HOME | DD

larry03052 [2014-09-09 03:46:52 +0000 UTC]

Traditionally, the face of Justice is blindfolded as well as carrying scales, to symbolize that only facts be weighed for Justice to be served. But the term "policeman" has two connotations, one as the "1st Responder" helpful presence, the genial "uncle" of the remonstrating traffic ticket, the friendly face of the "cop on the corner". In some areas, however, the term is connected with aggression, and taken as a threat. "Do what the State tells you or else". To me, a policeman is supposed to be a public servant. The friendly face. On the other hand, the soldier is, by his nature, the threat. He is there to do harm to the enemy, "Justice" is not in the equation because when the soldier is called out, the question of "justice" has already been decided.

As I said, traditionally. In this day and age, we have considerably blurred the lines between these roles. We have heavily militarized our police because of the "War on (Some) Drugs" and because we have permitted our government to use them freely to threaten, intimidate and otherwise "control" the civilian population. Conversely, too often our soldiers are asked to take a "police" rôle in foreign countries, presenting a friendly face they are certainly not trained for and that is certainly not congruent with their social function. I assume it is this ambivalence that you refer to in this work. My own reaction is "this is no friendly neighborhood cop," nor would I want to see anyone similar "policing" any other neighborhood. He would be more appropriate in Fallujah, than he would Mayberry. I cannot imagine anyone looking at such a fellow getting out of a Hummer at the Twin Towers and feeling any relief.

👍: 0 ⏩: 1

larry03052 [2014-09-08 21:11:17 +0000 UTC]

What a comforting presence. I could just feel my confidence growing at beholding such an entity at the scene of an emergency...

👍: 0 ⏩: 1