Dear Mr. Ice Cube,...

“The song is as relevant to me today as it was when we recorded it. We appeal to the good cops to weed out these bad cops and maybe we’ll get some progress.” ~O'Shea Jackson, a.k.a. Ice Cube, reference his N.W.A. song 'F--k tha Police'.

This statement in its full context (found here on Yahoo) is like fighting fire with fire.  It only makes the issue worse.  If there's going to be any chance at real change FOR THE BETTER then support the good cops, start sharing the good stories about police, and all of our men and women willing to put their lives on the line for complete strangers.  Somehow in the mix of this police hatred it's turned into a race-baiter's playground.  Since when are all police white?  The political asshats who are stirring the pot on this should check their eyesight.  
If they want to make a race issue against police, they should look at gender issues too.  Like why, as a female officer, I have to wear a duty belt and holster designed for a male?  We're individually fitted for our vests so why not tailor our essential tools to us as well?  I'll tell you why.  Because no one gives a damn about what it takes to do our job.  They expect us to do it no matter what we have or don't have in order to get it done.  In return, I expect law abiding citizens to comply to lawful directions just as I expect the law breaking citizens to be made to comply.  The road to hell is paved with good intentions.  I'll take that trip just to stand guard at the gates of hell and make sure none of those bastards ever get out.  

This is the beginning of what a nation without law enforcement will be like:  (CNN) A Birmingham, Alabama, police detective who was pistol-whipped unconscious said Friday that he hesitated to use force because he didn't want to be accused of needlessly killing an unarmed man. "A lot of officers are being too cautious because of what's going on in the media," said the officer, who asked to remain anonymous for the safety of his family. "I hesitated because I didn't want to be in the media like I am right now."

Wake up, America.  When we as law enforcement hesitate to protect ourselves, do you really think we'll jump in to protect you?  You can't fight fire with fire, Mr. 'Ice Cube'.  Even firefighters use water to put out the flames.  

The hardest thing to understand about Freedom of Speech is that for law enforcement it's not free.  Others can spew their hatred and personal beliefs, where we are expected to just nod agree or be publicly persecuted for having an individual opinion. 

Instead of listening to the hatred and supporting the hashtags for #blacklivesmatter vs #policelivesmatter as a negative platform, we should be blasting the social media bullies who created such a divide.  My life matters.  My family's lives matter.  The people I'm sworn to protect, their lives matter.  The guy who threatens me and points a gun in my face, his life matters, even when I end it.  No headline is going to stop me from protecting myself or those around me.  The few injustices by officers who made bad decisions or who are corrupt and abuse their power is FAR outweighed by the silent thousands who are good officers, who walk the line and uphold justice, and put their lives on the line every day for a thankless society.  

I'm blessed to work with men and women who know my ability to do my job is more important than the color of my skin.  I'm blessed to live in a community where the majority appreciate law enforcement. 

Here's to all the good law enforcement officers.  And here's some POSITIVE NEWS for law enforcement, take a look at these good cops: 

Georgia Cop Saves 2 Lives in 1 Shift

Maryland Officer Saves 10-day Old from Choking

Austin Police Officer Saves Woman's Life During Traffic Stop

Ft. Lauderdale Police Officer Saves Woman's Life

Ft. Worth Police Officer Kellie Whitehead Saves Drowning Man From Lake Como


"To change the hearts and minds of men you must learn to listen; otherwise your words will fall on deaf ears, for the opinions of fools are always louder. ~L.S. Buckley"

You Get What You Pay For?

I’ve been playing devil’s advocate with the gun control media frenzy. It’s fun to watch them scramble on the latest breaking news then find out there’s nothing new the government can do other than cost tax payers more money for research.

The POTUS proposed a $500 million dollar plan to ban assaultweapons and make private sales of firearms illegal, and a $10 million dollar plan for research by the CDC into possible linkages between violent video games, media images and real-life violence. An ESTIMATED $510 million dollars for something that will not stop the bad guys from getting guns and killing people when they set their mind to it, yet we are not even one month into 2013 and the majority of Americans are already losing $200+ per household a paycheck from the tax mayhem. The gun laws already on the books need to be enforced before they start binding them with new ones.

Listen up! If you are convicted of a felony you are no longer allowed to possess a firearm (right to bear arms). That sounds fair for the basic version of bad guys. Keep reading. When a person in Baker Acted it is considered a medical condition that falls under HIPPA. This is a privacy act that protects people’s medical business from being public information. Under the new laws proposed people who are Baker Acted will no longer be allowed to possess firearms. This means your medical information in this regard will become public information in order to be tracked.  A person Baker Acted will be no different than a convicted felon if they are caught in possession of a firearm. If this goes through then they will also be subject to search just like a convicted felon in order to ensure the law is properly executed.  This means anyone they reside with will also be subject to this law in order to keep them from having access to firearms.  Still sound fair?

Don't go off on the "protect our children" soap box. I firmly believe in protecting our children, MY CHILDREN, and everyone else who needs protection. I wholeheartedly agree that we need to make it impossible for the bad guys to access any weapon.   Banning them will keep everyone from having them so that solves everything!   Banning them is stupid.  It keeps the honest people honest, and the bad guys get creative. 

