As I ponder the recent news of a Judge finding fraudulent votes, all from a Republican, I can’t help but feel a mix of frustration and disappointment at the state of our electoral system. The case of Brian Pritchard, the first vice chairman of the state Republican Party, who illegally voted in nine elections while still on probation for a felony conviction, shines a glaring light on the hypocrisy and corruption that taint our political landscape.
It’s disheartening to see that time and time again, it is the very individuals who claim to uphold the values of democracy and integrity that are caught engaging in fraudulent activities.… Continue reading
As a white person, I often feel uncomfortable visiting places that are known for their racist attitudes and actions. It’s disheartening to see that even in 2022, incidents of blatant racism still occur, such as the recent attacks on the Utah women’s basketball team in Coeur d’Alene, Idaho. To think that a group of athletes, who have dedicated countless hours to their sport, would be subjected to such hateful behavior is truly appalling.
The fact that individuals in trucks drove up to the team and yelled racial slurs is a stark reminder that racism is still very much alive in our society.… Continue reading
I am utterly appalled and disgusted by the recent news of the six officers from Mississippi’s “Goon Squad” being sentenced to prison for torturing two Black men. The level of brutality and inhumanity displayed by these individuals is beyond comprehension. The fact that they could carry out such heinous acts without a shred of remorse is sickening. These officers, who were supposed to uphold the law and protect citizens, instead chose to abuse their power and inflict unimaginable pain on innocent individuals.
It is deeply troubling to read about the callous indifference shown by McAlpin and Middleton, the ringleaders of this despicable group, who threatened their fellow officers with death if they spoke up.… Continue reading
It’s outrageous to think that in today’s society, where we place so much trust in law enforcement to protect us, an independent report has found that police officers in Uvalde did not violate policy during a tragic school shooting. The fact that there was a training class held just two months before the massacre, and yet all of the instructors were inside the school hallway during the shooting, is absolutely mind-boggling. These are the individuals who are supposed to protect our children, yet they failed miserably in their duty.
The investigators seemingly tried to shift blame onto the teachers and school staff for not following active shooter drills, as if it was their responsibility to do the job of law enforcement.… Continue reading
Reflecting on the incident involving a Florida man who was seriously injured and unable to speak after an encounter with the police over a falsely accused theft of a banana, I am deeply disturbed by the systemic issues within policing in the United States. The incident highlights the urgent need for a complete overhaul of law enforcement practices and accountability measures.
Firstly, the fact that a man’s life was endangered over such a minor and trivial matter is indicative of the devaluation of human life within the criminal justice system. The worth of a human life should not be measured by the cost of a banana, but unfortunately, it seems that it was in this case.… Continue reading
The recent news of the settlement reached by the family of the Black girls who were handcuffed by Colorado police and held at gunpoint is both disheartening and infuriating. It serves as yet another painful reminder of the deeply rooted issues within our law enforcement system. The fact that such incidents continue to occur, despite the outcry for justice and reform, is a clear indication that something needs to change.
One glaring problem that stands out to me is the lack of accountability for police officers. In this case, the officers involved were following their training for conducting a high-risk stop of what they believed was a stolen vehicle.… Continue reading
As I sit here and try to process the news of yet another senseless killing of a Black man by law enforcement, I am overwhelmed with anger, sadness, and frustration. Casey Goodson Jr., a young Black man, was fatally shot by an Ohio deputy who claimed that he saw Goodson waving a gun at him. But here’s the thing, Goodson didn’t have a gun. He was holding sandwiches and keys. How does a sandwich and keys resemble a gun? They don’t.
It’s sickening to see the lengths that law enforcement will go to justify their actions. The deputy in question wasn’t even wearing a body camera, conveniently leaving no visual evidence of what truly happened.… Continue reading
John Q. Hosedrinker