INSANITY

That is the only way I can describe what is happening in the United States these days.

A number of black men (and maybe some women) have been killed by police in the last few decades. (Anything beyond that is pretty much ancient history.) We're talking 13 black men in the last 15 years. In that time, hundreds, if not thousands of black people have been murdered, mostly by black people. Last year alone, 55 police officers were murdered during the performance of their jobs.

It is insane, to take the death of one black man, a man who had a lengthy criminal record, a man who participated in a home invasion robbery armed with a pistol who pointed it at the belly of a pregnant black woman, who committed other crimes and spent several terms in prison, and who supposedly was turning his life around but tried to pass a counterfeit $20 bill, was killed by a cop, and make that the focus of a national riot. That cop may, or may not have been racially motivated, but regardless used excessive force that resulted in George Floyd's death. Virtually everyone agrees with that. Blacks, whites, politicians, even the police, agree that this should not have happened. The officer and his fellow officers who stood by and did nothing are up on charges. Yet America is burning because BLM says it needs to. Protesters are blocking our streets and highways and bridges, and even those who don't condone violence are essentially aiding and abetting the arsonists, the looters, and those who assault police who are trying to maintain peace.

They are now calling for the abolishment of police departments! Where is most of the crime? In black neighborhoods. Who will suffer the most if there are no police to try and control this crime? Black people.

They obviously don't realize it, but BLM is nothing more than a political arm of the democratic party seeking the donations and support of both blacks, and the whites who have been brainwashed into thinking they have some blame for the poverty and other ills of the black community.

I'm nearly 70 years old now. I don't expect to live a great deal longer, and there is some comfort in that given the way our society has and is failing. I can only hope that there are enough people who believe in the things I believe in and be able to save us from this insanity.

Those beliefs are: don't prejudge people; treat everyone with respect until you have some reason not to; don't take shit off of anyone; stand your ground; work hard because you will feel better about having done so; don't take charity unless you have no other choice if you want to survive; don't depend on others for your welfare or security; teach your children how to take care of themselves and their families; pass on the knowledge you have acquired in your lifetime; die knowing you might have made some mistakes but you tried to do what was right as best you could.