Let me say this about all the protests that are going on around the country. Agree or disagree with me that is your choice.

The First Amendment guarantees “the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the government for a redress of grievances.”  The key word in that statement is “peaceably.”

If you want to peacefully and lawfully assemble to air your grievances have at it.  I am all for it. But the minute you throw a rock, bottle, brick - you are not a protester, you are a rioter. The minute you assault a police officer or firefighter, attack innocent civilians, block highways, burn or loot a building – you are not a protester, you are rioter. Assault and destruction of property are crimes and you deserve to be punished.

As a retired law enforcement officer, I have been up close and personal with some of these “peaceful” protesters. More than a few of these fine upstanding citizens came to these peaceful protests carrying crowbars, swinging baseball bats and 2x4’s with 16 penny nails, throwing baseballs with nails in them. Spent more than a few days and nights dodging or getting hit with these wonderful things.

99% of cops are good people and just want to do a good job and go home to their families. Don’t judge all police officers by one bad cop.

As I said, if you want to protest peacefully, I am all for it. Just don't cross the line.