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By DR. GLENN MOLLETTE, Syndicated Columnist
To The Desert Independent

April 7, 2021

The most recent attack at the United States Capitol will most likely ensure a permanent fence and additional security. The attack which resulted in the loss of life for a long serving Capitol police officer and the attacker is another senseless violent act.

Recently we have heard about a brutal attack on a Filipino woman in New York City. A 75-year-old Asian woman was brutally attacked in San Francisco and ten people were killed by a lone gunman at a grocery store in Boulder Colorado. A business park shooting in Orange, California left four people dead including a nine-year-old boy who died in the arms of his mother who was trying to protect him. A lone gunman walked into various spas in Atlanta recently and took the lives of eight people. None of these violent attacks made sense.

According to the FBI there is a violent crime every 24.6 seconds in the United States. One murder occurs every 30.5 minutes. One rape every 3.9 minutes. One robbery every 1.7 minutes. One aggravated assault every 30 seconds. One burglary every 22.6 seconds and one motor vehicle theft every 40.9 seconds. You can read more at FBI.gov.

Chicago statistics show shootings and murders were up 50% in 2020 with 875 people who died from gun violence. Seventy-eight percent of the victims were black according to ABC Eye Witness News of Chicago.

Capitol Hill was tragically and fatally surprised last Friday. They were surprised on January 6th as Capitol police never imagined they would face such a menacing mob. The woman walking down the street or someone in a grocery store seldom suspects a lunatic is on the prowl. We let our guards down. We want to believe we are safe but we aren’t.

Because of so much violence in our society people are unnerved by a stranger knocking on the door. Someone walking too close to us in the store or riding our rear bumper on the highway causes concern. Unfortunately, violence typically happens when we are least suspecting.

While our leaders will be strengthening the fence around the nation’s Capitol, I hope they will strengthen our security on the southern border. About 5,000 people a day are entering our nation. Many are paying Mexican gangsters up to $8,000 each for help in reaching our border. Are they going to come here and be law abiding people? MORE

Home Country
Fiction by SLIM RANDLES
To The Desert Independent

April 7, 2021

“Fling into Spring!” said our high school art teacher, Janice Thomas to herself as she headed out to pick up some groceries. “That’s what I’ll call it. Fling into Spring!”

She ear rumpled Woof, her deer pointer (he being half pointer and half cowdog and the herd instinct didn’t work well on deer, so he points them now. His tail didn’t work for a week.)

She took off down to the Soup ‘R’ Market and waved to Annette, who masked up and brought her groceries out to Janice’s car. Yes, even here.

“What do you think of Fling into Spring, Annette?”

“Love it, Janice,” she said. “That’s why I picked it.”

Janice tried to look puzzled through her mask. “You picked it?”

“You know … for the high school picnic theme this year. I’m helping with the planning. But you must’ve heard about it.”

“No … I thought it would be a good name for my spring art show …”

Both women stared at each other’s masks, six feet away.

“In that case,” Janice said, “I could change it, I guess. If the locals made jewelry we could call it Spring Bling, but that just doesn’t work too well for paintings, does it?”

Annette nodded. “I know. How about ‘A Sprint to Tint.’?”

Janice started the car. “I guess it deserves a bit more thought.”

“I know!” said Annette. “Brush Strokes for Folks!”

Janice nodded, sadly. Sure will be glad when they get a handle on this pandemic.

Brought to you by the 24,000 helpful folks at Hobby Lobby. Buy little tubes of paint online at hobbylobby.com. MORE