Former Catholic priest, Frank Cardaro gets an illegal choke hold from another of the Springs' worst embarrassments on the force, because the suggestion of peace drives violent people nuts. We see it all the time, although we did not see it at last year's St. Patty's Day parade. Nothing but warm greetings. Same this year for the 2 blocks we marched, before they stopped us.
Somehow the desire for peace, and especially political peace, makes those that love violence just more violent. Getting Frank out of the road would be an easy thing to do, but to use this punishment and dangerous hold to hurt him is without justification. It isn't needed, it isn't even efficiency of motion. He thinks it's excused. He thinks this is heroic. He thinks this is service to his city. He thinks the circumstance excuses him for this. It does not. This is a crime.
Behind, waving from his car, is the principal of Palmer High, the Grand Marshal of the parade.