I’ve been in law enforcement for over two decades. In that time, I’ve worked for six police chiefs and one sheriff, seven “commanders-in-chief” in total. Of those, the two who had tough, zero-tolerance policing philosophies were the most popular, got the most out of their officers, and curried the most respect despite that their policies saw us go into harms way more than those administrators whose ideology tilted toward community buy-in and pleasant communication.
At this point in the game, it doesn’t matter a bunch why we went to Iraq; the fact is we’re there today, we’re winning, and when victory is fully secured, we’ll come home. And the sooner the better I say.
It might be that President Bush would alter his strategy if given an opportunity to travel back in time; I can only speculate as I don’t speak for the man. I will point out what should be glaringly obvious to all Americans, however, even the vehemently anti-military types:
As of today, it’s been seven years since the United States has suffered a terror attack on mother soil. Friends of the Islamofascists who sent 3,000 innocents to their death on September 11, 2001 have been getting their asses kicked in the two main theaters of the Middle East ever since. I figure it’s within the realm of possibility there is a relationship between the two.
The potential for great leadership that is forged from the flames of conflict cannot be easily reproduced through a galaxy of less transcendent experiences. Just as the finest police administrators I’ve worked for were those who came up through the ranks after having worn out shoe leather on the mean streets of the city, so it is that our great nation’s brightest stars tend to rise from among those who have gotten their hands dirty along the way.
On this Patriot’s Day, I extend a salute, my prayers, and a hearty thank you to all our servicemen and servicewomen who have so bravely protected American shores the last 2,555 days. You are the embodiment of Sen. McCain’s “Counrty First” mantra, and it’s because of your sacrifice the rest of us can feel some modicum of safety at home.
September 11, 2008 at 2:14 pm |
Thank You
September 11, 2008 at 5:45 pm |
Amen. That was very well written coming from a fellow LEO; you hit the nail on the head!
September 11, 2008 at 7:42 pm |
Thanks, Jeff. I am going to link to this on my “anniversary” list on my site. ;-D
September 11, 2008 at 10:44 pm |
Amen brother. That photo was sent to me recently with the caption: “Trigger Discipline: True warriors don’t forget it even after being shot seven times by 7.62 x 39mm and being grenaded.” If you would like this “motivator” poster, email me: todd@the-way.net.
September 12, 2008 at 7:56 am |
Jeff: well put. Thanks.
September 12, 2008 at 12:46 pm |
As the wife of a United States soldier, I really appreciate the editorial. I’m going to share it with other Army and Marine wives.
I’m home with my husband’s two kids as he fights in Afghanistan. They have the internet and TV over there you know. It makes him sick to see the war protesters running Bush down and saying Operation Iraqi Freedom was a mistake. You should not talk like this when our men are overseas.
It’s too bad, but I don’t expect Obama and his fanatical backers to change.
September 12, 2008 at 4:00 pm |
Thanks for sharing this Jeff. All too often the sheep forget about the warriors protecting them! God bless!
September 15, 2008 at 6:17 am |
My prayers and many thanks to present and past military personnel. It takes a real man or woman to do what they do. God bless them and their families.