Kaepernick Is another example of a pampered overpaid millionaire that is somehow being oppressed while living in luxury in America. He is part of the top 1%.
MLK wanted all people to be equal. No be singled out by color for different treatment. We need to follow his thoughts and stop all the special advantages programs given to some groups

That's interesting. See, I never knew that the flag was a symbol for perfection. Using the description I'm reading above, no one and no entity should ever fly the American flag, nor stand for the anthem. Why? Because we're all flawed, and because it's not a perfect nation. It never will be a perfect nation. We can strive to be better in the areas we need to collectively be better in, but we won't absolutely get there. It's a nation of human beings.

I have no idea what "rejecting the first amendment right to kneel if you disagree..." means. I have to assume that means that you either have to "love it or leave it". Sorry - that's not how it works here. No one restrained Kaepernick from kneeling. He knew that kneeling during the anthem would upset a lot of people. He could have knelt at any time, but he chose a specific time and place. And no one restrained him from doing so.

There's this strange notion that some have that people can't be judged for their actions. I don't know where that comes from, but if anything, that's more like what one would find in a totalitarian state vs. a nation that has guaranteed rights. Kaepernick wanted to make his own statement and in a particular way. He was free to do that. And every American had and has the right to weigh in on the manner in which he chose. To reject that right of other Americans would really speak volumes. If we ever got to that place as a nation, it really would be over.

The man had absolutely nothing to apologize for!

This is your right to demonstrate as you choose. But what happens when you stand up? We are not under multiple flags of all ethenicities in our country, but one flag for all of us that unites us as USA. What programs do you try to start in the neighborhoods that need help and guidance, groups, clubs, organizations? For all the millions in paychecks that are made to play basketball and football, If you stand then embrace that flag that flies over all of us, and try to make lives a little better for those who look up to you as the person they want to be like. Donate your money to fund programs and most of all your time to embrace all that you touch.

Thank you for your years of service. You are absolutely correct that his stance, pun intended, was a nonviolent protest that needed to be made. For those on the site who continuously suggest that there are other ways to protest, I submit that many of you are the very same people who suggested the current protests are disgraceful.

I can’t speak for this veteran, but I suspect he believes he served his country in part to ensure that freedom of expression, guaranteed in the constitution, will not be eliminated.

I was real proud of Breeze when I heard and saw his comments; a real patriot who spoke up.

BUT, the apology was truly unfortunate. As someone mentioned, his "agent" got to him.

"Political Correctness" is a major component of taking this country Down.

Yielding to these radicals and terrorists, "taking a knee" - is acknowledging defeat and subservience.

Repeat, I'm saddened when a real American - one who is wildly popular and successful - is cowered by the MOB.

Celebrities of all ilks would do well to keep their opinions to themselves. They are where they are because of their abilities and talents, not what they think or believe.

Thousands of good christians kneel in church each week. Is that desecrating the church or their beliefs. No! It is considered a sign of respect. When knights of old knealt in front of the king, was that disrespect? No! It was a way to show homage and fealty to that institution before which they knealt. These players are respecting the flag and the country while still communicating that they repect these things despite the prejudice and unjust treatment they receive due to the color of their skin.

It takes a bigger man to do the right thing in the first place rather than simply trying to please the public. Sad that he did it in the first place.

No! It the death of free speech
It’s the mob demanding total compliance
Diversity of thought not tolerated!
Bulling by the mob until compliance with their group think
It’s the death of freedom

Your opinion is your right. Your quote about it bullies. Should have been removed prior to posting. Brees had my respect but no more. He was bullied. He caved. End of story.

The minute you use the word “thugs”, you lost me. It seems to be a convenient “Fox news” type of categorizing anyone who does not agree with your point of view.

What’s the point of your comment?

Obama stands by the term 'thugs,' White House says

President Obama doesn't regret using the term "thug" in describing the violent rioters in Baltimore this week, spokesman Josh Earnest said Wednesday.

"Whether it's arson or, you know, the looting of a liquor store ... those were thuggish acts," Earnest said.

In discussing the riots Tuesday, Obama assailed the "criminals and thugs who tore up the place," and described them as a distraction from the real issues of police brutality.

Obama stands by the term 'thugs,' White House says

One way to show BLM is for Blacks to stop killing blacks in major cities. The statistics do not show systemic problems in police departments and black lives be taken. In fact the numbers are down 90% over the past 40 years. To not stand for the flag is disgracing the people who fought for the very freedoms we enjoy. It has nothing to do with police brutality or BLM.

If you do not see this and stand for anything else then You are missing the point and part of the problem. Show me anywhere in history where anti fascism has survived. Every society that has ever succumbed to it has fallen hard in no time at all. Fact check that!

Why don't we instead rely upon Kaepernick's own words to describe why he was taking a knee:

I'm not sure where the "respect" mentioned here in this thread is coming from. Now, people can surely agree with his point of view. That goes without question. But to say there's "respect" in this action seems contrary to his own words. To me, he's saying he cannot respect the flag - or the nation it represents - because of what he sees.

The platform of Black Life Matters calls for de-funding public safety officers (aka police) in our communities. Millions have been donated to this effort from our "celebrities & sports figures", as well as our left thinking fellow Americans. Please think about this seriously. Do we really want to support this?

