robi2106's Journal: The "Support the Troops But Not The Mission" Bullshit

Thanks to this journal regarding this bit of reporting by NBC regarding soldiers opinions on the "We support you but not the mission" fad with the some of the anti-war crowd.

I suppose those individuals taking this stance haven't ever been in a situation where people revile you while professing to support you. Police work is one of those professions. No one wants to see an Officer. They hate Officers. Unless their sorry ass is in trouble or got ripped off, etc. Then they can't say enough about Law Enforcement. Too slow. Out chasing speeders instead of catching the "real criminals" (who are also speeders you dip-sticks). Never around when you need them. Paid too much to do too little.

Tell you what. I'll put a set of clothes on you that makes you look like the KKK, and then I'll put you in LA. Now go do your job of (anything really: how about side walk vender) with out getting your ass shot. Now you get paid just $20 / hr but you have good medical benefits. Is it worth it?

Ok. Now put on some camo, go to Iraq, and try to get to century old enemies to quit blowing the hell out of each other. Now have dozens of "important" senators and reps deride what you do while supposedly paying lip service to you. You cannot separate the person from the job when the job is soo closely linked to the very survival of the person. The job becomes the person, for better or worse.

jason

The memory of a quote

[StalinsNotDead]

from another forum

In response to something similar to this Paid too much to do too little. with regards to cops.

"You show me an underworked cop, and I'll show you and underbeat hippy."

What if you support a different mission?

[Marxist Hacker 42]

Ok. Now put on some camo, go to Iraq, and try to get to century old enemies to quit blowing the hell out of each other. Now have dozens of "important" senators and reps deride what you do while supposedly paying lip service to you. You cannot separate the person from the job when the job is soo closely linked to the very survival of the person. The job becomes the person, for better or worse.

I don't support the misision. I don't support it because it is not a possible mission. I don't care how many troo

Don't see the problem

[Captain Splendid]

I don't see what's so damn hard about this. How can you not sympathize with some poor GI who's just trying to feed his family/get money for college/do what he believes is his patritotic duty? They didn't make the choice to start this war, they didn't make the choice to fucked up the ass on endless redeployments, they didn't choose to be issued inferior goods.

Hell, what about the guys in the National Guard? They sure as shit were not expecting to spend years on end in a desert getting shot at.

Unlike

Our Troops

[Le Marteau]

The troops are fine, it's the commander-in-chief who needs to be demoted.

on speed traps....

[(H)elix1]

Out chasing speeders instead of catching the "real criminals" (who are also speeders you dip-sticks).

This one will get me on the soap box fast. Not sure about your city, but tickets are a huge part of the budget. Guess what happens? We would call them to start the process on someone who was loading up their truck with loot and got cought. Seems no cars were available for hours. Course there was five squad cars working a speed trap less than a city block away. We actually had a security guard walk over

Re:

[robi2106]

keep in mind that some officers are tasked specifically to traffic and not responding to calls. these teams are only supposed to respond to traffic crashes, speeders, etc. Some times they simply do not have the materials to respond to other types of calls (like a motorcycle cop doesn't have room for a duty bag with loads of extra gear, cuffs, restraints). They also are hte least experienced in any other call type because they don't handle domestic situations any more.

right or wrong, that is sometimes how

Re:

[(H)elix1]

These were not 'special' units, thus the vile. Nothing to do with the original posting either - not trying to draw any connections there. Just wanted to make a joe public comment about why some people might think these speed trapping 'public servants' might not really be out to protect and serve, but rather get a bonus. Can't say that makes me feel all warm inside. Tis also the exception rather than the rule. (grin)