tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5193745359560427451.post3678733282794361105..comments2024-03-28T09:40:11.664-07:00Comments on The Refiner's Fire Blog: On Colin Kaepernick and his "pig socks" and protests.... Carmenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14998146626031186940noreply@blogger.comBlogger11125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5193745359560427451.post-88646563409807679172016-11-14T20:02:31.543-08:002016-11-14T20:02:31.543-08:00Shana, I totally hear you. Our country is in a hu...Shana, I totally hear you. Our country is in a huge mess, and honestly, I doubt it will get any better. That snowball is headed downhill and gaining speed.Carmenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14998146626031186940noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5193745359560427451.post-45013990198447498822016-11-14T19:29:23.641-08:002016-11-14T19:29:23.641-08:00I agree that there are much better ways to peacefu...I agree that there are much better ways to peacefully protest and I in no way condone his method...I think it's disrespectful to our men and women in uniform (thank you for your service, by the way). I also dont speak out in support of criminals because I don't believe in committing crimes, and I'm very upset about any murders committed by anyone regardless of race or ethnicity. I am also very concerned about peaceful, law abiding citizens being shot by some the very people who have sworn to serve and protect us. I'm sure most shootings by police are justified, but all are not, such as that social worker who, when trying to help a mentally ill patient, was approached by officers and then layed on the ground with his hands in the air only to be shot for no reason (the officer said he didn't know why he shot the man), or the man who followed the instructions of the officer who kept alternating between telling him to put his hands in the air and to get to his license/registration...and then shot the man for doing exactly as instructed and lied and said that the man wasn't complying. Fortunately these incidents were caught on camera so it was clear that the person who was shot didn't do anything wrong. But when I hear of a shooting that was not caught on camera and the person who was shot was not a criminal but the officer states that the man wasn't complying then I always have to wonder if the officer is telling the truth or lying to save himself from punishment. Again, I don't think all or even most officers are like that...I believe most are good and I've been helped by some good officers too for which I am very greatfull! But I can't help but be afraid for my dad or brother that they might get pulled over one day and get shot or killed for no apparent reason (I know without a doubt that they would comply and they are the furthest from criminals you'll ever find). I'm not as concerned about them getting shot in a drive by shooting because they don't visit those kinds of neighborhoods. And I suppose any of us could get shot at the mall by one of those psychopaths who had a bad day, so all I can do is pray, but I just wanted to offer a different perspective (without violence or disrespecting soldiers) on why some people might be concerned. I hope this makes sense!Sgaineyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12255258614226564521noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5193745359560427451.post-86943173657023647522016-10-17T12:45:20.796-07:002016-10-17T12:45:20.796-07:00And Lygia, by the way, I, too, understand "op...And Lygia, by the way, I, too, understand "oppression." Born and raised in Germany, I am Jewish by birth and, when my mother married an American soldier back in the Sixties, I was thrust into the American school system where I was not only teased because of my big "Jewish" nose and my German accent, but I was also called a Nazi (because the little dimwits in the Fourth Grade at the time watched "Combat" on TV and automatically thought that everyone from Germany was a Nazi.<br /><br />Over the course of my life I've had three "nose jobs" and a chin implant in hopes of getting rid of my "Jewish nose" ... and I've dyed my dark, kinky-curly hair into oblivion, just so I could "fit in" better. I also worked hard to lose my German accent.<br /><br />The bottom line was, I became successful in spite of all this. I never whined about being forcefully taken out of my motherland and planted in a place I didn't really want to be. When I graduated from high school, I joined the Army where I ultimately made it to the top enlisted rank as a journalist. It took me 20 years of nigh school to get a four-year college degree, but I did it. It didn't "fall into my lap"; I WORKED for everything I have today.<br /><br />Success CAN be attained in the USA, no matter who we are! <br /><br />Blessings to you and yours, and thanks again for writing. Carmenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14998146626031186940noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5193745359560427451.post-28470666842521230662016-10-17T09:08:01.364-07:002016-10-17T09:08:01.364-07:00Thanks for your comments, but we ARE educated, and...Thanks for your comments, but we ARE educated, and this IS a “godly blog” and it’s nice to know you read our blog, because you’ve never bothered commenting until now. The thing is, truth hurts and most people don’t want to hear it – and what I wrote is turth. Our country has become a den of iniquity where “good” is now viewed as “bad” and vice-versa. Everything God hates is now being lauded as “normal”…. <br /><br />Blacks committing crimes and being turned into heroes seems to have become the norm today, making it look as though Blacks are angry that their criminal friends are being caught in the act and killed. Instead of “protesting” their own kind to STOP committing crimes, they are protesting the fact that they’re being killed (usually while being UNCOOPERATIVE with the police. And yet somehow, this is supposedly big, bad “white America” oppressing Blacks….)<br /><br />I stand by what I wrote, that there are OTHER WAYS to “protest” besides what Kaepernick and his ilk are doing. <br /><br />Furthermore, I don’t have “a lack of desire to understand the hurt that the black community have suffered in the US .” I was in the US Army for 22 years, working alongside myriad Blacks – most of whom were hard-working people who made something of themselves, got promoted, some of whom became Generals. (NOTE: They WORKED! They didn’t commit crimes because they felt it was the only way to get ahead. In America, EVERYONE can get ahead IF they are willing to take the proper steps, obey the law and WORK. The Blacks I knew in the Army didn’t sit around lamenting “where they came from”; but instead, turned their dreams into reality, got an education and worked hard to make their dreams come true.)