It’s happening. Whether we like it or not.
On Friday, Donald J. Trump — (alleged) scumbag, misogynist, bully, and world-class suck up to Vladimir Putin — will become President of the United States, and by default, “leader of the free world.”
For a lot of Americans — and a lot of people around the world — it is a sad and scary thought.
I must admit, I’m not a fan. But personally, I have always respected the Office of the President even if I haven’t always respected the man in office. So as soon as he is officially inaugurated, I will try to afford Mr. Trump the courtesy owed to a man in his new position, and I will try to give him the benefit of the doubt.
It is only right. After all, I did the same for the outgoing president — and for the record, I’m not a huge fan of his, either.
But, if nothing else, President Obama (or more accurately, someone from his public relations staff) was nice enough to respond to my letter. In December 2014, I wrote to Mr. Obama in order to “express my profound disappointment” in his “ongoing lack of support and respect for American law enforcement officers.”
Yes, I am quoting from my own letter.
I also said, in pertinent part:
The fact that some officers engage in reprehensible conduct cannot and should not be denied. Those who in any way violate the laws they are sworn to uphold should be held fully accountable, and anger and frustration when that fails to occur is understandable.
Yet what you willingly fail to realize is that those officers are the exception to the rule. The truth is the vast majority of American police officers are decent, honest, dedicated, hard-working men and women.
The truth is that these officers put their lives on the line every single day. Targeted by killers, drug dealers and gangs, they go to work knowing they may not come home. Undermined by agenda-driven politicians and activists, they nevertheless put themselves in harm’s way to ensure that citizens can exercise their right to engage in civil disobedience.
Furthermore, as long as our youth are allowed, if not encouraged, to believe the tragic loss of lives in New York City, Ferguson, and elsewhere is simply about race, that’s all it will ever be about. The divisiveness currently being fomented by professional agitators and activists will prevail. We will never make any meaningful progress; we will never learn to understand and respect each other’s differences; our country will never heal.
Four months later I received a response (form letter) from the White House “signed” by President Obama. Here’s an excerpt:
“Law enforcement officials have incredibly difficult jobs and put their lives at risk to protect us. And they are most effective when people have confidence in the system. That is why my Administration is working to enhance community policing, and also to strengthen trust and accountability between law enforcement officers and the communities they serve.
I am deeply committed to the promise of what our Nation can be, and my Administration will keep pushing for progress through ongoing initiatives, continued engagement with communities and other targeted efforts.”
But sadly, nearly two years later, nothing has changed.
Here’s hoping it will.
In Brief Legal Writing Services 