Letter: Oath of duty

The Greenfield Recorder ^ | January 21, 2013 | Charles M. Ricko

[2ndDivisionVet]

As a citizen of the United States, I am proud of the deep-rooted patriotism of my forefathers. Many lives have been sacrificed in order to maintain the liberty which we all enjoy, including those of many of my ancestors.

I was deeply saddened by recent tragedies such as those in Colorado and at Sandy Hook. However, I am troubled by the fact that our legislators are rushing to strip away the constitutional rights of the American people. The media attempts to reinforce a need for more strict gun control, yet anyone who spends any amount of time seeking the truth will quickly see that the vast majority of U.S citizens are adamantly opposed to it. More shocking to me is our president’s willingness to rule the people through executive orders and forced legislation. In light of these recent events, I took some time to think, and really reflect upon my motivations for becoming a police officer. I also spent a great deal of time defining what my oath as a police officer means to me, and more importantly, what it means to the public which I swore to serve. I have come to the following conclusion:

I swore to serve and protect the public, and to uphold the Constitution of the United States, as well as the laws of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts....

[Kartographer]

"The summer soldier and the sunshine patriot will, in this crisis, shrink from the service of his country; but he that stands it NOW deserves the love and thanks of man and woman."

Thomas Paine

[absalom01]

What he said.

[CottShop]

[[I am troubled by the fact that our legislators are rushing to strip away the constitutional rights of the American people.]]

They are only doing that because htey know that ocne guns becoem illegal, criminals will be powerless to cause mass mruders and single murderrs and crimes of all sorts- criminals will rendered compeltely neutered by these violations of hte constitution- violation of hte rightsw of law abidign citizens- The gubmint is just ‘doing it for us’ to ‘keep us safe’ after all