This one will probably not be too popular!

[pumba]

I have a rant of my own. Now keep in mind that I have a slightly bias openion considering I am a Police Officer.

WHat in the world is up with the folks in L.A. I am referring to the horribly unfortunate event that happened with the L.A.P.D. officer, that accidently shot a very small child that was being used by a gunman as a shield.

Now I see all kinds of folks pointing the finger at the cop. It is all his fault according to them... What about the Dirt Bag that was using the child as a shield while popping off rounds at the Police and people. I mean, Dang. No one is getting mad at him and trying to riot because of his actions. I don't see anyone threatoning his family. What is this world comming to?

Lets put things into perspective. But first, let me say that my thaughts and prayers are out to the family and all involved in this truly horiffic thing.

1. None of this is helping the surviving family members, I mean come on. Lets have some respect and not drag them through the news.
2. Now there are folks at these demonstrations holding up children screeming "do you want to shoot this one too" and crap like that. Maby I am diferent but seems to me that is not exactly a healthy enviroment for the poor child. Not to mention,one day he/she may need the police for something and be too afraid to call.
3. Lets think about the officer for a moment. From someone who knows from personal experience with an accidental shooting (that didn't have anthing to do with a child or death, However close to death for my partner). ( by the way before I go any further, I do not know that officer or the family, nore do I work for the L.A.P.D. this is just a vewpoint)That man is probably sitting in a dark room with a large bottle of something that is not helping his attitude and contemplating eating a bullet himself. He has to live with what has happened. He had a split second to decide on going home to his family, or doing what he had to do. For weeks, months, or years to come, at night when he tries to go to sleep, he will see that entire scene over and over again. At best the guy will never be the same again.

When are we as a society going to stand up and make he who causes a bad situation be accountable? This is just like saying a rape victim was "asking for it" by the way she was dressed. It makes no sence. No one is willing to stand up and say the man was doing what he is paid to do. What we as a society ask of him to allow us to be able to go to sleep tonight without needing land mines in our yards. (again, I am not downplaying the suprime tragicness of this situation) ANd by the way, He is not paid enough to do the job he does. What is wrong with this picture. A bad situation comes along and you have to decide wether to take the shot and go home to your family, or don't, (And wait, that can be a simple one,) You also have to think about your fellow officers being able to go home, and you people that are walking down the street, if he don't take the shot you may not make it either. Not to mention , the other 17 year old girl that was being held hostage, she may not have made it home. You have all these things to think about in about 1/1000th of a second then "Bang" it is now over and the world has the rest of your life to pick it apart, and degrade you, threaten your family, criticize your decision, tell you that you are paid to get killed, (All though I do not remember that being in the job description). Not to mention the toughest thing to live with,,,,,Yourself, and the memory.

Lets start showing our support for the Guys and Gals in blue, You know, the people that will take a bullet for you while you talk trash about him/her even though he dosn't even know you! The one that is driving around in a huricane trying to help people he has never met, while his family is having to fend for their own. The guy that lives with the ghosts of his past experiences from bloody children in car crashes, burnt bodies in houses, Shooting victims, and the sobbing faces of the rape victim every night when he goes to sleep.

People are quick to say that Police officers are human and they can make mistakes when they are explaining to a judge that the officer was wrong when issuing a citation; at the same time, we are expected to be robots and oblivious to the carnage we see every day, and do our job without notice. When I see things like this it makes me want to quit my job. Why would anyone want to have to live with all that,,,,,right,,,, then you think about the one person that may be still living because of the C.P.R. you gave them or the ticket you wrote them, or maby the face of the child that hugged your neck when you pulled her from a burning car.

I tell my guys, If in an entire career, you make a difference in just one person's life, it is a career well spent. One saved life is worth the trouble. I don't just say that, I live it! Good day and God bless!!!

Sorry that got a bit long, sometimes I can't help myself.