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StonekettleStation
Don'tjustembracethecrazy,sidleupnexttoitandlickitsear.

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Friday,September2,2016

DonatetoStonekettle
Station

Respect:ColinKaepernickTheExtendedCut

Likeanybodyelse,Ihavea
mortgageandakidincollegeand
apowerfulneedtoeatonceina
while.AsStonekettleStationhas
increasedinpopularity,ittakesup
moreandmoreofmytimetowrite
thecontentyoucomeherefor,
andthatmeansI'vegotlesstime
todothethingsthatactuallypay
thebills.Ihavenodesiretomove
StonekettleStationbehinda
paywall,I'llstopwritingbeforeIdo
that,butifyouthinkwhatIdo
hereisworthabitofyourhard
earnedmoneywellthenI'mnot
tooproudtoacceptatokenof
yourappreciation.Andthankyou.

Wrongquestion.Wrongquestionsgetwronganswers.
MasterGregory,SeventhSon(2014)

Asveteran,whatdoyouthinkoftheCollinKaepernickcontroversy?
ThatwasthequestionAsaveteran,whatdoyouthink
Readersoftenaskmeaboutcurrentevents.
Why?
Whyme?
Well,becausethatswhatIdonowadays.Thatsmyjob.Imapoliticalessayist,Iwriteabout
theworld,aboutpolitics,aboutwar,aboutAmerica.
ButIusedtobeinthemilitary.Ispentmostofmyadultlifethere.ImaretiredUSNavyChief
WarrantOfficer.Ifyoudontknowwhatthatis,well,youreingoodcompany.
Regularreadersknowmybackground,orabitofitanyway.Assuch,nooneasksmeAsa
writer,whatdoyouthink?Asanartist.AsaMichiganderbywayofAlaskatrappedinthefetid
swampsoftheFloridaPanhandle.Nobodyasksmethat.Theywantmyopinionasaveteran.

Youcanalsocontributetothissite
bybecomingaregularsponsorvia
Patreon

JimWright
AK,UnitedStates

Andthatconditionchangesthings.

Viewmycomplete
profile

LetsstartwiththeNationalAnthem.

Howmanyveteransweregunneddownonthestreetwhilethatanthemplayed?

JimWrightisaretiredUSNavy
ChiefWarrantOfficerand
freelancewriter.Helivedlongerin
Alaskathananywhereelseand
missesitterribly.Herecently
movedtothefetidPanhandleof
Floridaandlivesnowinan
ancientColdWarbunkerofa
housesurroundedbyalligators
andrednecks.He'sbeencalled
theToolofSatan,butheprefers
tothinkofhimselfastheDevil's
DesignatedDriver.Heisthemind
behindStonekettleStation.You
canemailhimat
jim@stonekettle.com.Youcan
followhimonTwitter
@stonekettle,oryoucanjointhe
boisterousbunchhehostson
Facebookat
Facebook/Stonekettle.Remember
tobringbrowniesandmindthe
whitecat,hebites.Hard.

HowmanyveteransbillstoaddresstheseissuespassedtheHouseandSenatewhilethatsong
played?

Disclaimer

Anditsafootballplayeryoureangryabout,becausehedidntstandforasong?

Thissitemaycontainprofanity.It
alsomaycontainranting,strong

Guesswhat,Folks?TheStarSpangledBannerdoesntbelongtoveterans.
No,itdoesnt.
Thenationalanthemisjustthat,theanthemofthenation.
ThiswasntsomeMemorialDayparadehonoringthefallen.ThiswasntsomeVeteransDay
ceremonyuponthehallowedgroundofArlington.Thiswasasportingeventandapreseason
oneatthat.Lookaroundthatstadium,howmanyweretalkingontheirphones?Howmany
weretexting?Orinlineforhotdogsandbeer?HowmanywerewatchingColinKaepernick
insteadoftheflag?
HowmanyveteranswerewaitingforcareinthelobbyofsomeVAhospitalwhilethatanthem
wasplaying?
Howmanyveteranscommittedsuicideinthatsameperiod,finallyovercomebydepressionand
despairandtheweightoftheirservice?
Howmanyveteranswereoutsidethatstadium,sleepinginboxesonthestreet,digginginthe
trashforfood,lostinthenightmaresofPTSDandmentalillness?

