The following comes from an advertisement in my local free newspaper, the Estes Park News. I actually started reading this because it had no notice at the top that it was an advertisement and I thought it might have something to do with the Nike missile silos that exist out on the plains east of here.
BUILD THOSE PATRIOTIC NIKES
Just at a time when we thought we were finally free from the negative influence of the ‘loser’ Colin Kaeperneck (sic), whom you remember, began a movement several years ago to encourage sports stars to show disdain for the American flag by kneeling during the presentation of our National Anthem. His parents publicly distanced themselves from him, acknowledging their sadness at his actions. Few sports figures followed his lead, among those who did, including himself, several lost their careers, and the movement seemed to fade away. That is, until recently when a proposed plant to be built in Arizona for Nike unveiled a plan for a new line of athletic shoes, using patriotic colors, even a Betsy Ross’s early version of the flag, on the heel. “Don’t do it,” said Kaeperneck, “some people like me, might be offended by it!” So the Nike Company, apparently ‘cowering in fear’ dropped the shoe from their plans. Now comes the good part! The Governor, Doug Ducey, responded with: “In that case. All those incentives we offered the Nike Company to get them to build their plant here just went away. We don’t need a company in Arizona like that!
Contrast the above spirit with that of the millions as they flocked to join in celebrations over the past week. Contrast that spirit with that of those millions of military personnel who served, who endured extreme hardships, injury, lifelong repercussions, even death, as a result of their sacrificial service. No wonder that those people who have suffered so much become angry when they observe the selfish spirit of those who want ‘what they want’ for themselves rather than what will serve the ‘greater good’.
Listen to the comments of one such ‘warrior’, Cpt. David B. Fedorczyk: “How dare they give permission to burn our country’s flag to those who have no morals, and think it just a rag? How dare they say ‘OK’ to those who have no pride and criticize our country, for which many fought and died? How dare they say this is their right, though for now that may be so. But when our country needs their help, where will these ‘Flag burners’ go? How dare they say it is their right, protected by ‘freedom of speech who suffered’? Tell that one to the soldiers who laid bleeding on Normandy’s beach! Tell that one to Korean vets who suffered through the cold — or our boys in Vietnam who did what they were told. Tell that to one of our sailors, and Marines, if you have the nerve. Tell that to one of our women who had the guts to serve. How dare they desecrate our colors to gain attention of our land, to bitterly disgrace our flag: for this we will not stand! How dare they think we’ll tolerate our unloyal ten percent? This county (sic) has no fence nor walls to hold its discontent.”
So then, for now, we can only hope that Mr. Kaeperneck will ‘sink back into his hole’, waiting for another chance to let his feeble voice be heard and that another shoe company, more loyal to our nation than to one individual, will produce the shoe reaping the proper rewards for their patriotic choice.
“I’m proud to be an American!” Let’s continue to show our national pride!
This was printed by the Estes Park Church of Christ
This posting just boiled my blood. I thought bearing false witness was one of the Ten Commandments that begin with “Thou Shalt Not”, yet this church does it again and again in this post.
They should know by now that Kaeperneck was protesting against the anthem, not the American Flag.
They should know by now that Kaeperneck was expressing dismay that the anthem, which says nice things about slavery of his ancestors, is being treated as a kind of holy ritual at an entertainment event, thereby honoring the institution of slavery that has had more people die because of it (slaves because of slavery plus soldiers in the Civil War) than all the Americans killed in all the other wars.
They should also be able to accept that this country was not founded upon the teachings of Christ or any other one religion and proof can be found in many locations, not just the Constitution of the US that puts Freedom of Speech, Freedom of Religion and the right to assemble as people please at the top of the Bill of Rights, showing the importance of allowing Americans like Kaeperneck the right to say what he wants, believe what he believes and to support the causes he wants.
They should also not denigrate the religions of the non-Christians who also fought and in many cases died for this country — are their sacrifices any less worthy because they weren’t “Christian soldiers”?
I did a search for Captain Fedorczyk and found no listing that popped up as being prominent. I wonder if that person even exists, or, as are the quotes they attribute to Kaeperneck false and designed to put their point of view forward while seeking to hide behind sockpuppets.
I think if they want to go to a state with a governor like Ducey, if that’s what they prefer (and I’m sure they’d prefer him over Polis), I’d be happy to let them go. I might even help them pack. Good riddance! I do feel, however, there should be some penalty or other public rebuttal to this hate-filled screed in the paper. I’d love to hear any ideas you might have in the comments.
Please let us know in the comments below what is on your mind. The floor is yours...