Today I spent a lot of time avoiding Facebook.  You see there's this guy Colin Kaepernick.  He's a quarterback for the San Francisco 49'ers.  He used to be decent but now, he seems to have lost it.  Well, he decided he's no longer going to stand when the national anthem plays.  The aftershock is still rolling strong.  There have been videos of fans burning his jersey.  Dakota Meyer decided to put his two cents in.  It seems as if everyone is blasting him for making a personal choice.  

I get it.  When I first saw the story, my immediate reaction was "WHOA." Then I started to read all the stories and open letters.  Well, it was enough to make me grind my teeth and want to burn some people at the stake.  

First let me point out, Michael Phelps laughed during his medal ceremony.  LAUGHED.  It trended for about two hours.  The only reaction was a question during a follow-up interview.  No outrage.  No "this guy is a POS." No "he needs to respect the flag."  Just nothing.  Crickets.  Unlike preseason football, this broadcast on national TV during prime time.  So I've asked a few times in the last few days what is the difference in the laugh and sitting.  No one answers me.  I'm not leaving it alone.  Someone will give me an answer hopefully.

The other part are the veterans who are wrapping themselves in their service and flogging the guy at every turn.  These are the same guys who joke about dodging colors.  You see every day, on every military base, colors is played for everyone to hear as the flag is raised at sun up and lowered at sun down.  If you're outside in uniform, you're supposed to snap to attention in the direction of the flag and render a salute.  You hold that position until the last note fades.  If you are not in uniform, you simply snap to facing the direction of the flag.  When the last note fades, you can go on about your business.  These same people who are slamming Colin and calling him a piece of shit are the same individuals who scatter like roaches when that warning bugle play.  They have even thought it was funny to hold the door, so their compatriot is stuck outside because he didn't get in fast enough.  How fuckin hypocritical and self-righteous.

They have tied his actions to his level of patriotism.  One has nothing to do with the other.  Most of the people slamming him weren't patriotic enough to put on a uniform every day for a minimum of two to four years and answer the call to support this country's interest without question.  I bet they all have their little excuse about why they didn't serve.  Not that service makes you more patriotic but if you love the country so damn much, why didn't you write that blank check?  Why didn't you raise your right hand and vow to support and defend??? WHY?????

A guy I consider a friend said Colin's actions are probably the American thing a person can do.  I agree wholeheartedly.  The constitution of this nation allows that a citizen may protest any grievances they feel the country has visited upon them.  His protest was quiet and nonviolent.  He did not incite anarchy or a riot.  He simply did not stand to pay homage to symbols of this country which he feels has failed us.  We have all been lamenting that failure.  We have done nothing more than bitch whine and complain on Facebook or in personal conversation.  At least Colin made an effort.

Finally, for all the veterans who say what he did is a slap in the face for your sacrifice, you're a damn liar.  You sacrificed so he could do this. Your service was to protect his right to protest.  You are the last ones who should stand in judgment of his actions.  You should puff your chest out with pride that he's not going along to get along.  You should know your service has not been in vain. To say or anything else makes you a hypocrite and shames your service.

To Colin much respect.  I might have gone about it a different way, but you do you ok?