It’s difficult to know what to say to you, for I’ve never had anything close to experiences such as you describe you’ve had. However, for what it’s worth, know that there are people out here who care about those police officers – and their families’ well-being. And care about the pain of those who knew them and those like you who relate to them.

Regarding the perpetrator: In reading the Post-Gazette article about him I was reminded that Timothy McVeigh (Oklahoma City bombing) had similar relationships with the militia-types. It’s frightening to realize that these crazies are all around us.

alasycia: “We recently discovered that 30 states had declared sovereignty” Sound familiar?

Indeed. It does sound familiar.

Take care.

Patrick

What is even more chilling is that they died at the hands of someone of dubious sanity and whose particular deviance took the on the cloak of the extremist right conspiracy theorists.

Whilst there is no doubt that the world of Government and Big Business is not exactly “as seen of TV”, the distorted view of the world presented by these groups and their pernicious influence on the less than stable present the downside of Freedom of Speech.

Although there isn’t any real comparison between this dreadful act and the shenanigans of the ASD propaganda bunch at Surfs Up – the “neo con” tendencies of some of its members do ring a little bell.

And, in spite of the gravity of the situation, this comment on the link you just posted, Patrick, did make me smile “We recently discovered that 30 states had declared sovereignty” Sound familiar?

Very few people — including public servants themselves — would believe that 100 percent of public servants are fine and noble people. The condition of perfection simply doesn’t exist — not in public service, not in any institution.

Regardless, I’ll always believe that the human spirit tilts toward the greater angels of nature.

Various public-corruption units exist in government — the checks to maintain the public trust. These are checks against the lesser angels.

Some of the commentary at Surf’s Up is the commentary of ignorance. Many people don’t understand the issues, embrace feelings instead of facts and take no time at all to evaluate the issues. It’s not unusual for people to “go with the flow.”

What is unusual about Surf’s Up, though, are things that can’t be explained as simple ignorance. The Mods and some of the members clearly are running interference for Bowdoin, despite all that has happened since August.

In doing so, they are embracing the lesser angels, perhaps because it’s better for profits.

With respect to the Pittsburgh police shootings, let me suggest you also read this. It’s an early story about the shooter’s motivations:

http://post-gazette.com/pg/09095/960750-53.stm

Patrick

I would never believe that 100% of our public servants are fine and noble people, but the vast majority are. I cannot understand the anger, violence, and outrage against people whose job it is to prevent criminals from doing theirs. Andy Bowdoin is an evil man (not a Hitler, but closer to Hitler than to Ghandi by far) and yet many at Surf’s Up continue vilify Cowden, Collyer, Obama, you name it; everyone except the group of people who should be vilified, and yet they believe that Andy is a candidate for sainthood…..they worship a different god (lower case intentional) than most people do.

admin: Hi Lynn,…….An FBI agent was shot and killed near Pittsburgh on Nov. 19, while trying to serve a warrant. The shooter, a woman, referred to the slain agent as “the [expletive deleted] cop” while in detention after she shot him.A state trooper was shot and killed with his own service revolver on Dec. 12, 2005, after making a traffic stop at 2 a.m. and being attacked, just outside of Pittsburgh.Patrick

Lynndel Edgington: My heart, thoughts and prayers go out to all the families that now bear the brunt of this senseless violence; as well as the police agencies involved. Whether it is a police officer or a fireman, they become part of another family that becomes just as close as their real families. This sense of loss is just as great to their extended family as it is to their real families. It is truly a sad day for all of us.

Pittsburgh will reach out to the families, and the community will rally behind police officers and firefighters. These things, as you point out, are attacks on society as a whole.

An FBI agent was shot and killed near Pittsburgh on Nov. 19, while trying to serve a warrant. The shooter, a woman, referred to the slain agent as “the [expletive deleted] cop” while in detention after she shot him.

A state trooper was shot and killed with his own service revolver on Dec. 12, 2005, after making a traffic stop at 2 a.m. and being attacked, just outside of Pittsburgh.

Patrick

Entertained: One of the transforming emotional experiences of my life occured when my uncle, a police officer, was murdered in the line of duty. One comes to recognize that terrible things can happen to great and brave people……

Our respects to your uncle and family, Entertained. People never forget where they were and what they were doing when they got the news — almost like 9/11 or the assassination of President Kennedy.

Patrick

Thanks for sharing. My heart goes out to the families of the victims and especially the officers. One of the transforming emotional experiences of my life occured when my uncle, a police officer, was murdered in the line of duty. One comes to recognize that terrible things can happen to great and brave people……

My heart, thoughts and prayers go out to all the families that now bear the brunt of this senseless violence; as well as the police agencies involved. Whether it is a police officer or a fireman, they become part of another family that becomes just as close as their real families. This sense of loss is just as great to their extended family as it is to their real families. It is truly a sad day for all of us.

Thanks for sharing, and giving us an inside look that only you could provide to all of us. We feel the pain, anguish, and sorrow. Blessings to all those who are hurting.