The items found on this blog were written during the past few years and strictly reflect my own opinions. Because these articles deal with difficult issues they are bound to be controversial. They reflect my personal analysis based on the limited information that I have. I am certainly no expert and fully respect different opinions. Difficult issues would not be difficult if there were clear-cut answers. Although you will see in reading some of my material, I don't like being pigeonholed with a label, I will admit to being politically independent with a tendency to be more conservative fiscally and slightly more liberal with regard to social issues. Having lived through the 1940's, I have a great appreciation for the sacrifices made by our armed forces and, in fact, all Americans during World War II. The greatness of this country shone bright as we rehabilitated and rebuilt our enemies after winning that war. I am very patriotic and proud of our country. While we are far from perfect, we're not as far from that ideal as most other countries in the world.

Monday, October 9, 2017



Stuart's Thoughts  10/9/2017

Final Thoughts On Colin Kaepernek


Weeks after first addressing this incident and an infinity of comments and discussions from all corners, I return to my initial concern with what he did and feel justified with what I said at the outset.  Even though he certainly had every right to kneel as a symbol protesting racism in the U.S., in my opinion, his timing was inappropriate.  If he had just waited until after the conclusion of the National Anthem, I don’t think he would have incurred the wrath and damage to the NFL image that followed.

The message I hear loud and clear is “Don’t desecrate our nation and our brief focus on paying honor to all those who have fought for our freedom by attempting to hijack the moment to advance your issue.”  Many people truly care about both, the tradition of honoring our country and the issue of racism but they don’t want to see attention to one damaged by attempting to hijack attention to the other at an inappropriate moment,  regardless of how meek or innocent the hijack attempt appears.

Jim Brown, who is one of the all-time football greats, a living idol to many football fans and also a life-long activist who fully supports Colin Kaepernek's message, perhaps put it best.

"I can't be two things at once that contradict each other. If I sign for money, then the people I sign with, they have rules and regulations."
As for the protest, Brown says ... "I'm going to give you the real deal: I'm an American. I don't desecrate my flag and my national anthem."
"I'm not gonna do anything against the flag and national anthem. I'm going to work within those situations. But this is my country, and I'll work out the problems, but I'll do it in an intelligent manner.”

Unfortunately my prediction of how C.K.’s poorly conceived protest plan might damage the sport seems to becoming true.

“After weeks of national anthem protests, the NFL’s popularity dropped from 57 percent favorability to 44 percent favorability from the end of August to the end of September, according to a poll from the Winston Group.
Among all professional and collegiate sports, it is the least popular with an unfavorable rating of 40 percent, the survey said. The poll also found that the 
protests are driving it’s key demographic, men aged 34-54, away from the sport.”



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