How does destroying other people’s property, businesses, livelihoods, and hard work help any cause for those who have been unjustly treated?
It only divides and creates anger.
I cried while watching my daughter’s business in Seattle be looted and destroyed on Saturday evening. A place she and her co-workers have tried so hard to keep afloat during the Pandemic and were working overtime to prepare for a hopeful reopening. All dashed to pieces in one evening by criminals who looted their store unabated for over 5 hours. Thousands of business owners and employees have been displaced and their ability to make a living has been destroyed. This criminal behavior is far beyond property destruction and theft. It will cost people their ability to earn and feed their families.
I am sad.
HUG
I am with you, Mark. And the answer to your question is: It doesn´t.
However, it does forward the agenda of people that have an interest in tearing your nation apart for political and financial gain.
Follow the money, and you´ll find the answer. Sad, indeed.
There is God and there is the Devil. The Devil seems to be winning. Wake up, America. Your country, your children, your Constitution, and your freedoms hang in the balance. Pray God will bless America.
Spot on Ed.
Mark, that’s horrible. I hope Paige is able to rebuild to better-than-new when the violence ends.
Mark I listen to your Podcasts down here in New Zealand – they are always a source of inspiration. We are sad about what is going in your country right now and thinking of you at this difficult time.
Thank you for the amazing job you have done with your Podcasts, inspiring people all over the world like myself. I just wanted to let you know that despite all of these challenges in the world what you do makes a difference. Thank you
Regards Greg
Auckland, NZ
Mark I am so sad to hear of what has hit your home and family so hard it is beyond sad what is going on all over the country. In our NYC area the same is happening all evening long and the violence is getting so bad. I will pray for you guys that they can pick up the pieces and rebuild again soon. Be well.
Philip
Mark, I am shocked, as I am sure many are, of the actions that have been covered, 24 hours a day, by the media (social and major international sources)not helpful. There are powers that have been brought together all at one time that we as a people must recognized and must be united against. The line in the sand must be drawn and we must act. I just need to believe that the vast majority of people protesting are acting in a lawful manner. I must believe that we are watching organized crime of a new generation. This element maybe sweeping up some of the loaners and some looking for their 15 sec. of fame, along with their actions, but it is a group or groups that has highjacked the protesters fight for equality. Look at Phoenix/Scottsdale area where groups notified the law enforcement of Phoenix locations where protesting would be carried out. Where did most of the thefts occur, Scottsdale. Yes, Phoenix Downtown was the focal point of organized protests and 13 miles away, later in the evening, in Scottsdale, organized thefts were carried out in wholesale fashion. Unfortunately, the present system and the media do not recognize the difference and police are walking on eggshells. Hopefully, us Americans can figure this out quickly, unite and put our foot down before more lives are ruined.
It’s a shame but this is a complicated issue and we all suffer from it. You may have lost a car and I understand your daughter’s situation as one of my daughter’s has two small businesses in Newbury Park and Ventura. There’s no excuse for this behavior but this problem has been simmering for 400 years and it’s not likely to go away any time soon. One of the answers is to vote and sadly the young people I speak to don’t think it matters and sometimes I agree. I too am sad.
This saddens me Mark. I’m so sorry to hear about her loss and the loss of so many people. This are horrible times. But, we can never give up.
Be well.
It is a sad time for America. There are just no words. I turn to prayer. I shall keep your daughter in mine.
Mark , I am sorry for your daughter and the loss of her business, thank God she was not harmed.
I sad as well but more angry, the weak leaders we elect do not protect us from these evil forces. They are allowing anarchist forces to destroy our way of life. This needs to stop!
Never an excuse for this kind of destruction or looting…always a place and time for peaceful protest…but this kid of nonsense does nothing to further causes or dialogue….please pass along our sadness…and hope for peaceful resolutions
I’m very sorry to hear about her loss and the impact on her employees and their families. These times are surreal and very sad. May this time pass soon with better days ahead.
Mark
My heart goes out to you and your daughter. I do not know what to say. How this can go on, is beyond me. There has never been a greater seperation of wealth in this country in my memory. There must be some honest moral clean up soon or it will get worse. We have little leadership to do it which stresses me.
Richard Adatto
Thoughts and prayers to your family. This is a very sad time for America. Hopefully our justice system will prevail and the perpetrators will be processed to the full extent of the law.
