U.S. Veterans Are Coming To Colin Kaepernick’s Defense In Droves

[Lakhota]

Colin Kaepernick watches from the sidelines during an NFL game against the Arizona Cardinals at the University of Phoenix Stadium.

The hashtag #VeteransForKaepernick is taking off.

Ever since Colin Kaepernick decided to sit during the national anthem at an NFL preseason game last week, one of the more common criticisms leveled against the San Francisco 49ers quarterback has been that he is disrespecting veterans by not paying proper tribute to the American flag.

Kaepernick’s own former teammate, the Minnesota Vikings’ Alex Boone, for one, expressed his frustration with the quarterback’s protest on Sunday. Boone saw it as an affront to veterans, like Boone’s own brother. “You should have some (expletive) respect for people who served,” Boone told USA Today.

Kaepernick has tried to make clear that he does not wish to disrespect any military veterans in the days since his protest. Rather, he believes the ideals for which they risk their lives are not being similarly protected at home.

“I have great respect for the men and women that have fought for this country,” he said Sunday. “I have family, I have friends that have gone and fought for this country. And they fight for freedom, they fight for the people, they fight for liberty and justice, for everyone.”

But, he added. “People are dying in vain because this country isn’t holding their end of the bargain up, as far as giving freedom and justice, liberty to everybody.”

Large numbers of Americans have continued to criticize Kaepernick in the days after his comments. But a noteworthy group has also started to speak up in his defense: veterans themselves. Over the last day, military veterans have taken to Twitter and other social media in support not only of Kaepernick’s right to free speech, but of the particulars of his message, too.

“If you haven’t served, don’t speak on my behalf,” one veteran wrote.

“I serve for his right to protest.. I don’t serve for Police Brutality..” another wrote.

Below you’ll find just some of the posts in defense of Kaepernick. Believe us when we say there are many more all over the internet.

More: U.S. Veterans Are Coming To Colin Kaepernick’s Defense In Droves

I am impressed with the amount of support he is getting.

 

[Soggy in NOLA]

Who fucking cares.... this is such a non issue.

 

[SassyIrishLass]

Kaeperdick is so yesterday....fuck the halfwitted fool

 

[Sun Devil 92]

Colin who ?

 

[the_human_being]

Here's one that damn sure ain't.

 

[LordBrownTrout]

Like the bowe berghdahls?

 

[SassyIrishLass]

 

[Mad Scientist]

Why is the National Anthem played before sporting events?

Why are expensive Military Jets flown over privately owned stadium?

Who started that sh*t and why does it continue?

 

[BertramN]

All of the outrage directed at Colin Kaepernick comes from the ignorant folks who claim to support the rights granted to all citizens by the U.S. Constitution.



To these gullible individuals, massive political donations to gain power over our elected officials is a right protected by the First Amendment, hence the Citizens United decision by the Supreme Court.



However, when a citizen exercises his right to self expression by remaining seated during the national anthem, the First Amendment is no longer applicable, according to this misinformed segment of the population.



Just as Christian conservatives reinterpret the Bible and cherry-pick how each quote is to be applied, the conservatives’ condemnation of Kaepernick is another example of the right-wingers’ selective application of constitutional rights, rights they believe are reserved for them exclusively.



More of their typically narrow-minded, conservative BS, which surprises no one.


.

 

[WillMunny]

Yes, yes, yes, OP, everyone on USMB knows that you have a bitter, jealous inferiority complex chip-on-shoulder against white American society. You prove it every day by spamming this forum every single day with countless threads beating that dead horse to a bloody pulp. The silver lining, however, is that I enjoy drinking the tears of petty, vindictive people like yourself. You heard the term, "trail of tears"? Now you know what it really means.

 

[Rocko]

He's a liberal hero now because he bashed the country. Fuck him and fuck anyone who supports him.

 

[Mad Scientist]

All of the outrage directed at Colin Kaepernick comes from the ignorant folks who claim to support the rights granted to all citizens by the U.S. Constitution.

Rights aren't granted by the Constitution. They come from The Creator.