I respect they are angry. I think the behavior is out of line. And they need to find a more productive way to get the message across. I'm not in the shoes of those that are still dealing with oppression and racism and police misconduct. I wish there was an easy fix. I'm not ok with flag burning for obvious reasons.

What I hate is the fact that the Baltimore organizers of the protest requested a calm and orderly protest. Unfortunately, people come from out of town (even Florida) to stir the pot, riot, and cause vandalism. My biggest pet peeve is that the actions of some of the folks are actually perpetuating the stereotypes we are trying to remove!

PFC Joseph Longacre I am a man who loves his country, community and the Marine Corps and every Veteran/Active Duty/ and Retired member of our military. I am the son of a Police Officer who did his job for 25 years. I have a tremendous amount of respect for our Law Enforcement Officers and the difficult challenging job that they have sworn to do.

I am also an African American male who is cautious and a bit nervous when ever a law enforcement vehicle is behind my wife and I as she is driving, I no long drive for health reasons).

So you may ask why the conflict?

It's simple, although the police have my full support. I never know what the mindset of the Law Enforcement Officer has if he/she chooses to stop my wife and I for some infraction my have committed intentionally or unintentionally. Just as the Law Enforcement Officer does not know our mindset. The difference is I am not carrying a weapon. The LEO is and may approach us with disrespect of feel we fit some profile that I am not aware of he has been tasked to be on the lookout for (BOLO).

As you mentioned there has been some justifiable criticism of some LEO's for what some perceive as unjustifiable use of deadly force. When you look at statics, yes we all know what statics can do. You have to admit that there is a disproportionately of deaths and shootings of African American and other minorities when involved in LEO altercations.

The original message of "Black Lives Matter" was not saying that nobody else's lives matter, it was to point out that "Black Lives Matter TOO! Unfortunately, this organization which had a GREAT message has been hijacked by radicals and the media, so that now it is perceived as a Anti-American organization.

I have another issue that I fear. I have an 11 year old grandson. He is a good grandson, he is smart, he does not get in trouble, he has goals and aspirations that are admirable. He doesn't know if he wants to be a Pilot, Marine, or Ball Player. However, he does has goals. I get concerned again that someone may feel he is a threat to them physically and he may become involved in an deadly event. Tamar Rice was only 12 years old when he was gunned down by Cincinnati Police within 6 seconds of them arriving on the scene.

I'm saying all of this to say one thing. There is not an African American family that loves their children/grandchildren that does not share the fear(s) as I do. Especially those parents who are doing everything they can to teach their children/grandchildren how to be good citizens and contribute to this great country. That does not have the same fears I do.

These is a culture amongst some LEO that there is an unwritten law that you must respect them, because of their uniform, badge, and power. If a person offers any resistance, attitude, or challenge to this "unwritten law" they are treated as a threat and then become victims of whatever those LEO's deem as appropriate responses. Again, this attitude is disproportionately perceived by LEO's amongst African Americans and other minorities.

Basically what I am saying is despite my love of God, country and Corps, and the fact that I am the son of a LEO. I and We minorities are inherently afraid of LEO's until we can be assured they mean us no harm.

Regarding the Burning of the Flag of our country. To me there is nothing that justifies this action. It truly saddens me that BLM has been hijacked by people who have this attitude and now a great beginning is turning into a pitiful excuse to disrespect others and themselves.

I hope some of my post helps explain the mindset of some of these individuals who stop to such a disgraceful action as to set fire or stomp on our National Ensign. I am in no way trying to justify these actions, I believe it was Sir Issac Newton who said "For every action there is an equal and opposite reaction". That reaction may not be the right one or the one we desired, but is a reaction. These actions were born out of frustration and anger.