Kaepernick Sits for National Anthem

[newtogolf]

It's his right to protest.  I think his efforts and financial resources could be better utilized to make a difference rather than just protest.  

If I was a linebacker in the NFL, I'd be hitting him a little harder just to let him know what I thought of his protests.  

[Buckeyebowman]

Well said, newto!

As many have replied, it's his right. It's also my right to think that he is scum!

Why is not standing during the national anthem an insult to service people? Because they stand and salute when the the flag is displayed or the anthem played! If you want to say they're wrong, go right ahead!

And why orchestrate such a "look at me" moment. Couldn't he have called a press conference to present his views? Oh! Let's remember who we're talking about. A man who is now a tertiary QB and declining in influence by the minute!

And as far as his "reasons" for the spectacle, I disagree wholeheartedly!

[Golfingdad]

47 minutes ago, newtogolf said:

It's his right to protest.  I think his efforts and financial resources could be better utilized to make a difference rather than just protest.  

If I was a linebacker in the NFL, I'd be hitting him a little harder just to let him know what I thought of his protests.  

From what I've heard so far, if you were a linebacker in the NFL you may not have a chance to hit him at all this year unless you play for the Niners. ;)

[14ledo81]

8 hours ago, saevel25 said:

For others it's a symbol of oppression and unwarranted violence. That is the thing about symbols, they are not singularly defined. 

 

Then maybe those should look for a different nation?  I am not against differing viewpoints, rights to protest, etc.  I am against those who reap the benefits of living in this great nation while trashing it.

 

8 hours ago, saevel25 said:

 

What way should he picked? Something that doesn't make people feel uncomfortable, or doesn't ruffle feathers? How does that help a person who is protesting for what they believe is a worthy cause? 

 

See answer below.  I am certain he alienated a lot of people with this.  Quite possibly many were sympathetic to his cause.

 

7 hours ago, JonMA1 said:

It is possible to alienate those who support your point of view.

 

[CarlSpackler]

7 hours ago, newtogolf said:

It's his right to protest.  I think his efforts and financial resources could be better utilized to make a difference rather than just protest.  

If I was a linebacker in the NFL, I'd be hitting him a little harder just to let him know what I thought of his protests.  

And it's my right to think that he is a douche bag and voice my opinion about it. 

[jsgolfer]

I served in the military (USAF 1984-1989) and hold standing to the flag in reverence for those who served and died for this country, but if he doesn't want to stand that is his right and that's what makes this country great, not some flag or anthem.  But it still makes him an uniformed idiot.  

"I am not going to stand up to show pride in a flag for a country that oppresses black people and people of color. To me, this is bigger than football and it would be selfish on my part to look the other way. There are bodies in the street and people getting paid leave and getting away with murder."

But seriously, who is getting away with murder?  That's a pretty serious accusation to make.  What are the particulars that make you feel this way, not some generalization of what you think is going on.  Furthermore, he's been in the league for 5 years (starting his 6th) and it's the year that he's going to be sitting on his ass on the sideline that he chooses to take a stand, really?  And we've had a black president for almost 8 years and all of sudden, black people are oppressed now, Seriously? So if you're going to stand up and make statements, please tell me exactly what the government has done to oppress black people?  

He's made a boatload of money, was raised by two white people, got a free education because he could play football, he can't beat out Blaine Gabbert but at the end of the day, he can do what he wants, but has to take the backlash that comes with it as everyone will dissect his life.  If he did this when he was the new darling of the NFL maybe this would resonate more.  But now this looks like the sad nonsensical rantings of someone who is looking for an excuse as to why he will be cut or traded, as his free fall continues.

 

 

[ndsu84]

I was raised to believe our country is great because of the sacrifices people before me made to give us our freedoms and rights.  And...it's our job to do everything we can to make our country, state, city and community better.  

It's not true that our country oppresses black people.  In ND today, it's the opposite.  Less than 10% of our population is colored but if you are, you will find support everywhere you look.  

Kids need to be taught that their success is 100% up to them and that our "flag" isn't out to hold them down.  

It's ok to protest, argue etc...but the anthem and flag should be honored no matter what your political views are.  

[boogielicious]

37 minutes ago, 14ledo81 said:

Then maybe those should look for a different nation?  I am not against differing viewpoints, rights to protest, etc.  I am against those who reap the benefits of living in this great nation while trashing it.

 

 

Why? Just because he wants a nation that is free of hate and prejudice, doesn't mean he hates America. He just wants the country he loves to be better. I love my country as much as anyone, but I think we can improve. Are we perfect the way we are right now?

It is easy to label people who don't share your (not you personally, but in general) viewpoint as hating America. That is what partisan politics is all about and both side use it all the time.

The flag of this country and the anthem represent all of us, not just veterans and not just those who gave their lives serving in the Military. Let's not forget that. Bigotry and Racism are unAmerican. And yet we aren't viewing it that way. We seem to accept the hate associated with racism as just a fact of life. It almost tore the nation apart 166 years ago.  It's 2016 and we still have a problem. 

FWIW, I would have chosen a different approach than he did just because of the rhetoric that followed. But that is the Boy Scout in me. 

[RH31]

Will we ever be perfect? No.

Will there ever be no racism? No.

