Have You Thought About How You'll Defend Yourself?

Because the rules seem to have changed

Let me preface this by saying that I’m not a lawyer, police officer, or constitutional scholar. The following is based on my understanding of the law, coupled with a dose of common sense.

Like other Americans, I’m genuinely concerned about being placed in a position of having to defend myself - especially at a time when police departments are struggling with staffing and perpetrators are largely unintimidated.

Your thoughts are most welcome on any of this. : )

Are We Still Allowed to Defend Ourselves?

Having grown up in Chicago, I learned to become adept at situational awareness and to trust my instincts (which I base on a person’s behavior). When I got older, I began carrying pepper spray and would plan out in my head how I’d react in case the unthinkable happened.

Run away to safety if you can, then call the police.

What if, however you’re unable to safely escape? Perhaps you’re contained in an elevator on the 80th floor, or a moving subway train, or a locked car with someone who clearly wants to harm you (Like someone is quickly approaching you with a gun or knife in hand), and there are no cops around.

It wasn’t too long ago that being able to defend yourself and other innocents from harm was a given. Acting in self-defense, provided it’s exercised lawfully (all non-lethal options have to be exhausted and the level of force used has to be consistent with the type of attack, and such), has always been my right . . . and yours.

It’s a right based on every person’s inherent need for survival - and it’s protected by the U.S. Constitution and various state constitutions.

So why then, is exercising this right now considered a crime in some jurisdictions?

#Orwellwasontosomething

It’s already happening to cops who use force in compliance with the law and their training. I’ve written about this trend here, here, and here.

We civilians aren’t immune from this, either.

Take Mr. Alba, for example, the New York City bodega clerk who was facing a murder charge until there was sufficient outrage targeting the Manhattan district attorney’s office.

(BTW, what happened to the rule of law? I thought the point was to determine one’s guilt based on the evidence, not politics or public persuasion. What if there had been no public outcry for Mr. Alba?)

Per surveillance footage and personal accounts, Mr. Alba was minding his own business, and used force only when he felt he had no other choice.

Like Mr. Alba, most of us go through life minding our own business. What if trouble finds us through no fault of our own, however? Are we expected to sit there and allow ourselves to get the pulp knocked out of us, shot at, or raped? And if we do lawfully defend ourselves, do we need to fear being arrested and indicted?

These are questions that I never thought we’d have to ask in the United States of America. Yet here we are.

Recently Discovered Online

A Police Chief Who Gets It

In our minds, Mike Koval, retired chief of police of the Madison (Wisconsin) Police Department is the quintessential courageous police leader. Few -if any- could match his authenticity, dedication (to both cops & community), work ethic, and a respect for the rule of law.

When you do encounter a police chief that exhibits even some modicum of courage, it’s like manna from Heaven.

Case in point: Chief Darren Goodman of the San Bernardino Police Department recently had this to say.

“I work in the profession daily and can’t think of a single thing that the police reform movement has improved in any community.”

Can we get more of this, please? Only by having open, honest dialog, will we find solutions and allow everyone to thrive.

Another Reason Why It’s Difficult to Trust Crime Statistics

Per journalist Michael Shellenberger in response to recent lawlessness in Oakland, California:

“In this video you can see Oakland police casually filming the mayhem, which went on for hours. They aren’t to blame. Police are helpless to stop the criminal sideshows because @MayorShengThao & DA Pamela Price refuse to prosecute “nonviolent crimes”

If police aren’t intervening for whatever reason, it means that not all crimes are being recorded. Meanwhile, people are still being victimized, like this person, which Shellenberger notes:

“A few days ago in Oakland, a man tried to stop the dangerous sideshow and was beaten by a mob. Nobody tried to stop the assault. Instead, Oakland residents clamored to film it.”

Thus why it’s difficult at times to believe the “crime is down” narrative or to trust those who know better yet still utter this statement anyway.

Officers Down: Where’s the Outrage?

Rarely a day passes that I don’t read an Officer Down story. Two of the most recent casualties are young female officers -both ladies were in their 20s- and relatively new to policing.

One is Deputy Sheriff Katie Leising of the St. Croix (Wisconsin) Sheriff’s Office, who was shot and killed while investigating a car crash.

The other is Officer Areanah Preston of the Chicago Police Department, who had apparently just finished her shift.

Although I don’t know either of these young women, I suspect they became police officers for the same reason most others do - to make a difference.

Such a tragic loss.

Thanks for taking time out of your day to read my stuff. I hope you have an amazing week. Please stay safe. : )

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For the Blue is a solutions-based initiative. I’m just an American patriot asking questions. I don’t work with any political party and I answer to nobody. For me, the health of the nation, due process (including for police officers), the rule of law, and respect for individual liberties, will always transcend party affiliation. I welcome your thoughts, even if you disagree; though personal attacks will be ignored. You can reach me at fortheblue@substack.com.