Youwanttomakethisaboutveterans?Thenyourestartinginthewrongplace.
Thisisntaboutveterans.
Veteransdontownthesong.

opinions,misspellings,poor
attemptsathumor,andpicturesof
cats.Ifthatbothersyou,look
awaynow.(Why,yes,mywifedid
makemeaddthisdisclaimer,
thanksforasking.)

VeteransdontownasongaboutaflagevenifitistheStarSpangledBanner.
Andthatflagdoesntbelongtoveteranseither.
Thesong,theflag,thosearesymbolsofanation,thewholenation,notjustonelittlesubsetof
it.
Atthemoment,therearearound1.4millionpeople(notallofwhichareAmericans)servingin
theUSarmedforces.Thatslessthanhalfof1%ofthetotalUSpopulation.Now,therearea
lotmoreformerservicemembersthantherearethosecurrentlyservingonactiveduty.Nobody
isreallysureexactlyhowmany,butestimatesputthenumberofveteransatabout22million,
basedonVAdatacompiledfromtheDepartmentofDefense,USCensusBureau,theIRS,and
theSocialSecurityAdministration.Addupthosenumbersandyoufindonlyabout7.3%ofthe
totalUSpopulationhaveeverservedinthemilitary.About13.4%ofallAmericanmaleshave
served.About1.4%ofAmericanfemalesareveterans.Someofthosevetsservedonlyafew
years.Somelikemeservednearlytheirentireadultlife.Likeme,someservedhonorablyand
retired,someservedonlyafewyears,andsomeweretossedoutforvariousoffensesor
medicalreasonsorjustforbeingshittysoldiers.Somelikemelovedthemilitary,somehated
everysinglegoddamnedterribleminuteofit.Somelikemevolunteered,somewere
conscriptedagainsttheirwill.Likeme,someservedinwar,andlikemesomeservedinpeace.
Somedrovetrucks,somepushedpapers,somewasheddishes,somepulledtriggers.Some
camehomewholeandsomedidnt.

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Butnomatterhowyoubreakitdown,veteransarelessthan8%ofthetotalUSpopulation.
Wedontowntheflag.Wedontownthesong.ThosesymbolsrepresentallAmericans,vetand
nonvetalike.
Andthisisbyintent.
Thepeoplewhodesignedthiscountrymadethemilitarysubordinatetotheelectedcivilian
leadershipforareason.
Theyputthemilitaryundercontrolofacivilianpresidentforareasonandmadeitanswerableto
thepeople.

Follow

BlogArchive
2016(26)
September2016(6)
Greatness,Again

AndwhentheFramerswrotetheConstitution,theypurposelydidnotrequiremilitary
experiencefromthoseelectedtooffice.
Why?
BecausewearenotSpartans.
WearenotRomans.WearenotNazis.Wearenotsomewarriorculturebenttoconquestthat
putsmilitaryserviceonapedestaltobeworshiped.
WereAmericans.
Weresupposedtobethegoodguys.

Renegade911
Cossacks
DownwindfromStanding
Rock
LaborDay2016
Respect:ColinKaepernick
TheExtendedCut
August2016(2)
July2016(3)
June2016(2)

Weresupposedtofightonlywhenwehaveto,outofdirenecessityandbecausethereareno
otheroptionsandnotforsomegoddamnedgloriousspectacle.

May2016(1)

Thatswhoweresupposedtobe.

March2016(2)

Americaisntjustveterans.Veteransmighthavedefendedthiscountry,butwithouttheother
92%ofthepopulationtherewouldntbeanAmericatodefend.Americaisveterans,butitsalso
everybodyelse,bricklayersanddishwashersandroadbuildersandfirefightersandcopsand
engineersandscientistsanddoctorsandteachersandstudentsandlibrarians,richandpoor,
youngandold,haleandinfirm,black,brown,white,yellow,red,straight,gay,Christian,Muslim,
Jew,atheist,shortandtall,maleandfemale,immigrantandnaturalborn,andwhateverother
variationyoucaretoname.