<br /><br />Is prejudice still alive today? You bet it is! But it’s on BOTH sides, with our illustrious Black President sitting at the top (hello! - was Obama oppressed?) to fan the flames. It always amuses me to see Blacks make the comments that they are “a people group who have been systematically oppressed by our greedy country since they were stolen from their homeland to be its slaves.”<br /><br />Well, you know what? There are no Blacks alive today who were “stolen from their homeland.” YES, Blacks were oppressed and severely abused at first, but then they were freed and have come a LONG way to do with their lives what they wish. But, like many Muslims – who are NOT all “terrorists” just because they’re Muslim - actions speak louder than words. Muslims are committing terrorist acts, torturing and beheading people, and generally holding the whole world hostage. Consequently, people tend to be afraid of Muslims because you never know whether or not the “Middle Eastern-looking guy” standing next to you is going to KILL you. <br /><br />The point I’m trying to make is, we see many Blacks committing crimes, and then being turned into heroes and victims because they end up dead…and “protests” turning into riots and lootings because Blacks are angry BECAUSE they WANT the police to leave their criminals alone. That is simply wrong, and people need to start getting a grip and realizing that, black or white or yellow or red, laws are meant to be followed by ALL. That is NOT “oppression.”<br /><br /><br /><br /><br />Carmenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14998146626031186940noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5193745359560427451.post-34284629923093601062016-10-17T04:59:55.923-07:002016-10-17T04:59:55.923-07:00I'm utterly devastated to read this hateful di...I'm utterly devastated to read this hateful diatribe in what I thought was a godly blog. I would have thought your understanding of God and his justice and love would lead you to compassion for a people group who have been systematically oppressed by our greedy country since they were stolen from their homeland to be its slaves. <br /><br />I highly suggest you research into the different claims made by Mr. Kaepernick as the reasons for his protest. I suggest you watch the documentary '13th' which is now on Netflix as an intro to your research. 'The New Jim Crow' by Michelle Alexander is a great book also. <br /><br />I think this lack of desire to understand the hurt that the black community have suffered in the US is deep sin. We are in sin to engage in and benefit from communities which oppress others, and we especially sin when we don't seek to love them as we love ourselves. Please seek to educate yourself before you allow yourself to judge another's actions. Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09474016693767033946noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5193745359560427451.post-75981961956518115212016-09-05T07:24:19.422-07:002016-09-05T07:24:19.422-07:00Right on, Anonymous!Right on, Anonymous!Carmenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14998146626031186940noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5193745359560427451.post-78413532451122786512016-09-05T07:07:42.634-07:002016-09-05T07:07:42.634-07:00Kaepernick didn't understand what is the real ...Kaepernick didn't understand what is the real meaning of freedom in which a lot of people still searching for today. He should be sent to Aleppo to see what the difference of freedom that he has now compare to those who have none. Thousand if not Millions of Americans already died to gain their freedom and to not stand for National anthem is a disgrace like the spoiled brat like Kaepernick. I hope that what Kaepernick stand's for will give him a choice to choose what is righteous but it seems like that is way off right now, let's pray for this guy that someday his eyes will be opened for the real truth that he is looking for.<br /><br />Shalom. Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5193745359560427451.post-38362521344312448562016-09-03T10:19:41.996-07:002016-09-03T10:19:41.996-07:00You're sooooo right, Kevin!!!You're sooooo right, Kevin!!!Carmenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14998146626031186940noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5193745359560427451.post-38661834886269689342016-09-03T02:45:43.401-07:002016-09-03T02:45:43.401-07:00Shali, we definitely live in a distorted, skewed, ...Shali, we definitely live in a distorted, skewed, and twisted world (Romans 1:18-32). I too believe Y'shua will put an end to all nonsense at His Return.Kevinhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09165901818107578168noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5193745359560427451.post-67169100343035906012016-09-02T18:36:24.364-07:002016-09-02T18:36:24.364-07:00Thanks, Sandy! I honestly wish more ballplayers w...Thanks, Sandy! I honestly wish more ballplayers would use their notoriety for something constructive. Just think what all Colin could accomplish with his millions. Who better to reach the black community than a black guy who truly feels for his fellow man and wants to make positive changes in the communities? Refusing to stand for the National Anthem and wearing those "cops are pigs" socks to make a statement is not the way to make friends and influence people!<br /><br />Yes, there are bad cops, but most are good and they are faced with danger every single day. The problem isn't the cops, it's the criminals. If one isn't out there robbing or participating in "drive-by shootings, or getting into trouble, then they wouldn't risk getting killed.Carmenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14998146626031186940noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5193745359560427451.post-85100837052290219592016-09-02T18:23:37.189-07:002016-09-02T18:23:37.189-07:00This is Sandy, I think it's really well put, k...This is Sandy, I think it's really well put, keep the important thing, the important thing!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com