My response to the attack on the Minden, NV BLM Counter-Protesters "I am going to offer a different perspective than Mr. Colborne's. I will preface my comment with this: I am NOT in any way condoning racism in any form. I do not believe that the color of one's skin should EVER affect how they are treated, perceived nor any other divisive tactic used against a person for something they have NO control over. It is wrong no matter what reason one may use to try to justify it, period. I got somewhat heated when I read this piece. It is my right as well as my duty as an American to speak up when I feel strongly about something as important as this situation has become. My father was a WWII Veteran. Two of my brothers are Vietnam Veterans and I have ancestors who have fought for and died to protect the Rights of ALL Americans on every branch of my family Tree going back to the Revolutionary War. This Republic, while not perfect, has been the most inclusive, most successful and most diverse Nation on the Planet. The evolution of a Nation whose history has many things that we wish we could forget, or in retrospect done differently. We should always remember the past, as to not repeat the mistakes of those who came before us. I relocated to Douglas County many years ago from a place I no longer felt safe to live. The reason I chose Douglas County? It is yes, beautiful, but the main reason is that it is safe. Despite what anyone says or writes, the fact is the Sheriff's Dept. in Douglas County are truly an outstanding group of men and women who have changed my opinion about law enforcement. I have experienced (for the first time in my over 50 years) what community-oriented policing means. Unlike where I came from, the Deputies in Douglas County are friendly, helpful and caring to all people in their community. They are respectful, and most importantly, they take pride in their service to those they serve. They put their lives on the line everyday to keep us safe and they do so without prejudice. I was offended by the way Mr. Colborne made the Sheriff and the residents of Douglas County out to be racists. This is simply not true from my experience nor from what I have personally witnessed over the past twelve years here. I have sat and watched the evening news, as many of you have I am sure. Watched as once beautiful cities, communities and towns across this great Nation are being decimated, burned, looted, terrorized by so-called "Peaceful" protests. George Floyd's murder (yes, I said murder) was horrible, it was evil and wrong and should NEVER happen to any American no matter their skin color. Those who protested what happened to him and (the deaths of several others)in the days that followed were perfectly justified and most were peaceful and lawful. However, the peaceful protests were soon used as a cover by Anarchists and Political ideologues to cause mayhem, violence and destruction which clearly was not about George Floyd. Black Lives Matter (the group) has made it very clear that they are "Trained Marxists" who want to tear apart the very foundations of this Republic. "Burn it to the ground". They say. "Kill all Cops", "A.C.A.B.", "Abolish ICE", "Defund the Police"...Are just a few of the "peaceful" statements made by BLM "protestors" recently. Don Lemon of CNN, during an interview recently, on his show disagreed with his guest when the guest pointed out that ALL Black Lives Matter, not just those tiny percentage whom have sadly been killed by the police.Lemon made it clear that the BLM movement is not concerned with anything but the black lives that have been taken by police. The fact that they choose whose black lives matter and whose do not should beg one to question what, then is really behind all of the violence? Why is Law Enforcement being targeted, being injured, being blinded being killed by "peaceful" protestors who are angry about the handful of bad cops whose horrible actions resulted in lives lost? We can not lie to one another about what is happening in this Country right now. The Media paints a picture that is completely false and tries to tell us that our own eyes are deceiving us. When Protestors stand in the middle of the street, blocking traffic intentionally and refusing to move out of the way despite being asked to move to the sidewalk, what did they think would happen? It's disgusting to have them painted as victims because the video evidence proves that they chose to ignore traffic laws meant to protect ALL citizens and stood there anyway denying the right of a fellow American to travel freely and safely. With regard to the "slavery" remark made by one of our state senators, it is shameful that he chose to use "slavery" as the reference for what, in reality is a valid and good point. His point was simply this; He is a representative of the people who elected him to represent them. He is not in the Senate to decide what HE thinks should be made into law. He votes as his constituents wish him to vote, not as HE thinks would be better for them. This is the problem with our current state government. When we are not allowed to participate fully (as is our right) in what is being legislated for our communities...When our only way to express our opinion is to comment on the NV Leg. Website's public comment page,(and we DO make our comments there regarding bills set to be voted on) and for instance, on AB4 where almost 6000 Nevadans vehemently stated their OPPOSITION to AB4 and only 80 Nevadans were in favor, yet the Democrat majority and Democrat Governor ignored the OVERWHELMING OPPOSITION clearly expressed publicly in the only way we have been allowed to voice our opinions and passed the bill anyway. That is NOT what our representatives are there to do. Their opinions, their politics, their thoughts, their biases, etc. have no bearing on such matters. They were elected to represent us not their own self-serving interests. This is what the Senator whom has been re-elected several times since his unfortunate statement was made meant and this is WHY he still holds his elected office. Sheriff Coverley has (like the rest of us) watches as his fellow law enforcement officers are being vilifies, violently attacked, abused, blinded and killed for doing their job. In his defense, I will say this; I understand why he wrote the letter that he wrote.He and his deputies are not racist, do not abuse their communities and respect the rights of their citizens. We do not have the problems that big cities have, so he rightfully felt disrespected by a letter written by one of the citizens in the County whom he has protected and served faithfully who stood in defense of a group who openly advocates the murder of law enforcement. With regard to the BLM protest...They have every right to protest peacefully. However, in light of what we all have witnessed recently and in light of the fact that many of the BLM protestors who were at the Minden event are not local residents, but bussed in from other states, the citizens of Douglas County made sure that our Law Enforcement and OUR community would not be another Portland, Minneapolis, New York City or Seattle. If they felt threatened by our citizens who were there to keep the peace and to back up our Law Enforcement, can you imagine how terrified the citizens in the communities where BLM/ANTIFA rioters under the guise of "Peaceful Protestors" felt when their law enforcement were told to stand down as homes and businesses were burned to the ground? Our community stood united. We said to those who may have thought about harming our community or are citizens that we will NOT hide in our homes nor will we be terrorized by those who want to destroy our American way of life. The bullhorns, whistles, and voices of counter protestors who drowned out the BLM'ers as they ranted about how much they hate America and its citizens and screamed about injustice and inequality and "Defund the police" felt like THEIR rights were being violated by counter protestors who drowned out their voices. They begged for the police to step in and stop the citizens from their right to free speech. I found it rather ironic, but in this upside down world we live in today, the irony seems to be lost on those who can not see their own hypocrisy and who demand that WE obey their narrow minded ideology or be violently attacked. Until we stop and take a moment to really accept that we are ALL Americans, no matter what color, religion, etc. Until we stop allowing those who wish to destroy our Republic to pit us against one another and divide us by whatever means possible,we will not heal this Nation. We are better than this. We are ALL God's creations, none better than another. We have to stop this narrative before we destroy ourselves and this Great Nation. We need to see through the BS and understand that we are ALL Americans. We can't change the past, we can't allow hatred to divide us. We must stand together and show our UNITY and our love for one another. THAT is what I witnessed at the protest in Minden. A community that came together and stood united against hatred, bigotry and violence. OUR community. I was welcomed years ago,I have welcomed others into our community, never made anyone who moved into our community feel unwelcome or unwanted. This was not a protest intended to unite. God Bless America and God Bless ALL Americans!"