Slog
News & ArtsFriday, November 6, 2009
City The Procession for Officer Brenton
Posted by Dominic Holden on Fri, Nov 6, 2009 at 10:03 AM
The funeral procession for slain Seattle Police Officer Timothy Brenton is rolling past our offices right now, as Dan mentioned a minute ago. Police cruisers from far and wide—hundreds of them, from Tacoma, Everett, Stilacoom, Snohomish, Steilacoom, border patrol, Salem, Oregon, they just keep coming—are filing down East Pine Street.
A few thoughts: I really hope they catch the craven douche who shot Brenton. Second, the new police cars are fancy, especially the yellow and black road monster from Tulalip that looks like a big bee. But the coolest car? Definitely this old SPD cruiser that must have been rolled out of the museum for the occasion...
3
I am surprised by how bummed I am that I can't see this.
And, yeah, the bastard who did this... ye gods...
And, yeah, the bastard who did this... ye gods...
4
Like all big acts of public mourning, I find this pretty sickening.
A) Y'all didn't know the guy, so don't pretend to be any sadder about him than the death of any other stranger.
B) He's getting very special treatment because of his job, and the way we idolize people with guns and uniforms is leading us to dictatorship.
C) For fuck's sake, that's a lot of cops not protecting or serving right now.
A) Y'all didn't know the guy, so don't pretend to be any sadder about him than the death of any other stranger.
B) He's getting very special treatment because of his job, and the way we idolize people with guns and uniforms is leading us to dictatorship.
C) For fuck's sake, that's a lot of cops not protecting or serving right now.
5
OK, I was wondering how they were going to get a procession of 1000 police cars. That explains it.
6
I'm sad I can't see this either... especially because my aparment building is visible from both pictures on Slog. Stupid work.
7
I was indifferent to this issue, but if they're gonna disrupt traffic like this every time it happens, I've decided I'm against cop-killing.
8
There was an even cooler vintage sheriff's car toward the back if the processional.
Seemed like there were even more vehicles from BC than Oregon, which I found surprising.
Seemed like there were even more vehicles from BC than Oregon, which I found surprising.
9
@4 sadly, the politics of emotion don't work according to strict logic. Unless you're Ayn Rand, maybe. Thus, the sadness I felt when Rabin was assassinated; the horror and numbness that I was overcome with when I watched the twin towers falling. I hope even those that won't have known you personally but will have been touched by your presence here spend a moment to mourn your death.
Oh, and don't give me some bullshit about how much more important 9/11 was. That tragedy stopped the entire country for a week, so you can let this man's professional brethren do their thing for a morning.
Oh, and don't give me some bullshit about how much more important 9/11 was. That tragedy stopped the entire country for a week, so you can let this man's professional brethren do their thing for a morning.
10
@1, is that supposed to be a moment of silence? With your handle and icon? Reminds me of Mallahan's election night speech, when he called for a moment of silent prayer for the murdered policeman, but once the room was hushed he started loudly shuffling his notes.
11
What is the crowd's reaction like, Dominic? Clapping? Silence?
I wish I had gone up there to show my respect.
I wish I had gone up there to show my respect.
14
At Denny Park there was mostly silence from the people on the street. The sidewalks were not crowded. About ten kids from a nearby daycare were watching the procession.
The sun came out for the length of the procession and has since gone away.
The sun came out for the length of the procession and has since gone away.
15
sadly, even though I feel for the family of the two cops who were shot, I have to agree with dwight moody @4.
be nice if you had similar events when our local soldiers die.
like oh, the many just this month?
be nice if you had similar events when our local soldiers die.
like oh, the many just this month?
16
I only saw the end of the procession. I did not see any bicycle police. There were a few of the traffic police carts included and three Lincoln Towing trucks - the big pink toe was not one of them.
17
I had left work for coffee and was trapped on the wrong side of the street. So I was one of the losers who had to scuttle across as quickly as possible at an intersection. I don't know if they thought that people might need to do that or not, because a cop barked at us to hurry but didn't try to discipline us or anything. The procession had been going past for about 15 minutes at that point with no end in sight.
