I am not personally offended. I simply understand the position of the people that are offended and I highly suspect that Kaepernick knew some people would be offended. That people are offended by an expression of political protest is no reason in itself to refrain from political protest, but I can't understand how anyone could take the position that they were ever unaware that an action they took, that was sure to cause some people to become offended, would offend some people.
As for the brou-ha-ha well what is the whole point of protest To cause people to be convinced one is correct on an issue an issue I would guess? Now to argue that Kaepernick was simply spouting vague emotion based platitudes would be using rational thought to try to oppose his clearly emotional appeals. This was my reaction rather than becoming emotionally involved and being offended by the act itself I examined what he was saying and noticed the vagueness of his emotion based argument. Those arguments seem to work to convince the people attracted to emotional appeals as they tend not to respond to reason even in the face of good evidence but rather will decide what they feel is more real than what they can prove. Therefore the argument that is then used in opposing an irrational emotional appeal is another irrational emotional appeal .So instead of a give and take argument where people truly discuss an issue you have an us vs them conflict of words with neither side listening to the other aka brou -ha-ha.
The point of a protest is to make people uncomfortable about something they've been comfortable about.
Now, if this had been a violent protest--like a riot or even blocking traffic--there would be some rationale for outrage as opposed to discomfort.
Kaepernick has not broken a window or even blocked traffic. This incredible outrage over a man merely kneeling is indicative of either idol worship or people who know he's right.
Never? I am curious how one could come to "never" on this. Not even "a time or two" or in "only in a particular instance " but the absolute" never". Meaning that in the whole existence of the country the US has not done anything benevolent. Then all the foreign humanitarian aid the US has consistently provided around the world is nothing? World War II opposition to totalitarianism a farce? Taking in and sheltering more refugees each year than any other country on the planet. Not simply shooting down people trying to sneak across one's borders as would be the case with most countries but even providing care and education for people who came here illegally and are breaking our laws 24/7 by remaining here illegally. If that is not being a good guy, then how would one categorize a country that did these things? Who would you consider a "good guy " on the world stage? Perhaps there are only "bad guys" and "even worse guys.
Don't mistake self-interest for benevolence.
And don't think that a good deed done here or there outweighs an overall preponderance for evil deeds. As a national entity of great physical and economic power in the world, the US has messed up a lot of countries and a lot of people for the sake of wealth and power.
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