Anyone else think that since 9/11 police and military are automatically considereed "heroes"

[captain queeg]

This is just my opinion based on my experience. Just read another post about a cop punching a handcuffed juvenile, and no I don't know the explicit details but can't really imagine anything justifying that short of a full on physical assault, which was not the case. It just seems to me that ever since 9/11 all cops, military, fireman, etc. are automatically considered heroes just by virtue of have that profession. Certainly many of them perform heroic actions (and yes, thank you, I did my time in Afghanistan), but certainly they are not all heroes. Most of them make pretty good money, and retirement. Sometimes they are in harms way, many times not.

Do people think the public gives them a pass too much, or maybe its just the repugs who often wave the flag to cover their treasonous true actions? How many repugs vs democrats served in the armed forces? We have a draft dodger president who is more than willing send others in harms way.

[get the red out]

1. I certainly admire

people who do those jobs well. But yes, I agree with you. I felt bad in thinking that, so I am glad you posted.

In my area, when a police officer is killed, even when it is not in the line of duty, the local news talks about it every night at least until the funeral, and they are a "fallen hero". The most recent was an officer who was killed in an ATV accident. It was newsworthy, and a terrible thing, but they discussed it every night until the funeral, when they showed clips of that. To me, this is way over the top.

In the case of the military, I think Rethugs use the term "hero" so they can get them killed and horribly injured in purposeless wars then pretend they are honoring their sacrifice, while hoping they will just disappear.

[zipplewrath]

2. I'd put it around the first Gulf War

There was this whole sorta mea culpa after the war to somehow reset the relationship with the military that had gotten outta whack in Vietnam. It was about then that the whole "thank you for your service" thing started.

And it's not that I object, but I think we overlook the contributions of people like foreign service officers who also serve in danger and help protect us. They just do it without a gun.

[captain queeg]

5. I'm trying to think back that far

You are right, for awhile after Vietnam it was like you didn't talk about the military or something. What really pisses me about that is I think there was some element of arm chair generals upset we "lost" a war. Then the Gulf war came along. It could sort of be portrayed as a righteous war (if you didn't think about how long we'd been supporting Sadam before that) because we were helping to defeat an invader. I think us defeating Iraq so quickly certainly gave those sort of folks a shot to reinforce their ideas that America saves the world.

I don't remember the lift in public opinion extending to cops at the time though. What I remember from then pretty clearly was all the news shows blathering on and on about the 1000s of tanks and huge numbers of Republican Guards and it really had me thinking we were in for a long fight. The war was over in 100 hours and it seemed to me the world was suddenly collectively silent. I know I was stunned, I think many were.

[Inkfreak]

3. Absolutely.

Every cop ain't a hero. In fact it's one of the most overused words these days. All you have to do is put on a badge and you're a saint. That's bullshit.

I feel a lil different for military members/vets because I am a vet. I have great respect for anyone that served. But I am am cynical of the people who wrap themselves in patriotism and I wonder if they're not just paying lip service. Do they really care? Or has it become simply vogue? Or am I just way to cynical? There's a good chance I am.

Two examples are the fad of magnetic ribbons for cars that everyone bought for $3 and slapped on their car. Whoopty do, you're a patriot now. Also the money spent on NFL games paying tribute to our troops. Do it because you care, not because we paid you.

It's honorable to serve in the military. And cops perform a valuable service. But I've seen to many bad cop stories to automatically label every one a hero. Frankly, I just don't trust cops. If you can't trust a "hero", are they a hero?

[WinstonSmith00]

4. They do their duty for the greed

Of millionaires and billionaires. Police and military should all go on strike and refuse to participate in the unending cycle of violence, terrorizing and destruction. The police and military are exploited and paid poorly to do a job and risk their lives to make others millions and billions of dollars.