February2016(4)

2015(41)

Thatflag,thatanthem,representsallofthosepeopleandalloftheirhistory.

2011(98)

Andwhilealotofthathistoryisprettyspectacular,alotofitisnt.Alotofitisspatteredinblood
andbegrimedwithviolence.

2010(180)

AndwhileAmericaitselfisaprettygreatplacetobedespitewhatsomepoliticianswantyou
tobelievewerefarfromperfectandtheresstillagreatdealofworktobedone.Thosewho
forgettheirhistoryaredoomedtorepeatitinendlesscycle.TheFoundersknewthisandthey
didntjustcrapoutafinishedproductandsitbackontheirassesexpectingittoworkfor
everybodyforalltime.Theideawasamoreperfectnation,notaperfectone.Theydidthebest
theycouldwithwhattheyhad.Theyknewitwasntfinishedsotheyinstalledmechanismsinto

April2016(2)

January2016(4)

2014(50)
2013(63)
2012(83)

2009(396)
2008(397)
2007(211)

thefabricofourcountrythatwouldallowforupdateandrefinementseeAmendmentstothe
Constitutionetal.
Werestillworkingonthat.
Americaclunksalongprettywellforalotofus.Butnotforeverybody.Notyet.Andbecauseof
thathistoryandbecausewearehumanandbecauseweeachhavethefreedomtoseethe
worldaswewill,theprocessofmakingAmericaworkforallofusismessyandfraughtwith
endlesssetbacks.Anditwillneverbedone,itsanongoingjobsolongastimepassesandthe
nationendures.
Andthatmeanstheflag,theanthem,representdifferentthingstodifferentAmericansand
someofyouarejustgoingtohavetogetusedtothatidea.

Next,letstalkabouttheoath.
Theoathallmilitarymembersswear.
Enlistedpersonnelswearthefollowingoath:
"I,(stateyourfullname),dosolemnlyswear(oraffirm)thatIwillsupportand
defendtheConstitutionoftheUnitedStatesagainstallenemies,foreignand
domesticthatIwillbeartruefaithandallegiancetothesameandthatIwillobey
theordersofthePresidentoftheUnitedStatesandtheordersoftheofficers
appointedoverme,accordingtoregulationsandtheUniformCodeofMilitary
Justice.SohelpmeGod."
Officerstakeasimilaroathwithsomecrucialdifferences:
I,(stateyourfullname),havingbeenappointedanofficerinthe(servicebranch)
oftheUnitedStates,asindicatedaboveinthegradeof(rank)dosolemnlyswear
(oraffirm)thatIwillsupportanddefendtheConstitutionoftheUnitedStates
againstallenemies,foreignanddomesticthatIwillbeartruefaithandallegiance
tothesamethatItakethisobligationfreely,withoutanymentalreservationsor
purposeofevasionandthatIwillwellandfaithfullydischargethedutiesofthe
officeuponwhichIamabouttoenter.SohelpmeGod."
Enlistedpersonnelcanbedraftedagainsttheirwill,whichmeanstheymighttaketheoathwith
morethanabitofmentalreservation.AlotofconscriptedguysgoingofftoVietnamhadserious
reservationsregardingtheirenlistment.Donttakemywordforit,askthem.
Officersontheotherhandcantbedrafted.
Anofficermusttaketheoathfreelyandwithoutreservationunderpenaltyoflaw.Ifitturnsout
you,asanofficer,areunabletowellandfaithfullyexecutethedutiesofyourofficebecauseyou
havementalreservationswhichyoukeptconcealedatthetimeofyouroath,thendependingon
thecircumstancesyourelikelytofaceresigningyourcommissionorsittinginfrontofacourt
martialonyourwaytoprison.
Itookbothoftheseoaths.Firstasanenlistedmanandlaterasacommissionedofficer.Asthe
latterIadministeredtheoathtoothersmany,manytimes.Theonethingbothofthoseoaths
haveincommonisthispart:IwillsupportanddefendtheConstitutionoftheUnitedStates
againstallenemies,foreignanddomesticthatIwillbeartruefaithandallegiancetothesame.
Weswearouroath,ourlives,totheConstitution.
Nottheflag.
Nottheanthem.
Nottothepresident.
Nottocongress.
Nottothecitizens.
Nottoapoliticalpartyorideology.
Nottoarace.
Nottoareligion.
WeswearouroathtotheConstitution.
Butwhatdoesthatmean?Thatwesweartogiveourlivesforsomeraggedyoldpieceof
paper?Isitthesacredpaperitselfthatcommandsourallegiance?Someoldpieceof
parchment,yellowed,handwritteninanarchaiclanguage,fallingapart,storedawayina
nitrogenfilledboxsomewhereintheNationalArchives.Isthatit?
No?

