April 26, 2005
Quote of the Day
Cops are armed when civilians can't be, often with weapons civilians can't have. I can't tell you how sick I get of seeing notations in catalogs like Brigade Quartermaster that certain items are for cops only.
Cops live and operate within a strict hierarchy, usually with titles like "sergeant", "lieutenant", "captain", and so forth. Most of them wear military-style uniforms, and an argument can be made that so-called "plainclothes" operations ought to be outlawed. Increasingly, they wear military battledress and carry military weapons.
Cops form a culture all to themselves, like professional soldiers, and usually have little to do with those who are not cops. They do call us "civilians". I never heard this term "little people" before. They also call us "assholes" and say that the public just consists of criminals who haven't been caught yet. I know because I was there at one time.
Yeah, I understand the theory that they're civilians, too. I repeat that it's bullshit. What they are, in fact, is an occupying military force, with strategic bases in every hamlet in the nation -- which is why they and their hangers-on lie to us and possibly to themselves about being civilians, too.
They are the very standing army that the Founding Fathers were afraid of.
And for good reason.
L. Neil Smith
In response last night to a post I made on a mailing list about how cops refer to non-cops as "civilians" when they, too, are in fact "civilians."
There are some very good folks who wear the uniform. They don't refer to us as "civilians." They "Protect and Serve." They are Peace Officers.
There are some very bad folks who wear the uniform. They refer to us as "civilians." They "only follow orders." They are law enforcement officers.
I'd ride the river with the former. I wouldn't piss on the later if they were on fire.
Russ, you know at least one Peace Officer. Duane H. from our 270 General Rifle class. I hope you know others, as Peace Officers are a fine bunch.
Posted by: Steve Pegram on April 27, 2005 06:29 PMSteve, I've met some fine Peace Officers. Both of my brothers have been Peace Officers; one still is (the other is a military fraud investigator.) My brother-in-law is also one. Heck, I'm the only one in my family who isn't in uniform (any more, at least.)
I know a couple of Peace Officers in my dojo. Fine men, decent and genuinely, passionately dedicated to the ethic of protecting others.
Yes, I remember Duane, and I like him. Agreed, a fine Peace Officer.
Unfortunately, these types of men represent a increasingly rare type of character in today's cops, most of whom are "LEOs", not Peace Officers, as you point out.
Posted by: Russell Whitaker on April 27, 2005 06:48 PMI fear you are correct. Most of the Peace Officers live in "another country" these days.
Ah, but when you meet up with a real Peace Officer, that's an event worthy of a pint or two.
Posted by: Steve Pegram on April 27, 2005 07:16 PM