By Carol Lucas
I don’t know of a time recently when I have sat at my computer, thinking I am ready to pour my feelings into this technical wizard, creating still one more piece that reflects my feelings, only to be stymied by emotions. These feelings are so deep as to inflict a kind of brain paralysis that some might call a “fog.”
I reflect on the number of times I have asked myself, “What will it take?”
“How much more can the country stand?”
“Why doesn’t someone do something?”
On Saturday, ICE murdered a young man simply because he had the temerity to protect a woman from pepper spray.
Perhaps part of my feeling of suppressed hysteria regarding Alex Pretti came from watching six, count them, SIX men drag down one man who was protecting a woman! Since when did that become cause for police assault?
What followed becomes proof of how little ethical core these goons have. Video after video, all from different angles provide ample reason to identify these six, bring them in, and charge them with murder.
A written explanation doesn’t begin to explain the horror of seeing this take place in real time. Pretti was there filming the events on Saturday morning. And yes, he was carrying a gun, note the word carrying, not BRANDISHING! Even the NRA has issued its contempt for what the administration is hyping … “he had a gun.”
Pretend for one moment that you are on a jury, listening to the following. “When the mobbing of Pretti took place, he had his camera in hand, not a gun. A gun, I might add, he was authorized to carry. Furthermore, he was shot 10 times within five seconds, three of those shots in the back. They continued to shoot, even as he lied motionless.”
Does this sound like self-defense on the part of ICE? Were they endangered by this single man who can be seen trying to help a woman to her feet?
As of this writing, state investigators are denied access to the shooting scene and any evidence that may be a part of that. This is true of the Renee Good case as well. This denial in both cases screams of “guilty, beyond a shadow of a doubt.”
Let’s remember what our country was founded upon: freedom to assemble, freedom of speech, and freedom to stand up for that which you believe.
Remember 47’s characterization of Charlottesville, Va., and “very fine people on both sides?” This dealt with white supremacists who, it has been reported, now occupy positions in ICE. And lest we should forget how many of this group made up the January 6 insurrectionists, people later pardoned by No. 47, they, too, are known to be ICE members. Finally, this new crop of “volunteers” are given a $50,000 bonus, your tax money, to do the job.
The following is an exact quote from No. 47 regarding the most recent murder. I haven’t accessed my red pen …
“Much of what you’re witnessing is a cover up for this theft and fraud. The mayor and the governor are inciting insurrection, with their pompous, dangerous, and arrogant rhetoric! Instead, these sanctimonious political fools should be looking for the billions of dollars that has been stolen from the people of Minnesota, and the United States of America,” he continued. “Let our ICE patriots do their job.”
I choose to respond with this: “Sir, look in the mirror and repeat those words, and as you do, add the words, ‘Epstein files.’”
The Chaplain of the Minnesota Timberwolves, Matt Moberg, wrote a series of comments about what is happening in Minnesota, but two that caught my eye are these: “Not a metaphor, Not hyperbole, A threat dressed up in a badge and a paycheck.” And, “You don’t get to quote scripture like a lullaby while injustice stays wide awake.”
I admit that this has been one of the most difficult articles I have submitted to The Island News. I proofread, and I see myself all over the page. I can say with certitude that this represents my feelings at this point.
On that note, dear reader, I can only seek your forgiveness and say I hope to do better next week.
Carol Lucas is a retired high school teacher and a Lady’s Island resident. She is the author of the recently published “A Breath Away: One Woman’s Journey Through Widowhood.”
