The thin blue line

My husband was driving home from work the other day when a group of protesters showed up.

There were about a dozen protesters and they were protesting the police.  The way they were showing their dissatisfaction with the men and women who put their own lives on the line to protect them was by blocking rush hour traffic.

You know, stopping hard-working and innocent people from getting home after a long day of work, that really gets people on your side.

The irate drivers started honking their horns and tried to get around the protesters.

At that time of day, traffic is so busy that there is a police officer who directs traffic.  The officer made a call on is radio.

My husband said that within about two minutes several police cars came speeding in, lights flashing, sirens blaring, screeched to a halt at the site of the "protest" and officers immediately contained the protesters, allowing them to continue, PROTECTING THEM, and clearing the way for rush hour traffic.

The police officers were undoubtedly the good guys here.  They protected the 1st amendment right of the people to protest, but also protected the rights of innocent people, who aren't in the business of being paid to protest, to go about their daily lives.

And, all that was BEFORE the Saturday verdict that Cleveland police officer Michael Brelo was innocent of all charges in the 2012 deaths of Malissa Williams and Timothy Russell.

Now, the city braces for another round of riots, similar to those in Ferguson and Baltimore.  Because, you know, if you don't like something, it is important to go out and destroy things.

That is totally ok.

Except, I am thinking that maybe it isn't ok in Cleveland.

Our mayor has had a very different message than Baltimore's mayor.  Cleveland Mayor, Frank Jackson's message has been, if you break stuff in Cleveland, we give you a free hotel room - the city jail.

That is not exactly the message sent by Baltimore's mayor, is it?  She pretty much said, go break stuff, it doesn't matter.  And, break they did.

Even LeBron James, the patron saint of Cleveland, sent out a message of peace.  Ok, his message sounded eerily similar to "buy tickets to see me play basketball."

But, still.

It was a message of hope and peace because, believe me this city can pull together for a Cleveland team to win a championship.

With the help of a lucid mayor, a basketball phenom and an active police department, maybe things here will be ok.

I certainly hope so.  Pray for Cleveland.