Dear Editor,

No one needs to read the paper to see what’s going on in Ohio’s major cities. It’s going on in every metropolis across America. Cincinnati is just one of many that has been struggling with murder and violence and chaos.

City leaders are baffled both financially and legally on where to turn. We have our own issues here in Belmont County, but on a smaller scale, thank God! It is a combination of drugs, alcohol and criminal behavior. Cincinnati, like Cleveland, is a powder keg just waiting to explode and our capital of Columbus is quickly catching up in incidents. What do they do and what do we do to curb the violence and murder? We can’t just turn our backs and act like it’s not happening! Our men in blue have all but given up, with all the accusations of unnecessary violence against the criminal, like criminals are supposed to be treated gently and with respect. It makes no sense. If a human being wants to be treated with respect and kindness, then that individual needs to be responsible for his or her actions. To violate the law of the land is ludicrous enough, but to expect law enforcement to treat you with kid gloves, you are not entitled to receive such treatment. My Dad kicked my rear when I needed it, and he didn’t kick it enough in my book.

Our actions are our responsibility and no one else’s. What we do in every day life is a direct reflection on us — the good, upstanding and moral citizen. Even a mother bear wacks her cub when need be. To think we can do or say whatever we want, anytime we want, is not freedom; it’s nothing more than anarchy!

We are privileged to be good citizens of the United States of America and if you want to protest, you protest in a way that resembles your character. If you are out of character and think you can do whatever you please to make a scene, then you must be ready to suffer any consequences for your actions. As grandmother said, “Treat others how you want to be treated.” And as Thumper said in the movie Bambi, “If you cannot say anything nice, then don’t say anything at all.” Animals belong behind bars, the zoos are full of them. If you want to act like an animal, then expect to be locked up! For every bad cop out there, there are a hundred good guys who just want to live in peace, to go home to their wives and children, trying their best to enforce our laws!

God bless every police officer, soldier and parent out there that just wants to enjoy their freedom, because freedom is not free!

Peace brother,

Rich Lucas

Flushing