Uh-huh. And, what more important duties was this cop not performing for taxpayers while tracking down and then beating up somebody who merely briefly insulted him? Not to mention the aftermath (MANY more resources squandered.)
If the bird flipper had SIGNIFICANTLY impaired in some way the officer from performing his duties, I’d have a different opinion. However, a middle finger in this situation is not “significant impairment” - unless of course the officer has poor self-control, which, I’ll admit, seems to be the case...
That's just asinine talk, from the kind of person who would much prefer that regulators of disorderliness would direct their attention elsewhere, a very juvenile attitude toward authority.
Here is one of the views one gets from the internet (click here):
o Sworn law enforcement officers are those who have taken an oath to support the Constitution of the United States, their state, and the laws of their agency’s jurisdiction.In the end, it is not beneficial to the sworn officer in the line of his duties to ignore the detrimental effect that scoffers publicly disrespectful of the law, mocking its enforcers, holding them in derision and as unprofitable servants, bring to the tenor and reputation of the wholesomeness of the community, and their own personal reputations, effectiveness, and safety as well.
o Sworn officers also have the responsibility to ensure the safety and quality of life of the communities they serve.
o People depend on law enforcement officers protect their lives and property.
o Officers and detectives maintain a helpful presence in their communities.
You've probably never heard of the existence of "broken window policing, but I suggest that you look up the term and ponder on it.
If any of your friends is an experienced professional lawman, let me suggest that you seek his/her counsel on that aspect of their occupation. If they are really being effective (and your churches in their basic functionas well), they will have to spend less time on violence and more time on he issues under consideration in this thread, which indicate that parents in that community have generally been lacking in the upbringing of their children to be responsible and accountably proficient in making mature decisions and conduct in the community.
To add, your approach to this question is not very conservative at all, and I am thinking of the community mindset in which I grew up in, in the 1940s and 1950s when we were at war, and very serious about the substantive matters that constitute an educated disciplined life.