Originally posted by Dark Ghost
It all comes down to the perspective of the beholder. Somebody I consider a freedom fighter might be somebody you consider a terrorist and vice
versa.
It's unfortunate you lump "Cops" with "Government Goons" because they are not the same. Police officers are public servants who are employed by
taxpayers to enforce the law and keep the peace (or that was the original idea at least).
Personally, I feel people who go to public areas and blow themselves up in an effort to kill as many civilians as possible are terrorists and not
freedom fighters. They strive to cause chaos and instability and have no regard for the welfare of the general population.
There have been lots of threads lately emphasising mistakes and unlawful acts done by law enforcement officers over the last year. I would have to
agree there is a potent effort to make Policemen (in the West) look corrupt and immoral. It's funny because these people feel it is fine to use
Anti-West propaganda to demonise the West, but they cry the loudest when people from the West attempt to do the same.
[edit on 11/8/2009 by Dark Ghost]
I certainly cannot belittle your opinion or position. I do agree that this all comes down to a matter of perceptions, hence the usage of the word in
the original post.
I think you will find that it is not only I that lump cops and gov. goons in the same category where the perception of terrorism is concerned. They
are all SUPPOSED to be civil servants, in a regard. There have been plenty of screw ups by govt. agencies as well as law enforcement. When EITHER of
these two types uses terror to coerce compliance, then they qualify.
I'm not so sure there has been an 'effort' as you put it, to discredit cops lately. I think the effort is on the part of the people who perceive
injustice, becoming more vocal about their disapproval. I have found many that are mad at cops for busting them for one thing or another, that was
against the law. I have found probably just as many that are fearful or angry at the cops simply because they feel they have overstepped their
boundary and limits on power.
A funny thing about those 'freedom fighters'...The U.S. has a long, colorful history of funding these groups through arm sales, hostage deals and
ways I don't even understand, to destabilize, or overthrow regimes that it has deemed 'oppressive.' The trouble is, eventually we turn our backs on
them and somehow, mysteriously, they turn in to terrorists and then we have to use more money, only this time to fight them.
There is a fine line between having the power to kill in the name of law, and maintaining humility as a public servant. I don't like it, but humility
seems very absent in almost every cop I know.
I have no doubt that since my opinion differs from what is expected of me by those in power that I qualify under at least a few, if not all of the
criteria listed in the Op. Perception is a very funny thing though. As YOU are here, having this discussion, on THIS board, chances are, YOU are
considered one as well, even though your stance is decidedly 'pro cop.' I'm not discounting your opinion and I appreciate your input. In the end,
it raises awareness and we all benefit from that.
Thanks for the post.