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Lumberg
New member
Why is it considered a tragedy of extra proportions when a Law Enforcement Officer, or especially a member of our armed forces, gets hurt or dies?
It is their job, after all, to put themselves in danger to protect the rest of us. For that reason, I give the brave people who protect my way of life, whether it be from my fellow citizens (cops) or from foreign aggressors (soldiers, etc), the utmost respect and gratitude.
However, if they get hurt or die, well they were just doing their job. Sure the person responsible is reprehensible, and should be prosecuted and persecuted. But, presumably, since this is a free country, the victim was an adult of sound mind and body, who made a decision to take on the role of protector (again, a decision to be lauded). They presumably knew what they were getting into (if not they are still a hero, but just stupid).
9/11, that's a tragedy. A mom killed by her ex-husband, that's a tragedy.
A police office killed in a shootout with a kidnapper? Eh, unpleasant, but not anywhere near the level of the above two. A soldier killed when his helicopter is shot down by the enemy? Uh, that's what happens in a war. It's not senseless. The victims are not "innocent." So why the major outpouring of attention when a person whose job it is to endanger themselves so that the rest of us are safe, dies? And why when presumably there are also several other violent deaths of people by equally horrific means who are NOT intentionally placing their lives on the line?
This has puzzled me for some time now.
To all current and past members of the armed forces: the statements above are precisely why I am respectful and grateful. I recognize you for your choice of job; not the fact that you do it. I do my job. I expect you to do yours.
It is their job, after all, to put themselves in danger to protect the rest of us. For that reason, I give the brave people who protect my way of life, whether it be from my fellow citizens (cops) or from foreign aggressors (soldiers, etc), the utmost respect and gratitude.
However, if they get hurt or die, well they were just doing their job. Sure the person responsible is reprehensible, and should be prosecuted and persecuted. But, presumably, since this is a free country, the victim was an adult of sound mind and body, who made a decision to take on the role of protector (again, a decision to be lauded). They presumably knew what they were getting into (if not they are still a hero, but just stupid).
9/11, that's a tragedy. A mom killed by her ex-husband, that's a tragedy.
A police office killed in a shootout with a kidnapper? Eh, unpleasant, but not anywhere near the level of the above two. A soldier killed when his helicopter is shot down by the enemy? Uh, that's what happens in a war. It's not senseless. The victims are not "innocent." So why the major outpouring of attention when a person whose job it is to endanger themselves so that the rest of us are safe, dies? And why when presumably there are also several other violent deaths of people by equally horrific means who are NOT intentionally placing their lives on the line?
This has puzzled me for some time now.
To all current and past members of the armed forces: the statements above are precisely why I am respectful and grateful. I recognize you for your choice of job; not the fact that you do it. I do my job. I expect you to do yours.
