My father was the Chief of Police at a small town in Arkansas when he died at the age of 39. I was only 17 at the time. My dad's cousin, his brother-in-law and my brother-in-law were also law enforcement officers. Personally, I majored in Criminal Justice and I am still working to finish my degree. As you can imagine, I am pro-law enforcement.
I wanted to give you a view of an interaction that I had with a law enforcement officer here locally. One night, I was on my way home and came to a four way stop. There was this law enforcement officer second in line behind another car to my left. I waited and let the car on my right go before me, then I let the car in front of the police officer go next. Once this second car started into the intersection, I began to go. As I traveled down towards my home, I noticed that this car in front of the police officer had a tail light out. This car turned into my neighborhood, I followed and the police lights came on. I assumed that the police officer was going after the guy with the tail light out, so I pulled into my driveway which was the third house on the right. To me surprise, he wanted to stop me. He pulled his car sideways into my driveway, like I was going to try and get away or something. Curious, I got out of my car and walked back towards his car. He yelled at me and told me to get back towards my car. Once he got out of his car, he said he could have shot me for approaching his car. I was shocked at this comment. I was wearing a T-shirt and shorts. I had no weapon on me. Where would I have put it anyway?
When he got out of his car, he was in this real defensive posture like he was ready for me to attack him. He started to speak and lectured me about approaching his car, almost pulling his gun on me, then said that he was pulling me over for running the stop sign. Of course, this kind of infuriated me since I had waited for two cars to go before me and I had not run the stop sign. It was obvious to me that this cop had his head in his computer and when he looked up, he saw me already moving in the intersection. He went on and on about how I just blew through the intersection.
I have to tell you. This guy was a 24 carat jerk. He went on and on about me running the stop sign. I tried to explain to him that I didn't, but he said he wasn't going to argue with me. Eventually, after giving me the riot act, telling me how lucky I was that he didn't shoot me, then he finally went back to his car and looked up my driving record. Of course, he didn't find anything on it, so he got back out of his car, still in this defensive posture like I was going to attack him, then told me he was going to "let me off" for running the stop sign. At the end, I asked him, "Can I talk now?" He relented and I went on to tell him that I didn't run the stop sign and in fact had waited for two cars to go before me. Yet, this jerk still stuck to his guns. He was "absolutely certain" that I ran the stop sign. Again he reiterated that he wasn't going to "argue with me." I told him that I was telling him the truth, but he didn't want to hear that. I was so stinking mad at this guy that he refused to admit he was wrong. If he was so sure, then why didn't he write me a ticket for running the stop sign?
I was flabbergasted at this guy's treatment of me. Oh by the way, I am a white guy. Yes, it is true that white guys are also subject to bad treatment by white cops and threatened with their guns.
My suggestion to you whether you are black, white or otherwise is to quit falling into the Democratic Party and Black Lives Matter dribble that wants you to believe their crap and keep us all divided. Quit being a damn victim! Don't you see that you are falling right in line with what the Democrats and Black Lives Matter want you to do? Can you not see how they are using you for their political purposes? Stop listening to their talking points and realize that you are not the only one that has had bad experiences with police officers. Even fans of the police have bad experiences and the fact that I was white has nothing to do with it. Divisiveness needs to end. We are all Americans.
By the way, I pray for the families of the fallen in Dallas. I can still remember the police presence at my father's funeral. It was one of the positive things about his funeral. However, I also know what the children of the fallen will experience in their lives. It will be hard and they will need prayers and support from family, friends and others. I am almost 60 years old now and it is still very difficult for me having lost my father all these years later.
Readjust and reevaluate your thinking. We all need to be pro-law enforcement even if we fall victim to a bad cop every now and then. Regardless whether we are black, white or otherwise.
Showing posts with label Democrats. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Democrats. Show all posts
Tuesday, July 12, 2016
Tuesday, October 16, 2012
United States of America, Divided States of America?
My mom is a life long Democrat and Bill Clinton fan. She was invited to one of his inaugurations and proudly displays his invitation on her wall. My mom lives in Arkansas and that is where I am from, too.
A long time ago, at then Governor Bill Clinton's 31st birthday, I was the sole bartender at his private birthday party, put on by his staff. One of then Governor Clinton's State Police officers used to come into the bar that I worked at when I was 21 years old. He is the one who put me in as the bartender at that private event.