Drew Brees apologizes
 

[QUOTE=ColdNoMore;1777116]It takes a big man, who is showing true leadership...to do this. :thumbup:

Drew Brees Apologizes (click here)[/QUOTE

Backing down for something you believe in shows weakness of character. Brees has as much right to disagree with disrespect for the flag as Kapetnick does for kneeling for the flag. The only thing Brees should be apologizing for is the lack of respect the other athletes have for what the flag stands for. It doesn’t stand for police brutality, it doesn’t stand for looting and violence, it doesn’t stand for political divide, it doesn’t stand for my way or the highway. The flag represents freedoms given to us all and expects others to respect those freedoms . To do otherwise is going down a road toward a police state, communism, nazism whatever you want to call it. Don’t disrespect the symbol, disrespect the people who have brought this great country to the place we are today.

Flag
 

How many times does it have to be said so that people understand - IT WASN'T ABOUT THE FLAG.

NO!

This should be an easy one for the silent majority to stand and be counted.

And what is the point......it is a football field not a political stage
So what are we missing

Maybe we should stand up for what the flag represents.....do research on that

Having a white america and a lesser black America will always have these problems. Being White, I continually witness racism and discrimination of Black Americans. It must stop.

Thank you for your years of Service.. I respect your opinion but in my opinion I think Colin's actions has had the complete opposite effect as he intended. When we do something that many consider radical or blasphemous people tend to insert Politics and then take sides on the issue to the point it becomes more of a battle than a movement..One good thing I've noticed though is it seems Mr Kaepernick has brought a ton of additional awareness to our great flag as I've never seen more on display as I've seen the last couple years.. When a person kneels for the flag and anthem sadly MILLIONS can't help but see hate, how about if he puts his hands UP in the air and says a prayer that to would be noticed and few would not love and respect that thus listening to his message.. :pray:

Agree wholeheartedly.

You do know why he apologized, don’t you? It was
not because he developed a soft spot in his heart. Who are 85% of the people on his team.

two ways to look at his caving to PC pressure. Its not like he advocated something offensive to most Americans, Offensive only to those who feel they are victims of the system. We are, first all.....Americans.

The road to hell is paved with good intentions.

Yep
 

I agree with your assessment. So Drew apologized because he offended some people. Very compassionate. How many people did Colin offend? I don't remember him apologizing to the people he offended. I guess apologies for offending people go one way.

I sure hope it's way more than 1000's in Church.. IMHO we kneel in front of our God because we are not worthy to stand in his presence and we kneel in front of a King to show our subservience (meekness) and if they didn't they may get their heads removed.. When a hero comes home from battle we stand and applaud not kneel, when a person gives a great speech or and entertainer moves us in a positive way we rise to the occasion not kneel with our heads bowed.. We are standing out of respect showing our appreciation to the 1st line workers today for their work and bravery during this epidemic.. I stand and applaud out of respect, I kneel out of fear or compliance..

Tom 2172
 

No, it is, at least to some extent, a blind man opening his eyes when confronted by the truth.

You can bet didn’t in the Army.

You say that, but Kaepernick says otherwise. Here (again, as I posted this upthread) is his quote:

The man explicitly mentions the flag in his reasoning. Again, people can agree with his motives for kneeling all day long. But he absolutely chose the anthem (and flag) as his way of making his statement. There's no dispute about this. It's his own words that say as much.

People care as much about what they have to say as they do about what you have to say. If their views are to be ignored so should yours.

Then it has ALWAYS been DISrespectful to stand for the flag/anthem. There has NEVER been a time nor will there ever be a time when there is/has been liberty and justice for all. There has and always will be injustice in this world, at least as long as there are humans in it. Also, I don't know of anyone who has said that Kap should have been arrested for what he did (THAT would be rejecting the 1st amendment). But saying that you do not support his method of protesting, is merely exercising YOUR 1st amendment right also. Expressing one's disdain for disrespect for the flag/anthem via comment or boycott of NFL/sponsors is exercising the 1st amendment. I am sure that you would support that exercise of 1st amendment just as much as the other, right?

Just so I am clear on your post, Kap knealt to show is respect for the flag and the country, not to protest it? Does he know that was his intent? Or are we trying to say that an action taken in one context and for one intent and applying it to an action applied in a completely different context for a completely different intent so that it looks better...."lipstick on a pig"?

Quit apologizing for having an opinion. I would never kneel and disrespect the flag and this country. Stay in the locker room if you can't support America. Black athletes are privileged and out of touch with their "brothers". Sitting in your mansion complaining about your treatment loses something in the translation.

I'm sorry, what important issue did he stand up for. What has he done with his millions to help his black brothers. People choose their lifestyle. You can stay in the hood or work hard and get out. Suce is earned not given to you

Hey. Leave my girlfriend out of this.

Yes they are athletes, but they are paid to be entertainers and provide millions of Americans an external release from their daily lives. When players step across the line, they are no longer entertainers, and are trying to dictate to you how to live your daily life. Shut up and and catch the ball, and when they play the National Anthem stand at attention for a couple of minutes, is that asking too much?

When you're on your own time, do whatever you want, but when fans are paying $300 for a seat and $10 for beer to be entertained, you are on the clock.

https://api.time.com/wp-content/uplo...d-protests.jpg