Good post and such a deep subject (but which one isn't these day).
The one misconception I think many have held for decades, revolves around the "protect" portion of that credo.
With VERY few exceptions - our tax dollars are not buying protection - so the credo on the side of those black & whites should be "Respond & Serve".
"Protect" is what flack jackets, air bags, safety glasses, steel toe boots or in place armed resource officers do.
"Respond" is what EMTs, ER docs, and yes a police officers driving to the scene of a crime do.
If they were protecting you, they would stand between you and the assault/crime/criminal. Actually a hired security guard/detail, would fill that function much more effectively.
Our perception is flawed - in that we don't realize and admit, they are a reactionary force.
I'd rather them be out rounding up criminals, drug dealers, etc, so those bad actors don't darken my door or jack my car, in the first place.
Of course the leftists, would point to profiling and false arrests - which to be fair, there is some merit to - in some cases.
The larger flaw in the system is that we the masses - have been told and even legislated out of being the "protect", in our daily lives. If you think about it, we are the logical ones to fill that role - we are the first responders to crimes perpetrated on ourselves.
The police are not there to protect you, they are there to administrate and record details, after the fact - in almost all cases.
the 'press this button' at the bottom of your post? a tic toc or FB clip of a mirror in the woods and the response of a bear. lol missed the photo of you and yo big sis.......i think.
I grew up in the Fillmore when it was much rougher than it is now. I saw firsthand on many occasions some of my friends (who btw were participating in illegal activities just not at the time) be harassed and roughed up by our local beat cops. We also know police are incentivized to meet quotas making their actions suspect. When I got called in for Jury Duty once I inadvertently started a little mini riot in the jury box by describing some of my experiences which inspired 3-4 other jurors to describe their direct experiences of being wronged by and not trusting police. The judge had to halt the proceedings and then dismiss our jury as tainted and our little group was held back to be lectured to about how just because there were a few cases doesn't mean all cops are untrustworthy, blah, blah, blah. Soon after that, (I'm guessing my jury adventure was happening more and more in other juries), SF changed the pre-process to vet juries so that our negative experiences can not be described during the Voire Dire LOL.
I know there are good guys out there but the system is not fit for purpose (well ours anyway).
"The government version of protection is inherently hypocritical. In short, to create a huge gang and then give it societal permission to control and extort people, with the hope that this gang will prevent theft and thuggery is simply a self-contradictory idea, but that’s what government always is." https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xMoPBDz5ycA
I've had three female friends who were raped or sexually assaulted by active duty police.
In SF, the police run the street drug trade (the Honduran gangs in the TL), the fencing rings (the car breakins), and both the child and adult prostitution/trafficking. They also run a protection racket on small businesses which is why you see the stories about the same businesses being burglarized over and over again.
And yet if they were to disappear tomorrow, we would just be at the mercy of some other set of subhuman warlord filth - that's all the government is afterall. It would be nice if we could evolve into a species that doesn't need police, but I won't hold my breath.
Everything is scrambled. I’m reading reading, reading, trying to make sense of everything. But it seems beyond me. As for my comment, I’m not sure why I said that. I happen to be writing a short story about some military guy holed up in a hidden shelter in a wooded area. His job is to chase away the intruders. He doesn’t know where he is. I have no idea where the story is going, but it feels like an opening to a novel. first time I’ve written from the perspective of a man. I think I’m over my head.
Thank you for that. I’m filled with words but the rant would be incoherent. I’m very conflicted about writing right now. What’s the point of writing fiction? Would it help? Is it a waste of time? What’s the point of writing non-fiction and only adding adding a voice to the crowd? Would it make any difference?
I’m not despondent. Just unclear. Maybe it’s as simple as this: writing something, anything… would make a few things come in to focus and relieve a little bit of angst.
Good post and such a deep subject (but which one isn't these day).
The one misconception I think many have held for decades, revolves around the "protect" portion of that credo.
With VERY few exceptions - our tax dollars are not buying protection - so the credo on the side of those black & whites should be "Respond & Serve".
"Protect" is what flack jackets, air bags, safety glasses, steel toe boots or in place armed resource officers do.
"Respond" is what EMTs, ER docs, and yes a police officers driving to the scene of a crime do.
If they were protecting you, they would stand between you and the assault/crime/criminal. Actually a hired security guard/detail, would fill that function much more effectively.
Our perception is flawed - in that we don't realize and admit, they are a reactionary force.
I'd rather them be out rounding up criminals, drug dealers, etc, so those bad actors don't darken my door or jack my car, in the first place.
