There is a lot of life and not a lot of laughter lately.  It feels like our country has gone crazy. The Police are under attack in Baton Rouge, 3 dead so far. It makes me sick and it should make everyone sick. What is wrong with people who think this kind of killing, or any kind of killing is okay? Why has it become the norm and not the anomaly? The racism and bigotry and hatred is out of control on all points and I’m tired of it. Truly weary, as I’m sure most people are.  What I’ve seen in the last year or so is people who, under the guise of “exercising their first amendment right” of free speech spewing nothing but hatred and divisiveness all over the media. What this does is make the people who are listening think it’s okay to hate right back and the truth is, you can hate all you want but there are laws against racism in this country. There are laws against targeting certain groups of people with your hatred. Bigotry and misogyny and racism are things that have existed for a very long time, but through the hard work and suffering of many, laws were created to alleviate these issues.  Sadly, we now have political campaigns in an election year actually inciting people to do the unthinkable.  It’s not the only catalyst, but when you have a voice in the media and the entire country listening, wouldn’t it make sense to choose your words wisely?  Wouldn’t it be in your best interest and the best interests of the people you will serve to tread with caution? The responsibility you carry simply because you have the ear of the entire nation is enormous and it is critical that it be handled with care and tact and with the knowledge that it will have an impact, for better or worse.

The hatred of a few has empowered the hatred of many and the unjustified killings of anyone, including police officers is totally unacceptable.  I believe that police brutality exists and I believe that we need to address it, but I also believe that the vast majority of police officers are doing exactly what they are sworn to do, and that is to serve and protect. Killing them, killing anyone, is not the answer. It is not the answer. We are at a defining moment in our history and this is not who we are.  We can and we must, do better.

Love and light.