The primary role of law enforcement has traditionally been to “serve and protect.”
This applies to every badge, from local officers to federal agents. However, the forces recently deployed in Minneapolis broke that tradition, leaving mayhem and the death of two citizens in their wake.
In a recent commentary, John Braun questioned whether these federal officers acted "proportionately," while simultaneously suggesting the victims "put themselves in harm’s way."
John, let me remind you that two Americans were killed by their own government. To imply equal responsibility is a moral failure.
On one side, you have heavily armed agents; on the other, citizens expressing outrage over government overreach. Suggesting the victims share the blame is absurd. Using your logic, any victim of a crime is responsible simply for being present.
You claimed these questions of victim-culpability are "legitimate." They are not. By calling these questions of victim-blame "legitimate," you are legitimizing the indefensible.
There is no "both sides" when a woman is shot in the face and a man in the back.
Your commentary shows us who you really are; someone who cannot — or will not — distinguish between state-sponsored violence and the civilians they are sworn to protect.
John, if you wish to represent us in Congress, you must understand that holding the government accountable for the death of its citizens is not optional — it is a requirement of the job. Your inability to see the moral clarity of this situation is a disqualifying lack of judgment.
KP Gillan
Centralia
