Rittenhouse is not a hero … neither was George Floyd
Based on the facts, I predicted that Rittenhouse would be acquitted because he should have been acquitted – and he was. A great example of American rule-of-law justice. Only ignorance of the law and the facts in the case – or unbridled strident partisanship – would argue against this verdict.
Now, we have folks elevating Rittenhouse to hero status. No. That is just wrong. He was a kid who got himself into a situation that required him to defend himself. That’s it. He did what he thought was necessary to defend himself – and I think he was justified. But a hero?
Certainly, he has become famous – and that automatically takes him out of public anonymity. What he has to say may be of news interest. It can get Rittenhouse interviews and speaking engagements. But that is fame – not heroism.
He did not even change the legal system. The right of self-defense as defined under the law was in place before the Rittenhouse case – and continues forward un amended.
Rittenhouse seems like he was a nice normal kid – maybe with a bit more zeal to be a law-and-order activist than the average kid. I say that despite the slander that he is a white supremacist and was hell-bent on killing folks. Even President Biden contributed to that slander.
But still, Rittenhouse is not a hero. If someone were to jump you on a dark street and you shot the assailant, you are not a hero. Just a person who responded to a threat. You are lucky to have had the means to protect yourself.
Amazingly, some have actually called the thugs who attacked Rittenhouse heroes. No. They are not. I characterize them as thugs based on their criminal histories – all convicted felons. The charges include battery, assault, domestic violence and even the rape of young children under 12. They were active rioters. But they did not get shot because of their past criminal record. The criminal was properly omitted from the case.
This case brings out the entire issue of who America views as heroes. Another example of unearned hero status is George Floyd. In examining the case for past commentaries, I concluded that Floyd was murdered by Officer Derek Chauvin. And again, justice prevailed based on the FACTS and EVIDENCE. It did not matter that Floyd had a serious criminal record. But that was not part of the case – as it should not be.
Floyd was a victim … period. Those who elevate him to hero status demean any standard of true heroism. There was nothing about his life that could engender pride much less hero status.
While the left elevates victims to hero status as political capital, they attack the traditional heroes of America – the Founders, President Lincoln and even those who defend America with their lives in foreign wars or on the streets of our cities. That is because we have lost all meaning to the designation of “hero.” We prop them up or tear them down based on narrow a partisan or philosophic alignment.
A street criminal who gets murdered by a police officer becomes a hero and men who crafted the greatest democratic republic in the history of the world are degraded as villains.
By any rational measure, heroes should be judged by the good that that have done for society – of individual people. A fireman who carries a baby out of a burning building at risk to his life is a hero. Getting shot is not, in and of itself, a canonization ritual for heroic designation.
My test of heroism is whether the person made positive contributions to the greater society at risk to their own well-being. Our Founders qualify for having risked their fortunes and lives to create an exceptional America and igniting a worldwide shift to democracy. Lincoln has been my own lifelong personal hero for how he used the words of Thomas Jefferson in the Declaration of Independence to give meaning to the phrase that “all men are created equal.”
Martin Luther King is another of my personal heroes for having led a peaceful national crusade to end the deadly oppression of black citizens imposed by the Democratic Party in the south and in major northern cities – political partisans who had thwarted the Constitution, the Emancipation Proclamation, the 13th, 14th and 15th Amendments to the Constitution and a myriad of laws and court cases for 100 years after the Civil War.
The lack or downgrading of commonly accepted national heroes is just another symptom of the shattering — the tribalization — of the nation. It aligns with the disrespect of the flag and the National Anthem. These are all signs that the common culture … e pluribus unum, out of many, one … is no longer operative in today’s culture. Without that, we are not a nation – and there are no national heroes.
It is no longer a matter of resolving problems and differences within the overarching common culture, but more of a matter of different fundamental values between rival cultures – the hero of one tribe being the villain of another. The lack of common heroes is emblematic of that unfortunate reality.