In conclusion: I suck?
In conclusion: I suck?
18
@ 4 - What a callous, immature attitude to display.
He's getting this respect because, in the course of his job, he put his life on the line every damn day he put ON that uniform and gun - just like the rest of the men and women do who serve to protect the public every day THEY go to work. I think we can manage to put up with some inconvenient traffic arrangements for a few hours to acknowledge the sacrifice this man and his family made, in order to keep YOU safe.
And, what #9 said - this isn't about knowing the man personally. This is about respect. Only a maroon would equate the events of today with "dictatorship."
Grow up and educate yourself, how about?
He's getting this respect because, in the course of his job, he put his life on the line every damn day he put ON that uniform and gun - just like the rest of the men and women do who serve to protect the public every day THEY go to work. I think we can manage to put up with some inconvenient traffic arrangements for a few hours to acknowledge the sacrifice this man and his family made, in order to keep YOU safe.
And, what #9 said - this isn't about knowing the man personally. This is about respect. Only a maroon would equate the events of today with "dictatorship."
Grow up and educate yourself, how about?
20
Will, next Wednesday is Veterans Day. There will be a number of opportunities for you to pay your respect to fallen soldiers.
21
@9- It was COMPLETE bullshit when the "nation mourned" for 9/11. It was an act of tribal bonding to buy and wear your FDNY hat and stick a plastic flag on your car. It had nothing to do with sadness, just mass consumption and bonding during a moment of fear. I thought it was bullshit then, and I think its bullshit now. I also think Ayn Rand is bullshit.
Rabin's assassination was sad. It was a grave loss to peace. The 9/11 attack was sad, a whole lot of people died pointlessly. Of course, thanks to the manipulation of our FDNY hat wearing populace, we've gone and pointlessly killed a lot more people in response. We're not having a parade for them though, they're in a different tribe.
Everyone's death is sad. It's the POLITICAL use that their death is put to that is sickening. In Seattle's case we're now celebrating the "Cops are more important" meme, which means they can put people in comas or beat the shit out of shoplifters and not suffer any meaningful consequences. Because they're special, they're better than everyone else who died in the last couple days. You can tell, they get a parade.
Fuck that bullshit. It is equally sad when anyone dies.
Rabin's assassination was sad. It was a grave loss to peace. The 9/11 attack was sad, a whole lot of people died pointlessly. Of course, thanks to the manipulation of our FDNY hat wearing populace, we've gone and pointlessly killed a lot more people in response. We're not having a parade for them though, they're in a different tribe.
Everyone's death is sad. It's the POLITICAL use that their death is put to that is sickening. In Seattle's case we're now celebrating the "Cops are more important" meme, which means they can put people in comas or beat the shit out of shoplifters and not suffer any meaningful consequences. Because they're special, they're better than everyone else who died in the last couple days. You can tell, they get a parade.
Fuck that bullshit. It is equally sad when anyone dies.
22
@19- You know who puts their life on the line every day? Roofers. People who work installing roofs risk their neck far more often than cops, and tragically die and are crippled at a much higher rate. And they do it for a bit of money just so I don't have rain falling in my god damn house. Do they get parades?
23
@20- It was much better when it was Armistice Day and we could celebrate the beginning of peace, rather than the act of people dieing in war.
24
This truly is Seattle's own mini 9/11 and just because these assassin(s) MIGHT be citizens, and if this was coordinated attack(s) on the SPD, this should be considered terrorism. The SPD has shown amazing restraint but I think the stakes are so high for them.
It’s common and respectful for union workers to rally in force behind a fallen comrade. HIS co-workers happen to be police officers that enforce the law.
@ 4
1) Don’t fucking pretend you know how everyone feels!
2) Fuck you and your anti-union conservative bullshit!
3) Hope some crazy transient attacks you in your home and nobody cares.
Thank you for you attention…
It’s common and respectful for union workers to rally in force behind a fallen comrade. HIS co-workers happen to be police officers that enforce the law.
@ 4
1) Don’t fucking pretend you know how everyone feels!
