We Should Thank Kyle Rittenhouse, Not Charge Him

Kyle Rittenhouse is on trial this week for the shooting deaths of two Leftist rioters who violently attacked him in Kenosha, Wisconsin on the night of August 25th, 2020 during "mostly peaceful protests" related to the police shooting of Jacob Blake. Having watched Mr. Rittenhouse - who was 17 years old at the time of the shooting - take to the stand to give an account of his actions, my heart broke.  If you ask me, we should be thanking Kyle Rittenhouse for service to his community and country. That young man sets an example we would do well to follow. But at a minimum, if we cannot bring ourselves to thank him lest we encourage more of the same, the young man should not be punished more than he has been. What would he be punished for? Defending his life? And what was his crime which justified his life having been threatened in the first place? Telling a Leftist mob by his presence and precedent the one word they have heard so precious little of - 'No.' To that call for punishment, we must also give an answer clearly and unmistakably. 'No.' No, we will not punish Kyle Rittenhouse for doing what decent men all over this country should have done in their communities last year.  I dare say it is not Rittenhouse who should have to give an account for his whereabouts and actions on the night of August 25th, 2020. It is most of the rest of us who stayed home and left 17-year-olds to face the woke mob alone.