I’ve been asked why I haven’t written about the whole Colin Kaepernick thing and my answer is I’ve learned (most of the time) not to rush to judgment.
As far as Kaepernick is concerned, I’ll again quote Red Smith who spawned this Popcorn Stand. “I’m a lillywhite who sees both sides of the issue.”
Carson City is a patriotic town, so when I talk to people I would say 90 percent are outraged with Kaepernick.
I’m a bottom line guy and I really don’t see any good in Kaepernick’s action.
So put me in the offended, but not outraged category.
I was outraged by Michael Vick. I refused to root for any team he played for. That’s not the case with Kaepernick. I’m still a 49er fan.
I can go through the long list of football players and the heinous crimes they committed. I have been more outraged by what those players did than what Kaepernick didn’t do.
And I have to admit it bothers me the heinous crimes football players commit don’t elicit the outrage Kaepernick has.
I’m just as upset with people in Carson City booing a military mother for speaking her mind as with what Kaepernick didn’t do. To me, you can’t pick and choose your patriotism. To paraphrase Vince Lombardi, patriotism isn’t a sometime thing, it’s an all the time thing.
I’m more upset with what Ryan Lochte did than with what Kaepernick didn’t do. I’ve never watched “Dancing with the Stars.” Now that Lochte is going to be on that show, as a “patriotic American,” there’s no way I’m going to watch that show now.
Why do I stand for the National Anthem. Because of baseball. Jazz music. The Chinese Food takeout box (an American invention) and yes, the strongest military the world has ever seen.
I don’t know if we’re the greatest country in the world. But I know we’re the most UNIQUE country in the world.
So I stand for the National Anthem not because I have to, but because I want to.
We’re not lacking in patriotism. Just perspective.
— Charles Whisnand