATIONAL BASKETBALL ASSOCIATION if he thinks the US flag is a symbol of tyranny. He should simply ship out.

LosLobos - Though it is a free country, everyone who lives within its border should show the respect the country deserves. In all of time, not one nation has run as smooth as ours has in our whole two hundred years. I have my opinions about my country, but still as I grow up, I've learn to repect the flag for what it stands for. I think Abdul-Rauf was wrong.

Angelita - I think he has the right to do whatever he wants to do. If he felt that he shouldnt stand during the national anthem so be it. There is no law saying that a person has to stand during the national anthem. The thing about standing during the anthem was something made up by another person anyway. He's been doing it all the long so why the big fuss now? If it's so ungrateful and disrespectful should he be thrown in jail then? I don't think he was being disrespectful. It's not like other athletes hasn't done it before.

LaurieTheGreat1 - Since the NBA has a rule that states that the players must stand during the National Antham he sould stand. I also think that since he lives in this country that out of respect for others around him he should stand. Our hockey players when they play in Canada stand for there anthem, and there players stand for ours, along with all of the other players that don't come from either country.

bpeabody - I bet mr. abdul-rauf would agree that the capitalist system the us subscribes to is what causes the tyranny and oppression he finds distasteful. Luckily, that same capitalist system allows a price to put on anything. So, mr. abdul should pay not to stand. i bet the nba would be happy to cut a multi-year deal with him to allow him to pay, say, 1 million a year not to stand. that still leaves him 1.3 million a year to spend. i love this country....and this game.

kwhite - I don't think he should have been suspended because he has a right as an American of "Freedom of Speech."

swalen - No I don't think that he should have been suspended. It's a free country.

Lakean - I don't agree about the opression and tyranny thing but it is his right to sit during the anthem and to say what he thinks. After all this is America and we have the right to free speech. DON'T WE???????!!!

zabi - I do not think he should have been suspended because this is a free country, in here we have the freedon of religion, speech and etc. more than any country in the world. Yet not standing to the national anthem is taken so seriously. I think he has the right not to stand and he should not have been suspended from the NBA. Those are just his rights but I think he is wrong, and he should stand up for the national anthem. If he says it is against his religious beliefs, he is still wrong. It depends on how much you believe in it, and if he does not believe in it than he can just be clear in his heart and stand for the anthem just because it is necessary and since we are living in this country, we have got to obey the rules as much as we can.

BlackDog - No one is asked to pray the American Flag. When was the last time you were asked to? Be a man and show respect to others and their country if you are visting or living in any country!

MzInfo - Standing for the flag is NOT a requirement. We still have a choice left in the country--or maybe not (according to society). Where are our basic freedoms if someone else can suspend us by "judging" our behavior! The flag is only a piece of cloth. It should be up to the individual whether or not he wants to stand!

DarrellG - As an American, which he is, having adopted an Islamic name only recently, he should do the American thing and stand for the National Anthem. This is one issue that has no relevance to religion whatsoever. If he wants to remain an American and earn American millions, then at least show the country that puts food on his table some respect. If he doesn't agree with the government he should go vote. Instead, he angers all of the veterans and patriotic people that the Anthem was designed to acknowledge and inspire. He was right to be suspended. He was also right in his freedom of choice, but I think he was wrong in his reasoning behind it.

Pimento - Is he an official resident of this country? If not, he had no right to be suspended. He has the right not to salute a flag to a country which he is not a resident of.

Kaspermeister - I am wholeheartedly behind Abdul-Rauf's strength in standing up (or sitting down...) for what he believes in. Although he has now compromised with the league, I feel he has brought the matter of freedom of belief to national attention. I hope that the public can understand where such actions originate from and show tolerance and uncerstanding towards people with other beliefs.

GTroyP1 - I may disagree with Abdul-Rauf's opinion, but I agree with his decision. If he believes as he says he does, then he should act accordingly. However, there are usually prices to be paid for speaking your mind. Suspension is probably too harsh, but he has to make that decision for himself.

Jflores - I believe Mr. Mahmoud Abdul-Rauf should be allowed to sit if he wants. At the same time, I believe in rules and regulations an organization has, such as the NBA, should be followed. If the NBA has a ruling that all players should stand during the anthem, otherwise suffer a fine, then he should stand otherwise fine him. See how long he sits out then!