• by Erik Sass , Staff Writer @eriksass1, July 12, 2016

In the wake of tragedy, apparently, comes rank stupidity. The awful events of last week, including the killing of two black motorists by police and the murder of five policemen in Dallas in retribution, have opened the floodgates for an outpouring of online vitriol and vileness from all quarters, in all their stupid, stupid glory. One thing the stupids seem to have forgotten, however, is that free speech does not include the right to threaten to kill someone.

Leading the cavalcade of morons is Cleveland Browns running back Isaiah Crowell, who decided to use his status as a role model to set a good example on social media, by posting a drawing showing a hooded assailant lodging a machete in a police officer’s throat before swiftly removing it. While not technically a threat, the drawing was obviously in the end zone of “not ok,” and Crowell, informed that grievous violence is to be confined to the playing field, issued the usual apology about his “extremely poor decision.” The Browns are saying the apology isn’t enough, and indeed it doesn’t change the fact that he posted it and his followers saw it. So he may well have blood on his hands, and could also lose his job. Nice one, Isaiah.

Not to be outdone in the race to unemployment via social media, a number of police officers have also posted violent, threatening content on social media, including threats directed to specific individuals. In Overland Park, Kansas, now ex-police officer Rodney Wilson commented on a photo posted by LaNaydra Williams, a black woman, showing her young daughter, thusly: “We’ll see how much her life matters soon. Better be careful leaving your info open where she can be found :) hold her close tonight, it’ll be the last time.”

At this point the only appropriate response is obviously “WTF?!!” followed swiftly by “you’re fired,” which is what Wilson heard next from the Overland Park Police Department’s Professional Standards Unit (better known as the “Hey I Thought You’re Supposed To Be A Cop” division). During their investigation the OPPD also discovered information that has prompted them to open a criminal investigation of the fired officer. Strong work, Wilson; maybe consider crawling into a hole and staying there forever, thanks.

Unfortunately Wilson has some stupid company in local law enforcement: in Memphis three police officers have been suspended following social media posts joking about police violence against black men, including one photo posted on Snapchat that shows a hand pointing a gun at an emoji of a black man, which was later shared on Twitter. The officer who sent the original Snapchat, still unidentified, may be fired.

Back on the stupid civilian side, four men in Detroit were arrested for threats to kill police officers on social media, including this transparently inconsistent piece of idiocy: “All lives can’t matter until black lives matter. Kill all white cops.” Two of the men were released, presumably with warnings to grow more brain cells, but two remain in custody for unrelated misdemeanors. Hmmm – enjoy your time in the lockup, fellas.

In South Bend Indiana, Isaiah Deonte Jovan Beavers, 26, a shining star in the intellectual firmament, was arrested by local police and FBI agents for threatening violence on social media. Beavers posted a comment advising the world that he would be bringing gasoline to a Black Lives Matter South Bend Peace Rally, and was “ready to riot,” apparently having misunderstood the meaning of the word “Peace.” The police were alerted to Beaver’s posts by a concerned citizen; he remains in jail prior to his hearing.

In conclusion: you idiots.