I've been thinking about this column for a week now. I've watched our country ravaged by anarchists, thieves, and even some citizens who have for seven days mourned the death of George Floyd at the hands of a police officer. We all grieve for Mr. Floyd. His death was an outrageous, unforgivable, homicidal incident, demanding swift justice.

I also feel grief for my country, for the outrage inflicted upon her by its enemies and the enemies of democracy. The loyalty I have nourished for my country is stronger in old age than it was in my youth. I love America for the truth, beauty, and freedom it exemplifies and for the generosity it has bestowed on the rest of the world. The reprehensible evil that a single citizen might due within the 330 million members of good will in our population, should be dealt with reasonably. I'm not talking empty philosophy here, just common sense, which thousands of torch-bearing rioters have forgotten.

There is a deadly mix of intentions driving these rioters. First, there are the well-intentioned citizens expressing emotional sense of loss at the death of an innocent man. Understandable and laudable, within rational limits. Then we have thousands expressing an indiscriminate hatred for cops. Add to this, fanatical, leftist-communist groups like Antifa, other left and right leaning racially activated activists, and we have a mindless marauding hoard adding great injury to business owners seeking to recover from the coronavirus shutdown.

Within this mix, hiding in plain sight with the non-violent protestors, are the true criminal activists, arsonists. A young police officer in Las Vegas was killed today as he was arresting a looter. A rioter walked up and shot him in the head. His wife and family will now also grieve.

In short, America is under siege; we are enduring a carefully structured insurrection, particularly targeting police and other government agencies. Our drawn-out suffering is due to a phenomenal lack of state and local LEADERSHIP.

I've lost sympathy for the City of New York. It voted into office that feckless gelding Mayor de Blasio who has ruined the cohesion of the largest (36,000-strong) police department in the nation. True to his radical Democrat blithering incompetence, his city continues to burn. Governor Cuomo and most other failed Democrat governors and mayors have contributed their incompetence to extending the fray.

Everybody wants to get into the act. That slick-talking dandy, Obama, called on the police and the public to create a “new normal”. Even onetime GOP presidential candidate and longtime Trump supporter, Pat Robertson, has thrown a few stones. I'm shocked at seeing Defense Secretary Esper involving himself in the ridiculous church issue. Trump is being targeted as never before, and that's saying something.

Well, America does have strong, competent leadership in President Donald Trump. He is trying to cure the state failures and stop the insurrection.

I have to finish this thing with a note of hope from Florida.

Sheriff Grady Judd, POLK COUNTY, Fla. (WFLA) “The death of George in Minneapolis at the hands of that police officer was outrageous,” Sheriff Grady Judd said. “Had that police officer done here what he did there, he would have been locked up in the county jail by sundown. But Minneapolis is not Polk County,” Judd continued. “And I want to say unequivocally that the community here is unbelievable … But please understand, that if you come here to riot, to loot, to injure people, we’re going to lock you up in the county jail.” Judd emphasized his appreciation for peaceful protests but condemned those who were there over the weekend looting and rioting.

Judd ended his address by speaking on a possible threat they’ve seen referenced on social media that suggests riot activity may start trickling into residential neighborhoods.

“I would tell them, if you value your life, you probably shouldn’t do that in Polk County,” Judd said. “Because the people of Polk County like guns, they have guns, I encourage them to own guns, and they’re going to be inside their homes tonight with their guns loaded. And if you try to break into their homes tonight and try to steal, to set fires, I’m highly recommending they blow you back out of the house with their guns.”

I should move to Florida!