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In Union There Is Strength I have watched this week’s unfolding events, angry and appalled. The words “Equal Justice Under Law” are carved in the pediment of the United States Supreme Court. This is precisely what protesters are rightly de- manding. It is a wholesome and unifying demand—one that all of us should be able to get behind. We must not be distracted by a small number of lawbreakers. The protests are defined by tens of thousands of people of conscience who are insisting that we live up to our val- ues—our values as people and our values as a nation. When I joined the military, some 50 years ago, I swore an oath to support and defend the Constitution. Never did I dream that troops taking that same oath would be ordered under any circumstance to violate the Constitu- tional rights of their fellow citizens—much less to pro- vide a bizarre photo op for the elected commander-in- chief, with military leadership standing alongside. We must reject any thinking of our cities as a “bat- tlespace” that our uniformed military is called upon to “dominate.” At home, we should use our military only when requested to do so, on very rare occasions, by state governors. Militarizing our response, as we wit- nessed in Washington, D.C., sets up a conflict—a false conflict—between the military and civilian society. It erodes the moral ground that ensures a trusted bond between men and women in uniform and the society they are sworn to protect, and of which they them- selves are a part. Keeping public order rests with civil- ian state and local leaders who best understand their communities and are answerable to them. James Madison wrote in Federalist 14 that “America united with a handful of troops, or without a single sol- dier, exhibits a more forbidding posture to foreign am- bition than America disunited, with a hundred thou- sand veterans ready for combat.” We do not need to mil- itarize our response to protests. We need to unite around a common purpose. And it starts by guarantee- ing that all of us are equal before the law. Instructions given by the military departments to our troops before the Normandy invasion reminded soldiers that “The Nazi slogan for destroying us . . . was ‘Divide and Conquer.’ Our American answer is ‘In Union there is Strength.’” We must summon that unity to surmount this crisis—confident that we are better than our politics. Donald Trump is the first president in my lifetime who does not try to unite the American people—does not even pretend to try. Instead he tries to divide us. We are wit- nessing the consequences of three years of this deliberate effort. We are witnessing the consequences of three years without mature leadership. We can unite without him, drawing on the strengths inherent in our civil society. This will not be easy, as the past few days have shown, but we owe it to our fellow citizens; to past generations that bled to defend our promise; and to our children. We can come through this trying time stronger, and with a renewed sense of purpose and respect for one an- other. The pandemic has shown us that it is not only our troops who are willing to offer the ultimate sacrifice for the safety of the community. Americans in hospitals, grocery stores, post offices, and elsewhere have put their lives on the line in order to serve their fellow citizens and their country. We know that we are better than the abuse of executive authority that we witnessed in Lafay- ette Square. We must reject and hold accountable those in office who would make a mockery of our Constitu- tion. At the same time, we must remember Lincoln’s “better angels,” and listen to them, as we work to unite. Only by adopting a new path—which means, in truth, returning to the original path of our founding ideals— will we again be a country admired and respected at home and abroad. — Jim Mattis, former defense secretary under President Trump who resigned in protest in 2018 Jump on it, acolytes of mayhem

Leopards can’t change their spots. When you come to the realization that black people worship their criminals (even glorify them in song)and crucify the white ones, then we can begin a conversation on the same level. Are you going to sit there and tell me you were on OJ’s side because you thought he was innocent? You must think I am a fool. You were so glad that OJ beat the system with Johnnie Cochran’s racial angle you probably cut cartwheels in the yard. Didn’t matter that two innocent white people were dead. Was justice served? Blacks want this cop hung because they believe he killed this man BECAUSE HE WAS BLACK. It seems to be the only angle to have or the only one that matters. If this cop murdered this man, I hope he gets prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law. I am not praying that he “get off” because he is white. This would be where we differ. Your sentiments are not exclusive to SETexas

How many times have y’all heard, “Four white policemen” in these Media stories? Fact is, it was diversity at it’s best. There was a white, black, oriental and hispanic. And two of the Officers were rookies, one with only 4 days on the job. In a fair trial, They’d probably get off, but at this point, they’d get a fairer trial in North Korea than they’ll get in Minnesota. Btw, the Attorney General of Minnesota is Keith Ellison. He’s the guy who said Germany bombed Pearl Harbor.

Let’s talk about experiences. Every time there’s a situation like this we see the rioting and looting. I’ve read about the Watts riots, Chicago riots, etc... I was a young man when the riots over Rodney King broke out. The riots in Baltimore over Freddie Gray, the unrest in New York over Michael Gardiner, it happens over and over again. BUT it also happens whenever there’s a natural disaster, a Republican gets elected President, etc.... So spare me righteous indignation as the cause for looting businesses. Buy on serious note, one thing that I’ve never seen. I know that we whites are the horrible racists that are the sole reason for every discomfort suffered by Black America. But why have I never seen a mob of White people dragging a black person from their car and beating them? We see the images over and over. Reginald Denny. That truck driver on the bridge in Minneapolis. The man with his family and their horses in the trailer in Oklahoma. “Get her!! She white!!” in Baltimore. Can somebody please explain why you never see the horrible white racists attacking black citizens in the street, but you can find as many clips as you’d care to find of black mobs attacking white people. Buy yet black people aren’t safe in America because of white racism. Can somebody help me understand? Just find me a single video clip of a black person being drug from a vehicle by a white mob. Please. Anybody?

