a rant that will probably tick quite a few off regarding Military/LEOs

[iChokePeople]

What I have noticed is how much emphasis has been placed upon servicemen and LEOs in our society. I just think it's misplaced.

Examples? I must be missing all of this hero-worship being piled on our soldiers and LEOs.

 

[MilitaryArms]

What I have noticed is how much emphasis has been placed upon servicemen and LEOs in our society. I just think it's misplaced.

I don't know about LEO's having praise heaped on them, I don't see much of anything regarding them except bashing and finger pointing when another news story breaks about police abuse.

As for the military, we're at war. We have lots of kids dying and coming home screwed up. So yeah, people are talking more about their sacrifices and being more sympathetic to them, as they should be.

I don't see anything over the top, heck... most days I don't see or hear anything mentioned by anyone in my daily grind about military or LEO's.

What do you hear or see that makes you think there's more emphasis than usual on these professions outside of the daily news reports of something that happened in the war?

 

[nemo97]

I didn't read the word "hero" mentioned anywhere in the OP's post. As a matter of fact, I didn't see anyone in the thread call all military or LEO's "heros".

You are correct. I did not use the world "hero" though there are surely quite a few of them in both arenas of service.

 

[MilitaryArms]

True....

But if we are going to honor folks for the dangers they face in executing their work, let's give fishermen, loggers, pilots, farmers, coal miners, roofers, garbage men, and truck drivers the respect they deserve.

After all, they assume much more danger than does a police officer but are rarely given much credit at all for doing so.

That's probably because when a gunman goes on a shooting rampage you don't see too many fisherman running into the gun fight. People tend to focus on the sensational.

 

[nemo97]

Examples? I must be missing all of this hero-worship being piled on our soldiers and LEOs.

News articles (saw something on CNN over the weekend addressing unemployment rates of returning vets). LEO/Military discounts. Stuff like that.

 

[MilitaryArms]

News articles (saw something on CNN over the weekend addressing unemployment rates of returning vets). LEO/Military discounts. Stuff like that.

Unemployment is a big issue right now. Returning vets is another top news story on an otherwise slow news day... lots of vets coming home.

Military discounts have been in going on since I was in the military back in the 1980's. What's your problem with that? I don't see this as being a major issue, certainly not one that would warrant your original post.

Is there something else?

 

[iChokePeople]

News articles (saw something on CNN over the weekend addressing unemployment rates of returning vets). LEO/Military discounts. Stuff like that.

An article on unemployment rates of returning vets constitutes undue praise? Or a little discount on something? Seriously? Do you have an issue with senior citizen discounts and AARP?

 

[steveh_131]

I respect people who serve their community to make their community a better and safer place. To me there is just as much dignity and worthiness of respect for someone who volunteers during a disaster, who donates blood regularly, or who learns emergency medical treatment even when it is not part of a job so that they might help a stranger or loved one in a crisis.

A soldier, police officer, or firefighter wear a visible uniform that represents that service to the community, but there are many more out there who give as much if not more to make things better and safer for all of us, and those people rarely get thanked or acknowledged.

This is why I appreciate the service anyone who serves gives, but I don't hold a mil/leo/ff in any higher esteem than the other folks who volunteer to serve their community but who don't get paid for it.

A lot of these thoughts were swirling in my head as well, but you wrote them better than I could. I agree with all of this.

Let's honor those who give and love unconditionally and receive nothing in return, regardless of what uniform they wear. And let's try to do a whole lot more of it ourselves.

 

[J_Wales]

People tend to focus on the sensational.

Indeed.....

In the meantime, Farmer Jones down the lane is bravely assuming more risk than Sheriff Brown.... and Farmer Jones rarely makes a peep about it! Farmer Jones rarely uses his position to boast or brag and most often is a fine example of humility.

Thank you Farmer Jones for your bravery and all you do for us!

 

[Scutter01]

What is the nature of the threat in those top ten? Is it workplace accidents or someone actively trying to murder them? I think there's a huge difference.

 

[J_Wales]

What is the nature of the threat in those top ten? Is it workplace accidents or someone actively trying to murder them? I think there's a huge difference.

The risk is measured by fatalities per 100K.

Dead is dead. Not much of a difference, particularly to the one that is killed.

 

[Scutter01]

The risk is measured by fatalities per 100K.

Dead is dead.

When making the decision to engage in a profession based on the level of danger involved, it is absolutely relevant to consider the nature of the danger. To dismiss that out of hand by saying "dead is dead" is disingenuous at best.

 

[J_Wales]

When making the decision to engage in a profession based on the level of danger involved, it is absolutely relevant to consider the nature of the danger. To dismiss that out of hand by saying "dead is dead" is disingenuous at best.

I agree. If one is making a decision to engage in a profession based on the level of danger involved the nature of the danger is indeed relevant.

If one is attempting to reduce the likelyhood that one will be killed in one's chosen profession, then choosing to be a police officer is a much wiser choice than choosing to be a garbageman, a roofer, or a farmer.

Those that choose to be a garbageman, a roofer or a farmer are much more likely to be killed in the performance of their duty than is a police officer.

That said, police officers are still in the top ten most dangerous professions.

I often wonder if the garbageman, the roofer, or the farmer recognize just how brave they are.

