So, the rioting and occupation of the White House were mostly postponed on the politics surrounding the passing of a historic Supreme Court Justice. Except for the two police officers shot in localized “protests” against a grand jury decision not to try three officers for the “no knock” shooting of Breonna Taylor. Except, as everything is in these tense days, that wasn’t exactly true.
Ms Taylor was indeed shot and killed in the confrontation, though she was in bed asleep when the police knocked on the door, announced their intent to enter, and received gunfire from Ms Taylor’s boyfriend, who had a licensed pistol.
The grand jury indicted one of the cops, not for murder, but for “wanton endangerment,” based on the facts with which it was presented. That naturally led to mostly peaceful burning and gunfire last night in Louisville.
I am not sure, but I think everyone is getting tired of this stuff. But there is nuance to everything. My circle of geezers includes two former senior military officers who have unique perspectives on the issue of police violence. One witnessed the police assault his wife who suffered from the same disease one of the Presidential candidates is accused of having.
The petite lady, a friend from way back, was thrown to the ground and roughed up as a 240-pound cop handcuffed her for detention and psychiatric evaluation. She was never able to return home and died in medical exile.
Two other pals have children who suffer from autism. Recent reports of the shooting of a young boy with the same disease brought an intense reaction from them with which I sympathize. This is a complicated matter. I support enforcement of the law, at least the ones I am not violating, and I support good cops. But this is a more complicated issue than our politics allow us to consider.
In that regard, voting has already started for the big enchilada in November. I voted “in person” last Tuesday here in the Old Dominion, in person, with photo ID. For what it is worth, I presented my retired military ID card to test the system. It had a photo and there was no problem.
As many of us older citizens recall, elections are normally over a few hours after the polls close, and celebrants and despondent losers are intoxicated before last call at the bars across the land. Not this time, though I have no doubts about alcohol intake on both sides. Four states have already extended the time to count assorted different types of ballots by as much as two weeks after Election Day. I read that a thousand lawyers have already been retained to carefully monitor the situation and litigate until they are satisfied with whatever outcome they want. A close election, regardless of who appears to have won, appears likely to head to the Supreme Court.
Which brings us around to the demise of the late Notorious RBG. The surge of emotion, some of it genuine, it partly motivated by the urge to influence whatever decision is ultimately made. You recall how exciting the Bush vs. Gore recount was, right? I have my reasons to dislike Mr. Gore, one of them personal, but I admired the fact that he chose not to blow up the election and accept what seemed to be mostly true.
This time doesn’t seem to be likely to work out that way. The strategy to steal the election has been talked about publicly, in fact, with the ultimate message that it is the other side that is doing it. Very cool too watch it play out, but I fear not good for young or old.
As we say farewell to Justice Ginsberg, I look back at a history that has its warts, but also stands as the fairest system that this complicated world has ever known. What’s more, I recall the passage of the 1964 Civi Rights Act, based on reasoned advice from Lyndon Johnson, Barry Goldwater and Everett Dirksen, among others.
It was the law. I tried to obey the law all of my personal and professional careers only to find I am actually the equivalent of George Wallace. It is based on the color of my skin, apparently, and immutable. Everything old is new.
It certainly is an interesting year, isn’t it? Wait till next week here in the Swamp. The President already said he was going to nominate a woman, and I can’t wait to see what trash is going to be heaped on her. They probably can’t go full Kavanaugh on her, so depending on who is crazy enough to accept the invitation it will probably be some religious thing. I remember John Kennedy subjected to the same thing.
It has been fifty-six years since the Civil Rights Act, and they tell me nothing has changed. I think it has, but we should be in for a great couple weeks here in the Swamp.
Having a wonderful time. Wish you were here!
-Vic
Copyright 2020 Vic Socotra
www.vicsocotra.com