All,
If it is so wrong for a cop to hassle a civilian for no reason, is it not
equally as wrong for a civilian to hassle a cop for no reason?
If it’s wrong for the cop to pick the civilian’s words apart trying to twist
something illegal out of it, is it not equally as wrong for us civilians to
twist the cop’s words?
Just as most gun owners do not want to be equated with the gun owners
who shoot up schools and churches, most police officers do not want to
be equated with those who abuse civilians.
Now, for the record, Webster’s Ninth New Collegiate Dictionary defines
civilian, in part as, “one not on active duty in the military, police, or
fire-fighting force”. Though this may be uncommon usage in your area,
it remains correct English. (Even though I don’t care for it either...)
The career field frequently is termed “law enforcement”. Therefore, the
term “law enforcement officer” is legit. Even though it may taste bad to
many of us who remember “policeman” as being an honorable term,
there are now many different law enforcement agencies. Apparently it is
inappropriate to call all commissioned peace officers “policemen”.
Perhaps “law enforcement officer” was coined to be more
all-encompassing. Frankly, I don’t know. But I know Shades didn’t
invent the term.
As for the police officer’s job, going home with the same number of holes
he reported to work with is “job one” - a job many officers have ignored
trying to “serve and protect” us and our families.
Personally, I think we’re hassling the wrong cop! Shades said, “... if we
find a weapon on an out-of-state driver we know why it is there. As long
as it is carried legally no problem. Even if it is not, a little instruction on
what makes it legal solves the problem....” Isn’t this what we’re looking
for - bit of judgement tempering the letter of the law?
He has neither said nor implied anything that would even hint at a
transgression of our Rights or a violation of the Constitution.
He has indicated by his words he is one of us, and we’ve bitched at him
solely because of his profession or because of what he himself terms, “a
few bad apples.”
Let’s reserve the accusations, innuendo, and insults for the cops who
deserve it.
Let’s be glad there are cops like Shades who temper justice with common
sense.
So lighten up. Now. Right now.
[This message has been edited by Dennis (edited September 26, 1999).]