 

[Leo]

I think I can shed some additional life on the sunject, but I assure you I do not put blind faith in anything man institutes. My statement really does not matter if you are a believer in Christianity or not. This nation was founded on Christian values and almost all of the country is still influenced at some level on those values. The Bible teaches that "Love each other as I have Loved you. Greater Love has no one than this, that he lay down his life for his friends" (John 15:12&13) Since the Christian value systems still have influence, there is a high level of respect for those who protect us.
Secondly, many of our citizens, who may be or not be followers of Christ immigrated from countries during time of war. Anyone who has lost everything and were near to loose their lives naturally feel a great affection toward their liberators. That is why those who came to this country in the 1900's are such strong patriots. They are not like the USA hating, welfare seeking leeches who have been trashing this country for the last 30 years. My grandfather came here as a boy from a war torn country and asked only for a fair shake, not a hand out. He worked hard and made a life which included raising me. He loved this country and respected LEO's and Soldiers and always honored the flag.

 

[J_Wales]

I think I can shed some additional life on the sunject, but I assure you I do not put blind faith in anything man institutes. My statement really does not matter if you are a believer in Christianity or not. This nation was founded on Christian values and almost all of the country is still influenced at some level on those values. The Bible teaches that "Love each other as I have Loved you. Greater Love has no one than this, that he lay down his life for his friends" (John 15:12&13) Since the Christian value systems still have influence, there is a high level of respect for those who protect us.
Secondly, many of our citizens, who may be or not be followers of Christ immigrated from countries during time of war. Anyone who has lost everything and were near to loose their lives naturally feel a great affection toward their liberators. That is why those who came to this country in the 1900's are such strong patriots. They are not like the USA hating, welfare seeking leeches who have been trashing this country for the last 30 years. My grandfather came here as a boy from a war torn country and asked only for a fair shake, not a hand out. He worked hard and made a life which included raising me. He loved this country and respected LEO's and Soldiers and always honored the flag.

Well said Sir.

 

[Denny347]

The risk is measured by fatalities per 100K.

Dead is dead. Not much of a difference, particularly to the one that is killed.

Which is quite flawed. Some departments see NO LOD deaths and some see many...it depend on where you work. Carmel PD has seen zero as far as I know. But here at IMPD, I have had 3 co-workers get shot to death, 1 co-worker shot in head but will never be the same, about a dozen have been shot but thankfully they recovered to be able to come back to full-duty status. Those are just the firearm related incidents of people I work with, know, were friends with. So OUR statistics are different then the "per 100k" that we are all lumped into. We hear gunshots we run to them as we are fighting our was through the herd of people running away. We are not heroes, we are blue collar stiffs that want to help our community. Not taking anything away from those other jobs.

 

[churchmouse]

Police officers do indeed have a dangerous job.

Measured by fatalities per 100K, police officers rank in the top ten behind:

Fishermen
Loggers
Pilots
Farmers
Coal Miners
Roofers
Garbage Workers
and
Truck Drivers

The 15 Most Dangerous Jobs In America

Lots of brave folks out there worthy of respect, but in my opinion military folks are in general a cut above.

^^^^This^^^^

I am also in line with Scutter and definitely sailor. I have not served personally
I do however hold our military folks in the highest regard. There was a time, probably before you were in diapers that veterans had a rough way to go. I refer to the Viet Nam era. Both my uncles served and made a lifetime career of the military. They are my favorite people and treasured in my memories.
Be very careful with this. You are due your opinion but many in these threads are currant or retired military. Respect where it is due please.

 

[J_Wales]

Which is quite flawed. Some departments see NO LOD deaths and some see many...it depend on where you work. Carmel PD has seen zero as far as I know. But here at IMPD, I have had 3 co-workers get shot to death, 1 co-worker shot in head but will never be the same, about a dozen have been shot but thankfully they recovered to be able to come back to full-duty status. Those are just the firearm related incidents of people I work with, know, were friends with. So OUR statistics are different then the "per 100k" that we are all lumped into. We hear gunshots we run to them as we are fighting our was through the herd of people running away. We are not heroes, we are blue collar stiffs that want to help our community. Not taking anything away from those other jobs.

Absolutely correct. The 100K is a nationwide average for each of the professions on the list.

Degrees of risk would generally vary from geographic area to geoagraphic area in arriving at the "per 100K fatalities" average for each of the professions.

 

[J_Wales]

^^^^This^^^^

I am also in line with Scutter and definitely sailor. I have not served personally
I do however hold our military folks in the highest regard. There was a time, probably before you were in diapers that veterans had a rough way to go. I refer to the Viet Nam era. Both my uncles served and made a lifetime career of the military. They are my favorite people and treasured in my memories.
Be very careful with this. You are due your opinion but many in these threads are currant or retired military. Respect where it is due please.

Well said.

Please extend my gratitude to your uncles for their service to our republic.

 

[churchmouse]

I think I can shed some additional life on the sunject, but I assure you I do not put blind faith in anything man institutes. My statement really does not matter if you are a believer in Christianity or not. This nation was founded on Christian values and almost all of the country is still influenced at some level on those values. The Bible teaches that "Love each other as I have Loved you. Greater Love has no one than this, that he lay down his life for his friends" (John 15:12&13) Since the Christian value systems still have influence, there is a high level of respect for those who protect us.
Secondly, many of our citizens, who may be or not be followers of Christ immigrated from countries during time of war. Anyone who has lost everything and were near to loose their lives naturally feel a great affection toward their liberators. That is why those who came to this country in the 1900's are such strong patriots. They are not like the USA hating, welfare seeking leeches who have been trashing this country for the last 30 years. My grandfather came here as a boy from a war torn country and asked only for a fair shake, not a hand out. He worked hard and made a life which included raising me. He loved this country and respected LEO's and Soldiers and always honored the flag.

+1....