I can remember how tall he was compared to me back then and also what he drank. He only had one drink that night and it was a gin and tonic. I was real shy back then and unfortunately, I guess I am still shy even today. We didn't talk much back then, the Governor and I. It is not that I was in awe of him or anything. It was more my treatment of popular people. I have always looked at popular people as just like anyone else, except they are popular and have taken steps to achieve what they have achieved. I have never been one to ask for autographs or have my picture taken with any celebrities. In my mind, these popular people would like a break from that kind of stuff, so I left him alone.
During this private party, when he came to the bar to order a drink, it was because he was taking a break from the festivities. He didn't appear to like all the attention, as strange as that sounds. He came to the bar to get away from the attention. Of course, that is totally opposite of the former President today.
When Bill Clinton won the presidency the first time, as an Arkansan, we were all proud of him, regardless whether or not we would admit it in public. Funny thing back then, no one would ever admit that they voted for Bill Clinton around Little Rock, but he always seem to win. Well, with one exception when he raised the license plate fees. People in Arkansas did not like that and replaced him with Republican Frank White. I truly believe that this taught him a valuable lesson as a politician. He learned that he was the Governor of 100% of the people, not just his supporters. When he was President, he reached across the aisle and worked with Newt Gingrich and the Republicans to get some things done.
Today, I look around and see a lot of vitriolic talk. Are we the United States of America or the Divided States of America? I am not sure how this has happened, but I for one, prefer the United States of America.
I am a Conservative, but I vote for the people that I believe are the best for the job. Some of my friends are Democrats and some are Republicans. The same is true of our clients. I respect people for being Democrats and understand perfectly why they are Democrats.
Firefighters, Policemen, Teachers and others have primarily been Democrats in the past and that is just the way it is. My biological father was the Chief of Police when he died. I am sure he was a Democrat. I am Catholic and historically, Catholics have been Democrats primarily because of their belief in helping others through charitable endeavors. I am not so sure if that is the case today, however.
One of my clients is a firefighter and a great friend of mine. He knows that I am a Conservative, but that doesn't matter to him. I respect him for his political position and certainly do not let that mar our friendship. Why should I?
My mom is still a Democrat today. Do you think I should quit speaking to my mom, because she is a Democrat? How silly that would be.
Not too long ago, we had a choice for a new mayor here in Jacksonville, Florida. Since, I majored in Criminal Justice, I have a keen interest in crime and criminal activities in our town. There is a certain area of town, specifically Northwest Jacksonville that is where a lot of crime takes place. Sadly, it is mostly black on black crime over stupid things like one guy looked at another guys girlfriend and got killed for it.
When the race for mayor came about, we had this young black man named Alvin Brown running for the office. In my mind, even though he was a Democrat, I felt that the city of Jacksonville needed a good role model for the blacks in our city. In addition, this man was more of a bipartisan politician. In other words, he would reach across the aisle to get things done. I voted for him. I know his Chief Financial Officer from my former position as Branch Manager at Charles Schwab. Ronnie Belton is a great guy and is in a tough spot. Poor Ronnie has to be the bad guy and present the budget.
Like other cities, counties and states across the country, the City of Jacksonville has to adhere to a balanced budget. In other words, there needs to be some sacrifices from the police, firefighters and teachers. These groups all thought that the status quo would remain the same with Mayor Brown, but boy were they shocked when their department got their pink slips. You should have heard the whining in the local Times Union newspaper.
The days of one group of people getting everything they want at the expense of taxpayers is over, if what is going on in Jacksonville is any indication. Not only are we going to have to tackle the budgets of our cities, counties and states, we must tackle the issue of our national debt. We simply cannot go forward into the future without some sacrifices from everyone. I understand that no one likes changes being forced upon them, but we need significant changes nevertheless.
People on the far left would say since I am a Conservative, then I must be racist and a bigot. No Conservative racist would ever vote for a black mayor. No Conservative bigot would have ever voted for Bill Clinton. No Conservative bigot would have friends that are policemen, firefighters and teachers. The truth is that I am an American in the United States of America and I want what is best for my city, my county, my state and my country, regardless of the fact that I am a Conservative.
Do not let the vitriol sway your opinion.
We need to be the United States of America, not the Divided States of America. Vote accordingly.
A long time ago, at then Governor Bill Clinton's 31st birthday, I was the sole bartender at his private birthday party, put on by his staff. One of then Governor Clinton's State Police officers used to come into the bar that I worked at when I was 21 years old. He is the one who put me in as the bartender at that private event.
