‘A human being was killed by ICE, now to weather and sports’

Renee Good, 37, killed in Minneapolis on Jan. 7 by an ICE officer.

Just so we’re clear and there is no room for alternative interpretation, democracy in America has fallen.

Period, full stop. 

The question now is, can we ever get it back? I wish I could answer in the affirmative, but honestly, I don’t know. I’m on the fence. A strong wind either way can determine the course. 

If you’re new to my commentaries, this will be the first time reading this, but for my consistent readers, you know where I’m going. I have a saying that I’ve used for years … “I’m not psychic, I just knew.” And this time “I” is in the plural form. 

From the time President Donald Trump and his administration announced they would be sending ICE agents to Minnesota, the collective “I” said (maybe not publicly, but in protected circles) it wasn’t a case of if, but of when. The when in this case is when would there be the first – I’m specific in saying the first as I don’t proclaim it will be the only – killing of a person by ICE in Minnesota. We knew it would happen because we knew they wanted it to happen. Period, full stop. 

Yes, I’m saying without equivocation, the Trump administration wants all of this. I’m finally saying on a public platform what many are saying in hushed tones. 

As journalists, we rely on known sources whose identities we protect. We know who they are, but shield them from the public. Sometimes it’s for the source’s protection. Sometimes it’s because we want to stay in the good graces of said source. Either way, those sources will say the quiet part to us, what they won’t dare say publicly. Anonymously, they will tell us how unhinged, inept, corrupt this administration is. Publically, it’s no comments and doubletalk. I call it the dichotomy of too many politicians, not enough leaders. Politicians have a lifetime of job security, leaders are often burned at the stake and only a select few are willing to face the fire. 

Also as journalists, we have abdicated our duty to curry favor. The First Amendment “security” of freedom of the press has been replaced with control of the press, and most are willing to go along to get along. There are 27 amendments to the U.S. Constitution, but if we allow the very first one to fall, well, what good are the other 26? And sadly, the first one isn’t falling, the institution of the press is willfully laying down. 

On the day when a Minnesota woman – Renee Good, 37 years old, a mother of a 4-year-old, a woman who by all accounts was an advocate of peace and freedom – was shot in the face at point-blank range by a federal ICE agent, the television evening “news” delicately reported on the incident – quick to offer an obvious lie from Homeland Security on how the vicious killing took place – before transitioning to weather and sports. 

Well allow me to offer my weather and sports report. 

The weather – ICE with a strong chance of harassment, false arrest and death. Sports, American authoritarianism is in the lead in the standings with democracy falling behind and the people in last place.  

Looks like it’s going to be a long winter and in sports, plan for a losing season of epic proportions. Hopefully the weather will change and the groundhog will see its shadow. In sports, hopefully we can fire our coach and replace the players on the team. 

I’m like most Minnesotans in our belief that eventually spring will arise and our favored team will somehow emerge victorious. Sadly, also like most Minnesotans, I know not to get my hopes too high. Like Prince said, “sometimes it snows in April” and like former Minnesota Vikings coach Dennis Green infamously said, “they are who we thought they are … and we let ‘em off the hook!” 

Back to you in the studio, Jim.