Rittenhouse is called a hero by those on the right – a vigilante killer by those on the left. He is neither.
So, there ‘tis.
Well written and full of truth with the facts to back it up!
I think your wrong on your conclusion. Rittenhouse was attacked and used his right to defend himself. He used his second amendment right and proved it still has it’s place and real instead of caving in the socialist idiots (Democrats) who want to destroy our right to protect our selves. The jury proved to the Democrats and stupid left idiots that we can live and survive with our constitution and protect ourselves from their communist intentions
The left lost a battle and are going to lose the war
There’s many more people on the left calling Kyle a white supremacist than people on the right calling him a hero.
He’s a hero in the sense that he’s a white male and survived the woke left.
HE DID WHAT HE HAD TO AND WAS JUSTLY ACQUITTED PERIOD.
HE WOULD HAVE BEEN KILLED BY A MOB OF RIOTERS COMPROMISED OF MANY CRIMINALS WITH PRIOR ARREST RECORDS. BUT OF COURSE THE LEFTISTS NEVER MENTION THAT. (Indeed, that’s the American way!! SAD!!! )
The hood rats threaten and attack people and then bitch when someone stands up to them. Crybabies and cowards that’s been indoctrinated by the democrats that they are victims. I know plenty of blacks that doesn’t get into trouble or get shot by the police or other people. Why? Because they obey the laws and strive to be good people. And they succeed. During my years of working in other people’s homes I found that many of them have more than I do. Education, hard work and being a good citizen pays off. The ones that fail and have bad endings are usually in lock step with the Marxist on the left. The democrats have hurt black communities more than they have helped them. But race baiters in government positions and commie trolls on these sites do nothing but fan the flames. Some idiots have posted that they have insurance. So do I. But that’s not the point. Lives are endangered when towns are set on fire. But that’s ok with the thugs. Keep putting your ugly faces before the cameras and yell “Burn it down “!!!! But too many people are afraid of being marked or canceled, but I think that’s changing. Can I get an amen?
Eliot, he did NOT have to do what he did. He did NOT have to be there. The child was failed by the adults in his life.
If he were home he would have been in no danger.
If NLM idiots wasn’t present no shots would have been fired
YAKERS – move on.
“A fireman who carries a baby out of a burning building at risk to his life is a hero.” In my eyes, yes, he is, but in the eyes of today’s society, “he was just doing his job.” It seems that the only places we see heroes any longer are in the comic books, the history books, and the sandwich shops. Today, every hero in someone’s eyes is a villain in someone else’s.
Larry,
Kyle Rittenhouse need not to have been where he was at the time nor needing a sent- automatic rifle.
What did he think would happen carrying an obvious powerful weapon in place lawless behavior was all around. At 17 years of age he is a youth inexperienced at life and not yet having developed a moral code worthy of and equal to the responsibility in carrying a AK in public.
Their can be some confidence in the law working as written. Yet, the spirit of the law was not intended to provide justice in cases like this. Some one not yet old enough to vote chooses using poor judgement. Purchasing a rifle through a third party family friend, because of age restrictions under law. Assuming he would need one. His intention on going to Kenosha rifle locked and loaded was as one purchasing trip insurance prior to leaving on a trip. Such insurance as for a trip, one hopes circumstances will not come to require using it.
In this case, Kenosha as it was at the time, a young person going in alone, making preparation for self defense, and placing himself in harms way. From the start he had to know this had a high probability of not ending well.
Still, with all the poor judgement young Rittenhouse used, along with the same being used by the three other men. Of the four human beings starting out the night, only one came out alive. Two are dead and another injured and facing possible prosecution got that night. The one perpetrated misfortune on the other three ending in two deaths. But, he is alive and a free person, by law. However, is he really free? Even if he does change his name, he can not resume life and move on freely.