That was cool. Watch it again and see how many people are videoing the scene. I’ve noticed this before..... 20 punks and 100 people shooting video. What does that tell you? It’s all propaganda.

I’ll say this. I generally don’t get my motivation about life or make political decisions from the advice of a pro-athlete, a Hollywood actor or from a pop singer. But when I saw what Drew Brees said about not kneeling during the national anthem, man I was really proud of him. But now, what a cowardly punk. He lost respect from my point of view. What a little freakin be-otch.

Black men represent 6% of the population & account for 44% of all murders. 13% of the population are black & commit 50% of all violent offensives. Violent white criminals have a 25% higher chance of being killed by the police than black criminals. A cop is 18 1/2 times more likely to be killed by a black than the other way around. [Hidden Content] The entire video (good) [Hidden Content]

Just keep going... you just believe assume that blacks are monolithic Blacks wordships criminal’s Whites don’t?(Want a list) Whites don’t glorify criminal acts and songs(want a list) Blacks want this cop hung. ( sane blacks in Germany France etc.) OJ case You don’t find it off one bit that you named OJ and Cochran The blacks in that trial and not the victims or defense. Most people don’t know a single detail about that case only that OJ was charged with killing a White woman. It was never about the victim. And both sides participated in that. The ignorance you speak about BLACKS shows and yes it is still everything I expected it to be.

antifa has strength in numbers and chickenshat tactics. By themselves, my wife could probably beat one up.

It’s just laughable to me... People are upset and dogging Drew Brees as “insensitive” because he felt that protesting during the national anthem was “insensitive.” Your right to block the interstate is superior to my right to travel down said interstate. We live in glorious times.

A lot of speculation with this question for sure. I don’t know the 1st thing about police academy or rookie training, but I would think there would be (especially in today’s environment) a pretty big chapter on ethics and protocols. They were screwed either way.

Zero Corona deaths in the last 24 hours in NYC. The news must have forgotten to report on that

I visited Groves, TX. I was there doing the big flood. I was treated real nice and I remember staying at a shelter that was near a post office. Even though I was from another State they gave me rest. I saw a lot of people showing compassion. I felt a connection since that day. Learned a lot about high school football. I’m sorry, but you guys high school football is like a college game day. I saw a clip of MId County Madness, Dogs vs Indians on YouTube. I only see that type of crowd and excitement when I go to College football games or State Championship, I really enjoy the people. I have never met Stevenash, but we bump heads a lot. He’s a good person and as a side note he gave me sound advice on my TSP retirement nest egg. The guy is real smart and knows numbers. I never met Mr. Hagar, but I can tell you he loves his grandkids and he’s active in going to all of his kids games. I enjoy the young man Lumbertonraider because he speaks from the heart. Bad dog is good at heart. Smash mouth won’t back down right or wrong. They all bring something to the table. The fun part about this message board is that we can all agree to disagree. If your skin is tough you will hang around. This political forum is also mostly Republican. My point we are (I) May never meet any of you in person but it’s been real.

So you have absolutely no problem with how Chauvin handled the situation? It was an “approved” method and he executed it perfectly? Show me where this is a worldwide approved method.. There are plenty of great cops to rally behind...can’t understand why folks want to defend this guy. He killed Floyd because he stayed on his neck way too long.

This was your post on the opening comment on this thread.... “Once again, the narrative has turned to the epidemic of unarmed young black men being gunned down by racists. I've gotta cry foul on this one”. I believe that we have recently learned that the video guy actually used his pickup to help cut Arbery off so was directly involved in the incident. Then the video guy gave a statement that has McMichael calling Arbery the ultimate racial slur AFTER killing him. Then McMichael tells the police that he didn’t know if Arbery stole anything but basically he looked suspicious. McMichael’s justification to the police was that he had a “gut feeling”. The third post in the thread I pretty much called it BS. I think that I will stick with my original stance. Perhaps the most troubling thing is that the local DA almost saw nothing with investigating. I saw enough from behind an iPhone screen. Things that make you go hmmmmm.....

They had a heck of a team this year. That is for sure!

I don’t think we should offer sacrifices either, and I don’t think the officer’s actions are the sole reason for his death. But from what I have seen, what’s been reported and the outcome of the officer’s actions, I’m betting on a 2nd degree murder charge. I’m no lawyer by any means, but I would be surprised if the charge and conviction is anything less.

I don’t care if they can prove that Chauvin had zero blame as relates to the death of Floyd, for the sake of the nation and racial harmony, he will be going to the joint.

If I’m not mistaken, they’re digging a trough for a makeshift potty until they can get enough time to build proper restrooms. It’ll be akin to a litter box but for people. They’ll even leave some loose dirt for the potty-goers to cover their waste. Pretty efficient if you ask me. Cheap too! Perhaps I’ve been wrong this whole time. (Sorry folks...literally could not help myself.)