Gilberton Police Chief Mark Kessler gained notoriety recently after posting several YouTube videos in which he uses profanity and weaponry to illustrate his anger over numerous issues, including a U.N. arms resolution, Nancy Pelosi, liberals in general, AND to show off his propensity for shooting aimlessly into the air.
I am not sure what I find more alarming: the videos themselves OR the fact that the little borough of 800 that employs this radical militarist wannabe actually feels it needs multiple full automatic weapons equipped with drum magazines.
Kessler was suspended by borough council this week not because of the content of the videos but because he had used the municipal weapons in the videos without permission.
A few observations:
First of all, for those who are truly heeding the words of the Chief and fear the ultimate takeover of our liberties by big government, a question: shouldn’t the citizens of Gilberton be just a tad concerned that the borough is packing such serious heat…and for what!? What could happen in Gilberton that would require these types of weapons?
And yes, free speech is an undeniable right. But that doesn’t make Kessler’s words defendable. All his videos seem to promote, besides showing off some colorful language, are threatening and hateful words and gestures toward those that don’t agree with him.
What’s worse is he posts these videos and statements as Chief Kessler. He is using his position to promote his personal beliefs, which very likely could violate the federal Hatch Act.
Irregardless of this law, it seems reckless for the borough to maintain Kessler as Chief based on the statements he has made. What I mean by this:
His ultimate goal seems to be to uphold the 2nd amendment – as Chief, his goals should be to uphold the law, period.
He has a responsibility to the community to protect all citizens – even liberals. From what Kessler says about liberals in his videos, I imagine those living in Gilberton do not feel particularly safe.
He seems to think he can choose which laws he defends. If a police officer can decide which laws to uphold than why do we need a legislature or congress, a governor and a president? Kessler is effectively placing the legislative and executive duties into his hands, the police officer.
He is also potentially dangerous. We can argue that his weapons have been misused in at least two situations. His pro-gun philosophy seems to guide his everyday actions; whether he is on duty or not, his gun seems to be his first defense, when it should in fact be his last defense. Add in the type of weapons that he has access to and you have the possibility for a very dangerous situation.
Kessler claims to want to uphold, at least one amendment of, the constitution while dismantling the very governmental structure that our founding fathers established. Because he doesn’t support the current president (to put it mildly), he thinks he can decide whether federal laws should be enforced…that’s not how our country rolls.
He certainly would make for a terrific militia leader — if you read the bylaws of his Constitution Security Force, you’ll see he’s well on his way — but he is no police chief. (On his website, he had a post that is now removed that states he believes the borough is planning to permanently fire him – let’s hope his instincts are correct.)
Oh and than there’s the whole fact that he’s wrong. UN resolutions have no bearing on our Constitution. Obama hasn’t taken anyone’s guns, nor has Pelosi for that matter. And it is pretty apparent, from Kessler’s own videos, that we do not have gun control in this country when angry and reckless individuals can gain easy access to military style weapons.