2) Fuck you and your anti-union conservative bullshit!
3) Hope some crazy transient attacks you in your home and nobody cares.
Thank you for you attention…
25
dwight: I disagree with you to the extent that cops are supposed to put their lives in danger every day for the purpose of protecting the public's safety and very lives. That is not a roofer's main purpose.
That said, yes. Other people who do the same are not recognized in the same way, and if the dead is one of "the other" they can be outright ignored. Furthermore, there's a definite contextual element--in a place where law enforcement personnel were killed frequently, it would simply be impossible to have the level of response we saw today.
The ritual and spectacle in law enforcement and the military also serves to reinforce the feeling of other members of those groups that they are making a worthwhile sacrifice. Whether that's a bad thing or just a practical thing, I don't know.
That said, yes. Other people who do the same are not recognized in the same way, and if the dead is one of "the other" they can be outright ignored. Furthermore, there's a definite contextual element--in a place where law enforcement personnel were killed frequently, it would simply be impossible to have the level of response we saw today.
The ritual and spectacle in law enforcement and the military also serves to reinforce the feeling of other members of those groups that they are making a worthwhile sacrifice. Whether that's a bad thing or just a practical thing, I don't know.
27
Comparing the tragic death of one police officer to the history making moment of 9/11 is beyond appalling...
29
@ 23, honor the day any way that you choose. Last year a friend and I made a homebrew called the Remembrance Yuletide Ale
Dulce et decorum Est.
http://www.english.emory.edu/LostPoets/D…
Dulce et decorum Est.
http://www.english.emory.edu/LostPoets/D…
30
So because roofers, soldiers, etc. aren't mourned properly, no one should be? What a douchey stance to take.
32
At the risk of making myself unpopular, I’m nominating myself to be the fly in this sentimental ointment. It sucks that someone’s husband and dad is dead, but there are real reasons why people hate cops with a deadly passion, and I wish there was a way to talk about that without being shouted down.
The criminal justice system in this country is a travesty. The incarceration rate in the U.S. is the highest in the entire world by far – 700 out of every 100,000 Americans is in jail, and the vast majority of those people are ethnic minorities or economically disadvantaged. African Americans are incarcerated at a rate 8 times than Whites for the same crimes. A massive number of those incarcerations are for minor crimes like drug possession. Once people get into prison there is almost zero effort made to prepare them for a return to society. Public housing laws often ban ex-offenders, and Federal and State laws prohibit ex-offenders from holding all kinds of jobs. Prisoners who enter prison without physical or mental illnesses often develop them while inside.
When a system is seen as deeply unjust and corrupt, the people subjected to it will be inclined to react with anger and fear. When violence is used indiscriminately as a tool against a specific segment of a population, it’s not a surprise when that segment reacts with violence. And who are the likeliest targets for that reaction? The cops on the street who are doing the busts in the first place.
I know that whoever committed this crime is going to be hunted down and locked up or killed. I have no hope that the legal system is any closer to real reform. Which is the greater injustice? When are we going to see an outpouring of public grief for a system set up to destroy the lives of our most vulnerable populations?
More...
The criminal justice system in this country is a travesty. The incarceration rate in the U.S. is the highest in the entire world by far – 700 out of every 100,000 Americans is in jail, and the vast majority of those people are ethnic minorities or economically disadvantaged. African Americans are incarcerated at a rate 8 times than Whites for the same crimes. A massive number of those incarcerations are for minor crimes like drug possession. Once people get into prison there is almost zero effort made to prepare them for a return to society. Public housing laws often ban ex-offenders, and Federal and State laws prohibit ex-offenders from holding all kinds of jobs. Prisoners who enter prison without physical or mental illnesses often develop them while inside.
When a system is seen as deeply unjust and corrupt, the people subjected to it will be inclined to react with anger and fear. When violence is used indiscriminately as a tool against a specific segment of a population, it’s not a surprise when that segment reacts with violence. And who are the likeliest targets for that reaction? The cops on the street who are doing the busts in the first place.
