A Brief History
On December 6, 2021, we take a look at those people in November of 2021 that either distinguished themselves with courage, intelligence, or otherwise something good versus those that embarrassed the human race with their lies, evil action, or stupidity. As always, feel free to add your own opinions as to who should or should not be on this list and why you think that way. (Obviously such a list could be much longer, including those creeps that murder other people and some other everyday heroes such as first responders, health care workers, and others, but brevity calls for a shorter list. Sorry!)
Digging Deeper
Heroes: Jurors on Kyle Rittenhouse Jury
Despite overwhelming pressure and threats, as well as blatant intimidation to force a finding of Rittenhouse being guilty, the jury actually considered the evidence presented in court and found the young man not guilty according to the LAW rather than to public opinion. Not protected by being sequestered, the jury was subject to being filmed and photographed, and even followed home by media representatives. Threats of violence should Rittenhouse be found not guilty were rampant, from agitators as well as celebrities, and speaking of celebrities, politicians, news reporters, and entertainment persons alike all clamored for a conviction. Certain big lies were promulgated and repeated incessantly, such as that Rittenhouse had fired “60 rounds” (Joe Scarborough of MSNBC) when in fact he had fired a total of only 8 times, or that he “Had crossed state lines with an illegal gun driven by his mother.” In fact, he did not cross state lines with the rifle he used that fateful night, it was already in Wisconsin and had never been to Illinois. Nor was the rifle itself illegal, and neither was Rittenhouse possessing it. Nor did Rittenhouse’s mother drive him to the riots/protests. Topping off this sorry set of circumstances, the prosecutor lied and said Rittenhouse had chased down and shot his first “victim,” when in fact that man had been the one chasing Rittenhouse, as seen clearly on video presented at trial. Hopefully our fellow Americans do not violate the spirit and letter of our laws by trying to exact some sort of revenge on these jury members for merely doing an honest job. The judge in this case has also been the subject of threats, but apparently has the backbone to resist such intimidation and conducted a legal proceeding without knuckling under to the mob.
Villains: The people mentioned above that lied about the events of the Rittenhouse case
Repeated lies, from the time of the August 25, 2020, Kenosha shooting incident involving then 17 year old Kyle Rittenhouse all the way to, through, and even after the trial of Rittenhouse. Incredibly, even after the false claims and misinformation was refuted in court, sometimes by the actual witnesses for the prosecution (!), haters still alleged that Rittenhouse had no right to be in Kenosha (he traveled 10 or so miles to get there, his third “victim” traveled about 50 miles to get there), although the lad had a father living in that town and Rittenhouse had regularly visited the place, including for work. Wild accusations of Rittenhouse being a “White supremacist” were rampant immediately after the incident and continued throughout the time since, including even after the trial when in fact, there has been NO EVIDENCE of any White supremacist association or inclination by Rittenhouse. (Not to mention, he did not shoot any Black people, although a Black man that was a convicted felon did try to kick Rittenhouse in the head, prompting Rittenhouse to fire at, though miss, his assailant.) Another of the BIG LIES regarding this case, are the repeated assertions, echoed by the prosecution, that the shooting victims were indeed “heroes.” Not true! These folks were people with criminal pasts and presents, and in the case of the first man killed was a convicted child molester that had done time in prison. Not to mention the guy Rittenhouse wounded was illegally carrying a pistol, and by his own admission in court pointed it at Rittenhouse before Rittenhouse shot him! Surely the prosecutors knew all of these facts and yet perpetrated the lies in an effort to wrongfully convict a young man and deliver a life in prison sentence. Wow! Also, the “Jump kick man” that was painted as an anonymous victim by the authorities was in fact known to them to be a wanted, convicted repeat felon that had tried to commit serious physical harm to Rittenhouse. There should be prosecution of the prosecutors for this lie! Additionally, the so called “protestors” shot by Rittenhouse were engaged in rioting that was destroying the businesses and property of persons that had nothing to do with the subject being protested (the false narrative that the local police had murderously shot felon Jacob Blake, a Black man that was not only wanted, but was in violation of a court order and was in the process of committing felonies, the victim being another Black American and calling this guy “unarmed” when he was by his own admission reaching for knife after an extended episode of resisting arrest). Oh, and Jacob Blake is STILL being referred to as an “unarmed Black man killed by police,” when, although he was shot 7 times, he was not killed and is alive today. The lying must end!
