My Soapbox brings all the 'necks to the Hood...

You all didn't think I'd be gone for long, right? Okay it has been a hot damn minute... what started off as a Book of Face post, turned into a "note", and then I was like "Oh yeah, I have that blog thingamajig. I could use that.

*Steps up on the soapbox*

I love to hear when the 'Necks say stuff like " those fuckers in Hollywood just need to shut their mouths. They are paid to entertain us, not talk about politics." Excuse me there Dumb Ass, party of one... but remember Ronald Reagan? An actor, turned Governor, obviously went on to bigger things. There is also Ahhhnold... Actor turned Gov, then back to actor because well... a maid and a love child. The point is this: just because someone is an actor, actress, athlete, comedian, etc... it does not mean their only function in life is to entertain us; because no (and I've actually heard people say this) we don't actually pay their salary. We pay their employers, who are the producers, managers, owners, etc... who in turn pay them. If an employee's employer doesn't have an issue with the behavior you dislike... unfortunately there isn't much you can do, except boycott or not support that company, team, or business. And that's totally cool. (Because duh, freedom) What your actions can do, is to convince an owner, producer, etc. to change their business models, employment practises.. stuff like that. It may also do nothing.

But back to the original point... You see, in addition to these types of "entertainers" being "snowflakes", they are firstly US citizens. As such, they get to voice their opinions. (and also be subject to the same consequences as you and I) They can also peacefully assemble or peacefully speak out against the government, because yay 'Murica and the Bill of Rights.

That's the thing Vets defend... the Constitution, which in turn provides and defines the freedoms that Americans enjoy. We don't actually defend the flag or an anthem. Everything got blurred back in 2009 after the DOD (Dept. of Defense) spent a fuck ton of money to have the NFL televise the anthem before games; and help the DOD out with a 'lil problem they were having... namely Recruitment. So know we have flag + anthem squared + plus 4 branches of the military (5 if you include Space Force and why wouldn't you?) = PATRIOTISM

And I think that's where the disconnect lies. Too many people confuse their own expectations for what patriotism looks like vs. what it is. Is it the Star Spangled Awesomesauce below

or can it be a black man citizen kneeling, in a form of peaceful (and protected) protest, of the treatment of minorities by Law Enforcement, during the rendition of the National Anthem.

Let's look at the physical act and the implication of taking a knee from Nate Boyer and Colin Kaepernick; and why CK changed from sitting to kneeling. You don't have to like his protest methodology and I don't particularly like it much either, but as a U.S. Marine and Veteran, I will defend his right to do so. But do you know what we should like even less? The reason he even has to do it, which is the disproportionate use of force on blacks and minorities (vs. whites) in certain areas of the country, by Law Enforcement.

Do we have a systemic problem in Law Enforcement of racism throughout most of America... I don't believe so. Do we have a widespread problem of too many racist and woefully trained police officers... Yes, unfortunately I do. I believe that comes from a lack of funding and the personnel problems that too many LEOs face throughout the country. If you don't have funding to staff, train (including diversity and cultural) and most importantly, SCREEN, police applicants, then your Police force is going to be made up OR include some employees with questionable ethics; with power they should not have and will be able to abuse.

Law Enforcement is not the problem, but we do need the individuals in Law Enforcement to do a better job of policing it's own and then we... need to ensure our local LEOs receive funding to do their jobs safely. Support your local Blue Lines, they may be the only ting that saves you or a loved one.

Now... adding on to the highly volatile & emotional state of all the stuff above is that yesterday, Nike (who only gives a fuck about one thing, which is making more money. If they did give a fuck, they wouldn't have sweatshops in SE Asia paying people a pittance, while working in lousy conditions)

Sung to the tune of "The Lego Movie" and "Everything is Awesome" 

released it's 30 year "Just Do It" anniversary campaign, which chock full of talented athletes. The issue however, is that Nike used Colin Kaepernick... an athlete, already surrounded by controversy with military supporters with the ad tag line "Sacrifice Everything" or words to that effect.

Context is everything people. To say CK hasn't sacrificed a lot is wrong, but has he sacrificed everything and is that why vets and vets widows pissed? Yep... pretty sure that's it. A hint, Nike, if you please: Just don't do that. One can hardly be upset with military members being piqued with Nike and Nike brought it on itself. Unfortunately, I don't think it will cost them anything... except maybe their souls.

In closing...

1) Understand the Bill of Rights and how those rights pertain to others; and not just yourself

2) Listen with your ears and not your mouth

3) Don't be a dick

4) Don't confuse the body parts from two & three

5) Support Law Enforcement and fight to end racism

6) Don't support companies who use oversea sweatshops and child labor.

Munch