I know that whoever committed this crime is going to be hunted down and locked up or killed. I have no hope that the legal system is any closer to real reform. Which is the greater injustice? When are we going to see an outpouring of public grief for a system set up to destroy the lives of our most vulnerable populations?
33
@26- Get me tickets to Whistler next summer and I will. I did hit a fallen tree branch last night on my ride home which sent me over the bars. It was camouflaged by fallen leaves. But 25 miles with a headwind for 2/3s of the trip was a good time.
@25- You spend the winter in a house without a roof and tell me how safe you and your possessions were.
@25- You spend the winter in a house without a roof and tell me how safe you and your possessions were.
35
you know yoru compassion is authentick, when you notice things like how peachy-keen one of the retro cop cars is, and put that in the story!
Totally shows your "feelings" are "authentic" for the "human interest jourmmalism piece" you are writing.
Esp. when 90% of the rest of the time you're slamming the cops, eg, for harassing bar patrons all over capitol hill.
Totally shows your "feelings" are "authentic" for the "human interest jourmmalism piece" you are writing.
Esp. when 90% of the rest of the time you're slamming the cops, eg, for harassing bar patrons all over capitol hill.
37
@11 -- The reaction of the people I saw standing along Madison Ave (and some were clearly there to represent, not just walk-commuters like me) was that of respectful silence. I felt it to.
I saw no bike cops.
The police cars from Redmond are fancy jacked-up Mustangs.
This was the most cops I've seen since the WTO and the DNC in Chicago, '96.
A street-smart friend of mine opined that the shooting sounded like a gang initiation.
The cop that died shouldn't have. He was a human being. R.I.P.
That's all I've got.
I saw no bike cops.
The police cars from Redmond are fancy jacked-up Mustangs.
This was the most cops I've seen since the WTO and the DNC in Chicago, '96.
A street-smart friend of mine opined that the shooting sounded like a gang initiation.
The cop that died shouldn't have. He was a human being. R.I.P.
That's all I've got.
38
It's terrible and depressing when people use someone's memorial, a tragic event, or a generally sad situation as a soapbox for their personal gripes, negative stories and anger.
Just let the man have his day, people. Other people grieving for him is not personally affecting you in any way, but his protection of this city's streets certainly did, in ways you'll never know. Save your anger for another day/post.
Just let the man have his day, people. Other people grieving for him is not personally affecting you in any way, but his protection of this city's streets certainly did, in ways you'll never know. Save your anger for another day/post.
39
@ Dwight, you can complain if your dire predictions of a police force gone wild comes true, and can be shown to be a direct result of this murder. Until then, lay off the wild speculations.
40
There are some good points made here about how people risk their lives in other important professions and how we should be doing more to recognize the soldiers dieing every day. However, on a purely emotional level, I can hardly remember ever being so angry about a crime in Seattle. Of course there are bad cops out there, but I still believe that the vast majority of police officers go in to the profession for the right reasons. There's just something about the brutality of this crime and the fact that this guy had young children that's got to a lot of people, I think.
Personally, while I'm against the death penalty and torture as a matter of government policy, I still can't help but hope that this piece of shit murderer - anarchist, gangster, whatever he is - has a very short life full of agonizing pain.
Personally, while I'm against the death penalty and torture as a matter of government policy, I still can't help but hope that this piece of shit murderer - anarchist, gangster, whatever he is - has a very short life full of agonizing pain.
43
@ gurldoggie, when you go around posting things like "one cop less" in response to the news, you tend to reap what you sow. If you limit yourself to comments like this, you'd probably not be shouted down, as you have a number of valid points. But besides the nauseating "one cop less" comment, you've expressed shrill and unexplained hatred for the police many times on SLOG.
Maybe if you explained your own experiences, and if I agreed that they were indeed terrible, I'd cut you some slack. As it is, I just think of you as the immature "fuck da police, and fuck drivers cuz I'm a Critical Masser" poster who deserves only to be patronized.
Maybe if you explained your own experiences, and if I agreed that they were indeed terrible, I'd cut you some slack. As it is, I just think of you as the immature "fuck da police, and fuck drivers cuz I'm a Critical Masser" poster who deserves only to be patronized.
