Last night’s protests across the country mark the beginning of a new chapter in American history. We are not in a civil war yet. But that reality is quickly approaching.
The military has already deployed scouts to assess the situation in Chattanooga. My expectation is that the scouts will conclude the military’s resources are better spent in Nashville and Memphis. But nothing is guaranteed.
What will be the tipping point? These things have a pattern. And it’s important that you recognize this pattern.
This is how it works: There’s a social grievance. People protest. Law enforcement (not military) intervenes. The issue is either resolved or escalates.
Nine times out of 10 these things resolve themselves. But, every so often, they escalate. And the reason is always the same.
Some protester pushes things too far. And some member of law enforcement overreacts. Both sides are made up of decent people. But both sides have that one idiot.
The protesters are not a danger to the government. But those protesters include the mothers, wives and daughters of military men. And this is what starts a civil war.
When that police officer pushes things too far and harms the loved ones of military personnel, you no longer have an untrained opponent. You have military men highly skilled in the art of war with a good reason to kill you.
How do we prevent this? Both sides need to show restraint. To the protesters, protest. But keep that one idiot in check.
To law enforcement, do your duty. But, again, keep that one idiot in check. Remember that the man who killed George Floyd is not the only one getting prosecuted.
God Bless America,
Charles Bikas