Whatthen?
Ah,Isee.Itsnotthepaperwhetheritbethathoaryoldoriginaldocumentoroneofthose
massproducedlittlebookletssupposedpatriotsandpoliticiansliketotossaround.Thepaper
doesntmatter,itstheideaswrittenonit.
Weswearouroathtoanidea.
Thisidea:Weholdthesetruthstobeselfevident,thatallmenarecreatedequal,that
theyareendowedbytheirCreatorwithcertainunalienableRights,thatamongthese
areLife,LibertyandthepursuitofHappiness.
Weswearwewillbeartruefaithandallegiance,andgiveourlivesifnecessary,forthatidea.
ThatideawasthefoundationoftheUnitedStatesofAmerica.
Thatideawastheveryfirstwordsspokenbythenewnation.
Awarforthatidea,tensofthousandsdeadforthatidea,adecadeofargumentandbitter
debateandendlesscompromiselaterandthatideabecametheConstitutionoftheUnited
States.
Thatswhatweswearouroathto.
ThatswhytheFoundersandtheFramersmadeussubordinatetothecivilianleadershipso
thatwewouldneverforgetthatourplace,ourduty,istodefendthelife,liberty,andhappiness
ofallAmericans.Theonesweagreewithandidentifywithandcallbrotherandtheoneswe
dont.ThisiswhyAmericansshouldbeappalledandalarmedbytherecenttendencyof
presidentstowrapthemselvesinmilitarycustom.ThepresidentisthecivilianCommanderin
ChiefoftheArmedForces,nottheGeneralinChief.Thepresidentshouldntbewearing
militarygarborrenderingasalute.HiscivilianstatusshouldforcefullyremindeveryAmericanof
theirmilitaryssubordinateroleinoursocietyeverysingleday,especiallyitshouldremindthe
presidentandgenerals.
WearenotRome,andifwewishtoremainsothenthisreminderisvital.
Okay,stoprightthere,Jim,Ihearyousayinthattoneyouusewhenyoureprettysureyouve
gotme.Backup.Whataboutenemies,foreignanddomestic?Whataboutthat?
Whataboutit?Wejustcoveredthat.
We,wemilitary,wedontgettodecidewhoisandwhoisnotanenemy,orwhoisandwhois
notanAmericanchecktheConstitutionifyoudontbelieveme.
Themilitarysjobistodefendthecountry,notruleit.
Thatsnotourjob.Andforadamnedgoodreason.
Itsyourjob.
Wearearepresentativedemocracy,aconstitutionalrepublic,notamob,notamilitary
dictatorship.Itisourelectedciviliangovernmentsjobasconstrainedbythelawandlimitedby
theConstitutiontodecidewhoisandwhoisnotanenemy.
Ifyoudontlikehowtheyredoingit,thenelectbetterleaders.Yourethecheck,yourethe
safetystop.
Onlyabout50%ofyouvote.Whatkindofsafetysystemonlyshowsup50%ofthetime?
Ifyouwantabetternation,youhavetobebettercitizens.
Youarewhothatflag,thatanthem,represents.