45
I can see Dwight's point and appreciate it.
Yes, this and other police/firefighter deaths in the line of duty deserve to be noted. I know how the death of a loved one feels to family and friends, and colleagues as well. but as Dwight said soldiers die every day and we were actively encouraged not to even notice by the bush admin. Perhaps we need a state or city memorial day for people who die in the line of duty.
How does the widow(er), parent or child of a fallen soldier feel about these elaborate processions for our local public safety workers when the lager public barely aknowledges the death of their loved ones?
Does anyone know who pays for these processions and how much they cost? Is the police guild paying for the rental of Key Arena or the City? Are the police and parking officers working on traffic control on over-time or are they donating their services? I don't think these are unfeeling questions to ask. We have a very shaky city budget, we can't even run some essential services and diverting large amounts money to pay for optional obsequies is not the best use of funds to my mind. I realize that many readers will take my concern for costs as being in bad taste or unfeeling but I will bet the cost of this funeral would astound most of us.
Yes, this and other police/firefighter deaths in the line of duty deserve to be noted. I know how the death of a loved one feels to family and friends, and colleagues as well. but as Dwight said soldiers die every day and we were actively encouraged not to even notice by the bush admin. Perhaps we need a state or city memorial day for people who die in the line of duty.
How does the widow(er), parent or child of a fallen soldier feel about these elaborate processions for our local public safety workers when the lager public barely aknowledges the death of their loved ones?
Does anyone know who pays for these processions and how much they cost? Is the police guild paying for the rental of Key Arena or the City? Are the police and parking officers working on traffic control on over-time or are they donating their services? I don't think these are unfeeling questions to ask. We have a very shaky city budget, we can't even run some essential services and diverting large amounts money to pay for optional obsequies is not the best use of funds to my mind. I realize that many readers will take my concern for costs as being in bad taste or unfeeling but I will bet the cost of this funeral would astound most of us.
46
King Col Sheriff had a wonderful old (like 1940s maybe) patrol car in the procession. I had a chance to watch for several minutes at the turn from Pike to Broadway. It was an extraordinary sight. And the geographic range of departments represented was amazing. Furthest away that I saw was Montana.
47
@21 you got us! That outpouring of grief was a load of baloney. Now where is my FDNY hat?
DOUCHE.
DOUCHE.
48
Dwight, a few points.
Sounds like a prediction to me. Unfortunately many citizens have "idolized people with guns and uniforms" in all kinds of societies, and it turns out that the comparative freedom enjoyed by those people had little to do with said idolization.
That also sounds like a prediction. At least you're speaking in a future tense.
I'm aware of the fact that police brutality happens. I'm also aware of the fact that the coma case you're likely referring to is the one where a sheriff's deputy tackled that kid at the Cinerama. And I'm aware that any time something like that gets reviewed, the cop in question gets cleared. And it sucks, and makes me angry too. And I don't even live there anymore.
But... I'm also aware that the SPD has a much better reputation for actually upholding the law compared to notorious departments like LA's. And they sure seem to have a lot fewer complaints than other Puget Sound agencies - I can't recall clearly, but wasn't that 16 year old girl also in KC Sheriff's custody? Or Sea-Tac's? (I believe that's the shoplifter you're referring to, and I did see that that cop was canned. I'd call that a consequence.)
You have some legitimate concerns, but you need to keep a clear head about these things. Don't direct your anger at the SPD if they aren't the ones assaulting people.
Finally, point taken about the soldiers, but it's still not quite the same. Seattle isn't a war zone.
More...
B) He's getting very special treatment because of his job, and the way we idolize people with guns and uniforms is leading us to dictatorship.
Sounds like a prediction to me. Unfortunately many citizens have "idolized people with guns and uniforms" in all kinds of societies, and it turns out that the comparative freedom enjoyed by those people had little to do with said idolization.
In Seattle's case we're now celebrating the "Cops are more important" meme, which means they can put people in comas or beat the shit out of shoplifters and not suffer any meaningful consequences.
That also sounds like a prediction. At least you're speaking in a future tense.
