Well, I’ve remained silent (which, in itself, some would call a miracle) about the situation and comments surrounding San Francisco 49er quarterback Colin Kaepernick, and his decision to not stand for the playing of the National Anthem before football games. His protest has been supported by other athletes as well, and I am sure with the beginning of the National Football League season, there will be more who use their forums to exercise their interpretation of the first amendment right to Freedom of Speech.

People have asked me what my “stand” is (no pun intended) regarding this and I have to preface my answer to that question by saying that my father and my uncles, many of my father’s friends, and many of my friends’ fathers and uncles, my father-in-law, my son-in-law and my grandson, and my brother and two of my brothers-in-law wore uniforms and pledged their loyalty and service to defend this country and what it represents. Not all served in battle, but made the commitment to be ready if called upon to do so. I also have a son who serves as a police officer. With all that in mind, I choose to stand when I’m at sporting events and the Star Spangled Banner is played. I do admit though, that I don’t stand when it’s played while I’m watching sporting events on television, nor did I stand every time it was played as I watched the Olympic Games this past summer. My not standing was not a protest against this country, nor was it to show any disrespect for our country, or the persons who fought for this country, or against those who stand watch in defense of our nation, or a protest against those who serve and protect our communities as law enforcers. I’m proud to be an American. I support our troops, I support our law enforcement agencies and personnel, and it is my choice to stand when I’m in attendance at sporting events when the anthem of this country is played.

In looking at what Colin Kaepernick did the first time he did not stand, and in times that have followed that first protest, that was his choice. He held up no signs, he did not make any gestures, or noise to disrupt the pregame tradition, he just didn’t stand up. Like it, or not, and I personally did not, he exercised a right given to him by the Constitution of this country and defended by the many who have donned uniforms and fought to protect what this country guarantees and stands for … freedom.

In a scene from one of my favorite movies, “The American President,” fictitious President Andrew Shepherd (brilliantly portrayed by Michael Douglas, in my opinion) addressed the media and touched upon the right of Free Speech. His remarks included the following statement, “You want free speech? Let’s see you acknowledge a man whose words make your blood boil, who’s standing center stage and advocating at the top of his lungs that which you would spend a lifetime opposing at the top of yours. You want to claim this land as the land of the free? Then the symbol of your country can’t just be a flag; the symbol also has to be one of its citizens exercising his right to burn that flag in protest. Show me that, defend that, celebrate that, in your classrooms.” Fictitious President, Fictitious Movie, but the words kind of make sense when you study the First Amendment. (Not sure I like the thought of burning the flag, though.)

Some disagree with parts of the First Amendment. Some say it has been stretched way beyond the limits of what it was originally intended to do, but it is part of the Constitution of our country and agree with all or part of it, or not, like some or all of it, or not, every citizen of this country is entitled to their opinion, their feelings, and their right to “speak” through words, and/or peaceful actions. I believe that is what Colin Kaepernick did, and is doing, and I hope any other athlete or fan agreeing with, and/or supporting him, is not just doing it for attention, but is doing it from within their own hearts, because that is what the right of Free Speech is all about in my mind.

Going back to the question asked of me by many, “Do I agree with Colin Kaepernick’s protest and how he is expressing it?” My answer is that I do not agree one hundred percent in what he is protesting. I feel he’s including all into a group of “bad apples.” Are there “bad apples?” Yes, as are in any circle or profession, but I feel the good far, far, far, and a hundred times more far, outweigh the bad. Do I like the fact that he does not stand for the National Anthem? Personally, no. I’d like to see everyone standing when it’s played at sporting events. I feel it shows respect for this country, a country with flaws, but still a country whose freedoms allow many to be able to choose their lot in life, and live that life they choose, and me liking it or not, still gives everyone the Constitutional right to choose to stand or not stand as the anthem is played. Agree or not, like it or not, that right needs to be respected.

Francois-Marie Arouet, better known by his penname Voltaire, born in 1694 and who died in 1788, stated his own version of Free Speech, when he said what is probably the quote for which he is most remembered, “I disapprove of what you say, but will defend to the death your right to say it.” The drafting of the Constitution of our country spanned from mid-1776 through late-1777 and was ratified June 21, 1788, ironically the same year Voltaire died, creating the document which guaranteed all citizens equal rights and certain freedoms. The Bill of Rights, the list of the first ten amendments of that Constitution, catalogs many of the rights guaranteed to each citizen of this country. Amendment One states, “The First Amendment to the United States Constitution prohibits the making of any law respecting an establishment of religion, impeding the free exercise of religion, abridging the freedom of speech, infringing on the freedom of the press, interfering with the right to peaceably assemble, or prohibiting the petitioning for a government redress of grievances.” This was adopted on Dec. 15, 1791. It has survived for 225 years. It has been fought for in numerous wars where freedoms have been threatened or denied by other leaders in this world, but it has stood tall and is one of the building blocks and cornerstones upon which this country was, and is, built. To that end, we may agree with some of it, all of it, or even none of it, but we need to respect it and those who exercise their right to express it.

Again, I’m proud to be an American. I’m proud of all of those who fought for, and presently are fighting for, and stood, or presently stand, at post to defend this nation, and other nations whose freedom is threatened. I’m proud of Law Enforcers who dedicate themselves to serve and protect our communities. And I’m proud to live where people can publically express themselves peacefully, whichever way they choose, while still respecting others whose beliefs and opinions may differ from their own.

Not sure if I answered the question asked of me or not. If not, maybe, if I can use this many words and still not answer the question asked of me, I should have gone into politics.