[Joe Brower]

Being here in Cali right now, this is running quite a bit in the news here. It seems like there are conflicting sides of the story as to who did what when. So the jury is still out on this incident.

My overall observation is that this is just another sign of the sad Era of Unreason in which we live, to wit:

Violent crime among young people, especially with firearms, is out of control in many of America's urban hellholes centers, and cops do die every year at the hands of those the Brady Bunch like to call "children". This grim reality invokes sudden and deadly response on the part of law enforcement.

Law enforcement, on the other hand, often harbors a mindset of "us and them", a division which only adds fuel to the fire. Part of this is simply mental defense ("why risk getting hurt?"), part is enculturated attitude which serves no good purpose.

Also, you tend to fight like you train, and much of law enforcement no longer follows the continuum of force which used to be standard practice. What used to be the last resort is now the first option -- guns, in almost any situation, much less one involving firearms, or what are perceived to be firearms.

A sad state of affairs all around.

And yes, criminals can and do sometimes paint the tips of their gun barrels orange.

[mvpel]

Law enforcement, on the other hand, often harbors a mindset of "us and them", a division which only adds fuel to the fire.

Imagine how much worse it would be if alcohol and tobacco were also completely banned.

[TheOldLady]

All of the police officers I have personally known have a low opinion of people in general, and their friends have to prove themselves otherwise before they're accepted. Guilty until proven innocent.

I think that it is because they have to deal with scum all day long. Traffic officers get a lot of grief from perps who are angry with themselves for getting caught and take it out on the officer. And other policemen see the dregs of society as they are called to fix the messes that evil or careless people make.

I got a speeding ticket on my motorcycle (1978 Yoshimura Honda 400-4), and I was having a respectful dialog with the officer as he wrote the ticket. He tore it off, gave it to me, and waited for "it." But I said, "Thank you, Officer. Have a nice day." The man nearly fainted.

When there is a dispute between a LEO and anyone else, I tend to come down on the side of the officer. If an officer is wrong, it's news. When he's right, it's so commonplace that no one notices.

Thank God for these people who protect and serve us.