Does a black man sitting during the National anthem help to end racism? No. I'd guess it only makes some dislike him and other blacks even more. Much like blocking traffic on a freeway, it only seems to bring anger even more into the racism discussion.

Disrespecting the flag of our country does not in any way evoke any sympathy for the cause.

[imsys0042]

9 hours ago, jamo said:

I thought we weren't supposed to be so sensitive to and offended by everything.

 

8 hours ago, newtogolf said:

It's his right to protest.  I think his efforts and financial resources could be better utilized to make a difference rather than just protest.  

If I was a linebacker in the NFL, I'd be hitting him a little harder just to let him know what I thought of his protests.  

 

35 minutes ago, CarlSpackler said:

And it's my right to think that he is a douche bag and voice my opinion about it. 

Somehow these three responses sum up how I feel about this....

[baller7345]

Personally, it doesn't bother me.  If he believes that what he is doing is helping raise awareness on his cause, then more power to him.  I don't think what he is doing will do anything to actually further his goals, but hey it's his choice.

[mcanadiens]

I suppose that improving race relations and treating all races equally is a continuing effort and most of us would probably support that much. The method of his political statement leaves something to be desired.

The part that strikes me funny is that Kaepernick thinks he's important enough to deliver this message. Sure he's still employed as a quarterback in the NFL, but Kaepernick is looking more like a flash-in-the-pan with every game that goes by. Didn't old boy get benched last year? Now he's coming back from an injury. I've seen a few things that suggest he might be on his way out of Frisco and for strictly football-related reasons.

[Patch]

Kaep is nothing to me. I'm a Packer fan. As for his quest to make things better, this will be ancient, forgotten history in a very short time. If anything, he has hurt his career more than any changes he might expect. 

Yes he has the right to say what he said, and even ride the pine longer than he probably should. I'm sure his girl friend is proud of him. 

My take is you disrespect a flag raising ceremony, you disrespect everyone, and everything associated with that flag. Past,  present, and future

He should have used another way to get his point accross. His status as an NFL player is not that great. 

Edited August 29, 2016 by Patch

[newtogolf]

8 hours ago, Golfingdad said:

From what I've heard so far, if you were a linebacker in the NFL you may not have a chance to hit him at all this year unless you play for the Niners. ;)

That and to be honest, I probably am not fast enough to catch him so I'd just have to pile on after someone else caught him  

[Jeremie Boop]

1 hour ago, jsgolfer said:

I served in the military (USAF 1984-1989) and hold standing to the flag in reverence for those who served and died for this country, but if he doesn't want to stand that is his right and that's what makes this country great, not some flag or anthem.  But it still makes him an uniformed idiot.  

"I am not going to stand up to show pride in a flag for a country that oppresses black people and people of color. To me, this is bigger than football and it would be selfish on my part to look the other way. There are bodies in the street and people getting paid leave and getting away with murder."

But seriously, who is getting away with murder?  That's a pretty serious accusation to make.  What are the particulars that make you feel this way, not some generalization of what you think is going on.  Furthermore, he's been in the league for 5 years (starting his 6th) and it's the year that he's going to be sitting on his ass on the sideline that he chooses to take a stand, really?  And we've had a black president for almost 8 years and all of sudden, black people are oppressed now, Seriously? So if you're going to stand up and make statements, please tell me exactly what the government has done to oppress black people?  

He's made a boatload of money, was raised by two white people, got a free education because he could play football, he can't beat out Blaine Gabbert but at the end of the day, he can do what he wants, but has to take the backlash that comes with it as everyone will dissect his life.  If he did this when he was the new darling of the NFL maybe this would resonate more.  But now this looks like the sad nonsensical rantings of someone who is looking for an excuse as to why he will be cut or traded, as his free fall continues.

 

 

This is almost exactly how I feel (except I was not able to serve in the military for medical reasons). If he wants to protest by sitting, let him sit. The only damage he does is to his own image.

[newtogolf]

1 hour ago, CarlSpackler said:

And it's my right to think that he is a douche bag and voice my opinion about it. 

I agree he's a douche bag, so you'll get no argument from me.  I think these celebrities and athletes are sell outs when they do this sort of "protest" to garner attention for themselves when in reality they have the financial means and access to the press to really make a difference.  

I also believe if you're going to stage a protest, as Colin has, you should be better prepared to respond.  What oppression is he speaking of?  He's a minority QB making millions of dollars per year and we have a minority POTUS that has run the country for the last 7 years, it seems those that wish to be successful can be successful in this country.  

[GolfLug]

The thing is I feel that the truly bigoted/racists are immune to protests like this. Like.. 100% immune.

And on top of that he fueled "See, told you.. these ungrateful (insert race) don't belong here, they ain't even 'murrican" type responses. 

The effort becomes counterproductive then.

     

[Hardspoon]

27 minutes ago, newtogolf said:

I think these celebrities and athletes are sell outs when they do this sort of "protest" to garner attention for themselves when in reality they have the financial means and access to the press to really make a difference.  

This is the interesting part to me (I can't get too upset about this type of protest...I just don't see the big deal).

Relevant article from a couple months ago:

http://www.latimes.com/opinion/op-ed/la-oe-greenfeld-muhammad-ali-political-risk-20160610-snap-story.html