What You Said About …

ON-FIELD PROTESTS

Readers expressed a range of strong opinions on Sean Gregory’s Oct. 3 cover story about national-anthem protests sparked by Colin Kaepernick of the San Francisco 49ers. Some were angered by a perceived insult to those who fight for the country: “Why not [give the cover to] my friend, who lost his leg defending this country?” asked Green Lee Wallace of Knoxville, Tenn. Others questioned Kaepernick’s approach. The national anthem doesn’t stand for “bad cops, bad teachers and bad preachers,” noted Dave Kunkler of Rushville, Ohio. And Patricia Miller of Johnson City, Tenn., wondered what the protests have actually accomplished. “If you aren’t a part of the solution,” she wrote, “you are part of the problem.”

But many were impressed by Gregory’s analysis of the recent spike in athlete activism. Robert Betz of Corydon, Ind., said the story had “enough in it to stimulate further discussion and, hopefully, action.” Tim Ackert of Orlando compared Kaepernick’s decision to that of Vietnam veterans who protested the war after serving there, and Navy veteran Jamie Mabe of Raleigh, N.C., extolled the protests as an example of free expression, citing the danger of “compulsory nationalism.” While “the anthem always chokes me up,” she wrote, “when I see Colin Kaepernick take a knee during the national anthem, I am proud. That was exactly what I fought for.”

WHAT WAR LOOKS LIKE

Photojournalists have played a critical role in informing the world about the war in Syria, which began in 2011. TIME asked nine Syrian photographers to pick the most meaningful moments they’ve captured. Taken together, they present a unique look at a country in chaos–including the everyday scenes, like this one shared by two boys in Douma. See them all at lightbox.time.com

BOLT NAMES NAMES

Usain Bolt, the fastest human on earth, recently visited TIME’s offices and weighed in on a much debated question: Who are the greatest athletes of all time? Watch Bolt list his picks for a theoretical sports Mount Rushmore at time.com/bolt-video. (Hint: a certain champion sprinter makes the cut.)