Hero, Villain, Hero: Magdalena Andersson
Andersson made history in November by being elected as the first female Prime Minister of Sweden. Shockingly, she resigned that position within hours of appointment! Then, also shockingly, about 5 days later she was once appointed to the position of Prime Minister of Sweden. And people think American politics are strange…
Villain: Aaron Coleman
This baby faced 21 year old Kansas State Representative was arrested for DUI while out on bail for a previous arrest (October 28, 2021) for domestic violence charges. Coleman has an admitted history of bullying and misogynistic behavior toward girls in his past as a 14 year old, which at his current age is not that long ago. Even fellow Democrat, Governor Laura Kelly, has called for his resignation.
Hero: Kevin Nishita
Working as a security guard, Nishita was trying to protect a news reporting film crew during one of the smash and grab incidents that are sweeping California (and other places) when a robber gunned down the father of 2 and grandfather of 3. Nishita was a retired police officer working as security for a news team when the looters/robbers tried to rob the team of camera equipment.
Villains: Looting Mobs and Defund the Police Politicians
The current trend toward the emasculation of police departments around the country and consistent demeaning of police as well as failure to support legitimate police actions has resulted in a crime wave of unprecedented proportions across the US. Although total crime and violent crime (such as murder) is still less than at peak numbers, the rapid increase in serious crime is the steepest on record. What is with these mobs conducting “smash and grab” brazen crimes, notably in California, especially around San Francisco? Craven criminals are encouraged by beleaguered police controlled by politicians that have been trying to limit proactive policing (stop and frisk, broken windows, and other crime fighting techniques) as well as decriminalizing various crimes, lowering bail requirements, closing or emptying prisons and jails, and reducing criminal sentences. Plus, demoralized police departments are seeing massive retirement trends and insufficient recruitment of new police officers, sometimes leading agencies to reduce the minimum requirements for new cops! (This last sentence drives us nuts! The same people that are demanding more and more professionalism and good conduct from police are making it harder to attract quality recruits, instead, settling for even less qualified applicants with iffy backgrounds and offering lower pay and benefits, as well as the prospect of not being supported by the political administration.)
Villains: Lauren Boebert and Paul Gosar
This pair of United States Representatives to Congress are little more than political trolls, having engaged in boorish behavior more fitting of 5th graders than of Congressmen. Gosar was actually censured for his animated short film of him killing fellow Congressman Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez and attacking President Joe Biden, Undeterred by the punitive action, Gosar immediately resent the offending material to colleagues after his censure! Gosar’s 6 siblings have consistently condemned him and supported his opponents. Meanwhile, Representative Lauren Boebert of Colorado continued the no-class sickening behavior by relating the (false) anecdote demeaning another fellow Congressman, Representative Ilhan Omar, to an audience on Facebook:
“So the other night on the House floor was not my first jihad squad moment,” Boebert told a crowd. “I was getting into an elevator with one of my staffers and he and I were leaving the Capitol, we’re going back to my office and we get in the elevator and I see a Capitol Police officer running hurriedly to the elevator. I see fret all over his face. And he’s reaching. The door is shutting. I can’t open it.”
“What’s happening? I look to my left and there she is, Ilhan Omar, and I said, ‘Well she doesn’t have a backpack, we should be fine,'” Boebert continued. “So we only had one floor to go and I say, do I say it or do I not? And I look over and I say, ‘Look, the jihad squad decided to show up for work today.’ Don’t worry, it’s just her staffers on Twitter that talk for her. She’s not tough in person.”
Not only did Boebert imply that her colleague in Congress was a potential terrorist, but the implication also that all Muslims are terrorists was not lost on the Islamic community. Despite a weak apology, Boebert is no stranger to a lack of decorum and class expected of high ranking public officials. (Although not a November 2021 incident, Omar herself has not always behaved well, and has been accused of Anti-Semitic statements in the past, as well as being less than cordial and courteous to her political rivals in Congress.)
