Our Wakeup Call; Glimmers of Hope; a Fathers Day Message
Plus news and updates
Yesterday the House passed a measure making it mandatory for all U.S. males between 18 to 26 to be automatically registered for selective service. Note that this happened on a Friday without much fanfare. And for something that will affect millions of Americans, news coverage has been scant.
“While it hasn’t been invoked in over half a century, it’s mandatory for all male U.S. citizens to register for the selective service, also known as the military draft, when they turn 18. Failure to register is classified as a felony and comes with a host of legal challenges.”
On the Senate side, there is talk of making selective service registration mandatory for women.
Given that the U.S. military is experiencing a staffing shortage (similar to that seen in law enforcement), this move seemed inevitable. Coupled with the rise in global conflicts, it’s reasonable to ask: Is war far behind?
I want to be wrong, because as a nation we’re not prepared. Unlike eras past, we lack a sense of unity and purpose as a nation. Young people are succumbing to ills like drug addiction and depression and many are frankly not in good physical shape.
A potential war is not our only problem. It’s not an overstatement to say that our southern border situation is a full-blown crisis.
It’s easy to dismiss this truth if you don’t live in a southern border state; or in a city that’s accepting thousands of migrants, where sadly, our fellow Americans who are already struggling, are carrying the brunt.
This past week I listened in on a briefing with a colleague who had returned from touring the southern border. She had an opportunity to speak with border patrol agents and U.S. citizens living near the border. She visited the Del Rio / Eagle Pass areas in Texas, which has been the epicenter of this activity. With the introduction of Operation Lone Star, the migration patterns have shifted and is now occurring largely in Arizona and California.
Concerns over the situation at the border have absolutely nothing to do with ethnicity or religion. We’re indeed a nation of immigrants that welcomes people from all over the world. At the all-girls Catholic high school I attended in the city of Chicago, about 25% to 30% of the ladies were descendants of Spanish-speaking countries; some of them were my friends.
What I’ve come to know in my heart is that there is goodness and rot within every ethnicity, religion, male and female. Most of us want the same things: safety, dignity, to be accepted, a chance to reach our full potential. We’re all Americans.
And while we can empathize with the migrant mothers who want to make a better life for their children, the fact is that the situation at the border is unsustainable.
It’s also inhumane and unsafe.
There are reports than an estimated 90,000 unaccompanied migrant children have been lost, and nobody knows where they are. In fact, children’s items and backpacks are strewn all over the border, both on the U.S. and Mexican side. The images I saw were chilling.
The cartels prey on the migrants’ desperation. If they can’t pay the “fee” to pass through, the traffickers use them for sex work.
Cartels will shove migrants under a barbed fence because they know our compassionate border patrol agents will rescue them.
And it’s a public safety threat.
It’s not just cartels, gangs, criminals, and fentanyl pushers that are crossing our border and putting us at risk. Hundreds of migrants on terrorist watch lists have entered our country and are unaccounted for.
There is a phrase I keep hearing: It’s not a matter of if there will be a terror attack on our country, but when and where.
It’s already happening. This past week, six migrants with suspected ISIS terrorist ties were arrested in a sting operation in New York, Los Angeles, and Philadelphia.
Have the people who’ve worked to demoralize police officers and contributed to a historic staffing crisis even thought about what will happen if, God forbid, there’s an emergency? They’ve placed us all at risk.
It’s not my intent to scare you or engage in cheap hyperbole. We do, however, need to understand the potential threats we face so we can be prepared. We also need to fight hard for the men and women of law enforcement, because they’re some of the only ones who will stand between us and evil.
These are the key federal bills I’m watching closely. I updated their status this evening. Some bills, including the Housing for Heroes Act and Local Law Enforcement Protection Act, have had little movement. The most promising of these has been the Protect & Serve Act. Also, the Officer Wellness Through Data Act was introduced in the House.
To learn more about these bills, please visit my police legislation center.
This Father’s Day, Eric DeValkenaere, a decorated detective with the Kansas City (Missouri) Police Department -and a father- is sitting in prison for using justifiable force. His only opportunity left for freedom rests with a full pardon from Missouri’s Governor Michael Parson.
Call Governor Parson asking him to issue a full pardon for Eric, and / or sign this petition from Law Enforcement Legal Defense Fund.
Please stand for Detective DeValkenaere and his family. And keep in mind that this can happen to any police officer!
Some reasons to be hopeful.
Former Cop Pushes Back
A former Chicago police sergeant has sued Cook County officials, including State’s Attorney Kim Foxx, for wrongful prosecution. He was found not guilty on all charges.
More police officers should start considering taking legal action when they’re wrongfully indicted. Complacency is no longer a winning strategy, if it ever was.
Philadelphia May Be Turning the Corner
Like other cities that have prioritized criminals over the law abiding, Philadelphia succumbed to an unsustainable rise in crime. The tide may be changing, at least in Philly. As City Journal reports:
“In 2024, a new mayor and police chief took over. Mayor Cherelle Parker is a no-nonsense woman who grew up in the city. She ran as a moderate who prioritized re-establishing public safety. Once in office, Mayor Parker immediately declared a state of emergency based on crime, a step that Kenney had refused to take. She also chose Kevin Bethel as police chief. Bethel is an experienced and levelheaded police leader with deep ties to the city and a thorough understanding of the drivers of violence.”
May this level of good sense spread.
Phoenix Police Leadership Stands Tall in Face of Consent Decree
Officers have told me that federal Consent Decrees can be crippling to officer morale, lead to reduced police staffing, and ultimately result in increased crime. This is especially the case when police leaders don’t push back.
Police leaders with the Phoenix Police Department are pushing back, which
explains in his excellent article. “Courage will prevail in Phoenix,” Travis writes.
The nuclear family is one of the bedrocks of a civilized society, and its obsolescence is one of the reasons our country is imploding.
Fathers play an irreplaceable role in a child’s life. A positive paternal role model is linked to, among other things, fewer behavioral, mental health, and emotional problems; and greater outcomes throughout life, including in academics, relationships, and careers.
If you’re a devoted father who provides for your family, nurtures your children, and prioritizes their needs, you deserve a standing ovation. By being a good father, you’re not only taking care of your children; you’re also providing the country with the people who will one day become leaders and productive members of society. We need more of you.
Happy Fathers Day! You earned it.
Best. : )
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.
Yikes! I need to clarify the first paragraph.
Men aged 18 to 26 are already required to sign up for selective service. This measure would make it so that they would be AUTOMATICALLY enrolled.