#opinion, Dear Diary, page 71

From the earliest forms of democracy in Ancient Greece, the people spoke and those who were poets, writers, and the philosophers spoke loudly. They lifted their pens and their voices in defence of the democracy they were building and protecting. I do not think we are any different. I truly believe that artists, musicians, actors, poets and anyone else that knows how to think, should speak out against injustices. And I think that many are doing that now in these extremely turbulent and dangerous times.

Artists like Bruce Springsteen, Robert De Niro, Meryl Streep, Matt Damon, Johnny Depp, George Clooney, Lady Gaga and many more have all taken a stand and have said wonderful things in defence of democracy. The democracy that is being eroded, maligned and destroyed.

So my voice also rises, not to defend illegal entry into the US, and not to defend those who have committed crimes while living in a land that has allowed them the formula for a new life. I think those that do not know how to be good guests do not deserve the generosity they have been granted and should be deported ipso facto from the country.

But, but, BUT, in a lawful and civilised manner. They should be arrested and charged, then given due process to defend themselves and then only be deported by the orders of an immigration judge, not by the sitting president. And not by being kidnapped from their homes by masked thugs pretending to be ICE agents. AND I say that those are «pretending» to be ICE officers because having been a law enforcement officer for many years in the US I know that we, whether we were local police, sheriffs, state, or federal agents, had a duty, and an obligation, to identify ourselves, show our face and explain why we were arresting someone, citizen or not. And Habeas Corpus was never denied. However, some in the current administration do not even know the definition of Habeas Corpus…

So my voice rises to denounce tyranny, abuse and unnecessary violence against human beings. No one is «illegal». Some folks might be undocumented, but a human being on planet Earth is not illegal anywhere.

I invite one and all to also unite against injustice and to post, blog, write poetry, songs, or speeches to make their voice heard against the barbarities of having armed, active duty fighting troops deployed in the streets of an American city to fight Americans exercising their Constitutional right to protest. And know for sure that EVERYONE in the US has rights. At least they did before the 21st of January 2025.

I know God is in charge, and peace and justice will prevail.

AMEN

CHEERS