Ignorance is bliss.
If you’re not angry, you’re not paying attention.
Both of these are true statements.
For the month of October, I’m going to avoid social media, mainstream media, IRC, and political blogs/podcasts. I’m going to try to see what my blood pressure and mood do if I just stick my head in the sand for a little bit.
I’m a little too angry-due-to-paying-attention some times and that causes me to make passionate arguments in ways that make complete sense to me, but are very off-putting to normal people. As an example, I recently attended an event where one of the lawyers who got the first iteration of Restaurant Carry declared unconstitutional. I asked him why they didn’t also challenge the new law allowing restaurant carry for off duty officers, and he said that police are (paraphrasing) “trained for that sort of thing.” I questioned him pretty harshly on what specific training police receive that pertains to that issue, and whether or not he would be okay with permit holders having that training. He basically responded that the only way he would ever be comfortable with someone carrying in a restaurant is if they are a current LEO, regardless of training. It was a similar line of reasoning I’d used before with other people.
I thought my arguments pointed out that the guy was just biased against citizens, since his base criteria was ultimately only who someone’s employer is. I was informed later by John Lott (yes, that John Lott) that my arguments came off as anti-police, suggesting police officers are not well-trained. That was absolutely not my intention.
When John Lott tells you your argument is a bad one, you listen.
So I’m going to try to be a “regular” person for a little bit. I’ll still be doing the debt-free blogging (those posts are already queued) and some tech news stuff, but I’m going to try to stay out of the politics for a little bit.
I imagine that–like Kevin Baker–I’ll be back to it quicker than I plan.
I’ve had a few people say I’m anti-police when truthfully I am anything but. What I am for though is equal treatment under the law. Cops are civilians and if civilians are not allowed to carry some place, if an officer is off duty I see NO reason for exemption.
I have had a few incidents for the SSCC come across my desk recently of off duty cops commiting assaults at bars. My personal favorite along these lines was this one while the officer was on duty.
It annoys me when people use the training argument for the following reason. Many concealed carriers are equally or better trained than the police. We do it because we enjoy it, and I know that I regularly expend more ammunition than my local police departments in training. Many LEOs do the minimum for qualification which for most departments is a weekend outing for me.
While some might view your point as anti-leo, I want to know why he’s anti-rights and anti-civilian. I don’t have a single problem with LEO’s but by god if you’re going to say a civilian can’t carry there you need to justify it with facts and reasons, not feelings. Training is subjective and not quantifiable unless you can provide a minimum bar by witch all can be tested equally.
Your approach probably failed from trying to determine the special training of police. Your intention wasn’t to make them look ill trained but to point out there isn’t a special class that prepares them for it. What would probably work better is, “What if civilians were to qualify the same as law enforcement?” At that point that would make the LEO == Civilian. At which point his bias would be shown as negative to civilians where as you were attempting to make the LEO look positive. This is just a thought, think it over. I’ve used that tactic before and have even seen law enforcement use it when dealing with someone suffering from PSH.
Don’t worry, you’ll be back. The abyss didn’t swallow me, though I am thinking about a break just because I hate sitting in front of my computer so much.
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Believe me, of all people, I know how you feel. I’ve had some recent conversations with “friends” that are police officers who have a problem with not only my reasons for leaving law enforcement, but also the fact that I’m vocal about it. And wizardpc, you can attest to my vocal behavior if you remember the last function we attended together.
I am eagerly waiting for your results. I still have my gear and I can check your blood pressure and heart rate easily if you like. It might even give me the opportunity to have a little fun at your expense.
disavowedwithhonor
The Law Enforcement training issue is the dirty little secret of the gun rights movement. Because we want to keep rank and file police organizations on our side, we avoid talking about it.
I know of… Oh, heck, this is a post in its own right. 😉
I think this is a good idea. There is a balance that needs to be struck, but finding that perfect spot between the yin and the yang is pretty difficult. I think taking a break is a good way to refocus on what is really important to you.
I find that when I get too immersed in information, I feel like shit and want to just hit the eject button.
“police officers are not well-trained.”
They aren’t. What percentage of police nationwide have read their state constitution? I’m guessing it’s in the single digits at the very most.
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