I'm aware of the fact that police brutality happens. I'm also aware of the fact that the coma case you're likely referring to is the one where a sheriff's deputy tackled that kid at the Cinerama. And I'm aware that any time something like that gets reviewed, the cop in question gets cleared. And it sucks, and makes me angry too. And I don't even live there anymore.
But... I'm also aware that the SPD has a much better reputation for actually upholding the law compared to notorious departments like LA's. And they sure seem to have a lot fewer complaints than other Puget Sound agencies - I can't recall clearly, but wasn't that 16 year old girl also in KC Sheriff's custody? Or Sea-Tac's? (I believe that's the shoplifter you're referring to, and I did see that that cop was canned. I'd call that a consequence.)
You have some legitimate concerns, but you need to keep a clear head about these things. Don't direct your anger at the SPD if they aren't the ones assaulting people.
Finally, point taken about the soldiers, but it's still not quite the same. Seattle isn't a war zone.
49
@47- It was bullshit, not baloney. Baloney is good for something, bullshit needs to rot before it can even be used for fertilizer.
50
@48- If I beat someone up at my job, I get fired AND GO TO JAIL.
My anger is directed at our culture, not the Seattle Police department. In case you didn't notice the Bush years, our willingness to respect the office and ignore what the office holder is doing, the ease with which our collective will was manipulated, our love of uniforms and guns, etc... are all very real problems. There's a good 25-50% of this country that just doesn't give a shit about democracy, they want the big men with guns to keep them safe and they don't care what it takes. Cops and soldiers are human beings and their deaths are tragic, just like everyone elses. The body in that procession wasn't a human being, it was a symbol being manipulated for political reasons, like the dead of 9/11.
My anger is directed at our culture, not the Seattle Police department. In case you didn't notice the Bush years, our willingness to respect the office and ignore what the office holder is doing, the ease with which our collective will was manipulated, our love of uniforms and guns, etc... are all very real problems. There's a good 25-50% of this country that just doesn't give a shit about democracy, they want the big men with guns to keep them safe and they don't care what it takes. Cops and soldiers are human beings and their deaths are tragic, just like everyone elses. The body in that procession wasn't a human being, it was a symbol being manipulated for political reasons, like the dead of 9/11.
51
@ 50, maybe you do go to jail and maybe you don't. Not all fights end up with people in jail.
Your points about society at large are well taken, but you'd be better not to direct it at this cop. Processions like this are standard when they die in the line of duty, and this one is extra large because of the singular nature of his death. He wasn't confronting a burglar, which is typically how a cop might be fired upon; he was sitting in his cruiser. I think that freaked out police nationwide, which is why so many have shown up for this.
Now, you might find that inappropriate. But this is how police have mourned their own for a very long time, regardless of the larger political climate. You may not like it, and that's your right. I think, however, the cop's become a convenient target for your general anger.
Your points about society at large are well taken, but you'd be better not to direct it at this cop. Processions like this are standard when they die in the line of duty, and this one is extra large because of the singular nature of his death. He wasn't confronting a burglar, which is typically how a cop might be fired upon; he was sitting in his cruiser. I think that freaked out police nationwide, which is why so many have shown up for this.
Now, you might find that inappropriate. But this is how police have mourned their own for a very long time, regardless of the larger political climate. You may not like it, and that's your right. I think, however, the cop's become a convenient target for your general anger.
55
I agreed with the sentiment in dwight moody's first comment @4 but none of the following, ridiculous and offensive comments he made. I think it's sad this cop died in such a tragic and pointless way. I also think it's sad when other people die in less tragic ways.
56
@51- I assure you that if I get video taped , punching, knocking down and kicking a 16 year old girl who is much smaller than me because she spoke to me rudely, I would not be simply fired.
I'm not saying the guys' coworkers shouldn't go to his funeral. I'm not saying people shouldn't contribute to his memorial fund. The man didn't deserve what happened to him. His family should not have lost him. I'm not saying he shouldn't have had a funeral procession. My Granddad had one, lots of cars in a row, everyone respectfully letting it pass.
