Personal opinions
I've been thinking a lot about what's been going on across the country lately, particularly with the #BLM protests.
Some have been peaceful, like the one in Memphis last night. Some have been extremely violent, and people have been screaming at both the BLM folks and the police.
The police seem to be getting the worse end of the deal, from what I've seen. No, I haven't done anything like a statistical analysis, I'm just going by what I've seen and heard.
To those who are attacking the police (verbally or otherwise), I would like to share with you something that my grandmother told me when I was very young.
If you are not able AND willing to do a better job, then don't criticize the person who IS doing the job.
Sometimes that can be hard. But you know, she was a pretty smart lady, and she gave good advice.
If you don't think the police are doing things the way they should be done, go become a member of the force. Go stand in that Thin Blue Line, and speak from there about how the police should be doing things.
Years ago, I read that there were two types of people in law enforcement -- Guardians, and Enforcers, and there were too few of the former and too many of the latter.
I'm not going to claim that just because someone has chosen to earn and wear a badge means that they're an angel. There ARE both Guardians and Enforcers in law enforcement.
But you know what?
When the waste products forcibly contact the rotary air mover, BOTH types move into that Thin Blue Line. BOTH types put their lives on the line for people they've never even met. For people whom they know hate to see them coming... except in the middle of a crisis situation, and sometimes even then.
So, when you're willing to do what it takes and step into that line of blue, I'll be willing to listen to you say how things should be done. Until then your opinion is, at best, uninformed.
To all of those Guardians who stand in that Blue Line... "thank you" doesn't begin to cover it!
To those member of the BLM movement, yes, your concerns are legitimate. Last night, some of your members walked arm-in-arm with Memphis Police officers, and pledged to work together. Can you follow their example and take the high road? Or are you determined to prove what your detractors say about you?