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EPGAH -> RE: Rooting for the Villian (10/31/2007 10:35:00 AM)
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Well, on another thread, there was a fairly chilling post: "God laughs whenever a cop is shot"
I HOPE he was being tongue-in-cheek, or at least in EXTREMELY bad taste, however, that sound-bite DOES seem to have basis in popular opinion. When a cop is shot, there is some mourning, but generally, the topic is "get over it". If a cop shoots--or even "tasers"--a criminal, there is a MASSIVE hue-and-cry...Bigger if the criminal is a minority, 'cause then there are "racist" overtones. Even if the cop survives, his career is usually over...And recently a couple Border Patrolmen were put in JAIL for it!
Collateral damage is even worse, and only recently, the Supreme Court decided that a fleeing criminal--NOT the pursuing cops--is liable for any damage he causes in a crash! This is a small step in the right direction, but police need a lot more protection--not necessarily just legal, given the prevalence of armor-piercing rounds and full-autos on the streets these days...
That aside, of course, the "suspect" (It's rude to call it a criminal just because you have overwhelming evidence, sometimes including video--most that evidence will be "suppressed" by the defense) has to be tried. Defense attorneys get evidence suppressed for being "prejudicial" (But if you think about it, ALL evidence is prejudicial, it either proves you DID it, or DIDN'T do it!) Of course, the criminal being "young" (He didn't know any better! [:(]) and/or a minority (Unfairly oppressed by "The System" [:(]) gives them a BIG bonus in the media, and may or may not influence the case...Everyone makes jokes about lawyers, but a judge is just a lawyer with a promotion! [;)]
Then, if they ARE sentenced, the taxpayers "get" to provide them exercise rooms, food, shelter, cable TV, and "free" health-care--It's not a prison, it's a 3-star hospital/hotel! (Other countries, the jails are concrete/steel boxes, if your family wants you to have any amenities, THEY pay for it--even toothbrushes!)--and they don't have to contribute to society (Chain-gangs are "cruel and unusual" now) Don't worry, though, the criminal is usually back on the street before the arresting officer is out from under the arrest paperwork!
So naturally, if they're underpaid and underappreciated when doing their job, (When they're allowed to do it, and until they're shot), is it any wonder that some choose not to do their job, whether they accept payment to not do it, or not?
I think that police recruitment would make a great subject for a SNL skit.
Announcer: How would YOU like a job where you get underpaid, underappreciated, and shot at by all kinds of criminal scum?
Cadet: Wow, where do I sign up?
Announcer: But wait, there's more...Unstable hours, tremendous mental and emotional strain on you and your family! The lives of you and/or your family getting threatened by friends of the scum you hunt, and you not being able to LEGALLY make a move on them until they actually DO something--and by that time, it's too late! AND you'll have a cute little pistol, while the scum you face will have the option of semi-auto or full-auto firepower!
Cadet: Sounds great!
Announcer: And if you do your job too well, your superiors will come down on you--HARD--and/or you'll get an "envelope" from the local branch of the organized criminal element...
Cadet: Huh?
Announcer: Rules will prevent you from doing your job, so you mi's well take the extra dough!
Cadet: Oh (Disillusioned)
How's THAT for rooting for the villain?
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