Living in Louisiana, I have heard about the recent declaration of a state of emergency due to the shortage of police officers in the state. It’s a perplexing situation for many, considering the ubiquitous presence of law enforcement officers seemingly around every corner. The question that arises in my mind is about priorities – do we want robust public services or do we want to save on taxes? It’s a tough choice to make, especially in a state facing critical shortages not just in law enforcement but also in other essential sectors like the judiciary system.
Looking at the statistics, it’s disheartening to see that police officer salaries in Louisiana are among the lowest in the country, with an annual median salary that falls short of providing a decent standard of living.… Continue reading
I wake up to the devastating news. Another senseless act of violence has taken place, this time at the Kansas City Chiefs Super Bowl celebration. It is a tragedy that hits close to home, as the victim was not just an ordinary person but a popular radio DJ. As I read through the articles and browse through the comments, a mix of disbelief, anger, and sadness washes over me.
She went out to have fun and ended up dead. This is cruelty at the highest level. I can’t wrap my head around the fact that someone would bring a gun to a celebration meant to honor the achievements of a sports team.… Continue reading
I can’t help but feel a deep sense of sadness and frustration when I read about the story of Rongxin Liao, the 87-year-old crime victim who has decided to move back to China after enduring multiple vicious attacks in San Francisco. It’s disheartening to see that someone who has lived a long and full life is forced to leave behind the place they once called home due to the rising public safety concerns.
As I try to comprehend the motives behind these assaults, I find myself grappling with the concept of humanity. How can someone find it within themselves to randomly assault an elderly person, let alone someone as frail and vulnerable as Rongxin Liao?… Continue reading
The recent incident of five asylum-seekers being arrested for assaulting police officers in Times Square has left me feeling frustrated and concerned. As a law-abiding citizen, I find it difficult to comprehend how individuals who have already displayed violent behavior in the past are not facing more severe consequences for their actions.
One of the assailants, Reveron, has a criminal history that includes assaulting employees in two separate incidents. Yet, instead of being immediately arrested and deported after his first assault, he was allowed to continue his violent behavior. This raises questions about the effectiveness of our asylum system and whether individuals who engage in such acts should be denied asylum altogether.… Continue reading
As news of the arrest of a 17-year-old alleged ‘serial swatter’ broke, I couldn’t help but feel a mix of shock and frustration. The young individual, identified as Alan Filion, is accused of making threatening calls and false reports, targeting various institutions including mosques, colleges, and government agencies throughout the country. The severity and extent of his alleged actions are deeply unsettling and raise larger concerns about the safety of our society.
One key aspect that struck me is the potential classification of swatting as attempted murder. Filion has been charged with multiple felonies, including false reporting and unlawful use of a two-way communication device, while facilitating or furthering an act of terrorism.… Continue reading
John Q. Hosedrinker