You know, I love living in the United States very much. I joined the Navy right out of high school. I loved serving my country. The only problem is the law enforcement in this country. When I was young and in the Navy, I was harassed by a police officer who loved to harass sailors in my hometown of San Diego – a Navy town. Law enforcement, in my opinion, is corrupt – maybe not New York-mafia corrupt, but corruption is corruption.

When I was a kid, most policeman had guns, but they were six-shooters. When did it suddenly become all right to arm the police with automatic weapons? When did it become all right to arm them with military weapons and armored cars? One time last summer, I was outside with my dog enjoying the day when, all of a sudden, two sheriff’s deputies just popped out with two M-15s. They said that someone heard a shot.

What happened in Ferguson proves that most police officers are racist – maybe not full-blown, but there is really something wrong with race relations in this country. Why can’t people just accept people as people and judge each man, not his color. Even in this town, there is a problem with race relations. How many police officers in this town are of another race than white? I have not seen any. I once talked to a senior officer about this issue, but I don’t think it sank in. Do I have to worry about police violence in my town now? I don’t own a gun – never did and never really wanted to – but now I am considering getting one to protect myself from the police. As I said, I love my country, but I don’t love my country’s law enforcement and its racial policies.

Wilson Folks

Durango