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Please let me, friends, thank you in advance for reading today’s column. Your indulgence is not unappreciated.

You see, I’ve written this, and versions of it, many, many times in my head. Even if I should get it “right,” I know there will be those who don’t agree, who perhaps take issue with my assertions.

To them I would say, “I respect your right to disagree.” And I really do.

One of the glories of the form of government that was bequeathed us by our founders was the marvelous “notion” that we are allowed, even encouraged, to not only disagree, but to freely express such sentiments without fear of a government intervention, or worse. There are those who don’t acknowledge this.

The First Amendment. To think there are, have always been, millions of human beings who are not now, have never, been permitted freedom of speech. Think of that, my fellow Americans, the next time someone, or some group, exercises their First Amendment rights — by speech and or assembly — with a viewpoint you oppose.

For those, however, who elect to use such protest as an excuse for vandalism, destruction of property, looting, please know that I abhor their actions, and believe they should be subject to those laws that prohibit such conduct. They are a minority, but do an injustice to those whose protests should be heard.

Back to my original intent regarding today’s column. Here goes:

When Abraham Lincoln was assassinated, there were those in our land (two countries) at the time, who rejoiced.

You know who they were, and if you had to apply one of the now two much-used, over-used, political labels of our time, you know which would apply.

When Franklin Delano Roosevelt died, there were those in our land who were not saddened. You know who.

Eleanor Roosevelt was greatly admired throughout much of the world (this is not hyberpole) during her lifetime. There were those in our land, however, who despised her. You know who.

When John Fitzgerald Kennedy was assassinated, there were those in our land who were pleased. You know who.

When Martin Luther King Jr. was assassinated, there were those in our land who thought he got what was coming to him. You know who.

When Robert (Bobby) Francis Kennedy was assassinated, there were those in our land who were not displeased. You know who.

Referencing those two political labels further, consider the following:

Who opposed the abolition of slavery? You know who.

Who opposed setting aside portions of our wilderness lands so as to preserve them in perpetuity? You know who.

Who opposed splitting up the monopolistic enterprises of the “Robber Barons?” You know who.

Who opposed establishing child labor laws? You know who.

Who opposed setting minimum wage requirements? You know who.

Who opposed limits on workers hours? You know who.

Who opposed Women’s Suffrage? You know who.

Who opposed unions? You know who.

Who opposed programs such as Social Security, Medicare and Medicaid? You know who.

Who opposed desegregation of our military? You know who.

Who opposes environmental/conservation safeguards? You know who.

Who opposed the Civil Rights Act? You know who.

Who opposed the Voting Rights Act? You know who.

Who opposed racial integration? You know who.

Who opposed/opposes making it easier to vote? You know who.

Who opposed/opposes strengthening gun safety requirements? You know who.

And who have the “opposers” consistently blamed at one time or another for all these things they have found so objectionable? The media — the government — the intellectuals — the liberals — the blacks (there was a time when another word was commonly used) — the Jews …

Why, there was another country that once had those who used such despicable tactics to come to power in Europe in the 1930s. We know how that came out, don’t we?

Perhaps most recent, who opposes mandatory wearing of masks during this pandemic? You know who.

Now, in closing (bet you’re glad to read that) let me assert that there are those who fall into the “opposers” column, who don’t buy into all of such a negative, anti-progressive philosophy.

And, conversely, there are some who are on the “other” side who do not espouse and fully support some of their agenda as well.

If you made it here to the end, thanks for sticking with me. Perhaps more important, as I wrote near the beginning of this much too lengthy expository exercise, if you disagree in full or in part with anything I’ve written, I respect your right to do so.

If you agree in full or in part with anything I’ve written, well, then you know your history.

Should you choose to meet me here again next week, I’ll look forward to it.

Peace.