I can remember how tall he was compared to me back then and also what he drank. He only had one drink that night and it was a gin and tonic. I was real shy back then and unfortunately, I guess I am still shy even today. We didn't talk much back then, the Governor and I. It is not that I was in awe of him or anything. It was more my treatment of popular people. I have always looked at popular people as just like anyone else, except they are popular and have taken steps to achieve what they have achieved. I have never been one to ask for autographs or have my picture taken with any celebrities. In my mind, these popular people would like a break from that kind of stuff, so I left him alone.
During this private party, when he came to the bar to order a drink, it was because he was taking a break from the festivities. He didn't appear to like all the attention, as strange as that sounds. He came to the bar to get away from the attention. Of course, that is totally opposite of the former President today.
When Bill Clinton won the presidency the first time, as an Arkansan, we were all proud of him, regardless whether or not we would admit it in public. Funny thing back then, no one would ever admit that they voted for Bill Clinton around Little Rock, but he always seem to win. Well, with one exception when he raised the license plate fees. People in Arkansas did not like that and replaced him with Republican Frank White. I truly believe that this taught him a valuable lesson as a politician. He learned that he was the Governor of 100% of the people, not just his supporters. When he was President, he reached across the aisle and worked with Newt Gingrich and the Republicans to get some things done.
Today, I look around and see a lot of vitriolic talk. Are we the United States of America or the Divided States of America? I am not sure how this has happened, but I for one, prefer the United States of America.
I am a Conservative, but I vote for the people that I believe are the best for the job. Some of my friends are Democrats and some are Republicans. The same is true of our clients. I respect people for being Democrats and understand perfectly why they are Democrats.
Firefighters, Policemen, Teachers and others have primarily been Democrats in the past and that is just the way it is. My biological father was the Chief of Police when he died. I am sure he was a Democrat. I am Catholic and historically, Catholics have been Democrats primarily because of their belief in helping others through charitable endeavors. I am not so sure if that is the case today, however.
One of my clients is a firefighter and a great friend of mine. He knows that I am a Conservative, but that doesn't matter to him. I respect him for his political position and certainly do not let that mar our friendship. Why should I?
My mom is still a Democrat today. Do you think I should quit speaking to my mom, because she is a Democrat? How silly that would be.
Not too long ago, we had a choice for a new mayor here in Jacksonville, Florida. Since, I majored in Criminal Justice, I have a keen interest in crime and criminal activities in our town. There is a certain area of town, specifically Northwest Jacksonville that is where a lot of crime takes place. Sadly, it is mostly black on black crime over stupid things like one guy looked at another guys girlfriend and got killed for it.
When the race for mayor came about, we had this young black man named Alvin Brown running for the office. In my mind, even though he was a Democrat, I felt that the city of Jacksonville needed a good role model for the blacks in our city. In addition, this man was more of a bipartisan politician. In other words, he would reach across the aisle to get things done. I voted for him. I know his Chief Financial Officer from my former position as Branch Manager at Charles Schwab. Ronnie Belton is a great guy and is in a tough spot. Poor Ronnie has to be the bad guy and present the budget.
Like other cities, counties and states across the country, the City of Jacksonville has to adhere to a balanced budget. In other words, there needs to be some sacrifices from the police, firefighters and teachers. These groups all thought that the status quo would remain the same with Mayor Brown, but boy were they shocked when their department got their pink slips. You should have heard the whining in the local Times Union newspaper.
The days of one group of people getting everything they want at the expense of taxpayers is over, if what is going on in Jacksonville is any indication. Not only are we going to have to tackle the budgets of our cities, counties and states, we must tackle the issue of our national debt. We simply cannot go forward into the future without some sacrifices from everyone. I understand that no one likes changes being forced upon them, but we need significant changes nevertheless.
People on the far left would say since I am a Conservative, then I must be racist and a bigot. No Conservative racist would ever vote for a black mayor. No Conservative bigot would have ever voted for Bill Clinton. No Conservative bigot would have friends that are policemen, firefighters and teachers. The truth is that I am an American in the United States of America and I want what is best for my city, my county, my state and my country, regardless of the fact that I am a Conservative.
Do not let the vitriol sway your opinion.
We need to be the United States of America, not the Divided States of America. Vote accordingly.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)