Post-Ferguson

Hello Everyone:

It is a warm and lovely day before Thanksgiving Day.  I managed to get through my grocery shopping without throwing an elbow or tripping an old lady, although I was quite ready to do so.  I did put my weaving through traffic skills to good use.  See what happens when you watch hockey and soccer.  Unfortunately, not all is good and right with the world.

By now the entire known galaxy knows that the Grand Jury in Ferguson, Missouri declined to indict Officer Darren Wilson on criminal charges stemming from the shooting death of Michael Brown. First, I would like to commend the Grand Jury for undertaking this responsibility and I cannot imagine having to sit there, listening to testimony, and sifting through sometimes conflicting evidence.  Having said that, I don't believe that they reached a wise decision.  Officer Wilson should face consequences for his actions.  Even more infuriating is his statement saying his conscience is clear.  That's complete bollocks.  How can you have a clear conscience when you know you took a human life?  You deprived a mother of her son.  You can't say that you're alright with that.  Whether you think that Officer Wilson was justified or not, at the end of the day another human being is dead. I also believe that the protestor who think that free expression includes arson and vandalism should face the consequences of their actions.  When they destroy a business, they are depriving a person of their livelihood and a community of a much needed service.  When they burn a car, they are taking away someone's way of getting to work or taking their child to school.  This is something to think about over the holiday.