Our Judicial System may have exonerated him of all charges. He still is the sum of all he has done as a person. At age 17 and 18 one is in the great formative stage that predisposes how and where life proceeds positively or frustratingly unsuccessfully, or if intentionally determined peace and quiet away from temptations brought on by one’s notoriety foisted celebrity. This too is not sure to end well. Not for the rest of us in a society devoid of strong moral guide posts. Along with Mr. Riddenhouse, as he navigates the moral swamp personalities drawing him under and into their slime pits. It begins with FOX’s Tucker Conspiracy Carlson’s elitist privilege platinum spoon in mouth, former President Trump on who would be king if not for that pesky Constitution, those misusing a platform given purposely by a vote of the people for constructive activities related to the Republic.
Kyle’s new friends lure today, but where are they tomorrow and the day after. He is yesterday’s story and cast aside in a heap . No friends are they, being as flighty temporary as a free plane fare ticket on the plane speeding down the runway at that moment.
Kyle Rittenhouse is no more a hero than he is a Patriot. Both terms have completely lost a meaningful shine due to political high jacking and over use to the point common parlance.
Every Tom, Rick, or Harry has only to give generously to a political causes and they are awarded patriot status. Heroes today are given that honor when they stand up for just about any philosophy believed by for a moment. Even if it is anti-American , undemocratic, and/or logically unsupported. The educated critical thinkers have become outcasts and scum. The most honest and truthful are dishonored, interrupted, and disparaged.
Few if any persons in this hour of our nation’s division care about any matter not directly affecting their personal advantage, power in social standing, and in perfect alignment with their political opinions.
Larry, this world could be a much better place if people could at least manage even a bit of civility toward others. Begin at home with spouse and family. Then branch out in public spaces, driving the roads, as well as merely listening to others with out prejudgment.
Opinion/ Commentators are out there setting the tone for civil discourse on a wide range subjects. The First Amendment and other amendments not withstanding. That those who comment on events others report as objective facts have a choice. By law they can give the facts a decided slant, with or without appropriate context. Or, by decision do the better thing they may opine utilizing building on truths that set out positive beneficial insights.
The ills that plague our nation are as many the last census count of persons living in its boarders.
Exacerbating this calamity are all Commentators publishing a personal opinions uncorroborated by at least one other reputable school of thought.
How credible for you is another’s opinion as a one-off outlying position. So, slamming those attempting to create the best, because they presently occupy positions in power is counter productive.
We have more than enough people supposedly representing the people who’s lust for power elicited in them plans for revenge, conspiracy promulgation, and undermining our system’s integrity. Self serving representatives speak poorly for us all. The same is true for Americans in general and specifically the media personalities, the greatest and the lest of you’ll.
I think you’re an idiot if you attack someone because he’s holding a rifle or you try to take it away from him. No, Kyle is not a hero, just a kid who rightfully defended himself when attacked. I probably wouldn’t have gone to Kenosha, but would have reacted the same way to being attacked, and there would be 3 dead criminals.
John, conservative leaning media sites regularly celebrate “brave” men neutralizing thugs with guns. Regardless if it is accomplished by physical confrontation or drawing their own guns. It’s an all out jizz fest when a middle aged white guy heroically saves the day by taking a gun from a young armed thug.
So, while you may think they are idiots, most of your ilk fantasize regularly about doing just that.
Larry, you are right! Neither of them are hero’s, both are victims.
Kyle is a victim of the adults in his life failing him. There was NO reason that a armed child should have been driven by his mom to an area of civil unrest. Now he is being celebrated by the right, even on this web site.
George is a victim of an unjust police state. He is not being celebrated as a hero, but as a martyr that died unnecessarily at the hands of those sworn to serve and protect. His death has sparked a National conversation about the future we want and the place that the government sponsored police force has in it.
You are right, they aren’t hero’s, but the death of one may eventually have a positive impact on our society, the deaths caused by the other is just another in a long line of white people taking the law into their own hands.
