Taking Time to Thank Those Who Keep Us Safe.

It was just another normal day for Mr. Johnson who works as a security guard at the Family Research Center (FRC) in Washington D.C.  Normally his day is probably uneventful but on Wednesday August 16, his day would be very eventful for on this day, Mr. Johnson would save the lives of many of his fellow employees and interns at the FRC.  

Mr. Johnson’s routine day changed when Floyd Corkins entered the building and said, “I don’t like your politics.”  People entering the FRC and making such statements are routine since the FRC is a lobbying group lobbying for conservative Christian social issues.  However, Mr. Corkins was different because after interacting with Mr. Johnson he reached into his backpack for a firearm shooting Mr. Johnson in the arm.  In spite of his wounds, Mr. Johnson was able to wrestle the firearm from Mr. Corkins and most likely saved the lives of many individuals working in the building (1). 

We see people like Mr. Johnson all around us.  They guard our workplaces, where we shop, and, as is the case at my church, where we worship.  They are our first line of defense and usually we may not even notice their presence but when events, such as what happened at the FRC on Wednesday, happen we are glad they are around.  Therefore, I want to encourage everyone to take time to thank those around us who insure our safety.  They may respond by saying they are only doing their job but remind them that their job is extremely important. 

As we witness the ramping up of political rhetoric during this election cycle, it is possible we will see more individuals line Mr. Corkin attempt acts of violence against people and organizations who disagree with their politics.  Our country’s first amendment guarantees every citizens right to express their political opinions as well as practicing their religion.  Someone who disagrees with our opinions or religion is not the enemy but they are a fellow citizen exercising their first amendment right.  Rather than lashing out at them, we need to exercise our first amendment right and express our dissenting opinion in an effort to persuade them to our point of view. 

There is no need for anyone to resort to violence during this election cycle for if you disagree with a candidate’s stance on an issue, you can vote for the other person.  If you meet someone who does not support your candidate, tell them your reasons for supporting your candidate and leave it at that.  It is not your responsibility to change them.  All we can do is try to persuade them with facts that support our opinion. 

Even though this election cycle is going to be contentious because of the state of the nation and the important issues we face, there is no reason for anyone to resort to violence.  Join me in civil political discourse and pray that there are no more acts of violence.  Finally, for those who still believe violence is the only way to get their point across, remember that you might encounter a Mr. Johnson or an armed citizen.  I encourage anyone considering violence to learn a lesson from Mr. Corkin and reconsider your plans for violence. 

1. Ryan, Jason. Family Research Council Shooting: FBI Details Heroism of Guard. abcnews.go.com. [Online] ABC News, August 16, 2012. [Cited: August 16, 2012.] http://abcnews.go.com/blogs/politics/2012/08/family-research-council-shooting-fbi-details-heroism-of-guard/.