Appropriate Response to Colin Kaepernick

kkdk wrote:

Pointing Out the Obvious wrote:

Extraordinary athletic success has no correlation with credibility.

Just thought you'd like to know.

Is this a statistic you made up in your head, or is there actually legitimate data to support it?

Johnny Manziel

old guy 70 wrote:

I think we are really fortunate to live in this Country, but it is not perfect.

For many of us (old geezers) who experienced the unrest of the sixties the American Flag came to represent intolerance.

Many on the right had bumper stickers of the American flag over the words "America Love It or Leave It!"

Those of us with beards and long hair were threatened and intimidated daily by these clowns.

I would be more impressed with someone like Peyton Manning or Andrew Luck taking a stand like this. Colin Kaepernick is just a punk who lacks any credibility.

The best thing is to end the military occupation style aka Feudal System we have had here in the US since the uneducated barbarian Pilgrims 1st came from England. Even England ended that Feudal style 100 years ago. The present system in England has the people in charge police hiring, firing, training, promotions, etc. The Feudal system is no more.

I have thought about the Colin Kaepernick situation and have read reactions to his refusal to stand for the national anthem and I have teased out a few key issues and questions:

(1) Does Colin have a right not to stand for the national anthem?

That\'s an easy one, of course he does and also his employer is ok with him not standing.

(2) Does his employer have a right to mandate that he stands for the national anthem.

My opinion is that an employer does have a right to ask employees to refrain from expressing political positions statements, while on the job, that might antagonize patrons.

(3) Should the NFL require Kaepernick to stand for the national anthem? That\'s a tough one. Right now I would say probably not. But if a whole team including coaches decided to sit through the national anthem as a sign of disrespect or protest against our nation I as a patron would be very turned off from supporting that team.

(4) Is it an appropriate response for others to be critical of Kaepernick for not standing during the national anthem?

Just as Kaepernick has freedom of speech others have the freedom to criticize or even condemn his act of disrespect toward this country. Personally, I think it was myopic of Kaepernick to show disrespect to the country based on a perceived inequity in one area. I was strongly against the Iraq war but I stood for the national anthem because I respect and love this country as a whole even though I felt that act was very wrong. So yes I and others think less of Kaepernick due to his not standing.

(5) Should the national anthem be played before sporting events?

Some have stated this, but this issue is irrelevant and has nothing to do with Colin standing or not standing. He didn\'t sit because he thought the anthem shouldn\'t be played at events.

John Clendon wrote:

[quote]Murder Dubs wrote:

*I don't see WHY playing the national anthem and raising the flag and other overt shows of nationalism and patriotism are even a part of sporting events*

That flag represents WHY the United States is able to have activities like football, basketball, or any athletic competition. It represents a country that lets us pursue our passions, express our opinions, and for the most part, let us be individuals.

That's hilarious. Dictatorships don't have athletic competitions?

I'll never understand that perspective. The country let's you be an individual?? As though that were even up for debate??

My neighbor let's me own a car by not stealing it, should I be thankful to him?

JazzGary wrote:

I'll never understand that perspective. The country let's you be an individual?? As though that were even up for debate??

My neighbor let's me own a car by not stealing it, should I be thankful to him?

This ^

It's now being reported that Kaepernick's girlfriend is Muslim and they are planning a Muslim wedding. His instagram account has a lot references to Malcolm X, BLM, conspiracy theories about the death of MLK, Jr., etc.

The 49ers need to get rid of this guy ASAP.

I am surprised on a running web sight there are so many people who are extremely passionate about NFL football. I figured there would be a few people on here who were football players in the fall, 400/800 guys in the spring. I'm sure some of the T&F coaches on here have a sprinting/throwing background. I am sure some of the coaches on LetsRun were football players. I respect many football players, but I cannot stand the game. Football programs take potential runners and places fifty pounds of muscles on athletes which kills their 800 metres potential. Kaepernick could've been a sound 800 metres man at 180lbs.

I don't really understand Kaep's problem.

Apparently he thinks this COUNTRY oppresses black people and so he has to take a stand against a symbol of the country -- the national anthem.

I don't agree that this COUNTRY oppresses black people. I would argue the opposite -- black people have been given considerable protections and even arguably some favoritism through equal opportunity laws, etc.

That doesn't mean that there aren't issues -- but I would argue that those issues are local, or city/county issues. They are not nationwide and not due to the laws of this country.

His protest would be more effective if he went someplace where he could find actual oppression -- demonstrate it -- and call it out. An NFL game is not a place where that happens.

I think the chief of the SF Police Department had the correct response.

What was his response?

I agree with conundrum in his post above.

Glen Loury has been having good discussions on race and America on his channel and had a good discussion with Sam Harris.

I see some college aged or so people looking for cause and embrace Coates or Malcolm X views and then once they get their cause and sense of community look for evidence to affirm their views and ignore data that does not confirm it.

funny how the most vocal critics of CK run around flying the flag of traitors to the USA.