I was in Chicago driving through one of the suburbs and there was a protest taking place. Signs were in support to bring back Kilmar Abrego Garcia, who was deported on a judicial order. People are calling it a mistake. In 2011, he illegally entered the United States, however, an immigration judge granted him protection from deportation on grounds he might be persecuted by gangs in his own country. Watching these protests I’ve been bothered by what we are asking for in our country.

Garcia has been living with his wife in Maryland. In 2021, his wife had a restraining order against him. Apparently, he punched and scratched her. The Trump Administration claims he has ties to MS13 – a notorious street gang. This is unproven, even though he has been seen with members of the gang, wears the clothing and tattoos, and flashes the gang signs… Now all over the country we have suburban families protesting this deportation stating it could happen to them – they say. This is my opinion, but as long as they are not beating their wives, flashing gang signs, wearing gang colors, wearing gang tattoos, hanging with gang members, and entering the U.S. illegally, I think that is an irrational thought.

If he comes back to the U.S., I do not want him or his “friends” near my neighborhood. I’ve been in many of the worst neighborhoods in the U.S. and don’t have any desire to go back to them.

Then I saw several folks protesting Israel and in support of Gaza. Interestingly, many of these folks like their freedoms with regards to speech, dress, sexual preference, etc. From my perspective many of these folks need to travel to one of these strict Muslim countries, avoid the tourist areas, immerse themselves in the culture and then tell us what they think. Hamas is funded by Iran – this is not my opinion, it’s a fact.

It’s possible they will learn that women cannot show their body let alone their face. I’m thinking they will not be allowed to choose pronouns or identities. In fact, the Iranian regime killed 600 protesters after a 22-year-old woman died in police custody. She violated a hijab law and wore her head covering incorrectly. This is how a protest in Iran and many other countries is handled.

We are fortunate that we can speak our mind, challenge paradigms, protest when we choose. These are freedoms that previous generations fought, bled and died to give to us. However, there is right and wrong and we should not be so naïve as to assume everyone else in the world is good.

Travel to Cuba – take a picture of a policeman and see what happens. Go to Russia with some marijuana and see what happens. Go to Iran and start a protest. Better yet, go rent an apartment or buy a house in East St. Louis or Chicago around West Lake Street. Then think of your freedoms, what you support, what’s worth protesting and what are potential consequences.