As the prosecutor that secured life sentences for the three men that killed Ahmad Arbery said, “if you go looking for trouble, you’re going to find it. And it’s not going to end the way you fantasize. “
All your loyal readers that imagine, because they are keyboard warriors, that they can also be streets warriors better recognize. The best out come is Kyle’s, spend months in jail, and thousands on legal fees in hopes that you can be a free man once again. With the amount of cameras in today’s society, The more likely scenario is life in prison.
I’m going to tell your readers, the same thing that should have been told to the child and the vigilantes in Ga, it’s best to leave law enforcement to the professionals or you’re gunna be the newest members of the fuck around and find out club.
Larry, there’s a suspicious lack of coverage on this site concerning Ahmad Avery verdict and the Crumbly parent’s charges. I think we are all shocked that white people are getting prosecuted and actually found guilty.
A Republican politician recently lamented the loss of masculine males in America. The right, including your readers heard this as a call to arms. In some of the debates I’ve had on this site seem to equate being masculine with violence. Including gun violence. Amazingly enough, white folks are starting to realize that there are consequences for their actions… sometimes.
You go looking for trouble, you’re going to find it
What ever happened to the days when people were allowed to go out and “peacefully protest”?
When the left go out to “peacefully protest” the right leaves them alone to act like the maniacs they are.
However that is not what the left wants.
The left wants attention
So the “peaceful protests” initiated by the left turn into riots and buildings are torched and people are maimed and the alt-left media never reports on that.
But when the right goes out to “peacefully protest” the left has a shit fit. It puts the left into a crazed frenzy to see the right protest.
It’s like the left feels like the right has some freaking nerve to actually be upset about anything.
So instead of leaving the right alone, the left initiates a riot (because they they think they look cool, when they actually look like a bunch of a crazed animals that are on drugs and have rabies).
What happened to Jake Blake did not give anyone the right to torch Kenosha.
People would never have had to come out to defend their friends stores and homes, in the past, when politicians actually allowed police to lock up rioters and looters.
Let’s not forget that Antifa and BLM have been out torching, looting, maiming and KILLING people for over a year. No alt-left coverage.
But because of loser Democrat politicians running loser Democrat cities, Antifa and BLM and such are allowed to flourish, unpunished.
AOC does not even believe Rioting and Looting is happening. Walgreen had to call her out. WHAT AN AIRHEAD.
Rittenhouse was helping guard a car dealership. Something POLICE should have been doing.
But asshole Democrat politicians are DEFUNDING the Police and ORDERING them to Stand down.
Yet Democrat politicians steal taxpayer money for their own PRIVATE police protection, while giving businesses NOTHING.
Rittenhouse got cracked in the head with a wooden and metal skateboard. And had a rife pointed at his head.
Definitely self-defense.
And anyone who says they would have done differently is either a LIAR, or would have been crippled, or dead.
If the left is SERIOUS about stopping this crap, they need to stop paying their private MAFIA named Antifa and BLM.
And tell Antifa and BLM to DISBAND.
First, what is the “alt left media?” Same as MSM? “So the “peaceful protests” initiated by the left turn into riots and buildings are torched and people are maimed and the alt-left media never reports on that.” Cuz I saw all sorts of coverage, especially of destruction.
“Let’s not forget that Antifa and BLM have been out torching, looting, maiming and KILLING people for over a year. No alt-left coverage.
But because of loser Democrat politicians running loser Democrat cities, Antifa and BLM and such are allowed to flourish, unpunished.” Killing? How many? Protests hit Republican cities too. Unpunished? Over 250 arrested in Kenosha riots.
A total of 52 people arrested on 1/6. 427 arrested in DC BLM protests, 289 on one day alone.
Over 14,000 arrests during the protests of 2021 across the country in 49 cities according to WAPO —– wanna bet there was a Republican majority in some of those cities and states?
There is no ANTIFA to disband and very little BLM. They are really just people rising on occasion to voice an opinion —- mostly and predominately peaceful. You can attack individuals, members of a group, but it is very hard to kill an idea. See: Tea Party!
BUSTED. totally.