To read the NYT, Eric Holder's latest musings, or practically any libertarian blog (Radley Balko's coming first to mind, although most anything in Reason magazine will do), one would think that there is no "war on the police," but only concerned citizens mindful of America's stained, racist past and yearning for less thuggish law enforcement and fairer treatment for minorities, particularly young black men.
Only there is a war on police. It doesn't look like Obama's "Ferguson meeting" at the White House. An article in the Alaska Dispatch News shows what it looks like, as pictured on the next page.
Man who shot Anchorage officer gets 22 years in prison
A man who pleaded guilty to shooting at Anchorage police officers investigating a string of burglaries in fall 2012 was sentenced to 22 years in prison Friday in Anchorage Superior Court.
Deputy district attorney Clint Campion said Jason Barnum, 39, pleaded guilty to attempted murder, a consolidated first-degree burglary charge and third degree weapons misconduct.
Radley Balko, in my view, is an important contributor to the debate over policing in the US. Let's take one example--the flashbang grenade that tragically injured a toddler in Georgia. Is it anti-police to question whether cops should have the power to act that way? Even if such a use of force is justified against a drug dealer (and I am not sure it is), what about innocent people in the house? What rights do they have?
Years ago, we had the Waco tragedy. There are lots of things the feds could have done to avoid the deaths of innocent children. It isn't anti-police to point this out, or even question no-knock raids that go haywire.
The police should get scrutinized like every other public institution, but Balko is nothing short of obsessed. Not a single time have I seen him say anything genuinely positive about the police. In addition, dozens of his entries are dripping with superiority, sarcasm and snark. And he couldn't bring himself to say a word of even mild regret about the murders of the two New York officers. Not a word.
I think the man has serious issues with authority. He reminds me of a 13 year-old with something snippy and unpleasant to say about whatever his parents tell him to do. He needs to grow out of his adolescence.
In a perfect world, individuals who criticize the police would acknowledge the many positive things the police do. And the same would hold true for those believe there is a "war on the police" i.e. acknowledge that some police actions are worthy of criticisms (which I think is what Bill's post is saying).
I think that for the most part police officers have a fairly difficult, thankless and dangerous job. This doesn't excuse using excessive force but it is easy for me to "monday morning" quarterback police actions in the heat of the moment from the comfort of my home.
How does a random cop murder in Alaska represent a national problem? Or a War? Or anything outside of this one particular incident?
This hysteria about cops just sounds like hokey conservative rhetoric. As someone who has read much more thoughtful posts on this site, I have to say this one is disappointingly shallow in the same way that The War on Christmas or The War on Women is shallow made-up controversy by lazy media (well, there is plenty of real news to report, but not the kind that will get the 60+ crowd riled up and panicking and watching the current 24-hour cycle).
I have heard a lot of crap here in NYC about how hard it is to be a cop (which is news to most NYPD). Yet, the crazy guy who shot two cops for no reason (after murdering a civilian for no reason) has caused the first police deaths here in the *entire* city in at least three years. Currently, being a cop is safer than most normal professions in the city, including, for instance, being a taxi driver or construction worker. And the cops get paid better than most other blue collar workers. They get excellent benefits. They work during the safest era in decades. They get to retire at age 40 with lifetime benefits and pension (a travesty for the taxpayer). And yet, they have tantrums when the mayor also indicates his support for free speech and redress of civil rights violations. (Oh, and they always throw a fit during budget and union negotiation season when Uncle Sugar is doling out the cash, which, of course, happens to be about right now.)
I am not sure why older, fearful Americans to worship at the cop alter by perpetuating the "hero" myth or the "danger in the streets" myth (etc.). Maybe there are enough baby boomers who still feel guilty for the way vets were treated during Vietnam, so now they go off the deep end in the opposite direction?
1. Sounds like you're planning on suicide at age 59. I advise against it. I have no doubt you'll be contributing well after that.
2. I hope, however, that your contributions will take a step up from this zinger: "Yet, the crazy guy who shot two cops for no reason (after murdering a civilian for no reason)..."
You managed to pack two breathtaking lies into just 18 words. Brinsley could not have been more explicit that he murdered the two officers BECAUSE THEY WERE POLICEMEN, and to take "revenge" (of the kind you have fanned, though not in haec verba) for the Ferguson and Staten Island killings (which were very different from one another, not that I want to bother you with nuance). And the person he shot in Baltimore, his girlfriend, would be surprised today to know she died.
Still, I appreciate your comment. I am never able to portray sneering hatred for the police anywhere near as well as those who actually bear it.
It's informative that thinking the police should obey the law and be held accountable when they don't is "sneering hatred."
The claim there's a war on cops is risible, or would be if it wasn't so pathetic.
There's no war on cops. There is a War on the American People, and the militarization of the police is part of it.
But I appreciate your blog. It's good to see the "sneering hatred" so-called conservatives have for America.
"There's no war on cops."
Oh, OK.
Maybe you tell me what this picture shows: http://www.crimeandconsequences.com/crimblog/2015/01/hands-up-dont-shoot----the-tru.html
P.S. I allowed your comment to appear even though it's nothing more than sticking your tongue out. Future comments of that sort will not be published. If you'd care to try analysis and argument, including argument in full-throated disagreement, that would be welcome.