system
Given the following post, respond as if you're commenting on Reddit:
human
CMV: People protesting Nike and Kaepernick might actually have a point (even though I disagree with them and support Kaepernick)

So I think the core issue boils down to a fundamental misunderstanding about what both sides view the American flag as. Pro-Kaepernick say the flag and anthem represent America as it is today and how it treats minorities. Anti-Kaepernic say the flag and anthem represent patriotism and that disrespecting the flag disrespects the country, and more specifically, veterans.

I personally think that any sort of flag burning or peacefull protest is 100% ok. Youre not hurting anyone and its better that the alternatives. Namely, just sitting back and taking it or violent protests. However, are we gonna sit back and pretend like they are all just dumb hicks and ignore the fact that the world is filled with powerful symbols that most people use to make sense of the world? In fact, most of the people Ive run across in the real world who are anti-Kaepernick are veterans or are the family of veterans. Most militaries break down their soldiers to their base and build them back up with an unwavering respect for the flag and the country. The US is no exception. Are we going to act like the flag and the anthem arent core parts of their identities?

What if every time the westboro babtist church had a "God Hates Fags" rally I had a couple of gay dudes cum on a bible in protest? What if every time isis did some horrific act I took a Quran, put some slices of bacon in it, then put it in a panini press in order to protest them? Of course the radicals would be upset. But wouldnt some reasonable people who take these symbols very seriously be upset as well?

Im not saying I agree with them. At the end of the day a flag is just dyed cotton. Holy books are dead trees. An anthem is just a dumb song. But these things mean different things to different people. I support Kaep 100% but can we agree the other side at least has a point?
gpt
Each branch of the military have their own flags, the US flag is not a symbol that represents the military it represents the country. It's a common rhetorical tactic for conservatives to deflect any criticism towards the troops. 

You hate the war? You hate the troops! 

You want socialized healthcare? Fix the VA first and stop complaining! 

You want the minimum wage to be higher? Soldiers don't get paid enough and their jobs are harder!

You think homelessness is a problem? Don't help any alcoholic bum when their are patriotic veterans on the streets!

These deflections are whataboutism at best and are not worthy of response until the argument they are a distraction for is addressed first.