"Respect the flag, it stands for our freedom. All gave some, some gave all. Honor them."

Arguing that it's your basic constitutional right to sit while the national anthem plays is such a pathetic excuse for an American. With millions of people coming out to support you, on their feet, while you play, it's hard to understand why you can't seem to stand up for two minutes and twenty seconds. Also, you seemed to be able to stand for several past seasons before all of the sudden remembering the oppression that you claim to face daily. Colin Kaepernick and followers, I challenge you to look up the definition of oppression. It certainly doesn't come with a paycheck worth millions of dollars, sponsors and endorsements, a fan base, and media coverage across multiple platforms to discuss your discontent.

Oppression is nothing short of Hell on Earth. In some countries, there are no freedoms, no voices, and no interests regarding the welfare of the people. There is only strife, violence, murder, and agony. Terrorists bombed a school in Afghanistan, killing over one hundred young girls. Men and boys in Nigeria working in a mine for twelve to fourteen hours get paid less than one dollar a day. If they stop, they will be shot on sight. Angola is one of the richest countries in the world, but the president and other elected officials pocket the money for themselves and let children die in unfinished hospitals from malnutrition and preventable diseases. Those who were elected to benefit the people in these countries are the very ones that are giving the citizens so much misery.

Citizens of the countries mentioned, along with many others, have no one fighting for their basic rights. In many cases, the military does not serve to protect, but to destroy. There are no amendments made to the constitution to ensure that there is a better life for future generations. The people are trapped in these conditions forever.

What Kaepernick and fellow athletes are doing is not brave, heroic, or admirable in any sense. They are trashing and completely disrespecting a country that has given them bountiful opportunities to succeed. By not standing for the national anthem, it shows the blatant refusal to acknowledge the true brave men and women who fought for basic freedoms. How can anyone take America seriously if its own citizens refuse to honor it? When people are passionate about making a change, they usually go out and do something about it. Kneeling at a game and whining to the press is not showing strength or effort at all, it just shows the world the lack of gratitude that seems to have plagued our nation.

So, to Colin Kaepernick and others who have hopped on the bandwagon of ignorance, I dare you to find a country that will allow you to act in this ridiculous manner without serious repercussions. You will find that those countries are few and far between, but maybe it will help you realize just how lucky you are to live here.