President Obama on Colin Kaepernick: ‘He’s Exercising His Constitutional Right’

[Stellar]

Video: Ebony

During a trip to China for the G20 Summit of world leaders, President Obama weighed in on Colin Kaepernick’s decision to sit during the national anthem. While the NFL star’s protest has polarized many—with some calling his decision disrespectful to the military, and many veterans speaking out to show their support for the quarterback—President Obama said Kaepernick is “exercising his Constitutional right.”

Though he admitted he hadn’t been following the controversy closely, President Obama affirmed Kaepernick’s right to protest.

“In terms of Mr. Kaepernick, I’ve got to confess that I haven’t been thinking about football while I’ve been over here and I haven’t been following this closely, but my understanding, at least, is that he’s exercising his Constitutional right to make a statement,” he said. “I think there’s a long history of sports figures doing so. I think there are a lot of ways you can do it.”


The president acknowledged it may be difficult for some to get past their feelings about Kaepernick’s actions to see his broader point—the need for racial justice–but he said the football star has raised even more awareness about “topics that need to be talked about.”

“As a general matter, when it comes to the flag, and the national anthem, and the meaning it holds for our men and women in uniform and those who fought for us, that is a tough thing for them to get past, to then hear what his deeper concerns are,” President Obama said. “But I don’t doubt his sincerity, based on what I’ve heard. I think he cares about some real, legitimate issues that have to be talked about. And if nothing else, what he’s done is he’s generated more conversation around some topics that need to be talked about.”

Since his silent protest gained national attention, the San Francisco Police Officers Association slammed his decision, claiming the star “embarrassed himself,” while members of the Santa Clara Police Union have threatened to quit working the San Francisco 49ers games unless Kaepernick changes his stance.

Despite the outrage, support for Kaepernick continues to grow. His jersey is now the most popular jersey sold by the team, and players like 49ers star Eric Reid, Seattle Seahawks Jeremy Lane, and soccer player Megan Rapinoe have all joined in on the protest.

[malaise]

1. But but but

only gun owners have Constitutional Rights

[Stellar]

2. ...and everybody knows that their rights are more important. (snark) nt

[NuclearDem]

3. Literally nobody has said that, ever.

[hunter]

4. No. But they sure do squeal when you don't respect their gun fetishes.

It's the oddest thing.

[Exilednight]

6. Not true, malaise just said it. It's spot on too. It's the way gun fetish

sadists think. They'll be the first to point out the 2nd when anyone even mentions intelligent legislation, but are the first to put down CK when he exercises his 1st amendment right.

You can always tell which side of the political spectrum someone is on when you look at how they respond to a 2nd amendment argument, or someone who protests against white privilege.

[NuclearDem]

9. Literally nobody has said Kaepernick shouldn't have his First Amendment rights to speech.

Disagreeing with him and thinking he's an idiot are not the same as wanting to deny him rights. That's an absolutely absurd strawman.

You can always tell which side of the political spectrum someone is on when you look at how they respond to a 2nd amendment argument, or someone who protests against white privilege.

Actually, no, you really can't. Regressive leftists tend to think this is true because to them everybody but themselves is a rightwinger, but that's hardly the case.

[Exilednight]

10. Regressive leftist is the new right-wing talking point. Sad to see it come to DU

And I've seen and heard plenty of people saying that CK needs to get in line and stop criticizing SFPD.

[NuclearDem]

12. "I do NOT assume everyone besides me is a right-winger.

And anyone who says so is just a right-winger."

[Exilednight]

13. It is what it is. It was started by a right-wing hack as a pejorative

against people who support Obama.

I just wonder why do people from DU need to parrot Limbaugh disciples?

And yes, that's a question towards you since you used it. Why do you parrot someone who worships Limbaugh?

[NuclearDem]

14. I don't care where it came from.

It's a term that fits the social justice Marxism crowd in the left that's working to tear apart the liberties and values at the foundation of Western society, so as an actual liberal who thinks such things are pretty neat and would like to keep them, I'm going to use it. Stop pushing regressive ideas and I'll stop using the term.

It's quite fun watching the guy complaining about parroting right-wingers simultaneously do his best Joseph McCarthy impression.

[Exilednight]

15. Maybe you should read the TOS about right-wing talking points.

Goodnight.

[NuclearDem]

17. Is it really a right-wing talking point?

Or are you just using that as a circumstantial ad hominem to avoid having to discuss what you know to be a weak position?

[Exilednight]

18. It is a right-wing talking point. it was a meme started by a right-wing

libertarian as a pejorative against progressives.

As far as the issue goes, I've more than pointed out that right-wing media has told CK that he has no right to act on any other manner than to stand and keep quiet. Now the SFPD's union wants him punished for exercising his rights. I stand with President Obama and support CK.

Have a good day.

[NuclearDem]

21. Citation needed.

It was actually coined by a Liberal Democrat politician in the United Kingdom to describe people on the left who defend the regressive ideas of Islam for the sake of multiculturalism. It's been popularly used by Dave Rubin (used to have a show on The Young Turks, not exactly a right-wing libertarian network), Bill Maher (the guy who gave Obama a million bucks to get him reelected), Richard Dawkins (a LibDem supporter), and David Pakman (who uses it to call out leftist authoritarianism).

So, no, it didn't originate with the Right. It originated with actual liberals calling out people on the left for tolerating and advocating distinctly illiberal viewpoints.

[Exilednight]

22. Then feel free to post your citation since you feel so strongly about it.

[NuclearDem]

23. You want me to read your mind and provide a citation for your own claim?

Okie dokie.

[frankieallen]

5. Colin needs to speak out for GLBT community while he has the spotlight!!!

[Seeking Serenity]

7. Was anyone saying he didn't?

Like, that the government should arrest or otherwise punish him for not standing for the national anthem? I must have missed that.

[Exilednight]

11. SFPD union wants the 49ers to punish him.

[Seeking Serenity]

16. So? That's one private organization asking (imploring)

another private organization to punish its contract employee. No government involvement there that I can see.

On edit: I don't agree with demands that Colin K be disciplined by the 49ers, but if the team does, they're not "violating his Constitutional rights," any more than a private business that doesn't permit firearms to be brought into its establishment is violating the Constitutional rights of gun owners.

[Exilednight]

20. It's a bit different, since Colin can't be punished per the NFLPA.

If the 49ers did punish him, his rights by collective bargaining would be violated.

[LanternWaste]

19. I don't think that a statement implying one is exercising a right is made only to

I don't think that a statement implying one is exercising a right is made only to counter an argument one cannot or is prevented from exercising that right. You may have missed that as well...

[phasma ex machina]

8. He has guts. I don't like to stand during the national anthem either.

But I'm too chicken to remain seated.