The media is filled with bad news these days. Houston, Texas, is under water and there seems to be no let up to the rain. About all that can be done at the moment is to rescue as many people as possible and wait for the waters to recede. Experts predict that this could be the most costly storm in American history. One of my friends who has knowledge of farm operations told me that Texas was expecting a bumper crop of cotton this year. Well, those high hopes have turned to agony right now, and we can only pray for the people who have suffered such severe damage.
Many of our local churches have set up funds that will go to help the victims of this terrible storm, and if you can afford to donate some money, I can’t think of a better way to help.
In addition to this natural disaster, I have some other concerns that affect this country. I was watching TV the other night, and this group of anarchist appeared on the street to oppose a group of Trump supporters. They were dressed all in black and wore masks so that their faces were hidden.
The police routinely film such demonstrations, so if violence breaks out, they can identify guilty parties. The anarchist (Antifa) have figured out that it is best to raise mayhem with one’s face covered. If the police see only a masked figure, then identification of the culprit is much more difficult.
I remember a conversation that occurred in Mr. J. R. Pennington’s classroom. We had gotten on the subject of what was legal and what was illegal. Mr. Pennington was a wise man with a lifetime of experience, so what he said was considered gospel. One of my classmates, in I suppose a flash of brilliance, asked if it was legal to carry a loaded gun into a bank. Mr. Pennington pondered this question for a moment, then said, "If you don’t have bad intentions, I suppose it would be legal. However, it is a very bad idea."
Wearing a mask may be legal, but it is a very bad idea. In America, we tend to think of masked men and women as bad people. Bank robbers wear masks. Train robbers wear masks. Outlaws of all descriptions wear masks. If someone wearing a mask breaks into your home, what are you going to do? Will you greet the masked man or woman with open arms and invite him to coffee? I have the feeling that if your shotgun is available, you will grab it as quickly as you can and hold the "masked man" until the police arrive.
Anarchist are being given too much latitude to disrupt peaceful demonstrations. All of us have a first amendment right to assemble and express our feelings either for something or against it. But this assumes that the assembly will be peaceful. Sticks and stones should not be thrown into the opposing demonstration. Pepper spray will not be sprayed into the eyes of people with whom you disagree. Tear gas will be in the hands of the police only. No gas masks should be allowed because the presence of a gas mask by a demonstrator means that he has bad intentions.
The anarchist want to destroy the American government. They hate this country, and although they claim to protest for peace and racial equality, they use these claims only as propaganda tools. They tear down statutes that have been around for a hundred years because the figure represented may have owned slaves 150 years ago. America has done much to make a level playing field for all people, African - Americans included. Over 600,000 Americans died in the civil war which led to the abolition of slavery. This fact is clearly established in an amendment to the Constitution of the United States.
The communist anarchist have been handled with kid gloves so far, and this is a shame. They use their violence to intimidate peaceful people, and to attack the fundamental underpinnings of this country. Their sole purpose is to spread distrust and violence across this country.
I have a suggestion. No longer will it be acceptable to demonstrate with a mask covering your face. Anyone caught with a gas mask or a mask should be arrested immediately. If he/she resists, then additional charges should be added. A mask denotes bad intentions, and until we as Americans demand that these lawbreakers behave like civilized people, then the police should be given the authority to do what is necessary to get these demonstrators under control. Without stronger measures, these anarchists’ actions will only get worse.
