I Stand with the Police [OPINION]

I am confused.

We appear to be locked in a debate over whether the violence that has occurred in cities across the country since the death of George Floyd is somehow justified or whether we should do what it takes to stop it.

Some seem to suggest that President Trump is an evil Nazi for wanting to crush those who are killing cops, tossing bricks and frozen water bottles at them and looting and burning businesses.

Most people I know are outraged. They are outraged over the senseless and brutal killing of George Floyd but are equally if not more outraged with the wonton destruction and violence that is being wrought on our communities and want it to stop. Immediately.

What we see is an unwillingness by many elected officials to offend the anarchists by demanding that they stop what they are doing. They call out the police and the National Guard and then refuse to use them to quell the violence. Why?

Americans have spent months watching those same political leaders destroy the economy, their jobs, their businesses, their kid's education, and now they are asked to tolerate civil unrest that is compounding their burden and their grief. This is senseless and moronic.

Yet when President Trump demands the governors and mayors get tough and stop the violence, the media and the Democrats call him a "jackboot" and accuse him of wanting to crush "peaceful protesters."

Those peaceful protesters defaced the nation's monuments in Washington, D.C., and set fire to St. John's Church. They've also killed police officers and business owners and injured many others.

Are the American people supposed to tolerate the destruction of their communities? Is this some sort of reparation for the sins of our forefathers? Are you racist if you demand that the violence be stopped by any means necessary?

Current and former military leaders are hammering Trump for wanting to use the military to restore order. That makes no sense. Whose side are these people on? They are certainly not on the side of the American people, many of whom have not been able to work since March and are now watching as their businesses are destroyed. Are they supposed to just accept it?

What is the plan to restore calm if we are not allowed to use force to end the violence? And now the politicians are suggesting we defund the police. If you think the police are the problem, then perhaps the men and women who wear the uniform should walk off the job for a day and see how you all make out without them.

I'd walk the line with our police officers any day before I'd take a knee with someone who is throwing a brick at them.

Barry Richard is the host of The Barry Richard Show on 1420 WBSM New Bedford. He can be heard weekdays from noon to 3 p.m. Contact him at barry@wbsm.com and follow him on Twitter @BarryJRichard58. The opinions expressed in this commentary are solely those of the author.