Ten Shots

Hey Everyone,

I've always had a hard time with protesting. It's inconvenient, pedestrian, and I most of all, I don't like carrying things.

The carrying things is the biggest factor. I've spent years optimizing my keys and wallet for a feather-light daily cargo experience, with equal weight on both hips. I'd rather not own something if it requires me to hold it in my hands. I will wear a jacket or freeze, but I won't carry it with me. Even as a student, I never answered a single question in school because I didn't want to raise my hand. I can't imagine having to hold up a sign.

What's worse is that protesting is a moment where things are designed to escalate. Once you've decided that some stronger power is oppressive, very seldom do opponents stand across from each other with clenched fists, pepper spray, and homemade signs, and expect it to end with a cup of coffee and a reasonable conversation.

According to verified reports, Alex Pretti, who was killed last weekend, was caught on video 11 days earlier, on video, carrying a holstered weapon, spitting on agents, and kicking the taillights off of a vehicle. Usually, when someone is arrested, sprayed with pepper spray, injured, or even killed, leading up to that, they were sure to get someone's attention. The people in the back didn't get anyone's attention. The people in the front ended up getting hurt.

But alas, I am glad that protesting is a part of our culture, even if I can't be bothered to do it myself. Because the only way to hold power to account is to remind them that power is not something that can be held quite that easily.

I looked up the number of deportations over the last 20 years. According to my findings, every President has deported millions of people, but President Obama deported the most, unless you count "Title 42 Expulsions," in which case Biden may have deported the most, although it's unclear if it was actually just the two guys from Weekend At Bernies moving his hands to do it for him. Trump's first year back in office has fallen short if you stick to actual records. Obama out-deported him, and for the most part, you didn't know anything about it. It makes you wonder if Trump's strategy of grandstanding is not actually effective at getting the job done.

Generally speaking, protests are like a newborn's cry. It is a reaction from someone who feels powerless, who lacks the words. Instead of punishing the baby for her cries, it would be better to be sensitive to her needs. It would be better to ask: What conditions have led people to want to attend a protest in zero-degree weather? And focus on solving those problems.

I've said it before, there is no training on how to act when you and your government are at odds. The people of the Department of Homeland Security and Immigration and Customs Enforcement go to work every day. It's their job to make the United States a safer place where the law is followed.

If your strategy requires you to make everyone else less safe, it is not a good one. There is such a thing as training for neighborhood policing and public safety. Hopefully, our immigration enforcement apparatus will get some soon.

That's it for this week.

Remember: The Lorem Ipsum does not want to be an illegal immigrant crossing into the borders of your friend's inbox. Let them know what they are missing by sharing.

Have a great weekend!