Why are people upset with Joliet’s Mayor for pushing someone who was yelling at him? The man must have been within arm’s length or pushing couldn’t have happened. The man had a right to protest but not in the Mayor’s or anyone else’s space.

Why do people want to destroy our history? We have done thousands of despicable things. We shouldn’t be trying to cover them up but should show the truth. We killed millions of Indians by giving them blankets infected with small pox and allowed white people to take houses and businesses of the ethnic Japanese we put in concentration camps in 1942. We need our sins known so we hope not to repeat them.

Why do we criticize our local, state, and federal government and then demand services when we need them? Southern states complain about the federal government, but when they get hit by a storm they are pleading for aid. People complain about having to pay taxes but they tried to get every dollar they could over the last few months.

Why do people so readily believe the stupidity, lies, and misinformation they see on the internet? Much of the wacky stuff is so obviously wrong – fact checking isn’t necessary. Our gullibility makes it easy for Russia, China, North Korea, Iran, and domestic groups to divide us.

Why do people vote for radicals when their ideas either have no chance getting passed or will be changed back when moderate, sensible people return to office. Trump has changed or overridden laws, procedures, and regulations put in force over the last six presidents. The next President will put most if not all the changes in the Oval Office trash can. Good riddance to most of them.

The first amendment to our constitution allows people to protest issues they consider offensive to them. That right has been exercised on this soil by ethnic Europeans since before the Revolution. However, that right does not allow the people to infringe upon another person’s ability to enjoy their rights under the same amendment. In recent protests, an extremely small number of people acted illegally by breaking into buildings and vehicles and burning them. Looting usually occurs when some bad actors start criminal activity. All of this activity should be met by the police exercising their oath to protect the lawful rights of the other people.

The reason for the police to get involved is obvious. When the protests start to turn violent, those protesting peacefully need to either move away from the activity or to assist the police by pointing out the criminals. Allowing people to riot destroys not only the reason for the protest but also the businesses in the area. Over and over we have found the vast majority of protesters are peaceful and non-violent, just wanting to express their viewpoint.

The reason for the protests is valid and I think very necessary, but I am afraid any result will be temporary when the riots and looting reduces the value. When the looting becomes the focus of the news, the reason for the protest is lost. When policemen have to react to the violence it immediately changes the scene. The protesters are not at fault, but neither can the protesters help stop the violence or the looting without the police.

The looting and violence only makes it harder to change the perception by both black and white people.