Diana Goetsch wrote an opinion piece for the Chicago Tribune on July 13, 2017. The commentary is titled “Why Colin Kaepernick is still looking for a job” and is not a question. Miss Goetsch has the answer. Miss Goetsch has lots of answers as to why Colin Kaepernick is an unemployed quarterback.

To refresh our collective memories, early in the 2016 NFL season, Mr. Kaepernick began sitting during the National Anthem. Nobody noticed and nobody cared. Sit, stand, go over plays in your head, recite the alphabet backwards, I do not care. A reporter tweeted out a photo on August 26, and within hours, Colin Kaepernick was trending. Next, according to the timeline in SBNation.com, Mr. Kaepernick said:

“I’m going to continue to stand with the people that are being oppressed. To me, this is something that has to change. “I’m going to continue to stand with the people that are being oppressed. To me, this is something that has to change. When there’s significant change and I feel that flag represents what it’s supposed to represent, and this country is representing people the way that it’s supposed to, I’ll stand.”

“This stand wasn’t for me. This is because I’m seeing things happen to people that don’t have a voice, people that don’t have a platform to talk and have their voices heard, and effect change. So I’m in the position where I can do that and I’m going to do that for people that can’t.”

“It’s something that can unify this team. It’s something that can unify this country. If we have these real conversations that are uncomfortable for a lot of people. If we have these conversations, there’s a better understanding of where both sides are coming from.”

“I have great respect for the men and women that have fought for this country. I have family, I have friends that have gone and fought for this country. And they fight for freedom, they fight for the people, they fight for liberty and justice, for everyone. That’s not happening. People are dying in vain because this country isn’t holding their end of the bargain up, as far as giving freedom and justice, liberty to everybody. That’s something that’s not happening. I’ve seen videos, I’ve seen circumstances where men and women that have been in the military have come back and been treated unjustly by the country they fought have for, and have been murdered by the country they fought for, on our land. That’s not right.”

Mr. Kaepernick uses “I” a lot. This sentence reveals what a toxic little spoiled brat he is: “When there’s significant change and I feel that flag represents what it’s supposed to represent, and this country is representing people the way that it’s supposed to, I’ll stand.” Peachy, please let us know when our behaviors are acceptable to you, Mr. Kaepernick.

Miss Goetsch takes the NFL poobahs to task for allowing domestic abusers to have employment and I concur. I say one conviction and you are out. Buh bye, boys.

Of course, Miss Goetsch believes he is unemployed because the owners are racist, bigoted, homophobic…whatever, take your pick. Personally, I think they should fire a whole bunch of prima donna types.

But, Miss Goetsch saves her real poison for our National Anthem. Here are a few snips from her article:

“In reality, the roots of baseball are about as American as the awkward melody of our national anthem, which was taken from a British pub song.”

“Unlike the magisterial “America the Beautiful,” “The Star-Spangled Banner” is a pompous battle number.”

“But for years the NFL has marketed itself by steeping 180 million fans in a narrow and authoritarian version of patriotism: Support the troops, salute the flag, shut up and play football.”

Well, aren’t we just an angry piece of work, Douglas. Diana was formerly Douglas Goetsch. Yes, you are an angry piece of work and now I am angry.

I love our National Anthem. Nothing about it is a “pompous battle number” The full lyrics are here. “British pub song”, hale yeah. Many songs are recycled with new lyrics. The song “Lovers Concerto” is recycled from the 1725 “Minuet in G”. “A narrow and authoritarian version of patriotism” are you bloody, freaking kidding me? You are free to live as a man or woman and love who you wish. People of all colors and faiths marry each other. Any American can rise to the highest positions of power or live as a hermit in the mountains. What about that is narrow or authoritarian?

If Colin Kaepernick can find someone to hire him, well yippy skippy. Now, Miss Goetsch, if you prefer another song for the National Anthem, I am tickled for you. But don’t you dare call my National Anthem “pompous”. Oh no.