I am trying to find a way to say to the world...you are responsible for your actions. We hear that all the time. Yet, whether it is a crime committed, a deadline missed or a curfew broken it is always someone else that is at fault and we are not responsible for the mistake we made.
I did that for years. And to a degree, I still want to blame others for the problems in my life. There is so much that I do not control in my life right now. That being said, I have to find a way to gain that control back. It is up to me. No one else. Me, I have to find a way to make things better. Sometimes I need help, but it is still my responsibility to get things done. If I can't, I have to find a way to keep trying.
How does this little rant pertain to Death On Duty?
Well, in the last 4 days there has been 5 shooting deaths in the San Francisco Bay Area with police officers involved. This follows an incident where 2 Santa Cruz, CA officers were killed in the line of duty. The questions were posed as to why the incidents have happened. Was it because the officers were being over protective of themselves after 2 of their fellow officers were killed? Was it because the suspects don't care about police authority? Does it really matter?
We are responsible for our actions. I remember back in the 90's while I was living in New York City, I was working for a radio news network. A suspect was being chased by the entire Philadelphia police department. Once they caught him, they beat the crap out of the guy. Now, I don't remember all the details, but the suspect, I believe, tried to rundown officers with a car and other nasty things that scared the hell out of the police. And to top things off, people in the newsroom were trying to say that the suspect will probably have a police brutality case. WHAT? This guy just tried to kill several officers and he has a police brutality case. As far as I know, no case was ever brought for this incident for one...Two, do you really think any judge or jury would ever consider giving this guy anything after what he had done?
Now, were the police right to pound on the guy once they caught him? Probably not, but here is my ultimate point. When you choose to try and hurt someone...all beats are off. You made a choice and you must suffer the consequences of your actions. Goes to the police as well. If an officer pulls out his weapon to protect himself and the community, he has to be right in that decision. There was a picture of an officer kicking the crap out of a woman that was already handcuffed. Sorry, dude, but you are fired and hopefully, you will be prosecuted for his actions.
People make mistakes and always will. And I am sympathetic. Cooler heads must start prevailing in our society. No matter what the problem is. But once you choose to cross a line that will cause others pain for no other reason but you want to be the dominant person, all beats are off. You gave up your right to be treated with respect. Doesn't matter what side of the law you decide to be on. If you decide to be a dick, guess what, we don't have to like you. And you do not have the right to wonder why no one likes you. You are a dick. Stop being a dick and people will like you. Stop being a criminal and the police will have to leave you alone. And if people stop being criminals and hating the police, maybe all the problems we have in our communities will go away.
I know, big giant pipe dream. But again, be responsible for your actions...everyone. And a lot of problems will go away.
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