12/04/14 OFFICERS OF THE LAW

12/04/14 OFFICERS OF THE LAW

As a normal American male baby boomer, I grew up with a healthy view of policemen and cowboys. We played cowboys and Indians and cops and robbers. I named two of my many goldfish Roy Rogers and Gene Autry. When I was a child I wanted to be an L.A.P.D. motorcycle cop when I grew up. I always waved at the police when I saw them, and since I lived in L.A. I had many opportunities to meet my silver screen and TV horseback heroes. I met Roy, Gene, Dale Evans, Andy Devine, Guy Madison, Gabby Hayes and others. I still like to watch old Westerns and still respect the men in blue.

Yet, I am bothered when cops want to be "cowboys." I appreciate law enforcement but I have seen the increase of cops with a "storm trooper" mentality in a "police state" state of mind. We have all heard of rogue cops and many of us know innocent people who have suffered because of misused power and authority. I have heard them laugh about how they intimidate citizens and more than once they have set upon me for my Christian faith, along with other friends and family.

So, I am not a spokesman for the modern day police. There are still good cops, but they are harder to find (just like good preachers). Even the bullies are nice, until they decide to abuse their power.

However, cops put their lives on the line for our safety everyday. Their job is more dangerous and more thankless than ever. I would not want to be a cop today because every call is a potential call to a bullet. Dealing with criminals is not the same as dealing with a child who is throwing a fit. Criminals are a danger to the police and to the citizenry. This present move to handcuff the police, in the name of racial equality, is a mistake, and the black community will suffer even more "black on black" crime. Keep police accountable, deal with their misdeeds, but do not take away their ability to stop criminals. It is not a crime to be black. It is not a crime to be Christian (yet). But actual LAW breakers should be stopped.

Romans 13:1-5
1 Let every soul be subject unto the higher powers. For there is no power but of God: the powers that be are ordained of God.
2 Whosoever therefore resisteth the power, resisteth the ordinance of God: and they that resist shall receive to themselves damnation.
3 For rulers are not a terror to good works, but to the evil. Wilt thou then not be afraid of the power? do that which is good, and thou shalt have praise of the same:
4 For he is the minister of God to thee for good. But if thou do that which is evil, be afraid; for he beareth not the sword in vain: for he is the minister of God, a revenger to execute wrath upon him that doeth evil.
5 Wherefore ye must needs be subject, not only for wrath, but also for conscience sake.