Tuesday, July 16, 2019

Dutch police corruption

Should we then be taking a lesson from the Dutch whose apparent widespread corruption within police circles has led to the sacking of high and low alike? If the police cannot trust the police, how much should the rest of us rely on their integrity?

This question is only half whimsical. A part of me honestly feels that there is a war (civil perhaps) beckoning in the not-so-distant future. As in the 1920's and 1930's, where law enforcement stands today is not necessarily beneficial to the man on the street. Government, in those times and perhaps these, sided with those in power. The blood that was spilled was almost invariably that of the working stiff. And so the Dutch model is not without its reminders.

U.S. President Donald Trump has surmised (correctly it often seems) that America's governmental apparatus is for sale. The Supreme Court Ruling on "Citizens United" allows the purchase and sale of political power and Donald Trump has merely taken advantage of it all. Having refilled the political swamp he once vowed to empty, Trump seems to spend most of each day stirring the cauldron of discontent on the one hand and good, loud-mouthed business practices on the other.

The cops are corrupt. The media is corrupt. The immigrants are corrupt. Blacks and women are corrupt. The church is corrupt. Climate change is corrupt. And it is hard not to think that Trump's business-buddy appointees are likewise affected -- open to a succulent bribe or enticement.

My younger son is currently going through a two-week National Guard training program in New Jersey. From afar, I want to urge him -- "study and learn your weapons. You're gonna need them." There's no reason why the guys with guns need to be the only guys with guns.

No, I am not a conspiracy nut. Yes, I am afraid of what the likes of Donald Trump can visit on a nation for which he has only a pecuniary regard. The Republicans, of course, want Trump's election clout but are not shouldering any of the responsibility. Will they pay for their cowardice? I hope so, but I doubt it.

1 comment:

  1. Yeah learn your gun skills, but master your drone skills.

    ReplyDelete