I recall that some years ago I posed the question on this blog, Have we forgotten what restraining orders are for? I also postulated that men would learn to exploit them.

Well, here’s a little validation out of Moreno Valley, California, dated August 9, 2023, concerning, yessir, two dudes, one of them a politician.

He’s the accuser.

The mayor of Moreno Valley, Ulises Cabrera, obtained a restraining order against resident Elmer Thomas. Cabrera says Thomas shoved him and made rude comments and threatening gestures during an event commemorating the end of slavery. (Those who’ve felt the yoke of allegations to the court might find a certain irony in the latter detail.)

Moreno Valley Mayor Ulises Cabrera

Thomas, the defendant, says that Cabrera brushed inches past his daughter then followed her to the toilet, while “smirking” at him.

Cabrera says that never happened and alleges Thomas bumped his shoulder.

A witness for Cabrera, a friend or relative, presumably, told the court that Thomas (at some point) stepped in front of a pickup Cabrera was in and flipped him the bird. The witness says Thomas then reached for his waistband, as if going for a gun, and made gestures urging Cabrera to get off the truck and duke it out.

The story does not indicate that there were any disinterested bystanders who saw the alleged “threatening” hand motions nor does it report that any actual gun was seen or drawn.

Thomas said he raised his middle finger at Cabrera after he threw candy at Thomas’s face.

Cabrera countered that he “absolutely did not throw candy.”

Thomas, who says he doesn’t even own a gun, denied that he “reached for his waistband.”

Background detail: The story reports that Thomas had criticized Cabrera while Cabrera was a city council member. Cabrera was censured by other council members for allegedly mistreating a former city employee.

Responding to the allegations brought against him last November, Cabrera said they were “essentially hearsay.”

Review the sketchy “witness” testimony above and see if the characterization isn’t equally applicable to it.

This infantile bullshit will be tried in a court of law later this month on the taxpayer’s dime.

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*The right to criticize those in government is what the First Amendment is in place to protect foremost. Rude hand gestures are also protected expressions.