Last week's column brought a great response from my readers, and I'm happy to report that it was all favorable. Well, maybe one or two paid me a left-handed compliment, but hey I recognize that a difference of opinion makes for a good horse race. I hadn't heard from several of you for a long time, and it was nice to renew old acquaintances.
I'm sorry to say that I haven't heard from my old friend -- yet. I have a feeling that I will -- eventually. I hope so.
One thing I did learn is that I'm preaching to the choir for the most part. Those who disagree with me are very much in the minority. In a way, that's too bad because I enjoy jousting with my antagonists. Usually they are civil and I am too. If they aren't I usually don't egg them on, but I must admit that sometimes it is fun to get a little further under the skin of a doubter. I always respond to my critics as well as my boosters.
Trouble in Missouri
What's going on in Ferguson, Mo.? Whatever it is, it sure is confusing and disheartening. As I understand it, a police officer shot an unarmed black teenager. Some witnesses claim the kid had his hands up in surrender fashion, and so far, the police have not issued a statement confirming or denying the witnesses' account.
The police released a tape of an event that occurred about 20 minutes before the shooting. It shows the deceased committing a "strong-arm" robbery at a convenience store close by. It's clearly the same young man who was killed by the police, yet there is confusion about whether or not the police were even aware of the robbery at the time of the shooting.
One thing I know for sure is that importing Al Sharpton and Jesse Jackson has done nothing to bring calm to the situation. Both of them are race baiters and not peacemakers. If Jackson really cared about innocent people being murdered he could stay home in Chicago where so far this year the Chicago Tribune reports that there have been 201 murders there, including 16 over the 4th of July, and 440 murders last year. Of course the Chicago killings are mostly black on black so the Rev. gets very little mileage out of antagonizing there. Tragically, murder in Chicago is just another ho-hum statistic.
Another thing I'm just as sure of is the people who are rioting and looting in Ferguson have no reason to do so. There is never a reason for this kind of lawlessness. Peaceable assembly is guaranteed by the Constitution, but riots are calamitous and cannot be tolerated, and I have trouble understanding why the police have been reluctant to stop the pillaging. They have turned out in force to try to control the riots, but have done very little to restrain the looters. In fact I saw a tape of the police standing in front of the convenience store that had been plundered previously, watching more looters come and go from that same store.
By the time you read this I trust there will be some good answers to the many questions.
I hope the police had a convincing and just cause for the shooting, but at this point I must admit I have some doubt.
Change of pace
Is it a change of pace or is it a chance to change the subject? With the current tragic situation in Ferguson we have heard very little about some of the other real problems affecting our country. The trouble at our southern border has been erased from the headlines, yet the situation has not improved, and the border is not secure. The same goes for Iraq. We hear a little about the humanitarian situation there, but little about the advances being made by ISIS/ISIL, the murderous Caliphate that knows no borders and has no respect for human life. And what about Boehner suing the president?
I opine, you decide.
-- Willie Williams is a Siloam Springs resident. He can be reached at [email protected]. The opinions expressed are those of the author.
Editorial on 08/20/2014