This Isn't Going to End Well

 

    Alex Jeffrey Pretti, 37, was a U.S. citizen and a lawful gun owner with a permit to carry.

    I have zero doubt he was a good man with a good heart.  And a defective brain.

    In any event, Alex Jeffrey Pretti is dead.

    Yes, the first amendment of the United States most definitely guarantees the right to (among other things), “...peaceably protest...”. 

Note the word "peaceably," but we're not getting into that here.

    So, Alex Pretti had an absolute right to join the rest of the batshit crazy loons* to protest law enforcement going after violent criminals in this country illegally.  Note the word “illegally.”  

    We’re also not getting into that here.  All I’ll say about that is some useful idiots don’t know the difference between “illegal” and “legal” (we call those “stupid” people).  There are also those who refuse to acknowledge the difference (huh, they’re also stupid).

    Or pandering clowns with an agenda.  I'm talking to you, Governor.

"Tampon?"

     Mr. Pretti was shot and killed by ICE officers enforcing federal law.  It very well could have been a tragic accident.  Or it wasn’t a tragic accident.  Like Renee Good’s killing (not murder), it was tragic, that’s for sure, though.  

"DRIVE, BABY, DRIVE!"
"JFC, haven't you done enough???"

    However, Pretti would still be alive if:

    1.  He did not bring a loaded gun to a protest that had the potential to be violent (even though he had that right).

    2.  He did not get into a scuffle with law enforcement (idiot mistake #1).

    BTW, said scuffle was exacerbated by the refusal of Mayor Frey’s police department to protect federal agents doing their job.

    3. When he did get into a scuffle, he continued to resist (idiot mistake #2).

This almost never ends well

     Okay, let’s suppose ICE is at fault.  Seriously doubt it, but let’s suppose.

    If Pretti went limp and was taken into custody, does anyone with a functioning brain cell seriously think he would have seen jail time?

    No, the Minnesota justice system would have let him walk and, more than likely, paid him damages.

"And made a donation, in his name, to a Minneapolis Learing Center."

    What’s more, does anyone with a functioning brain cell honestly think that, if charged with a federal crime, anything would have happened to him?  Not with Republicans and the Bondi Justice Department in charge.

"That's where you're wrong. 
I would have read a sternly worded letter of outrage on 'Hannity.'"

    But, I’ll guarantee one thing:

    Alex Jeffrey Pretti would be alive today.

    I hate to say this, but the more people are allowed to act the fool (I blame both sides of the aisle), the deadlier things will get.

    This isn't going to end well.

*Let’s talk briefly about having the “right” to do something.  Yep.  Unquestionably.  But, it reminds me of accompanying someone who just wanted to step into the crosswalk of a very busy street.  When I reminded him to watch for traffic, he told me, “The sign says traffic must yield to pedestrians.’ I then tell him, “Yes, it does.  Congratulations.  When you get struck and killed by someone [people often pass schoolbuses with their lights on, too], you can tell Saint Peter you were right and had the ‘right of way.’”

Alex Jeffrey Pretti was right to bring a gun to a protest with the potential for violence. 

Alex Jeffrey Pretti stepped into a crosswalk without looking.