[Shiver Metimbers]

The "spark" was me objecting to Rapinoe et al. inserting their personal politics into what should be simply Sports, and doing so in a most egregiously inappropriate way:

Off-topic warning, can't keep quiet about this though.

Rapinoe, star of the US Women's Team currently playing in the Women's World Cup in France, has failed again to show proper respect and honor for the country that has done so much for her. Joined by many of her teammates, no hand over heart nor singing of the national anthem before the game.

What a contrast with every other team on the planet, and especially host France. Their team, every single one, and most of the fans sang La Marseillaise with gusto.

NFL lost my patronage years ago over this behavior, but at least those players and teams are private organizations. THIS team, like the Olympic teams, is NOT.
[EDIT: on re-reading, I realize I left an incorrect impression. Neither Olympic athletes, nor national team soccer players are funded by taxpayer money. So, in that sense they are "private." However, they are wearing US colors and represent this nation in an international Arena. In that sense they are very much not private.]

Fine, you don't respect me, right back at ya. Will be rooting for the Frogs.

OK sorry, back to regularly scheduled paint-drying.

This was followed by a Straw-Man argument that back-handedly accused me of hypocritically "wrapping myself in the flag" and then hypocritically/improperly being "unhappy" about some fellow American "expressing their opinion" when America is "supposed to be about freedom from conformity."

I've never understood those who are proud to be an American but then are unhappy when other Americans express their differing opinions. I'm pretty sure our country is founded on freedom and liberty rather than conformity and unity of thought. I'm all for those who want to express their differing views (NFL players and Rapinoe), especially if they do it respectfully like Kaepernick. (I didn't watch Rapinoe during anthem, maybe her, too). That's the whole point of the American experiment, right?