Living in Fear Doesn't Have a Place in a Free Nation

Plus updates, news, and an invitation

You’re not seeing double. I re-published yesterday’s post to add new content. : )

Anyone raised in Chicago or New York City during the 20th century is undoubtedly familiar with the power of organized crime. The mere mention of The Mafia was enough to instill intense fear into the law-abiding citizenry. It’s one thing to watch a gangster movie or show, quite another to know it thrives in your own city.

Thanks in large part to the fortitude and diligence of federal prosecutors and law enforcement, the Mob had lost much of its control by the 1990s. There’s no way to adequately describe the uncommon courage it takes to look evil straight in the eye and remove it from the streets. We owe these agents, and all police officers, a debt of gratitude.

As great as it is for our nation that the Mob’s influence has been reduced, they’ve been replaced with new mobs.

This dynamic is most prominently on display whenever demonstrators wreak havoc on city centers and police are ordered to stand down. It’s apparent when politicians and decision makers capitulate to the loudest, most unreasonable voices. Or when campus organizers have to escort scheduled speakers out of a building for safety reasons.

The tactics of these new mobs may differ. The Mafia, for example, was secretive and had a strict code of silence, whereas today’s mobs tend to be vocal and public-facing. The intent and effects however, are the same: fear and intimidation.

If you’ve been on the receiving end of this stuff, you know how unpleasant it is. It’s also antithetical to living in a nation based on free expression. How do we develop relationships and solve problems, after all, if we can’t freely talk to each other? And because few leaders refuse to stand up to the bullying, riots, shout-downs, and inane policies at the behest of loud and intimidating voices, it continues unabated.

If you’ve been bullied, harassed, or cancelled for (peacefully and lawfully) expressing your thoughts, you’re invited to share your story at Unfairly Canceled. It’s a project of Independent Women’s Voice, sister organization to Independent Women’s Network, of which I’m an active and investing member.

Know that you’re not alone. : )

Legislative Updates!

Anyone who says there’s no war on cops is mistaken. Last year, shots fired on police officers had increased by 60%, with a shooting occurring about every 23 hours.

This trend has not subsided in 2024. In fact, just this past week alone, some of the cities where officers were shot at include Chicago, Ft. Lauderdale, and Boston. In Idaho, two corrections officers were reportedly shot in an ambush-style attack by someone trying to free a prison inmate. This doesn’t include other forms of violence regularly perpetrated on police officers, including being punched, kicked, stabbed, and run over by cars.

These cases, especially the one in Idaho, exemplify the need for bills like the Protect & Serve Act (H.R. 743). They serve as a deterrent and ensure that offenders are adequately punished.

The Protect & Serve Act (H.R. 743)

The bill now has 109 sponsors in the House, with Rep. Kevin Kiley (CA-3) signing on this past week. It has not yet been introduced in the Senate.

The Public Safety Free Speech Act (H.R. 7398)

This bipartisan bill, introduced in the House by Rep. Jeff Van Drew (NJ-2), would guarantee the First Amendment rights of police officers and other first responders while off-duty. I’m in the midst of researching this bill and should have more details for you next week.

There has been no movement on the other police and public safety bills I’m closely watching.

In the News

Sitting Targets

There are reports that an arm of the Islamic State group was behind Friday night’s attack of concert goers in a Moscow suburb in Russia. While we can weep for the innocents overseas, it’s also appropriate to be concerned about impending attacks on American soil.

(I differentiate the people of a given country from its government. You can despise what Putin is doing in Ukraine, as I do, while still sympathizing with its citizenry.)

Unlike the 9/11 attacks, we now have fewer protections. At the precise time that our nation is facing a growing number of domestic and global threats, police departments across the country and the U.S. military are unable to meet recruitment goals.

Criminal offenders have been emboldened by policies that prioritize their welfare. As a result, they snub their noses at our laws.

Retired NYPD police detective Angel Maysonet, has a good take on this situation.

He writes, in part,

“Moscow, 100+ killed

Don’t think it can’t happen here.

We are a country of soft targets. In every crime ridden Blue city, including NYC, off duty cops, retired cops, legal gun owners, are prohibited from being armed in most concert halls, arenas, etc.”

Holding Criminals Accountable

Virginia’s Governor Glenn Youngkin vetoed a slew of crime bills this past week, including one that would have allowed defendants charged with assaulting a police officer to use mental illness as a defense.

He did the right thing. While mental illness is serious business and has become prevalent in our nation, in most cases it’s not an excuse to perpetrate a criminal act. This bill could have also potentially opened up a path where anyone could claim they had a mental illness just to avoid being held accountable.

Are We Losing Hope?

Wirepoints ran a thoughtful piece about the results of last week’s Chicago’s primary elections, which in part will determine the Democratic candidate for Cook County State’s Attorney to replace Kim Foxx. They reported that just 20.2% of registered Chicago voters headed to the polls this past Tuesday.

While primary elections have historically attracted fewer crowds, I can’t help but agree with the authors when they write:

“What the results do represent is a growing voter apathy. On both sides.”

Americans have “checked out,” which is understandable. In this environment, it’s easy to feel displaced, abandoned, and betrayed, lone voices that nobody hears. We’re further overwhelmed by the inundation of opinions masquerading as news, dubious statistics, and influencers who care more about attention then truth-telling.

If you feel this way, you might enjoy reading We’ve Got Issues by Dr. Phillip C. McGraw (Dr. Phil). Although I’m only about one-fourth into the book, Dr. Phil demonstrates a good grasp of our nation’s current state of malaise and offers ways we can get past it.

Parting thought . . .

Like you, I fear for the future of our nation, and there are times, like today, that I feel profound sadness at what we’ve become.

Despite these emotions, I continue moving ahead. For my part, this means advocating for police officers.

As I mentioned last time, I’m partnering with Independent Women’s Network on a new law enforcement and public safety action center that will launch during National Police Week. We will build from that starting point.

Every time I meet with these women to discuss our plans, I feel energized and hopeful about our nation’s future. Taking positive action and working towards solutions is one of the best antidotes to conquer feelings of defeat and hopelessness.

Wishing you a safe and healthy week ahead. : )

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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.