America Is Losing

  • Tuesday, June 2, 2020

A police officer (again) killed a prisoner. Looters have killed people, destroyed property and livelihoods, and stolen (TVs, shoes, cheesecakes) like there is no tomorrow. These, among many others, are facts. They cannot be disputed.

Now let’s get to my opinion. The policeman is guilty of killing another human for no apparent justifiable reason.  The looters are criminals. If I walk into a retail store today and walk out with a TV, shoes or a cheesecake I am going to be arrested, charged, arraigned, prosecuted and punished. The looters get a pass because they commit these same crimes under the cover of darkness and because they are angry.

Protest all you want. I applaud you for standing up for your beliefs. Our First Amendment protection of free expression can be messy at times. You have to be willing to let folks you disagree with (maybe even despise or hate) jabber away or you risk losing your right to do the same. That said, no individual has the right to destroy someone else’s property or take another life. Those acts are against the law in the United States and most other countries.

No more “we want justice.” Say what you really want, retribution and vengeance. If this is the route we choose then anarchy wins. Justice is not swift, neither does it always satisfy the darkest parts of our hearts and souls.  

The President’s actions have been deplorable. Governors in the states where the most violent and destructive protests have occurred failed their citizenry. How can you possibly not agree with both of these statements?

Rise up, American citizen. Protest inequality. Protest injustice. Protest our broken systems including BAD government (Congress and the President). It’s time for a new day and I do not mean with Uncle Joe in the catbird’s seat in Washington. Neither he or The Donald are qualified other than under the age (boy do they qualify there) and citizenship requirements as directed by our Constitution.

Dewayne Belew

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