Solutions to the debate regarding NFL protests.

This is currently a draft. I will post final version later on tonight.

As the controversy in the United States regarding alleged police discrimination and social injustice rages on, I see a lot of people getting emotional and involving themselves in contentious arguments which often devolve into name calling. I seldomly see attempts to interject rationale into the discussion in terms of potential solutions. That is what I will attempt to do here.

Solutions? I have a few, but they do not begin with trying to convince people who don't believe they are racists that they ARE racists. Such efforts are doomed to do nothing but divide us.

Solution 1. Recognize that every responsible citizen has a right to be armed, this isn't a right reserved for police and military.

Solution 2. End the war on drugs. It only serves to flood our prison system and serve as a networking ground for criminals. It is the main focus when police officers ask to search your vehicle. It is unnecessary.

Solution 3. Decrease the number of armed interactions we require of our law enforcement officers. We don't need a face to face confrontation between two potential armed individuals in this day and age for things like a tail light being out or going 5 mph over the speed limit.

Solution 4. Hold all people to the same standards in matter of use of deadly force. Anybody is allowed to use deadly force in defense of themselves or another, and only then. Their job should have nothing to do with it.

To be clear, I never suggested disarming the police. But I do acknowledge that we ask them to risk their lives every day. They take their lives in their hands every traffic stop they make, every call they go on. Before I would venture to restrict them in their ability to defend themselves, I would simply stop asking them to risk their lives so much. Officer Friendly, you don't need to risk your life to confront that car with a broken tail light. You no longer have to worry about that dude smoking a joint or buying Marajuana from the corner. Your life is worth so much more than that.

This isn't a sexy solution for the emotionally invested on both sides, but it is practical.