I’m a cop. I’m also a mom of two active boys and a wife to a Jarhead who will eat a steak as long as he doesn’t know how it died. We own firearms. Our boys know how to shoot, and our oldest knows how to access them in case of an emergency. Teaching them these things are important to us for two reasons: One is for safety, the other is for protection.

I also have a diverse group of friends. Some are for gun ownership, others are against it and a few are on the fence. I respect their opinions and reasons for each. Though most people’s apprehension over firearms is their lack of exposure and training with them, some folks just aren’t gun people. My ancestors called them ‘gatherers’.
 

With my profession I see gun ownership as a double-edged sword. You have them for sport/hunting/protection, or you have them for killing. We’re usually the target which is why we carry guns. Safety is our first priority, and if I can’t get there fast enough to save you then guess who wins?  

Here’s my perspective in a nutshell:  Average speed of a bullet fired from a 9mm is 955 mph. Average speeds of a police car running lights and sirens in a busy city is 85 mph at best. It only takes one bullet. Bad guys with guns trump the good guys without them. Bad guys with a plan win when the good guys don’t have one.

Stop blaming the laws, gun manufacturers, video games, and crazy people.   A person that makes the decision to kill another human being does so out of CHOICE.  The rest of us have the same access and exposure as the bad guys yet we choose to abide by the law.  If anything else, arm yourself with knowledge instead of spreading fear. 

And for the sake of We the People, STOP WASTING OUR MONEY!

 

Politics Baby!

Yes, I know, it's never a good idea to tackle politics or religion on a public platform. However, lately I've been more aware of my elected officials (on ALL sides) and the really dumb decisions they make.

I'm not going to get into the heavy hitting stuff of the White House on here, nor attack a particular party as I am not one to start a shouting match (no really, I just don't back down from it). I do however want to ask the viewing audience what they think on the following:

(1) Fort Hood Tragedy and Government's response

(2) Navy Seals being charged for giving terrorist a fat lip

(3) Terrorist trials being held in NY

(4) Seattle cop shooting

(5) Gitmo detainees being brought to the US

You don't have to take on all five, but I'm really curious to see the different views on these. My biggest issue with all of them is the ties they have to our elected officials. We vote for them because they promise to represent us and our beliefs. This has not been happening for some time now.

I'm frustrated, disappointed, and to the point of running for any elected office just to try and make a difference with a louder voice. Being one of We The People lately makes me feel ignored and and left in isolation when it comes to the decisions of this country, the decisions that are really up to us.

There's no crying in blogging so any attacks on other responders needs to be tasteful, or you better be able to take what you dish ;-) So let's hear it, what do you think?

Oh No She Di'nt! (Oh yes I did)

I'm a pretty easy going person when it comes to politics. I have my beliefs that are rarely discussed outside of close friends and family. Other's opinions are openly heard and respected though I do not always accept them as my own.

However, recent news coverage of our US politics has me a little up in arms. The political equivalent of monkey's slinging poop from their cages is happening on a national stage (internationally being viewed by our allies and foes alike) with the biased coverage of Gov. Sarah Palin's resignation--and future assumed plans--to the appointment of Supreme Court nominee Sonia Sotomayor.

I'm a Republican. I keep my conservative beliefs fairly liberal as I am also a believer in utiliarianism (i.e. greatest good for the greatest number). The idea of a woman who had the balls to take on both political parties in her state, save millions for the citizens of that state while in office and by stepping down from that office, take on ONE of the highest honors in American history as a Vice President nominee only to be compared to the opposing party's Presidential pick, undergo public humiliation and attacks on herself and her family's private life, and still want to promote BOTH parties in an upcoming U.S. political tour sounds like a true 'we the people' American to me. I admire her moxy.

The idea of a woman taking a seat in our U.S. Supreme Court that can't decide on her personal beliefs about abortion calling it 'settled law' (a huge, ongoing case in our country), rules against well deserving firefighters for promotion because minorities in that group didn't do well enough on a test for promotion also, deny an innocent man convicted of murder at the age of 16 the right to an appeal is cause for concern when this very woman will be deciding the fate of future cases that affects not just particular individuals, but an entire nation.

It's hard being a woman in a man's world. I get that. Hell, I've lived it for most of my adult life. What I don't get is why female politicians like Sotomayor think once they are in that world everything will be handed to them. Pelosi is another thorn in the paw of the proverbial lion. It will take a mouse, like regular Americans, to get them out.

Some of you are likely strutting your necks saying 'Oh no she di'nt', but I'm saying 'Oh yes I did'! I went there. I publicly stated my belief on these matters, and if it comes back to bite me in the butt on my future campaign to become the first female Native American/Caucasian-Cajun/European-ish president then so be it; I've got a big butt...and I can't deny (you can finish the song in your head while you think about what I've posted and review the embedded links!)

Poll About A Pole

New poll is posted! Check it out and comment here if you have something to add to your choice. I love the email responses I've been getting, but I want them posted too so don't be shy!