The whole world is talking about Scott Olsen. While most are expressing support and solidarity with the 24-year-old veteran, who served two tours in Iraq before being critically injured by Oakland police officers on Tuesday night, some have taken the opportunity to dig up some unflattering and controversial information about Mr. Olsen’s past, and his personal viewpoints.  To those who would question the support of Scott Olsen as a result of these “findings” (which at this point, appear to be just rumors), I have this to say:

There are people who will use absolutely anything they can get their hands on to try and deflect the focus from what happened the other night in Oakland, and to discredit the movement. Regardless of anything in Scott’s past (or present, really), he certainly didn’t deserve what happened. The fact that Scott seems to have consistently stood up for his beliefs, regardless of whether he shared the popular opinion or not, just reinforces things, as far as I’m concerned. Some may disagree, I’m sure…but I think we ALL have something that might make others squirmy…and we ALL hope that we’ve got the freedom to express our views without being ostracized. Remember, Scott didn’t ask to be regarded as a hero. He wasn’t trying to be an example. This could have been any one of us.