Villain: LeBron James
This one really hurts, because this author has been a career long fan of LeBron, and like many basketball fans, consider him possibly the greatest basketballer of all time. Lately, The Great One has engaged in some strange behavior that has taken some of the gleam off his golden image, notably by belting an opponent in the face and earning only the second ejection from a game in his long career. Then, the superstar saw fit to engage in lewd behavior on the court, in a pantomime dance of a crude nature, deemed an “obscene gesture” by the league. Not done, James also managed to earn a rebuke for salty language on the court. James also verbally slammed the NBA over his one game suspension for the hitting incident, a previously uncharacteristic biting of the proverbial hand that feeds him. Of course, James did little to enhance his status as a great social activist (remember, he’s the guy that threatened a police officer that shot and killed a Black girl that was just about to stab another Black teen) when he perpetuated the myths about the Kyle Rittenhouse case after the verdict was announced after previously mocking the teen for crying on the stand. (Note that Lebron is known to weep in public in his own display of emotion, but apparently such activity is OK for superstar and not a regular guy…) At least LeBron is not alone in the sports and entertainment worlds for bitterly denouncing the Rittenhouse verdict without showing any actual knowledge of the events and the evidence presented at trial, nor an understanding of the applicable laws. Oh well…
Heroes: Ordinary citizens of Waukesha, Wisconsin
In the wake of the horrific vehicular assault on an innocent parade that included old people and children, brave Waukesha residents rushed to the aid of injured parade participants despite not knowing if any further attacks were forthcoming. Additionally, despite the racist background of the alleged perpetrator of the terroristic incident, another (White) Waukesha resident welcomed the total stranger into his home and provided a jacket and access to a telephone for the Black male felon. (The resident did not know the Black man that came to his door was a fugitive in the murder of 6 people.) The inherent good character of the people of Waukesha is commended, especially in contrast to the creep that killed 6 people, including a child, and injured another several dozen.
Villain: Darrell E. Brooks Jr. and the media that failed to call him out
This miscreant has been described in the mainstream media repeatedly as “fleeing a domestic situation” instead of properly being identified as a racist terrorist that was specifically targeting White people out of racial hatred. Brooks has left ample evidence of his racist and hateful tendencies and is a career criminal. Why the media reluctance to identify him as racially motivated? Especially since the same media is so quick to falsely ascribe racial motives to White offenders. The sad and obvious conclusion is that the media (on BOTH) political sides tend to maximize the stories that fit their own narrative and minimize those stories that fly in the face of their preferred slant. A blatant example is the way that the Rittenhouse jury is castigated by the liberal media while the jury in the Ahmaud Arbery case is lauded, likewise with the American judicial system. Conversely, the conservative media lauded the Rittenhouse jury and condemned the Arbery jurors. Come on guys! You cannot have it both ways. Either our jury system works or it does not, certainly not both. Instead of informing the public of events that occur, both ends of the political spectrum as represented by the media do their mightiest to sway public opinion, providing propaganda instead of news. BOTH sides!
Villains: The Crumbley Family
Yes, at this point there are no convictions, so the actions taken by this band of misfits must be considered “alleged” for now, but if they in fact are true, 15 year old Ethan became the latest school shooter to shock, sadden and infuriate all of America by shooting and killing 4 of his classmates at his school on November 30, 2021, while wounding another 8 people. His creepy parents, James and Jennifer Crumbley, were summoned to the school the day of the shooting in response to “troubling” concerns about the lad, and they refused to take him out of the school when requested to by school officials! It seems those parents had bought the homicidal kid his own 9mm hand gun just 4 days prior to the shootings. The elder Crumbleys are no strangers to the criminal law, as they both have DUI’s on their resume and James had also been busted for driving under suspension. Jennifer had twice been nicked for writing bad checks, and James had previous trouble with not paying child support. Additionally, the excuse the parents gave for refusing to take their son out of school on the day of the shooting was because they “had to go to work,” although James had been fired from his job in July of 2021. The school authorities do not come out looking real good, either, for although they properly caught the warning signs of potential trouble with Ethan (looking up ammunition on his cell phone in class and creating a violent gun related drawing with murderous implications) those officials failed to be sure to remove the boy from the school when the parents refused to take him. This tragedy seems so avoidable! The parents have since been indicted on related charges, fled from arrest, but were later apprehended and charged.
Question for students (and subscribers): Who would you add to or subtract from this list and why? Please let us know in the comments section below this article.
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Historical Evidence
For more information, please see…
Ford,, Debbie. Why Good People Do Bad Things. harper Audio, 2008.
Geddes, John and Alun Rees. Be a Hero: The Essential Survival Guide to Active-Shooter Events. Brilliance Audio, 2017.
The featured image in this article, a photograph by Lightburst of the Waukesha Parade incident attack mass casualty event in 2021, is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 4.0 International license.
