Growing up in the midst of international tensions and the constant threat of nuclear annihilation was no fun – for either side. Here we are today, with that in the past – or not-so-much. Let’s leave that, and pretty much everything else, aside for a moment and let me ask the question that I’m struggling to answer:
Why can’t these specialist enforcerment officers go about their business without balaclava masks?
I can see that there are people who back what Trump is doing. I can sort of follow some of their logic, although not all the way to their conclusion. But, even if I could, what I cannot see is when it became the norm for those enfocing our laws and keeping the peace on the streets of America to 1. grab people off the street while 2. wearing balaclava to cover their faces.
Necessity?
Police officers have traditionally gone about their business with their faces visible to the public. They wear badges with their ID number on them. They’re forced to provide proof of their identity if asked. And this has worked since the start of the first police departments – founded in part by a REPUBLICAN who was an actual Republican (aka Theodore Roosevelt). If the police can come in and get the job done without so much as a surgical mask, why do these other people, with arguably bigger weapons and more resources, require full-on balaclavas?
Intimidation?
So, when ICE corners someone walking down the street – forget anything else about the encouter – do those in authority need balaclavas? For what? To protect their identity? From whom? Or to intimidate that person even more? Or to suggest they are a special group that has it’s own rules?
A New American Ideal?
I have seen men masked with balaclava with weapons. I have seen them during government overthrows and other forms of insurrection. In OTHER countries. Since when has this become an American thing?
It’s Come Undone …
I’m not going to argue the point of immigration policy or even the use of troops in cities. What I am going to ASK is: Why can’t these enforcerment officers go about their business without balaclavas? How is law enforcement with covered faces any part of American values?
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