Concerned Citizens has a very interesting post up about defining ‘law abiding’ The debate reminds me of similar dissension – what defines ‘supporting the troops’? Do you have to support the mission to support the troops?
These questions always bring up the usual accusations of ‘coward’ or ‘traitor’ toward those of us that separate US forces from US foreign policy. Often, energy is spent defending these accusations rather than focusing on keeping the troops safe and bringing them home. Since both camps want the best for the troops it is hard to understand how accusations benefit anyone.
The same tactics are being employed by those who feel concerned citizens should not voice their objections to police conduct. When advocating for the troops most of us have found it best to stay focused on the goal and ignore the detractors. Concerned citizens wants to establish a citizen review board or some such mechanism to ensure fair and humane policing and improve relations between citizenry and the police.
City managers, police chiefs, police officers are paid with tax dollars and are subject to public criticism when those dollars are ill spent. This is part of the job and they are paid for it. Someone suggested over at concerned citizens that if you ‘can’t take the heat, get out of the fire’. The statement is really only valid when applied to public employees, particularly in leadership positions. Certain publc figures who ‘can’t take the heat’, have launched a smear campaign and threatened lawsuits and maybe they should just ‘get out of the fire’.
It isn’t always easy but I believe it is best to ignore insults and stay focused on the goal.
That would make for a great blog persona, “poo flinger” 😉 Probably someone has already taken it though…
Have been gathering information from other citizen review boards around the country. There is a lot to learn and so many different ways to empower them but no set guidelines. Each community appears to have unique needs and have adapted their review board charters to fit those special needs.
My goodness! What is going on here? 🙂 Is someone flinging poo?
magix, I think a citizen review board is an excellent idea! I can see that people in Coquille are starting to figure out they don’t have lay down & get their rights stomped(?) on. I feel this is going to create alot of justified righteous indignation by the citizenry…apparently the police department can’t handle the complaints as it is.
POWER TO THE PEOPLE!
My goal is to establish a citizen review board, as many communities have done to address difficulties between the police and the citizenry.
Are you interested in working on that or not?
Um, no. I am not a troll. But I find all of “excuuuuse me’s” posts just as ridiculous and immature as she find’s t paulson’s.
I don’t think it’s fair to call everyone who disagrees with you a ‘troll.’
ignore ctw07 as well, just another troll on a fishing expedition
And “excuuuuuse me” contributes ANYTHING at all? Other than personal insults I don’t think they’ve said anything worth reading.
Thanks for wasting everyone’s time “excuuuuuse me.” Articulate? Definitely doesn’t fit you.
welcome excuuuuuuse me!
ignore tpaulson, she or ‘they’ contribute nothing positive. methinks they are ill prepared for public discourse and probably never took debate class in highschool.
tpaulson:
“She’s everywhere, she’s everywhere”!
Here you go again, trolling a site meant to be a constructive dialogue, hurling your insults about, reminds me of what happens at the zoo when the gorillas tire of the humans gawking at them, so I guess I can understand, no, on second thought, I simply can’t understand where the h you’re coming from. Sometimes you actually seem to be an articulate(there I go again, confusing you with those big words)person, then all of a sudden, you seem to fall into the gorillas’ cage again. Some of us out here actually get a kick out of you, keep up the good “work” sweetie, oh, and don’t forget, please forward the sites you use to spy on your “friends” and neighbors, okay doll? I want to be just like you!
Tootles!
I trust then, that you will take your own advice, because so far you have been the insult queen.
Being a “public official” doesn’t make one any less a human being. They still deserve to be respected.
Thank you mary.
Dialoge & discussing opinions is important to get to the truth of the matter.
Insults on the other hand do divert from the real issues. You are right they are best ignored.
The internet is a great medium for discussion & debate but unfortunately because of it’s anonymous nature, also easily abused, esp. when emotions take over.
I have done it myself.