Andthattakesustoyourquestion:
ASAVETERAN,whatdoyouthinkaboutColinKaepernick'sdecisiontositduring
theNationalAnthem?
Thatwasyourquestion.Thatshowyouphrasedit.Asaveteran.
Ifyoudaskedmeasacitizen,asacivilian,asawriter,asanartist,asafather,asapatriot,as
atransplantedMichiganderbywayofAlaskalivinginthehellishfetiddinosaurinfestedswamps
oftheFloridaPanhandle,ImighthaveadifferentanswerthenagainImightnot.
Butthatsnotwhatyouasked.
Youaskedmetospeakasaveteran,andasaveteranthereisonlyoneanswer.
TheveryfirstthingIlearnedinthemilitaryisthis:Respectisatwowaystreet.
Ifyouwantrespect,truerespect,sincererespect,thenyouhavetogiveit.

Ifyouwantrespect,youhavetodothethingsnecessarytoearniteachandeverysingleday.
Therearenoshortcutsandnoexceptions.Thisistrueofmenandtrueofnations.
Respectcannotbecompelled.
Respectcannotbebought.
Respectcannotbeinherited.
Respectcannotbedemandedatthemuzzleofagunorbybeatingitintosomebodyorby
shamingthemintoit.Cannot.Youmightgetwhatyouthinkisrespect,butit'snot.It'sonlythe
appearanceofrespect.It'sfear,it'sgroveling,it'snotrespect.Far,fartoomanypeoplebothin
andoutofthemilitary,peoplewhoshouldemphaticallyknowbetter,donotunderstandthis
simplefact.
Thereisanenormousdifferencebetweenfearandrespect.Oneisslavery,theotherisliberty.
Respecthastobeearned.
Respect.Has.To.Be.Earned.
Respecthastobeearnedeveryday,byeveryword,byeveryaction.
Respecthastobegivenfreely.
Ittakesalifetimeofwordsanddeedstoearnrespect.
Ittakesonlyonecarelessword,onethoughtlessaction,toloseit.
Youhavetobeworthyofrespect.Youhavetoliveupto,oratleastdoyourbesttoliveupto,
thosehighidealstheonesAmericasupposedlyembodies,thatshiningcityonthehill,that
exceptionalnationwetalkabout,yes,thatselfevidenttruththatallmenarecreatedequal,that
theyareendowedbytheirCreatorwithcertainunalienablerights,thatamongthesearelife,
libertyandthepursuitofhappiness.
Toearnrespectyouhavetobefair.Youhavetohavecourage.Youmustembracereason.You
havetoknowwhentoholdthelineandwhentocompromise.Youhavetotakeresponsibility
andbeaccountableforit.
Youhavetokeepyourword.
Youhavetogiverespect,truerespect,togetitback.
Therearenoshortcuts.None.
Andanyveteranworththelabelshouldknowthis.Allofit.Iftheydon't,thenlikelytheyweren't
muchofasoldiertobeginwithandyoucantellthemIsaidso.
IfColinKaepernickdoesn'tfeelhiscountryrespectshimenoughforhimtorespectitinreturn,
youcannotmakehimrespectit.
Youcannotmakehimrespectit.
Itisimpossible.

Ifyoutrytoforceamantorespectyou,you'llonlymakehimrespectyouless.

Withthreats,byviolence,byshame,youcanmaybecompelKaepernicktostandupandputhis
handoverhisheartandforcehimtobequiet.Youmight.
Butthat'snotrespect.
It'sonlytheillusionofrespect.
And,yes,youmightforcethismanintotheillusionofrespect.Wevedonesuchthingsinthe
past,beatentheillusionofrespectintopeopleofcolor.Soyoumight.Wouldyoubesatisfied
then?Wouldthatmakeyouhappy?Wouldthatmakeyourespectyournation,theonewhich
forcedamantohisknees,intotheillusionofrespect,anationoflittleclockworkpatriotsall
touchingtheirforelocktothetyrannyofideologyandpretendingsatisfactionandrespect?
Isthatwhatyouwant?
Ifthatswhatmatterstoyou,thatillusionofrespect,thenyou'renottalkingaboutfreedomor
liberty.You'renottalkingabouttheUnitedStatesofAmerica.Insteadyou'retalkingaboutevery
dictatorshipfromtheNazistoNorthKoreawherepeoplearelinedupandmadetosalutewith
themuzzleofagunpressedtothebackoftheirnecks.
That,thatillusionofrespect,isnotwhyIworeauniform.