Mark, I am so saddened to learn this. Why, why, why? Rational thought is clearly not in play. It is so unfortunate how many thrive on fear and subjugation (AKA those funding this and the dropping of pallets of bricks around the nation to aid in violence). How does ruining another’s life or business help anything? Maybe the bigger picture is the failure of our education system to teach accountability, compassion, consequences and honest history. MLK was not a violent man, he fueled great change, not by burning down a building or destroying property. It is criminal what is happening around the country, without consequences we have no deterrent.
Mark. I am sorry to hear your personal tragedy to this criminal act. Your daughter, I’m sure, has paid taxes to the city for police protection that was not received. I think the city management is culpable for not providing this safety the taxes pay for , and should pay for the damage.
I am sad too Mark.
With Covid19 and the lockdown of our economy and now the looting and destruction of small businesses in many cities we need to remember those small businesses belong to our neighbors, friends & families. Their businesses are already struggling to hold on.
In the days, weeks and months ahead let’s all support our small businesses in every way we can.
You are right, Mark….This is sad. I am embarrassed by what I’ve witnessed these last few days. My heart goes out to small businesses everywhere.
I too am saddened by your daughter’s loss and the loss of all the innocent people who have been caught up in the nonsensical destruction of property.
I try to be apolitical but today I’m pushed to the edge. The frustration of the protesters is sinking in as I see peaceful protesters tear gassed to make way for a photo op a leader holding up a bible for no reason other than pandering. Then I hear the military should be used to “dominated” civilians. Dictators “dominate” civilians, not the government of free people.
I abhor the method but the message is getting through. This is where I normally hit the delete key but today I can’t
Steve
Mark, I am so sorry. I hope your daughter will find a way to get her business back up and running. My thoughts and prayers are with her.
you have to be prepared to defend your property; those cowardly bullies run away when they see determined opposition. be well!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3n5_D59lSjc ……just copy and paste—- watch it to the end–it has a profound message
This YOUTube video is well worth watching. Putting political differences aside…. this commentary says it all. I am deeply saddened by the loss these business owners have suffered. Many will not recover. I am more saddened by the loss of life, injury and the turmoil these thugs have brought to a great country. “Peace through Strength” God Bless!
Mark so sorry for your daughters loss. We all feel great sorrow for all our friends down south of the boarder.
Inexcuseable … no idea how people think this is behavior they can get away with….Its terrorism no matter how you turn it!
Take care and be safe
Time for OUR Government to step up and enforce our laws! No matter Who Breaks them ! Allowing Lawlessness perpetuates it I am afraid
It is beyond just you being sad and I commiserate with you. Perhaps at some point an effort could be made to do a telethon or some effort to raise the money to rebuild the business. It’s a real interesting thing to see violence and looting all over the United States because, “Black Lives Matter,” and they do had to add another victim, “George Floyd,” to their number, to the victims and families and race that they represent. I was initially heartened to see a different kind of response when the police officer was not only fired, but then charged with murder and manslaughter by the District Attorney in charge of the County in which the crime was committed. This was done within two to three days which, considering the comparison to say, Rodney King for example, was exceptionally rapid. The lag behind appears to be the other police officers who should stand trial in my opinion, for Civil Rights violation. They have more responsibility as Peace Officers than just to follow policy standard policies, which they did not. They are responsible to intercede when a cop goes rogue. Clearly, there is a lot more at work here than simple demonstrations to protest another black man being shot. Despite an effort by Kareem Abdul -Jabbar to explain some of the elements going on here. there are nefarious and evil elements at work who would like to tear our country apart, something like a black hole tears a star that is too close by, apart by shredding it and pulling its mass and energy into the black hole. (See cosmology). The destruction appears to be more than simple anger and over 200 years of abuse and slavery experienced by black people too often shot to death because the color of their skin is black. The silent majority and the good Americans who love this country must band together to stand up for the Constitution and the U. S. Great Experiment started with the War for Independence. We now continue to have yet another war on our hands but with several fronts. To chalk this up to simple hatred or anger over the murder of yet another black man and U. S. citizen is to sell short the movements and persons behind what has been happening. AF
I’m sad too, Mark and I am so sorry for your daughter’s experience. How anything like this could be allowed to transpire over 5 hours is mind-boggling. I am paying close attention to what my state and district reps say/do, and also what they are not saying/doing. Then I will place my votes accordingly come November.