Shooting dead a cyclist

There has been another shooting by a police officer on the heels of the George Floyd killing, by another police officer. The protests against the shooting of George Floyd have not completely died down and yet another Black American has been victimized. How distressing! On August 23, 2020, in Kenosha, Wisconsin, 29 years old Jacob S. Blake was shot several times in the back by a police officer, while Blake was trying to get in his car, after a tussle during which he was also tasered (shot with an electroshock weapon). Even though Blake had some other criminal records against him, the police should not have taken such a devastating measure like shooting, as the police officers were close by to the victim. This ‘Have gun will shoot’ rational of USA’s police officers must change.

Oh no! Just heard the news from TV Aljazeera that another black American was shot dead by USA police! This time it was 29 years old Dijon Kizzee, who was cycling in the Westmont neighborhood of Los Angeles County. It is said that two police officers shot him several times when he punched one of the officers attempting to question him on some unlawful bicycle code. He is also said to have possessed a handgun in the bundle of clothing that he carried.

Even then, as I had said before, shooting a disadvantaged man is not the answer. It is not the way to maintain law and order. This incident almost looks like the police officers are taking revenge for the continuing protests against the police. Hope this is not payback time!

You may wonder why I am always commenting on incidents in USA. It could be that, unknowing to me, I have got a soft spot and feel associated with America, though, quite remote that association could be, having grown up on cowboy and western novels since young, my favorite author being Louis L Amour, my favorite western movies being  Django, Trinity and the Clint Eastwood films. I was also a keen reader of anything written by Samuel L. Clemens, popularly known by his pen name, Mark Twain.

Well, the stories in those books and films were portrayed as to have happened during the lawless days, when everyone had a gun to defend themselves, and for others to obtain their requirements through the show and use of guns. Lawless days, remember? But, not now. The world has matured. It has laws and laws. Has judges and juries. Has life councilors and advisors. Has great orators and leaders.  Has great buildings of worship and the teachers and guiders of goodness against evils. All for what?  What use are all those when you shoot dead a cyclist!