Christmas Eve, Mall of America, Bloomington, Minnesota. Two groups of young men argue in Nordstrom’s, shots are fired, 19–year-old lies dead, suspects being sought. The site of 500 retail stores and 19 full-service restaurants is closed for the evening.
“We had 16 cops in the mall, and they still decide to do this. I’m at a loss.”
(Police Chief Booker Hodges)
Chief Hodges continues:
“This is absolutely ridiculous. I mean, I can’t even think of another word. This is just flat-out stupid… I mean, this is before Christmas, and now [the victim’s family is] having to bury one of their loved ones… If someone’s going to have blatant disrespect for humanity, I don’t know what we can do to stop some of these people… Make no mistake, you are going to get arrested, and we are going to lock you up. It’s just a matter of when that’s going to happen.”
(Eduardo Medina, “Gunfire at Mall of America Leaves One Dead and Shoppers Fleeing,” New York Times, 12-24-22)
Chief Hodges and his 16 cops aren’t alone in feeling stymied. Hundreds of Texas law officers were unable to stop a lone teenager from killing 21 people in Uvalde. Let Christmas 2022 bring joy, justice, solace and less “stupid” death for all.
I live in Texas and devote much of my time to easel painting on an amateur basis. I stream a lot of music, mostly jazz, throughout the day. I like to read and memorize poetry.
EthicalDative 
A Flat-Out Wish for the Season
Christmas Eve, Mall of America, Bloomington, Minnesota. Two groups of young men argue in Nordstrom’s, shots are fired, 19–year-old lies dead, suspects being sought. The site of 500 retail stores and 19 full-service restaurants is closed for the evening.
Chief Hodges continues:
“This is absolutely ridiculous. I mean, I can’t even think of another word. This is just flat-out stupid… I mean, this is before Christmas, and now [the victim’s family is] having to bury one of their loved ones… If someone’s going to have blatant disrespect for humanity, I don’t know what we can do to stop some of these people… Make no mistake, you are going to get arrested, and we are going to lock you up. It’s just a matter of when that’s going to happen.”
(Eduardo Medina, “Gunfire at Mall of America Leaves One Dead and Shoppers Fleeing,” New York Times, 12-24-22)
Chief Hodges and his 16 cops aren’t alone in feeling stymied. Hundreds of Texas law officers were unable to stop a lone teenager from killing 21 people in Uvalde. Let Christmas 2022 bring joy, justice, solace and less “stupid” death for all.
(c) 2022 JMN — EthicalDative. All rights reserved
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About JMN
I live in Texas and devote much of my time to easel painting on an amateur basis. I stream a lot of music, mostly jazz, throughout the day. I like to read and memorize poetry.