Spring Break
People need to accept responsibility for their individual actions
Brian Lancaster
Issue date: 3/25/09 Section: Opinion
Ladies and gentlemen, if you don't mind, I'd like to write a column that is not necessarily funny, nor is it necessarily life-changing or radical in any way.
This week, one of my Facebook friends -- well, Facebook acquaintances -- decided that she should share with the world her problems with the law enforcement community. She changed her status to let the entire Facebook world know that she was given a $170 speeding ticket. Now, that's not what I have a problem with.
The next part of her status said "F*** the police" followed by an entirely unnecessary amount of exclamation points. I think it also goes without saying that she did not write "f***," but I feel that the indignation that printing the f-word would cause would take away from the point of this column.
I have seen a lot of this recently. Multiple friends of mine, and people I don't know at all, have been bad-mouthing the police because they wrote tickets the offenders found unnecessary. I've heard the entire gamut, from being pulled over on a bike to running stop signs. And everyone seems extremely upset at the police for these things.
Alright, allow me to take off my hilarious satirical suit and tie and put on my elderly and wise sweatpants and cardigan. Have a seat, loyal readers, and listen to Uncle Brian. I think it's about time we had a little talk.
First of all, the police are here to do good. I sincerely believe that. Whether or not you've read or heard differently in recent times is irrelevant; I do firmly believe that a vast majority of police officers are here to do exactly as their motto says: To protect and serve.
The fact that you got a $170 speeding ticket means that a police officer found you to be driving at an unsafe and possibly reckless speed, and therefore he should find a way to try and convince you to not do that again. The fact that you got a ticket for running a stop sign means that a police officer saw you roll through a stop sign, and you probably shouldn't do that.
This week, one of my Facebook friends -- well, Facebook acquaintances -- decided that she should share with the world her problems with the law enforcement community. She changed her status to let the entire Facebook world know that she was given a $170 speeding ticket. Now, that's not what I have a problem with.
The next part of her status said "F*** the police" followed by an entirely unnecessary amount of exclamation points. I think it also goes without saying that she did not write "f***," but I feel that the indignation that printing the f-word would cause would take away from the point of this column.
I have seen a lot of this recently. Multiple friends of mine, and people I don't know at all, have been bad-mouthing the police because they wrote tickets the offenders found unnecessary. I've heard the entire gamut, from being pulled over on a bike to running stop signs. And everyone seems extremely upset at the police for these things.
Alright, allow me to take off my hilarious satirical suit and tie and put on my elderly and wise sweatpants and cardigan. Have a seat, loyal readers, and listen to Uncle Brian. I think it's about time we had a little talk.
First of all, the police are here to do good. I sincerely believe that. Whether or not you've read or heard differently in recent times is irrelevant; I do firmly believe that a vast majority of police officers are here to do exactly as their motto says: To protect and serve.
The fact that you got a $170 speeding ticket means that a police officer found you to be driving at an unsafe and possibly reckless speed, and therefore he should find a way to try and convince you to not do that again. The fact that you got a ticket for running a stop sign means that a police officer saw you roll through a stop sign, and you probably shouldn't do that.
Viewing Comments 1 - 4 of 4
Roy Mongelli
posted 3/25/09 @ 9:43 AM MST
Well said, could not agree more. No only within the CSU community but society, in general.
Arvensis
posted 3/25/09 @ 6:46 PM MST
I do take responsibility for my own actions. If I interfere with another persons life, liberty, or pursuit of happiness, then I am soley responsible. (Continued…)
Erin Kennedy
posted 3/25/09 @ 8:18 PM MST
Thank you for writing this! There's a reason there are laws - to keep the public safe. Police and other service men and women are out there trying to protect the public. (Continued…)
Shawn Kozlowski
posted 3/26/09 @ 8:53 AM MST
Well said, Brian. Well said. If you should get pulled over for such a thing, and write about it on Facebook, I will gladly make fun of you till the end of your days for it. (Continued…)
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