That'snotwhyIheldupmyrighthandandsworetheoathandputmylifeonthelineformy
country.
ThatsnotwhyIadministeredtheoathtoothers.
That,thatillusionofrespect,isnotwhyIamaveteran.
Notsoamanshouldbeforcedtoshowrespecthedoesn'tfeel.

That'scalledslaveryandIhavenorespectforthatatall.

IfAmericanswantthismantorespectAmerica,thenfirsttheymustrespecthim.
Ididntsayyouhadtoagreewithhim.
Ididntsayyouhadtoagreewithhismethods.
JustasIdonthavetoagreewiththosewhoexercisetheirConstitutionalrighttostandonthe
cornerinthislittleSoutherntownwavingtheirbiblesandloudlydamningmetotheirhell.
JustasIdonthavetoagreewiththosewhoexercisetheirConstitutionalrighttodailyscream
NRAtalkingpointsatmeandcarrytheirsemiautomaticdickextendersintothegrocerystore.
JustasIdonthavetoagreewiththepunditsandthepresswhoexercisetheirConstitutional
righttocreateparanoiaandhateandfalsehoodswholecloth.
JustasIdonthavetoagreewitheithertheTeaPartyortheOccupyMovement,orthedrooling
idiotSovereignCitizenswhomarchontheWhiteHouseperiodicallytodemandthepresident
betriedinakangaroocourtandhungfromthenearestlamppost,Idonthavetoagreewith
anyofthemwhentheyexercisetheirConstitutionalrightstoassemble.
Asacitizen,ImightdisagreewithonehellofalotofthewaysotherAmericansexercisetheir
rights,ImighthavenorespectfortheiractionsortheirwordsandImightevenwriteaboutit
hereinlessthanrespectfullanguage.
Butasaveteran,Idohavetorespectthemwhethertheyareworthyofitinmyopinionornot.
BecauseIsworemyoathtotheidealthattheyhaveeveryrighttobelieveastheywill.That,
thatrightthere,wasthewholedamnedpointofmyserviceinthefirstplace.
Hereswhatthatrespectgotmethisweek:50,000plusmessagesofrespectinreturn.
Seehowthatworks?
Thesameistrueofmenandtrueofnations.
IfAmericawantstheworld'srespect,itmustbeworthyofrespect.
Americamustbeworthyofrespect.Torture,rendition,indefinitedetention,unarmedblackmen
shotdowninthestreet,poverty,inequality,votersuppression,racism,bigotryineveryform,
obstructionism,blindpatriotism,noneofthosethingsareworthyofrespectfromanybody
leastofallanAmerican.
ThatdoesnotmeantherearentmanythingstoadmireaboutAmerica.
Butthosegreatthingsdontgiveyouapassonthebadstuff.
OurFoundersexpectedustofixthosethings,tokeepmakingAmericabetter.Notgreatagain,
better.Ifyoucantseethat,thenperhapsthosemenhadahigheropinionofusthanwe
deserve.
Now,doesntallthisalsomeanifKaepernickhimselfwantsrespect,hemustgiveitfirst?Giveit
toAmerica?Beworthyofrespecthimself?Standup,shutup,andputhishandoverhisheart
beforeOldGlory?
No.Itdoesn't.
Respectdoesn'tworkthatway.
Powerflowsfrompositivetonegative.Electricityflowsfromgreaterpotentialtolesser.
TheUnitedStatesisn'taperson.It'savastimperfectconstruct.Itisaframeworkoflawand
orderandcivilizationdesignedtoprotecttheweakfromtheruthlessandaftermorethantwo
centuriesofrevisionandrefinementitexiststoprovideinequalmeasureforallofusthe
opportunityforlife,liberty,andthepursuitofhappiness.Thatstheexceptionalismwetalk
about,thatrightthere.
Ifyouwanttobeexceptional,thenyouhavetobeexceptional.
Ifbeingexceptionalwaseasy,everybodywouldbeexceptional.

