re: Chris Jackson tells his story NBA Legend Mahmoud Abdul Rauf

I believe it is necessary, before I am attacked and labeled by some, to state that my political views are moderate and I vote that way as well.

Also, I do not agree with Rauf's stance on 9/11 and that Jewish people have hindered any aspect of his life.

I was in my early teens when the national anthem conflict arose, so I have never really had the chance to dissect each stance's argument until now.

With that being said, why is it so wrong for him to protest the national anthem for something he believes in, when in the 1968 Olympics the "Black Power" salute is heralded as one of the most powerful political statements in sports?

I'll concede that the racial derivatives and situation itself was far more difficult than what Rauf hoped to accomplish. But the idea here is the same: a symbol of protest for what an individual believes is injustice. Recall that Rauf converted to Islam in 1991; a time where the Gulf War impacted Muslims all over the world. A war that saw the deaths of thousands of civilians.

Given that context, how is Rauf's view of America's "oppression" any different from a protester of the 2003 Iraq War? The Vietnam War? The Cold War?

By choosing not to stand for the national anthem, Rauf is actually making LESS of a spectacle than the Black Power salute. Some of you make it sound as if he chose to stand and stick his middle finger out to the flag instead. He chose a peaceful form of protest, and whether or not you agree with his stance, it would be unpatriotic of YOU to forbid his peaceful protest.


As for the video itself, I don't understand why some of you criticize Rauf when he praises his respective deity when it is permissible to let Tim Tebow do the same and wear John 3:16 on his eyeblack. Also, while I think his defense played a factor in his development as a point guard, I find it odd that he dropped an average of 7 mins and points per game the year following a year of career highs. This was also following his national anthem incident so his protesting certainly seems to have had an adverse effect on his stats. The only other explanation I could think of to counter Rauf's argument is that Denver sold high and traded him to Sacramento where he was a poor fit on a poor team.

Lastly, I'd like to know why he's labeled as a crazy Muslim extremist for believing Bin-Laden may not have been responsible for 9/11 (a statement I do not agree with) versus being simply categorized as a "9/11 Truther?"


I invite any one of you to provide a sound argument opposing, or agreeing, with any of the statements I have made. I am not making a case for Rauf's sanity, but am wondering why his form of protest is so offensive to you when the Black Power salute is not? Please refrain from any ad hominem attacks.

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Kinda liberal-like of you three.....or more.

In others words, "sit down and shut up dissenters!!!"

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Who are you talking to? The posters defending CJ, or the ones telling him to "sit down and shut up" because he is dissenting.

It is sad how hard it has become to tell the idiot Liberals from the idiot Conservatives. It's all just a bunch of idiots screaming for each other to shut up because "WE'RE right!"

I really liked watching Chris Jackson..greatness is pure joy to watch..


Now, when he refused to stand for the National Anthem because America is a so called "Tyrannical government?" Uh..that's wacko material

Muslim influence isn't a good one if they are teaching this...

they need to brush up on their history....Moreover, he needs to be grateful for the freedoms and opportunities he was provided as an American...Changing your name is kind of arrogant I think...that's a person searching for their soul... "World Peace" LOL....nuff said

Disappointed in Jackson's beliefs towards America, - as as far as his Muslim beliefs, it's hard to respect their religion since they reject Christ...

they worship and follow a prophet named Mohammad who came well after Christ...and in the book of Revelation...the last paragraph in the bible talks about "If anyone adds to what is written here, God will add to that person the plagues described in this book of prophecy"..

In other words, Mohammad isn't the savior, isn't from God, he represents an enemy of Christ, to his word, and to his followers...this is why the world particularly in the Middle East has much turmoil..

I look at it like this. During my time, Chris Jackson was the Pistol Pete of my era. I dont really care what he believes in or what he likes to be called now because that was after his years at LSU and I'm not much of a fan of the NBA. He was top 5 player in the history of the school and we may never see a player here at LSU or at any other school do the things he did on the court in our lifetime.

You said:

"Frankly, I think it's dumb to have the national anthem before every sporting event anyway, but that's irrelevant."

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Sad. Just plain sad.

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how is it sad?

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Its sad because people like you are eroding away the traditions and principles that were put into place a long time ago. I bet you have a problem with praying before games too right? You probably are all for full marital rights for same sex partners right?

Yea, I thinks its not only sad but pathetic. The National Anthem should be played before every sporting event. Why do you have a problem with that?

I don't agree with Chris Jackson's point of view. But I will respect his First Amendment right to say it. Apparently the only amendment that people on this board care about is the second.

In summary, not all "conservatives" are to blame-- just the ones who start acting like he has no right to say it or even be in America. The First Amendment is designed to protect the type of speech he is saying. He isn't libeling anyone and there is no imminent harm because of what he says.

I'll even defend your right to tell him to shut and leave, especially if you will concede the point that you don't have to be a pussy liberal treehugging douchebag to defend him or appreciate his abilities on the basketball court.

I am not "liberal." If I am anything I'm libertarian. Both sides have their heads up their asses. Government corruption, deception and ineptitude piss me off. I am not a fan of EITHER of the last two presidents. So now I'm done talking. You can resume your pointless "if you're not for me you are against me," black and white, ESPN style "debate" now.

I love all these fricking idiots who hate america but are too much of a pussy to go live where allah is king....oh wait you may actually have to wear the suicide bomb jacket if you did so......hes a piece of shite he needs to leave

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I am more American than anyone who says they hate this country.

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if you both hold an american birth certificate, i'm pretty sure you're the same amount American