They thought they could act in the dark. They thought that by labeling a nurse a “domestic terrorist,” “gunman,” and “would-be assassin,” they could obscure the reality of a paramilitary force acting outside the bounds of law. But in the freezing cold of Minneapolis, something unexpected happened. The darkness didn’t hide the truth — it illuminated it. The tragic, state-sanctioned killings of Renee Good and ICU nurse Alex Pretti have brought us to a terrible precipice. But if you look past the fear, you will see something else entirely: An awakening. From the streets of the Twin Cities to the most unlikely corners of the internet, the sleeping giant of American decency is waking up. The “Fake Pivot”: Don’t Be FooledFirst, we must be clear-eyed about what is happening in Washington. As outrage mounts, the administration is attempting a classic two-step. Legacy media outlets are reporting a “pivot,” with headlines claiming the President is “softening his rhetoric” or making an “about-face”. The rest of us are not falling for it. This is a cosmetic shuffle designed to let the news cycle move on while the machinery keeps grinding.
The Silver Lining: Enough People Have Seen EnoughThe administration made a massive miscalculation: They underestimated the average American’s threshold for cruelty. The sheer visibility of the violence has shattered the “political” vs. “apolitical” divide. I think this brief video sums it up pretty well: The “power of witnessing” is breaking through the silos. We are seeing a revolt not just from activists, but from people who simply want to live their lives in peace and are offended the government is lying about it killing a citizen legally exercising his 1st and 2nd Amendment rights.
I’m not suggesting any of this is noble, but it demonstrates a shift has occurred. I’ve spoken to conservative friends in Minneapolis and business leaders around the country this week, and they are telling me they feel it. It is time to welcome these folks into the fold with grace, allowing them the space to make their voices heard in their own way. Minnesota Nice (With Teeth)Ground zero for this awakening is Minneapolis itself. The resistance there offers a blueprint for other cities cross America. It is not built on radical ideology, but on radical neighborliness. The people of Minneapolis are reclaiming “Minnesota Nice.” It turns out that “niceness” — real, deep decency — has teeth.
The Call to Action: Hold the LineThe pressure is working. Even Republican Representatives and Senators are sensing the ground shift, calling for independent investigations. They are worried that the public is souring on a federal agency acting “far beyond the limits of a police force”. We must confirm that is true. This is your assignment for today: Contact your Senators and Representatives immediately. Tell them that swapping commanders is not enough. The Message: “I’m asking the Congressman/Senator to support an independent investigation into the killings of Alex Pretti and Renee Good, and that you demand accountability and de-escalation nationwide.” The darkness tried to take Minneapolis. Instead, it woke up America. Let’s keep the lights on. |