Of course the leftists, would point to profiling and false arrests - which to be fair, there is some merit to - in some cases.
The larger flaw in the system is that we the masses - have been told and even legislated out of being the "protect", in our daily lives. If you think about it, we are the logical ones to fill that role - we are the first responders to crimes perpetrated on ourselves.
The police are not there to protect you, they are there to administrate and record details, after the fact - in almost all cases.
I agree 100% with everything you wrote there, CTD. 👏🏾👏🏾👏🏾
Respond and Serve... that’s what we need more than Protection. 👌🏾
can't git enough of yo perspicacity. and the bear in the mirror says it all. mucho de loveO.
Thank you berda! Which bear in which mirror? Do you mean the framed photo of me and my big sister? 🧸
the 'press this button' at the bottom of your post? a tic toc or FB clip of a mirror in the woods and the response of a bear. lol missed the photo of you and yo big sis.......i think.
Oh yes! I forgot I did that!!! Soooo funny 🐻
I grew up in the Fillmore when it was much rougher than it is now. I saw firsthand on many occasions some of my friends (who btw were participating in illegal activities just not at the time) be harassed and roughed up by our local beat cops. We also know police are incentivized to meet quotas making their actions suspect. When I got called in for Jury Duty once I inadvertently started a little mini riot in the jury box by describing some of my experiences which inspired 3-4 other jurors to describe their direct experiences of being wronged by and not trusting police. The judge had to halt the proceedings and then dismiss our jury as tainted and our little group was held back to be lectured to about how just because there were a few cases doesn't mean all cops are untrustworthy, blah, blah, blah. Soon after that, (I'm guessing my jury adventure was happening more and more in other juries), SF changed the pre-process to vet juries so that our negative experiences can not be described during the Voire Dire LOL.
I know there are good guys out there but the system is not fit for purpose (well ours anyway).
"The government version of protection is inherently hypocritical. In short, to create a huge gang and then give it societal permission to control and extort people, with the hope that this gang will prevent theft and thuggery is simply a self-contradictory idea, but that’s what government always is." https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xMoPBDz5ycA
The system is not fit for purpose, you’re completely right. 👌🏾
I always love hearing stories from your notorious past, Jen. ✨
I've had three female friends who were raped or sexually assaulted by active duty police.
In SF, the police run the street drug trade (the Honduran gangs in the TL), the fencing rings (the car breakins), and both the child and adult prostitution/trafficking. They also run a protection racket on small businesses which is why you see the stories about the same businesses being burglarized over and over again.
And yet if they were to disappear tomorrow, we would just be at the mercy of some other set of subhuman warlord filth - that's all the government is afterall. It would be nice if we could evolve into a species that doesn't need police, but I won't hold my breath.
Re the sexual assaults... that is awful but I know this happens. 😞
I’m currently watching Narcos, based on true events (like my story above) and it’s pretty much as you describe.
Also I was shocked at how quickly our friend could grow such a magnificent beard!!
The beard part was real but some of the above story is fiction “based on true events.” 😬
We did have a conversation about the po-po. But then I came home and wrote the story... yikes, was up til 3am.
yes, and so weirdly meta phorical... HAPPY EQUINOX!
And how that metaphor works in multiple ways!
A myriad of ways, pardon the pun
I must be living in a hidden shelter in the woods.
Sounds dreamy.
Everything is scrambled. I’m reading reading, reading, trying to make sense of everything. But it seems beyond me. As for my comment, I’m not sure why I said that. I happen to be writing a short story about some military guy holed up in a hidden shelter in a wooded area. His job is to chase away the intruders. He doesn’t know where he is. I have no idea where the story is going, but it feels like an opening to a novel. first time I’ve written from the perspective of a man. I think I’m over my head.
I think so many of us relate to the not making sense of everything right now. Thanks for elaborating on the comment. I hope you keep writing GLW ✨
I said everything but maybe I mean anything! 🤔
Thank you for that. I’m filled with words but the rant would be incoherent. I’m very conflicted about writing right now. What’s the point of writing fiction? Would it help? Is it a waste of time? What’s the point of writing non-fiction and only adding adding a voice to the crowd? Would it make any difference?
I’m not despondent. Just unclear. Maybe it’s as simple as this: writing something, anything… would make a few things come in to focus and relieve a little bit of angst.
My husband says I think too much.
Everything you just wrote makes sense to me.
Clever girl you are (spoken in Yoda voice)
I chuckled :)