Editor’s note: The views expressed by guest columnists are not necessarily those of The Costa Rica Star, its advertisers, or its staff. 

By Britt Nelson

What started out as a peaceful protest of another police-involved shooting death of an allegedly armed African-American suspect has turned Charlotte, NC into a racial-war zone complete with serious injuries and one death, looting, burning, tear gas, and destruction of local businesses and public property. North Carolina Gov. Pat McCrory declared a curfew for last night and a state of emergency, and called in the N.C. National Guard and state Highway Patrol to quell the violence and protect the public.

For three nights in a row this ugly racial divide in Charlotte has been broadcast live to the nation. With the first presidential debate only three days away, issues around law enforcement and national security are sure to be front and center. African-Americans in cities across America are primed and ready to riot, and this violence is rearing-up repeatedly when perceived injustices occur.

On Monday at 9:00 p.m. EST, Democrat Hillary Clinton and Republican Donald Trump will meet face-to-face live on the debate stage as the nation’s voters size up these presidential candidates and see how each would handle the challenges of today’s violent, unpredictable and ever-changing world. It’s likely that violence may breakout — somewhere on the streets of America — during the presidential debate to be held at Hofstra University in Hempstead, NY.

Just last weekend, New York City and New Jersey experienced violent radical Islamic terror-related bombings that also received extensive media coverage. Is there any doubt the USA is on edge right now?

Certainly the moderator of the 90-minute debate, Lester Holt of NBC’s Nightly News, will question Clinton and Trump about their plans to deal with these issues, and what they answer and how they say it will affect how voters cast their ballots in the national general election Nov. 8.

Monday’s debate will be followed by two others – on Oct. 9 and Oct. 19. It’s predicted that media ratings for this first presidential debate will set a new record.

Going into the debate, national polls out late this week show Clinton is ahead of Trump by a scant point or two. However, some polls like Rasmussen Reports show Trump ahead nationally by 5 points, while an Associated Press poll shows Clinton ahead by 6 points, according to Real Clear Politics.

Trump spoke Thursday in Pittsburgh during a campaign rally. His comments were mostly about the situation in Charlotte: public safety, lawlessness, joblessness, and keeping the peace.

“This is a national crisis,” Trump said live on Fox News. “We have to make our cities safe again.”

Clinton, meanwhile, last spoke in Orlando on Wednesday and her next public appearance will be at the Monday night debate, according to www.hillaryclinton.com.

“It’s unbearable. And it needs to become intolerable,” Clinton said about the Charlotte situation. “We’re safer when people respect the police and the police respect the people.”

Thursday night in Charlotte was calmer due to the curfew in place, but the night before rioters were setting off powerful fireworks aimed at police officers who were wearing full-black riot gear with face and gas masks, and holding shields.

It’s not the first time the USA has seen racial riots, and from the looks of things Charlotte won’t be the last. With the prevalence of guns in America and unresolved racial tension rife throughout the country, police shootings are sure to continue. Voters need to look down the road and see what’s coming and who can best protect the USA from foreign and domestic threats.

Pulling the plug on radical Islamic extremism may be easier than solving gun violence in America.

About the Author

Britt Nelson relocated to Costa Rica in 2011 from Florida, where he served as news editor for the Palatka Daily News, a newspaper owned by the New York Times Regional Newspaper Group (NYT-RNG) for 20 years.

Nelson served the NYT-RNG for 18 years in Tennessee, Kentucky, Virginia, North Carolina and Florida as a correspondent, reporter, staff writer, senior staff writer training new reporters, copy editor, page designer, editorial writer, editorial page editor and editorial board member.