To AP sports columnist Paul Newberry:

When I picked up the Coeur d’Alene Press Monday morning I didn’t suspect it would make me choke on my first cup of coffee until I read your column. Here we are again. Kaepernick, really?

Then I realized that you in the liberal left-leaning media are not going to let this go. Why? Because you care so much for social justice, or for Colin Kaepernick and his ridiculous claims of “systemic oppression,” if that’s what you call it when a police officer is defending himself against a drug-crazed thief who is trying to steal his weapon. Sorry it is considered unacceptable to disobey the law, deal drugs, steal, and then get killed in the process. Everyone has a right to make a living. Doing so in the real world usually involves a certain amount of conformity to reasonable expectations of behavior. No, I think the real reason you don’t want to let this go is because you can’t stand to see average hardworking Americans enjoy a Sunday afternoon of football without controversy.

Employees represent their employers and do not have a right to do anything they wish without facing the consequences of their actions. Some NFL players apparently do not believe they work for anyone, including their fan base. That is because they are so immature they think everything is all about them. Kaepernick falls into this spoiled and pampered elite class. And you support it.

No one owes Kaepernick anything, especially a living, and no one is denying him. He has made his own choices. Kaepernick is no hero. If you want heroes, look at the police officers who put their lives on the line every day for you, and the hundreds of thousands of military who have lost their lives and serve every day in order for you, Kaepernick, and others to make fools of yourselves.

Give it up Paul. There will be no NFL strike to support Kaepernick. Maybe if there were, it would be the final blow to the NFL and their spoiled players. Then they would all be out of work.

RICHARD COLEMAN

Rathdrum