When did the US National Anthem become solely associated........

[Dustlawyer]

4. You can burn an American flag as a protest, why not refuse to stand during the anthem?

Protests by their nature are designed to draw attention to a real or perceived wrong. His protest was in the American tradition, and speaks more for America and our eroding freedoms than standing during a usually horrible singing of the national anthem.

His protest required sacrifice, as he would have been all too aware, yet this man chose to stand up for injustice. He is jeopardizing his career and most certainly his income in taking this stand. I bet those critical of him would never take a position on something important that had the same negative effect on their bottom line. They cannot even understand feeling something so strong as the desire for justice for others.