This is going to be a delicate topic for many, but the recent shooting that happened with ICE and resulted in the death of Renee Nicole Good didn’t have to happen, but probably not for the reasons you’d think. I have, for as long as I can remember, adopted the saying that I am politically “An Anarchist with conflictions” in that I don’t believe anyone should have dominion over me except God. I am also a student, though I have slacked off recently on Thomas Jefferson, which has me adopting his beliefs a little more and more each day. Many of the founding fathers were against police at least to some level, with many of them referring to them as “standing armies,” or rather that description could be aimed at the police of today, especially given their equipment is military except for their patrol cars.

As an adult who grew up in an area where police had a hands-off approach to dealing with things most of the time, I see the importance of police even if it goes against some of my core beliefs. I don’t want anyone to break into my house or cause my family harm when I’m not there to protect them, and even though I wholeheartedly believe the police represent nothing but the interests of the state, I still feel they are a deterrent to the dangers I mention above, even if it’s only a little bit. A necessary evil, if you will.

I also want to make a point that I am not the biggest fan of ICE. I know and understand they have a purpose and responsibility to keep America safe. I also believe that some of them have gone off the deep end a little and aren’t checked enough by governing bodies. Like my thoughts on police, I see their need but never like the look of federal police marching down American streets. It just causes something in me to get upset, but I respect their job.

Now for a slight pivot in this long point I’m attempting to make. Many people want to blame President Trump for the January 6 attack on the capital. They say his rhetoric and language leading up to caused his supporters to try and overthrow the government without a single firearm in anyone’s hand there are people that believe to their core Trumps supporters were overthrowing the government of the United States without a single handgun. When I bring that up I usually get “guns are illegal in DC” so is attempting to overthrow the government. Treason, sedition and insurrection are some of the words used to describe those from January 6. If it is illegal to attempt and their goal was to overthrow because many feel Trump whipped them into a frenzy thinking their country was stolen if that’s what were to believe about that why wouldn’t someone bring a weapon or a dozen I mean they’re already breaking the law?

If Trump is responsible for whipping his base into a “take the capital” frenzy simply by talking, then can’t the same be said for everyone who has ever spoken out about the “illegal kidnapping” of American citizens by ICE? Furthermore, everyone who has ever led a demonstration against ICE and shouted things like “they’re un-American” or “ICE is criminals” and what seems to be their favorite “they’re the gestapo” shouldn’t they shoulder some blame too? When you speak like that or when you tell soldiers they don’t have to obey orders if they feel they’re wrong, you ignite something deep in everyone in this country that makes them feel they’re going to be the next American hero talked about in history books. With the exception of a few who simply want to watch the country fall because they feel they can usher in their dream government or for just mass anarchy, I don’t believe that should ever be the case, and I’m an anarchist.

So because people have been harassing ICE agents everywhere they go, it was only a matter of time before an arrogant American did something on either side. Like it or not, ICE is a duly authorized branch of federal police. It is a division of our government’s homeland prevention, as they are vital to the intelligence that could stop the next attack, all established by the Patriot Act. Now, I could sit and rail on the Patriot Act all day, but this blog is already too long. The point is, they were created by the government and are a legitimate form of its enforcement, like it or not. They are federal police. Federal. Like the FBI or ATF. When they give you a command, you have to obey it, or there will be strict consequences.

Now to the issue of the shooting. I am not Republican nor Democrat, and I always try to look at things objectively. For instance, I wholeheartedly believe the shooting of Trayvon Martin was unjustified as the 911 operator told Zimmerman not to follow him, and his actions of disobedience caused Trayvon to lose his life at 17 because Zimmerman thought he was going to be a hero if the neighborhood based on his own prejudices. Much like the people that protest and antagonize ICE agents. No one in their right mind would do these protests and harassments of the FBI, ATF, or other federal police, so why do it to ICE? Simply, they’ve been whipped into a frenzy by the Democrat establishment. Republicans are screaming to get in their face, to record everything they do, that’s all coming from Democrats. Democrat governors are grandstanding, telling their base “ICE isn’t welcome and won’t get any local support,” so essentially ICE is going into hostile areas with no backup. Tensions are high to say the least.

Renee Nicole Good was struck with the same Karen syndrome that Zimmerman and January 6’ers had. The belief that they could be a hero and would get some clout for what they think is right. They become blinded by what they know is right and they act which can be deadly. The absence of lawful understanding is a dangerous thing and we saw the result yesterday’s and someone lost their life. Could it have been prevented? Absolutely. Should Democrats be held responsible for their violent rhetoric? I think it’s only fair if you want Trump to be held for his so called violent rhetoric then some on the other side need to be held for theirs dealing with ICE.

Now for the facts of the case. I’ve heard many arguments online say “she was doing what she was ordered to do and was moving her vehicle” or “she wasn’t trying to hit the officer because she turned the wheel.” I do not know if either is true. Their bodycam and other footage will be investigated, and they will determine if it was a justifiable shooting. I can tell you I heard one single thing that, in my opinion, negates any other argument above. She was given a lawful command to exit her vehicle. Much like Zimmerman was told not to follow, she was told to get out of her vehicle, and had she complied, she would be alive. But again, she thought she was justified in ignoring them because of the rhetoric convincing her they’re not legitimate. The footage, however, I believe shows her narrowly missing the agent, perhaps by design. He was in front of her car, weapon drawn, demanding she get out of the vehicle, and she hit the gas.

Now I know what you’re thinking: “You’re an anarchist and you’re saying you should comply,” and the answer isn’t as straightforward. But once lethal firearms are drawn and pointed at you, it’s time to do as you’re commanded because your life is more important than any protest or political ideology at that point, at least in my opinion. While this case is tragic and it was 100 percent preventable, the fact that she had firearms pointed at her from her left and front and they were coming up her right, she should have complied. You can argue she was frightened all you want, and it may have been true, but again, she put herself there, and all the neighbors that talked said she was being aggressive towards the agents. She thought she was justified in what she was doing, frightened or not, and I believe that’s because she was instructed to believe it was okay.