People used to talk about where they were when the Japanese bombed Pear Harbor. Then it was where they were when they heard the JFK had been shot.Most recently, it was all about what they were doing the morning of 9/11. A new event is about to be branded onto the American psyche.
There are people protesting across the nation because Black Lives Matter. Everyone is aware that black men are disproportionately killed by law enforcement. Frequently, unarmed people of color receive brutal treatment from the police. This is not okay.
The murder of George Floyd appears to have been the last straw. Not only has the whole world seen a police officer callously kneel on the neck of an unarmed man until he was dead, but law enforcement has been slow to take responsibility. First they were slow to make an arrest. Then the autopsy results came back claiming that George Floyd died because he had heart disease—not due to asphyxiation. This ultimate attempt at gaslighting is a new low considering that the murder of George Floyd has been broadcast around the world. Is it any wonder that people have taken to the streets.
Then along came President Trump. It would have been better if he had said nothing at all. Well actually, it would have been better if he had strolled out to the Rose Garden with his entire administration behind him and proclaimed that police brutality had to stop. That black lives matter, and that bad cops that act improperly would be held accountable. He could have quickly drawn up an executive order to ensure that policing in America would be given an overhaul to ensure that the rights of all Americans are respected. He could have earmarked some funding (after all they just print money these days) to ensure that all police officers receive advanced training in anti-racist policing.
Nothing like this happened.
Instead of rising to the occasion, President Trump chose to incite violence. It started with this Tweet:
Donald J. Trump@realDonaldTrumpThis Tweet violated the Twitter Rules about glorifying violence. However, Twitter has determined that it may be in the public’s interest for the Tweet to remain accessible. Learn more
….These THUGS are dishonoring the memory of George Floyd, and I won’t let that happen. Just spoke to Governor Tim Walz and told him that the Military is with him all the way. Any difficulty and we will assume control but, when the looting starts, the shooting starts. Thank you!
https://twitter.com/realDonaldTrump/status/1266231100780744704?s=20
Not only did Trump refer to the protesters as “THUGS”, which was widely acknowledged by black Americans as being code for a racist term, but he threatened to use the military to shoot them. This only made things worse and brought more people into the streets.
Then it got worse. Trump continued to Tweet increasingly inflammatory messages to the protesters.
Speaking of ominous, then came the most horrific Tweet of all. The Tweet that could end America as we know it. The most irresponsible and incompetent action taken by any American President was performed by Donald Trump. Where were his handlers? Why are the Republican Senators silent on what Trump is doing.
Trump has told us in the past that he condones police brutality, so it is not surprising that he is attempting to provoke the protesters and rioters further. Still, there is an extra dimension added because Trump is not just condemning the people who are rioting, but all Democrats! Worse, he is calling in his Republican base to deal with the Democrats.
So how did MAGA Night turn out?
Finally, THIS was really unnecessary. Some guy obviously took Trump’s call to heart and started shooting people with a bow and arrow after yelling “all lives matter”. Then he complained that the crowd beat on him.
Please stay safe out there. Your grandchildren will want to hear about how you overcame.
