The NFL protests, week one

Seattle Seahawks Won’t Take A Knee Or Sit During National Anthem

" 'We are a team comprised of individuals with diverse backgrounds," Baldwin said during the video. "And as a team, we have chosen to stand and interlock arms in unity. We honor those who have fought for the freedom we cherish. And we stand to ensure the riches of freedom and the security of justice for all people. Progress can and will be made only if we stand together."

"Baldwin was asked Friday how proud he is of what the Seahawks have planned.

" 'I'm extremely proud," he said. "I'm excited. Extremely proud. Like I said, it makes me want to cry almost, just how our team has handled this and the discussions we've had and how we've come together. It's been absolutely amazing."

Obama should not support Kaepernick's protest     . . . "Yet, incredulously, the Commander-in-Chief spoke not one word of indignation on behalf of the service members he has sent to war. Instead, President Obama minimized the outrage of veterans by saying, “When it comes to the flag and the National Anthem and the meaning that holds for our men and women in uniform and those who fought for us — that is a tough thing for them to get past...”  (Emphasis mine, TD)

"A tough thing to get past? As veterans of the U.S. military, we are deeply troubled by these recent protests. But we should not be alone in this outrage. If we are to be the nation captured by Key – the “land of the free and the home of the brave” – if we are to continue in our national quest to provide all with the unalienable rights of life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness, we cannot expect our military to be the only ones who honor and respect the symbols and principles of our country.

"No Commander-in-Chief of an all-volunteer force, predicated on the principles of civilian control and public service, should divide society – as President Obama has – between those who serve and honor our nation, and some who merely take riches from its vast opportunities." . . .

Colin Kaepernick continues anthem protest; other 49ers, Rams join (Video)

"For the second game in a row, Kaepernick and safety Eric Reid knelt during the song while teammates Antoine Bethea and Eli Harold stood and held up their right fists.

" 'I think it's become so blatantly obvious that athletes and people in general have to react," Kaepernick said. "It's not something that, with social media, there's so many instances where it's instantly to you and you see these things every day, day after day and that's hard." . . .

A national anthem parody:  Althouse  Colin Kaepernick/ South Park video here.