Progressive Discussion - Thursday 9-28-17

This was in my FB feed this morning, and I found it very interesting. I thought you might as well if you have not already seen it. As I've said before, I really don't understand the intense outrage over someone kneeling during the anthem and before the flag. I thought this was very thoughtful, and for some who may read this who don't see the issue the same way I do it may also shed some light on the reason kneeling was chosen as a form of protest rather than other possibilities.

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"One of the things I do like about events like this past weekend is every time, without fail, I learn something new. This time I learned what a devout Christian Colin Kaepernick is, even if he's not the type of Christian this country enjoys. I also learned how much he's given back and tried to make the world a better place, in ways far beyond racial injustice. And then just now I learned this:

On Aug 30th, 2016 Nate Boyer, a former Army Green Beret turned NFL long snapper, penned an open letter to Colin in the Army Times. In it he expressed how Colin's sitting affected him. Then a strange thing happened. Colin was able to do what most Americans to date have not... He listened.

In his letter Mr. Boyer writes:
"I’m not judging you for standing up for what you believe in. It’s your inalienable right. What you are doing takes a lot of courage, and I’d be lying if I said I knew what it was like to walk around in your shoes. I’ve never had to deal with prejudice because of the color of my skin, and for me to say I can relate to what you’ve gone through is as ignorant as someone who’s never been in a combat zone telling me they understand what it’s like to go to war. Even though my initial reaction to your protest was one of anger, I’m trying to listen to what you’re saying and why you’re doing it." Mr. Boyer goes on to write "There are already plenty people fighting fire with fire, and it’s just not helping anyone or anything. So I’m just going to keep listening, with an open mind. I look forward to the day you're inspired to once again stand during our national anthem. I'll be standing right there next to you."

Empathy and understanding was shown by Mr. Boyer... and Mr. Kaepernick reciprocated. Colin invited Nate to San Diego where the two had a 90 minute discussion and Nate proposed Colin kneel instead of sit.

But why kneel? In a military funeral, after the flag is taken off the casket of the fallen military member, it is smartly folded 13 times and then presented to the parents, spouse or child of the fallen member by a fellow service member while KNEELING.

The two decided that kneeling for the flag would symbolize his reverence for those that paid the ultimate sacrifice while still allowing Colin to peacefully protest the injustices he saw.

Joyce, thanks, here, too, for posting that. It just made me smile because I think more people than not understand the situation about kneeling. Evidently Sarah Huckabee Sander's understands nothing. She said today at press conference, the issue was as easy to understand as "black & white" when responding to April Ryan's question... I think it was a slip of the tongue on her part, but it made me giggle cause I thought, yup, it sure is for many. She quickly went to another question before anyone could call her on that...LOL

OK, why does the word Save keep showing up at the bottom of my last post? I keep editing and deleting it, and it just keeps appearing there even though I never typed it. Is my computer possessed by Russian election hackers?

pbnj, can you delete the fake news?

Pat-PJ, Would have not put it past his Orangeness to stir up something by doing that.....way too easy to believe given his track record.

Hmmmmm why doesn't he send his personal plane to help out.

Addressed to Trump Supporters......