Ruth Bader Ginsburg passed away Friday. Hers was a remarkable story. She served the Court and our country wisely and well. In doing so, she became a role model for women across the nation, both within and outside of the legal profession. And it goes without saying that her passing has roiled an already fractious presidential election.
But that’s all I’m going to say about Justice Ginsburg in this post. There will be time to reflect and to write further about about this remarkable lady in due course.
Today’s post will be devoted to the subject of heavily armed crackers roaming the streets of Little Rock.
I used to work in the Federal Building downtown. I spent a good bit of time in the Courthouse next door. I have been gone almost 9 years. I can say without hesitation or fear of contradiction that during my tenure with Uncle, if a bunch of masked guys armed with semi-automatic weapons approached either building trouble of the worst sort would have quickly ensued courtesy of the US Marshal’s service, the Federal Protection Service and local law enforcement.
But that was before Arkansans gained the right to “open carry” firearms virtually anywhere. And so it came to pass that a group of armed gentlemen arrived across the street from the Courthouse where what the Democrat-Gazette described as a “small group of protestors” were apparently protesting the arraignment inside of a man accused of firebombing police vehicles and defacing a Confederate grave in a private graveyard.
One of the armed men interviewed said these stalwarts, modestly calling themselves the “Arkansas Patriots,” were there to “help law enforcement keep things peaceful” and to “make sure nothing gets torn up.” Nodding towards the protestors the apparent spokesman of the group magnanimously concluded by saying that “They don’t understand, but we’re here to protect them, too.”
Where to begin?
I’m certain that the “assistance” of these “Patriots” was not solicited by law enforcement. Or the protestors either for that matter. Indeed, I’m certain that the presence of armed civilians, unburdened as they are by rules of engagement or other useful tactical training is the last thing law enforcement needs at an otherwise peaceful demonstration. Secondly, the right to “open carry” is linked to self-defense. Not law enforcement. Indeed, there’s a young man in all kinds of hot water over in Wisconsin after his attempt to “assist law enforcement” resulted in the death of a man. Finally, I don’t understand the need to carry a gun into the Wal-Mart. I’m not scared all the time. Where do these idiots get off calling other people “snowflakes?”
Mercifully, there was no trouble. But here’s my question. Would the same outcome obtain if a bunch of similarly armed brothers had also shown up in order to “assist law enforcement” or to “protect the protestors?” Would this have alarmed the “patriots” even though the right to waltz around in public with exotic weapons extends to black folks as well?
Well what do you think?
What a year this has been. Trump got impeached. A global pandemic has killed @ 200,000 Americans with no end in sight. Racial unrest is palpable across the country and the economy is in the tank. Justice Ginsburg has passed. And armed fools inject themselves unbidden by anybody in authority into a peaceful demonstration in a burlesque of legitimate law enforcement. All during a Presidential election year. I know I have left something out. Feel free to insert.
What has become of us? What will become of us?
My answer to both questions is swift and clear.
I have no earthly idea.