What they did today was not a funeral procession like your average citizen gets, it was a parade. And all those cops came from all over to demonstrate their solidarity as part of our armed, uniformed, superior, social betters.
I'm not saying the guys' coworkers shouldn't go to his funeral. I'm not saying people shouldn't contribute to his memorial fund. The man didn't deserve what happened to him. His family should not have lost him. I'm not saying he shouldn't have had a funeral procession. My Granddad had one, lots of cars in a row, everyone respectfully letting it pass.
What they did today was not a funeral procession like your average citizen gets, it was a parade. And all those cops came from all over to demonstrate their solidarity as part of our armed, uniformed, superior, social betters.
59
Fnarf: I'm disappointed in your attitude, which seems to be that critical thinking should be suspended for this particular occasion. I do think it's right and good to be respectful of this man's death and even of his colleagues' desire to have a procession and public mourning, even if not all the reasons behind it are ones I agree with. That doesn't mean that we suspend our critical faculties for the duration.
I've tried to express my thoughts and concerns without denigrating this man or his job or his family. I think dwight moody has tried to do the same, in his own way. I don't think it's right for you to say we suck as a result.
PS: Please feel no need to honor anyone or anything on my behalf. I take care of that myself.
I've tried to express my thoughts and concerns without denigrating this man or his job or his family. I think dwight moody has tried to do the same, in his own way. I don't think it's right for you to say we suck as a result.
PS: Please feel no need to honor anyone or anything on my behalf. I take care of that myself.
62
Interesting comments, sad that people like moody dont think before they post.
Comparing Police to roofers, no one asks the roofers to confront human criminals. Criminals that obviously do not wish to be caught. Cant remember the last time I had some 3 tab that didnt want to be nailed down (yeah I'm a roofer). The tragedy of this case is that the officer was targeted for being an officer. No one goes out shooting roofers. Just like Bush the public loves to have someone to blame, police are always a popular target. So the horror of the crime is that he was targeted, in the same way we would all be horrified if he was targeted for being black, or a jew. Some things you just have to let go, if the Officers want to show support, come out in droves and close a few roads get over it. Its a small price to pay for asking them to deal with #$*&#%^ like moody the other 364 days a year.
Comparing Police to roofers, no one asks the roofers to confront human criminals. Criminals that obviously do not wish to be caught. Cant remember the last time I had some 3 tab that didnt want to be nailed down (yeah I'm a roofer). The tragedy of this case is that the officer was targeted for being an officer. No one goes out shooting roofers. Just like Bush the public loves to have someone to blame, police are always a popular target. So the horror of the crime is that he was targeted, in the same way we would all be horrified if he was targeted for being black, or a jew. Some things you just have to let go, if the Officers want to show support, come out in droves and close a few roads get over it. Its a small price to pay for asking them to deal with #$*&#%^ like moody the other 364 days a year.
64
Westtdeas wrote, "The tragedy of this case is that the officer was targeted for being an officer. [...] So the horror of the crime is that he was targeted, in the same way we would all be horrified if he was targeted for being black, or a jew."
If you really believe that -- that people would express similar horror if a man was targeted and murdered because he was of African or Jewish descent -- please elaborate. I suspect that you do not.
If you really believe that -- that people would express similar horror if a man was targeted and murdered because he was of African or Jewish descent -- please elaborate. I suspect that you do not.
65
@64
So I need to prove the negative? Perhaps you missed blogging 101. You "suspect" because you need too in order to support your rationale. Man up and state your opinions or assumptions, you do not need my validation, nor will your assumptions lesson my stated position.
So I need to prove the negative? Perhaps you missed blogging 101. You "suspect" because you need too in order to support your rationale. Man up and state your opinions or assumptions, you do not need my validation, nor will your assumptions lesson my stated position.
66
I'm glad Matt from Denver reminded us of Gurldoggie's original reaction. That was disgusting.
"one cop less"
never forget that one.
"one cop less"
never forget that one.
67
@62- I am unfailingly polite to police officers. They're generally just doing their job and I've never been harassed or dealt with unfairly by a cop. Plus they'll fucking taze you if you mouth off. I'm not inclined to be rude to a guy with a gun, especially when he's completely correct about how fast I was going.
