Written by Clara McLaughlin

When the New York Post staff person drew this cartoon  which was published in their paper, many were  upset and some attorneys said that a drawing such as  this which alludes to shooting the president of the  United States is a criminal violation. There is a law  that prohibits a person from inciting a crime or violence.  This drawing was published in February 2009. 

The complaint that many have is the fact that nothing  was done about this incident. Therefore, a number of  other such acts were committed and still the law  enforcement officers and the people stood by, citing  the right of free speech and the right to carry arms. 

Many of the right wing politicians and common citizens,  some quietly and some very vocal appeared to be  agreeing with this behavior. In fact, when those who  did not agree but also did not go out to vote, it made it  appear that most Americans agreed that this, called by  some, criminal and disrespectful behavior was what  most wanted. If there is no punishment for misbehavior,  one would get comfortable and go even further. 

When so call American leaders, politicians and business  persons say and do certain things publicly and the  comments are aired through all of the many outlets,  control is lost. You can’t say if a person who commit  such a crime as this past weekend is mentally ill or evil. 

Now we have political leaders resigning from their  jobs or positions expressing fear of the tea party and/or  the general public. 

President Obama made a very strong speech at the  memorial service while others from his administration  read scriptures. What many really wanted to hear was  that law enforcement departments all over the country  would begin immediately, enforcing the laws that are  already in place that has gotten out of hand. 

Saturday’s shootings caused death, pain and possibly  permanent damage for those who were shot, for their  family, friends, and ordinary people. 

Please, law enforcement officers, enforce the law. We  don’t need to see or hear about more of this.