this is NOT about the candidates...the anthem is about love of country. Kaepernick is a disgrace....this country has allowed him to earn millions of dollars but disgrace the country that gave him that opportunity. He is a true asshat.

I wonder if he's done anything for his cause other than sitting on a bench. With his millions and fame, he could have been a powerful proponent

He lauds what this country is supposed to be about, but wants change to see that its protections and benefits extend to ALL that live here. If he can call attention to it by simply not rising, he feels that's his duty.

If standing up for everyone to be treated the same is "disgraceful"...then I'll be that, also.

and then expecting wealthy and powerful black people to be silent about it.

that's the real disgrace.

He wasn't allowed to earn millions, he earned it. Love of country superceeds some stupid song, and the right to protest comes way before said tune, what do you think the colonies were doing with England? From the beginning America has been about people standing up to what they think is wrong and enshrining the right to do it. Just because you dont think the problem is that important doesnt mean he has to and allowing him the right to do that is what America is about.

and that is very courageous and may cost him a bus load of money. He is protesting, using his freedom of political speech.

I admire the guy for doing so, for having the guts to take the wild criticism that will be thrown his way.
There is more than one way to show love of country.

I still remember when Ali refused to be inducted into the army and was thrown out of boxing losing the best years of his ring life. What a gutsy move. Every now and then someone needs to come along and remind us what this country is really about.

That you don't seem to agree with the conclusion of this OP.

I don't believe he's a disgrace at all

Must be frustrating when someone won't sing a song for you. All else you wrote is but allegation (at best)

Asshat (sic), indeed.

Him not standing up during a song is the disgrace? Not the part about police running around murdering brown and poor folk with no repercussions? Or the part about being called unpatriotic by pointing out inequality? Or the part about people ignoring his message and getting mad at 'his method' of protest? But him sitting is a national disgrace?

Yeah, okay.

Very good points Lib87...the OP brings up some good points and the first couple of responses were the definition of 'tone deaf'. Next thing they will complain about is that someone is trampling on their freedom by bringing up racial and economic oppression. Let me go get my sponge so I can wipe up their tears....smh....

Weird mindset, wtf.

i respect him much the same way as I have for many athletes who have stood up against oppression.

He is at the workplace and if there is an owner or league rule that says he must stand, then he has to do so or face the consequences.

if you can't keep the discussion confined to issues that affect us and this clearly affects us but want to hate about the man who is supporting us because of what the flag is representing then take your anger over the man to general discussion.

I did not intend this post to be "hate about the man who is supporting us" at all.

My main point is that I have to respect a person willing to put himself out there stating his beliefs despite the risk to his financial and personal well being.

That is what I meant by "Whether I agree or not, I have to respect a man willing to, as the old expression says 'take what you want, then pay for it'"

with your OP what I have a problem with are the TPP haters who come in and try to hi-jack and attack the President. They got all of General Discussion to write all the negative crap about the TPP and the President they want. This is the one group where I don't have to read negative crap from people who complain all the damn time.

Thank you.

at the OP, but it seems like much of the outrage over Kaep's gesture has been coming from the same people who claim that "political correctness" is "oppressive" and "thought-control." Also I think many of those who complain about him not standing up for the anthem lack empathy. They're more outraged over this than they are at the ongoing injustices that disadvantaged groups face regularly.

Applaud, cheer, and vote for a man who thinks America is awful for the past year. He and his ilk hate everyone and everything about this place and we constantly hear/read he "tells the truth" and/or its just "who he is" and we have to accept it.

Now - I'm supposed to panty bunch over this?

GTFO!

That's a guiding principle of our country - freedom of speech.

I applaud it.

I'm glad you respect it too.