Tough times, tough questions, let's not lose our way

Let's be clear here.

For the folks in Hampton who called their Saturday protest against the closure of Hampton Beach to sunbathers "their D-Day:" This was an affront to the more than 4,400 American who died 76 years ago. It should also be noted that Gov. Sununu lifted the prohibition the day before.

For the Portland Press Herald, which just abrogated its right to be called a news organization with their story on the Black Lives Matter protest and march in Sanford:

The (whatever you want to call it) sent two reporters to cover the event and referenced the marchers going from Gowen Park to the police station as "passing a couple of white males standing on the sidewalk holding guns, as well as other groups dressed in body armor. People who saw those armed observers described them as intimidating and leering."

Now you have two reporters covering this event, an important event, and when you do a story you're supposed to get all the aspects. And neither of these two (call them whatever you want) could go ask the "white males holding guns" what they were doing there and why they were armed?

I mean were they provocateurs? Were they protecting their businesses? What? Who? Why? Basic journalistic instincts were not even shown.

For the Lebanon Fire Department, who suspended a man for posting on Facebook he was "Locked and loaded and heading to Portland:" There was nothing seen in those posts from the man suspended that seemed offensive. "Locked and loaded" in common parlance means "ready to go."

Now other individuals in the comment string did make some dicey comments to be sure, but not the guy suspended.

For Dr. Anthony Fauci: I would like to have someone ask him how many folks will needlessly suffer and die as a result of COVID-19 due to social distancing that was not practiced during protests, riots and demonstrations across the nation.

The mass protests and large gatherings will surely accelerate the viral spread in the United States as many protesters broke social distancing rules and did not even wear masks during the demonstrations, Chen Xi, an associate professor of public health at Yale University, told the Global Times on Tuesday.

Meanwhile, Minnesota's health commissioner previously warned that the protests are almost certain to fuel new cases of the virus. The state of Minnesota reported 35 deaths on May 28, a single-day high in the outbreak, and 29 more on May 29.

And lastly, for this writer:

The death of George Floyd is one of the most horrific images I have seen in my lifetime. It is tragic, it is revolting and it should never happen again. And it should be a wake-up call to root out those in law enforcement who cross the line.