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takethisforexampleIn regards to what has happened in Uvalde…
The shock of this shooting went over almost immediately it feels like. Maybe that’s because a shooting happens every other month in this country. This one is special, though, because in the post-Trump America people actually have the nerve to defend the horrible police response to no end. It’s pathetic, really.
One of the worst arguments I’ve heard is that “it’s not the function of the police to risk their lives in this scenario.” That’s actually a valid justification because they are right, it isn’t. Cops in America aren’t trained to “protect and serve” like they boast on the sides of their cruisers. An article I read the other day put it in simple terms; the police aren’t there to protect, they are there to criminalize. They are there to meet quotas and persecute minorities, not save children from active shooters. A cop is not willing to put his life on the line because his job isn’t even dangerous and noble like it’s made out to be. People who think police are heroes are misinformed and victims of law enforcement propaganda. Thank God they arrested that homeless guy! They really are keeping our neighborhoods safe from teenagers with spray cans. Their response to fender benders? Truly remarkable and praiseworthy. You’d assume a town like Uvalde, which spends 40% of their tax money on a SWAT team, would be able to prepare and respond to an event like this, but they didn’t. And they never will, because that SWAT team is just proof of how law enforcement is fetishized in this country. An accessory at best, that fails when it is actually needed. Remarkably, people defending the Uvalde police right now seem totally okay with the fact that it isn’t there job to take down a shooter. Then what is their job, Susan? Tell me, Kenneth, who is supposed to deal with that? The kids themselves? Tough shit for those elementary schoolers, I guess. If something being “technically legal” is enough for right-wingers to rationalize the deaths of 19 children, that’s not good enough. The function of the police needs to be challenged but the right would rather die than admit that their precious SWAT team is a corrupt waste of fucking money. Because America!
Another argument I saw the other day… “the cops could’ve gotten hurt!” So true sister, the poor cops could’ve gotten hurt. We shouldn’t expect them to deal with crime! It’s dangerous! How terrible. Let’s let all these kids die instead. NEXT.
It goes without saying that Uvalde failed in every sense with their police response, procedures, and press follow ups. They are still doubling down and refusing to own up to this as a catastrophic failure of their department. But to me, it’s not even that. It’s completely consistent with how law enforcement responds to shit like this. As tragic as this whole thing is, I’m not shocked. I doubt anyone my age is. You didn’t get a proper American high school experience if you didn’t hide in a classroom and text your parents you love them at least once.
Now we get to prepare for the plethora of liberal campaigns that will come in the wake of this, just like with Parkland. Walkouts, protests, shallow speeches from every American politician ever, corporate charity work, the whole shebang. “This was a tragedy. We want to ensure this never happens again.” But it will, and nothing will change. Just another day in God’s favorite country.
The shock of this shooting went over almost immediately it feels like. Maybe that’s because a shooting happens every other month in this country. This one is special, though, because in the post-Trump America people actually have the nerve to defend the horrible police response to no end. It’s pathetic, really.
One of the worst arguments I’ve heard is that “it’s not the function of the police to risk their lives in this scenario.” That’s actually a valid justification because they are right, it isn’t. Cops in America aren’t trained to “protect and serve” like they boast on the sides of their cruisers. An article I read the other day put it in simple terms; the police aren’t there to protect, they are there to criminalize. They are there to meet quotas and persecute minorities, not save children from active shooters. A cop is not willing to put his life on the line because his job isn’t even dangerous and noble like it’s made out to be. People who think police are heroes are misinformed and victims of law enforcement propaganda. Thank God they arrested that homeless guy! They really are keeping our neighborhoods safe from teenagers with spray cans. Their response to fender benders? Truly remarkable and praiseworthy. You’d assume a town like Uvalde, which spends 40% of their tax money on a SWAT team, would be able to prepare and respond to an event like this, but they didn’t. And they never will, because that SWAT team is just proof of how law enforcement is fetishized in this country. An accessory at best, that fails when it is actually needed. Remarkably, people defending the Uvalde police right now seem totally okay with the fact that it isn’t there job to take down a shooter. Then what is their job, Susan? Tell me, Kenneth, who is supposed to deal with that? The kids themselves? Tough shit for those elementary schoolers, I guess. If something being “technically legal” is enough for right-wingers to rationalize the deaths of 19 children, that’s not good enough. The function of the police needs to be challenged but the right would rather die than admit that their precious SWAT team is a corrupt waste of fucking money. Because America!
Another argument I saw the other day… “the cops could’ve gotten hurt!” So true sister, the poor cops could’ve gotten hurt. We shouldn’t expect them to deal with crime! It’s dangerous! How terrible. Let’s let all these kids die instead. NEXT.
It goes without saying that Uvalde failed in every sense with their police response, procedures, and press follow ups. They are still doubling down and refusing to own up to this as a catastrophic failure of their department. But to me, it’s not even that. It’s completely consistent with how law enforcement responds to shit like this. As tragic as this whole thing is, I’m not shocked. I doubt anyone my age is. You didn’t get a proper American high school experience if you didn’t hide in a classroom and text your parents you love them at least once.
Now we get to prepare for the plethora of liberal campaigns that will come in the wake of this, just like with Parkland. Walkouts, protests, shallow speeches from every American politician ever, corporate charity work, the whole shebang. “This was a tragedy. We want to ensure this never happens again.” But it will, and nothing will change. Just another day in God’s favorite country.
