But I fear the militarization of police and deputies which has so mushroomed in my half century life.
Gone are the days of beat or patrol cops in nifty non threatening uniforms and service revolvers...replaced by jocks with tattoos imitating what they think is a Strike team look
every hamlet over 10,000 folks now have battle wagons, full auto and all the other black tools.
it's just not how it was intended.....
so far only Highway patrol seems somewhat less inclined in that direction...but they were always more regimented to begin with
it's not just guns...old timey cops had to deal with serious weapons at times too in some hands...Bonnie and Clyde had BAR and Tommys as did the bent nose gangsters
but we have allowed LEOs to assume this posture everywhere...even bucolic suburbs ...”just in case”
but meanwhile, our inner cities where blacks and some latinos predominate are lost...no matter how much black gear, shaved heads and APCs
i live in Williamson County TN...rich and conservative pasture and horse farm country...folks from everywhere...about half non southern...Nashville's southern metro county
cops here are everywhere and very active...you drive late at night and you will likely get followed or stopped...for drinking(i don't ..none)....I'm 54 and work at night...stopped rountinely and then asked if I have anything in the car they should know about...well, they can kiss my ass and I hand it right back to them
I'm not some long haired kid in a VW Combi in 1972 smoking crappy Mexican weed listening to Aqualung anymore so bugger off
I have broken no laws and work my ass off 7 days a week to support a family of 7 and pay huge taxes locally...taxes which are more than my personal income
it is intrusive and it's incremental and it's not like when i grew up when county cops were like constables with .45 Long Colts and a slouch hat and a personal help out demeanor
and it's not a bit more dangerous now county wise in Dixie...maybe even safer with so many meterosexuals around
I would agree with you that some “militia or patriot or particularly Christian Identity or Posse Comitatus” sorts are violent hostile to LEOs and pose a threat...it's happened...COPS and Most Wanted shows demonstrate these sorts over and over as the narrative
but most Bitter Clingers are not that...by a long shot
one can fear the growth, attitude, posture and eventual aims of the Police Establishment but not call for violence but respect unless things progress considerably beyond this juncture
but invariably there will the instances where decent folks have cause to fear those sworn to protect...ATF, Waco, Ruby Ridge, Katrina Gun Confiscations, Elian and so forth
I personally don't think most cops would side with a progressive government at this point but Slow Tyranny is another matter
sorry you feel on the outs...being a cop and dealing with tragedy..kids or fellow officers ...deserves our sympathy
you have mine...if it does boil over one day...you may have to make a choice
i don't say this lightly...I have been in African Civil Wars and they had none of the neat tools we have and they were simply so mind numbing just observing as a businessman...it would be awful...to replicate 1861-1865 now here yet again would be Stalinesque or worse..Ustashi like .. the last war here which we southerners see remnants of daily was bad enough I assure you...a fraction of the folks, primitive weapons and a populace with more dignity..a dignity long lost since then...it would be horrific now...it would be Run For the Hills...to no avail
There's something I really love about TN's Constitution:
TENNESSEE CONSTITUTION - ARTICLE I. DECLARATION OF RIGHTS
§ 2. Doctrine of non-resistance
That government being instituted for the common benefit, the doctrine of non-resistance against arbitrary power and oppression is absurd, slavish, and destructive of the good and happiness of mankind.
It's really a shame that so few people seem to have internalized that sentiment; for if they did, TN would be the freeest state in the Union.