THE "ONLY" QUESTION? WHICH ONE?

  "The only question is how long it will take," 

No, that is not right, neither legally nor morally. Certainly not if one applies the rule of common sense, the rule which underlies every sane, law abiding, justice approving, fair treatment and rational understanding of a common principle of a proper society. That is, from time immemorial, as soon as human beings recognized the rationality of having laws which protected members of that society. These laws exacted, or laid down consequences, of violation of those laws, hopefully following the precept of "the punishment fit the crime". 

Humans, such as they are, have a tendency to push the envelope at times, checking how far they can go before being held responsible for their violations of laws. The longer the violations escape their dues, the more the members of that society will skip merrily down that road of evasion. The more that society will suffer, perhaps even undergo a massive restructuring of that society, an unraveling of all that makes it a safe and protective, righteous society. That, my friends, simply using the rule of common sense, is, simply put, not a good idea! Not at all!

"sound and prudent judgment based on a simple perception of the situation or facts"

That is the definition of common sense according to the dictionary, a basic statement clear to all. Common sense demands that society, particularly in the form of the government of that society, behaves in such a manner that it serves as the protector of its members. According to Thomas Paine, the American patriot, society is a necessary evil, for in an ideal society there would be no need to have such laws, no need to have consequences laid out, for people, using common sense, would instinctively understand what is good, what is not, and behave accordingly, always landing on the right side - justice, fair play, equal rights for all.

Well, folks, hate to break it to you, but many reject that understanding of common sense. Lust for power, to prevail over all, for money, or from their own innate evil, all contribute to the violation of common sense, of the very purpose of society. They  create immoral laws, contravening the actual definition of societal law, or simply go their merry way, giving two hoots for it all. Particularly if their behavior at the outset, receives no punishment, no correction, and worse, receives adulation from the misguided, the deluded, those seeking their own way to the head of the line. For their own selfish desires - over all that is good for the mass of that society. 

Common sense dictates the understanding that such behavior is most manifestly not such a good idea for that besieged society. Common sense demands that we apply logic to the situation and elect, appoint, people who would understand their role and duty towards society. But we do not. Nope.

Society is violated. Wrong is done, perpetrated,  attacking the very foundations of that society. What is next? Punishment. Consequences. Common sense. The youngest child learns that, knows that, instinctively. However, to the contrary, today we  have a man who violates, openly, the laws of society, common sense behavior and skates over any and all consequences of his misdeeds.

There is much smoke and fire enveloping Trump et al. The misdeeds, the offenses are clear. They prove a danger to the fabric of that society, America, its fulfillment of its stated goals and laws, its forever present drive to strive for better. Common sense says bad, very bad. And we ignore that fact, those common sensibly understood ways of society. This man and his camp violate the laws and then use supposed laws, interpretations of said laws to  justify, excuse and escape consequences.

Common sense rules such as inherently oppositional, of clear and present danger to a righteous society as supposed to be. When we take the path of allowing some to have their cake and eat it too, and deny a piece to all others, well, bad. Very bad. That is exactly what we now have, despite all the laws on the books meant to deter such behavior.

So what was that? What behavior? What questions do we have? Is there an only question? Well, yes, but that question has many paragraphs, and the evil doers are falling through the gaps, allowing for  egregious violation of common sense: if one does wrong, one must pay for that wrongdoing. Attack a legitimate government, the underpinnings of society - receive the consequences. It is common sense. Remember: do the crime, do the time.

Thus: Fight breaks out between Rep. Jerry Nadler and Rep. Jim Jordan Or this: "killed for sleeping while Black.  Along with this: "... parked legally .. he wasn't posing a danger to anyone.

(Officer) knocked on window, startling him awake. They did not announce themselves as officers. (He) sat up and started the car. (Officers) immediately opened car doors and reached inside to forcibly remove him.  grabbed arm, and (Officer) wrapped his arm around  head and pulled, while (other officer) pushed from the passenger side.  

Scared, attempted to drive away, but (officer) jumped into the passenger seat. (He) looked at (officer) and asked, “Why are you in my car?” (Officer) attacked ... punched him, stunned him with a Taser six times, then used the Taser to strike him in the head. (He) never hit back. Moments later, (Officer) shot (victim) five times, killing him. .. had been in the car with for only about one minute before he opened fire. 

The result: qualified immunity and massive misinterpretation of a law meant to provide protection for officers when in danger, but not to permit wholesale killing and fatal or near fatal violence against the victim. Particularly when the victim had done nothing wrong.

This is what happens when we do not enforce the adage "if you can't do the time, don't do the crime" and the unspoken following bit: or else know you will face the consequences.

Common sense. One question. One answer.

A society gone rotten from the top down.

And what do we do? How do we answer?

A riddle worthy of the Riddler.