01-11-2021, 11:45 PM
(01-11-2021, 11:24 PM)Benton Wrote: Agreed, unfortunately.
My brother is a deputy and part of a militia, as he felt there was a nasty liberal essence in government. Hes having a hard time wrapping his head around the last few days.
Understandably so. Being shit on by the left for the past nine months and then being "betrayed" by the right in this instance, it's a tough pill to swallow. I think at the end of the day we're all just looking for people to understand that this is a tough job that we won't always get 100% correct. Understanding that, and allowing for it, is all we really ask for. There are people who suck at their job in every single profession, it just bothers me that the media and other detractors have been allowed to paint our entire profession with that brush.
(01-11-2021, 11:29 PM)Bengalzona Wrote: There were a lot of people on the Left really hounding the Capitol Police just as soon as the pictures came out showing a couple of them not pounding people in the heads with billy clubs. As I stated at that time (on FB), I think the Capitol Police did a reasonably good job considering the circumstances. A lot of people do not want to hear that. But then again, most of those people have never faced a mob or a riot, particularly when the numbers are so massively against you.
The number one job of the Capitol Police is to protect the lives of the Congresspeople (and the VP if he is there, as well). They accomplished that. They held the mob outside for ninety minutes without reinforcements. Protecting the property is a secondary mission. Obviously, they had some problems there. Considering the situation, I don't blame them for concentrating on their primary mission. It is what you do.
I watched a few of the videos of the confrontations this weekend, especially the one at the West Entrance and the one where the woman was shot. Those cops were not doning MAGA caps and throwing open their arms. They were doing their best to maintain a secure perimeter without drawing their weapons (for the most part). They acted very professionally. The ones at the West Entrance held, despite being battered by a human battering ram. In the situation where the woman was shot, they had three officers without body armor forming a human shield in front of the glass doors where Congress had retreated and facing a hallway crowded with mob members. Behind the door were other officers with their weapons drawn. The three were ordered to stand aside once the officers behind them were in position, primarily because they did not have body armor and were seriously outnumbered and in close contact. They did not stand aside to "let people in". When the mob battered the glass and the woman tried to climb through, the officers behind them opened fire. Afterwards, those three officers knelt over the woman and tried to give first aid.
The death of officer Sidnick is a true tragedy. Apparently, he was beaten with fire extinguisher. I hope they hunt down the thugs who did this and bring them to justice. Moreover, I think most of the members of the mob would also agree with this sentiment. Therefore, I have high hopes that they will find them.
I'm a bit more judgmental about Trump refusing to fly the White House flag at half staff in honor of the fallen officers until he was finally pressured into it on Sunday. The reluctance tells me everything I ever needed to know about that guy.
I agree with literally everything you said here. Kudos to you both.