LivinguptothepromiseoftheDeclarationishard.LivinguptotheidealsoftheConstitutionis
hard.Ifitwaseasy,wewouldntneedtohavethisconversation.
AllthepowerrestswithAmerica.Justasitdoesinthemilitarychainofcommand.Andlikethat
chainofcommand,liketheelectricalcircuitdescribedabove,respectmustflowfromgreaterto
lesserfirstbeforeitcanreturn.
ItdoesntmatterifColinKaepernickisawellpaidpamperedathlete.
ItdoesntmatterifColinKaepernickistheworstquarterbackwhoeverfumbledaplay,orthe
finestballertoeversetfootonthegridiron.
ItdoesntmatterifColinKaepernickisanarrogantjerkofahumanbeingorthenicestguyyou
evermet.
ItdoesntmatterifyouthinkColinKaepernickdoesntdoenoughforhiscauseorifhespends
hismoneyinafashionyoudontapproveof.
Itdoesntmatterifyourespecthim.
WhatmattersisthatheisanAmericanandhehaseveryrighttospeakhispiece,tousehis
voiceandhispositiontomakewhatdifferencehecanifhesodesiresandyes,tosufferthe
consequencesofhisactionsifnecessary.Thatshischoice.
Thatshisright.Youdonthavetorespectit,butasaveteranImust.Nottodosowouldmakea
mockeryoftheverythingsIsworemylifetodefend.
Andthatswhatyouaskedme,asaveteran.Remember?
ToyoutheNationalAnthemmeansonething,toKaepernickitmeanssomethingelse.Weare
allshapedanddefinedbyourexperiencesandweseetheworldthroughourowneyes.That's
freedom.That'sliberty.Therighttobelievedifferently.Therighttoprotestasyouwill.Theright
todemandbetter.TherighttobelieveyourcountrycanbebetterjustastheFounders
themselvesdidthatitcanliveuptoitssacredideals,andtherighttoloudlynotethatithasnot
sofar.Therighttouseyourvoice,youractions,tobringattentiontothethingsyoubelievein.
Therighttowantmoreforothers,forthepeoplewhoareimportanttoyou,freedom,liberty,
justice,equality,andrespect.
AtrueveteranmightnotagreewithColinKaepernickandinfactmightadamantlydisagree,but
atrueveteranwouldfighttothedeathtoprotectanyAmericansrighttosaywhathebelieves.
IntheweeksinceIwrotetheoriginalpostonFacebookIvereceivedliterallytensofthousands
ofresponses.Theoverwhelmingmajorityarepositive,notesofencouragementand
understanding,enthusiasticandevenreluctantagreement.Itmakesmeproudtonotemanyof
thoseresponsescamefromveterans,fromcops,andfromAmericanswhoputtheirasseson
linefortheirfellowseverydaywithoutexpectationofrewardorthanks.Theymaynotagree
withKaepernick,buttheystandwithhimnonethelessastrueAmericansdo.Anumbercame
fromnonAmericans,thoseonforeignshoreswholooktoAmericawithequalpartsfearand
fascinationandwonderatthatshiningcityonthehillanditmakesmeproudthattheycanstill
admirethisnationforwhatitissupposedtorepresent.
ButinthatsameweekIvedailypostedarosterofthosewhodontgetit.Thosewhowroteme,
manywhoclaimtobeveterans,whocalledmetraitorandcalledKaepernickniggerandwho
havedailysentmedeaththreatsandseethinghatesimplybecauseIspokeofhonorandduty
andrespect.Itisthesepeople,thesehaters,thesedimwittedgoons,whoprovewiththeir
ownwordsthevalidityandnecessityofKaepernicksprotestandwhyIstandwithhim.
YouaskedmewhatIthinkasaveteran?
Youhavemyanswerandifyoudon'tlikewhatKaepernickhastosay,thenprovehimwrong.
Bethenationhecanrespect.
It'sreallyjustthatsimple.
PostedbyJimWrightat10:11AM
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180comments:
Linkmeister September2,2016at11:02AM
"Speakhispiece,"not"peace."Butthat'snearlyimmaterial.You'reabsolutelyrightinall
of this. That old French guy Voltaire and his "defend your right to say it" business was
righttoo.Wellsaid,Chief.
Reply