Excessive force by those who have sworn to protect and serve. We bare part of the blame...

Violence begets violence. History has proven this time and again. Yet often times it is the first solution that is used. I can understand its use from adolescents who do have not yet learned there are other means to handle conflict. Decisions derived from fear rarely have good outcomes. A more measured approached must always be on the table for consideration. The easiest way to counter an action based in fear, is to slow down and allow reason to return.

Protesting is a start. It has its place in society along with sports arenas. They are a place where the excess energy of the general public can be released in a controlled environment. Why do you think the Greeks of old created gladiators and filled the stadium with their citizens. Build a stadium and they will come in droves. Wars are used in the extreme for this reason as well. Why do they send our young for such things? The adolescent male left to his own device has the greatest potential for unrest and anarchy. So much pent up energy that will find a release one way or another.

Which brings me back to the solution for a problem we the people have not correctly addressed. I am impressed by the fact that most officers do not succumb to the base emotion of fear. It manifests itself by the "us against them" mentality.  They are constantly interacting with a small percentage of the population which does not represent the normal day to day working class. In a constant state of alert knowing at anytime violence could erupt. Over the years this has to effect the way they view the world around them. Easily putting everyone in the same category as enemy.

We are to blame for not making it mandatory that all (yes all must be required or none will attend) law enforces receive support in the form of counseling so they have the opportunity to properly manage working in a hostile environment akin to shell shock. Do we not feel the need to offer this t

o our solders returning from similar arenas. We all know of or have heard of solders turning on their loved ones. This is much more common than you think with the police force. Just ask a son, daughter or spouse of such families and you will see them line up in droves. If they are not held at bay by fear.

Let us mature a bit more as a species and quit pointing the finger when the blame lies squarely at our feet. Go out and protest get rid of your pent up frustrations sleep the good sleep derived from the belief that somehow you have done your part.

But in the coming days when sanity returns.  Lets have a real discussion that is of a solution based perspective. And make lasting change where all will win and there can be no losers. There is no "us against them". This idea is only a distraction, Its goal can only be seen as a distraction allowing for actions from those sworn to protect and serve to continue as they do to this day.

If you have a better solution? I would like to hear it. If not please step out of my way by not contributing to the problem that effects us all.


Sylvester L Neal
Buster Sly