Aaand… with this latest bout of protests and the argument here, I’ve come down off the fence on the side with Frink and Co., with a caveat. I understand that the anthem and what it stands for are held sacred by some, but it is both nowhere akin to WBC nor up to us to judge how someone feels they best may protest (so long as it’s peaceful, which obviously WBC is not).

I once was annoyed at Kaepernick for simply bringing attention to himself—only himself and not the cause for which he protested—but having this kind of coordinated group effort of protest does actually get the point across. And so now I’m okay with it. I’m sad that it’s potentially a mainstream thing, and certainly once it’s gone from protest to popular it will have lost its purpose only to devolve back into disrespect, but again I agree with those who serve who say they fought so people have the right to sit.