The risks you take as a roofer are greater than the risks cops take dealing with criminals. The job you do is just as important.
The risks you take as a roofer are greater than the risks cops take dealing with criminals. The job you do is just as important.
68
Westtdeas @65, no, I'm not asking you to prove any negative. If as you stated, you believe that people would express horror similar to that which they expressed after a man was targeted and murdered because he was a police officer if a man was targeted and murdered because he was of African or Jewish descent, then please write a little more about that belief. Not only do I not think this is not actually the case, I don't think you really believe this to be the case.
As a reminder, you wrote, @62, "The tragedy of this case is that the officer was targeted for being an officer. [...] So the horror of the crime is that he was targeted, in the same way we would all be horrified if he was targeted for being black, or a jew," I think most people react with more horror when a police officer is murdered, and I think they do so mostly because of the hoopla that the police make of the situation when it occurs. Good people die tragic deaths all the time. Only one class of people get together and throw a cross-town parade for the deceased, with 1500 people who worked the same job (or belong to the same minority group) from a three-state area showing up to participate in the parade.
@67: Regarding the riskiness of various jobs: A quick search turned up a 2005 article from CNN that discusses the top 10 most dangerous jobs in this country. Police officer is not in the top 10. Roofer is:
rank : occupation : death rate / 100,000 : total deaths
-----------------------------------------------------------
1 : Logging workers : 92.4 : 85
2 : Aircraft pilots : 92.4 : 109
3 : Fishers and fishing workers : 86.4 : 38
4 : Structural iron and steel workers : 47.0 : 31
5 : Refuse and recyclable material collectors : 43.2 : 35
6 : Farmers and ranchers : 37.5 : 307
7 : Roofers : 34.9 : 94
8 : Electrical power line installers/repairers : 30.0 : 36
9 : Driver/sales workers and truck drivers : 27.6 : 905
10 : Taxi drivers and chauffeurs : 24.2 : 67
I'm sorry for Mr. Brenton's friends, family, and colleagues. You know what would be a good way to honor him? Arrange for the funeral so the family doesn't have to lift a finger. Pay for his kids' education. Put bullet-proof glass in some police cars. Figure out what sent the killer over the edge and try to help avoid it happening with other people. But a parade? That's all for show.
More...
As a reminder, you wrote, @62, "The tragedy of this case is that the officer was targeted for being an officer. [...] So the horror of the crime is that he was targeted, in the same way we would all be horrified if he was targeted for being black, or a jew," I think most people react with more horror when a police officer is murdered, and I think they do so mostly because of the hoopla that the police make of the situation when it occurs. Good people die tragic deaths all the time. Only one class of people get together and throw a cross-town parade for the deceased, with 1500 people who worked the same job (or belong to the same minority group) from a three-state area showing up to participate in the parade.
@67: Regarding the riskiness of various jobs: A quick search turned up a 2005 article from CNN that discusses the top 10 most dangerous jobs in this country. Police officer is not in the top 10. Roofer is:
rank : occupation : death rate / 100,000 : total deaths
-----------------------------------------------------------
1 : Logging workers : 92.4 : 85
2 : Aircraft pilots : 92.4 : 109
3 : Fishers and fishing workers : 86.4 : 38
4 : Structural iron and steel workers : 47.0 : 31
5 : Refuse and recyclable material collectors : 43.2 : 35
6 : Farmers and ranchers : 37.5 : 307
7 : Roofers : 34.9 : 94
8 : Electrical power line installers/repairers : 30.0 : 36
9 : Driver/sales workers and truck drivers : 27.6 : 905
10 : Taxi drivers and chauffeurs : 24.2 : 67
I'm sorry for Mr. Brenton's friends, family, and colleagues. You know what would be a good way to honor him? Arrange for the funeral so the family doesn't have to lift a finger. Pay for his kids' education. Put bullet-proof glass in some police cars. Figure out what sent the killer over the edge and try to help avoid it happening with other people. But a parade? That's all for show.
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