I wrote about Veterans Day here, back on Monday, November 11th.

Since then, there has been an interesting exchange in the comments section of that post, which I just now read today.

First, there was this comment from an individual called the bystander:

Then, Joe, who reads regularly and chimes in occasionally, covered my six and replied to the bystander:

Apparently the bystander, now the new and improved the bystande, had much more to say, and today responded to Joe and to myself:

I find this interesting in one vein and yet deeply disturbing in a number of others.

It is interesting insofar as an individual feels compelled to respond to what is customarily a puff piece on a particular holiday (whose sole job is to honor those who have served this nation) with excoriation for slights he’s never suffered, and certainly not at my hands.

It is disturbing, however, in that this individual doesn’t believe he is a part of The Greatest Generation and, that he cares not for the appellation.  I find that curious.  According to his words, though, he did not fight in WWII and apparently was too young to do so, I can only conclude.

Further disturbing is the fact that the bystander believes that my attempt to honor my father and my two uncles, who all served in WWII — and by dint, my grandfather, who served in WWI, and all those tens of thousands of persons who served their country — is somehow shallow, superficial and insincere.  Even more disturbing, that it is totally unwarranted.

As, of course, the bystander clearly speaks for each and every member of The Greatest Generation, by overwhelming proxy.

Except I suspect this is not truly the case.

In the manner of attempting to keep this discourse as civil as possible, sir, I did not come to your home and pee in your pool.  I have not knocked at your door in order to insult you personally and diminish your work and your service.  I am wondering why you may believe that coming to my blog and insulting my attempt to honor people who deserve honor, and to insult myself as well, is worthy of your time.

In reply to some of your points: obviously, having served in law enforcement for nearly 40 years isn’t virtuous.  At most, you served for four years.  And yes, I have been shot at.  And yes, I have had to shoot.  One person is no longer walking on this planet because of me.  I worked for the FBI, was a sworn US Marshal, and have worked for my current department for 36 years.  I worked Patrol, and also as an investigator in Theft, Robbery, Child Abuse, Sex Assaults, Warrants and Homicide.  Every action I take is scrutinized in courts, sometimes for weeks.  Everyone watches and everyone second guesses.  I’m sure you operated in that climate where everyone second-guessed your every action as well.  My guess is: not so much.  Your ROEs were just a tad bit less restrictive than mine.

Overall, of course, you’re correct.  I don’t understand.  I have no concept of brotherhood or service or camaraderie or bravery or fidelity or duty or sacrifice.  I’m just a stupid cop.  As you write: “Handing out traffic tickets and pulling over dumb niggers for DWB is not combat. Law enforcement is to combat as jerking off is to sex.”

So yes, I had the opportunity, via the technology of WordPress, to eliminate your comments or allow them to stand.

I allowed them to stand for a very salient reason: I am using you as an illustration.  And that is this: age and experience does not always make for compassion or wisdom or understanding.  My mother-in-law, just before she passed away, said that some persons are put on this planet as an example of what not to do.

I allowed the comments to stand because you readily made yourself appear the racist bonehead — you certainly didn’t require my assistance for that.

And you, sir, are truly an excellent illustration for my points.

Thank you kindly.

BZ

P.S.
In case any reader would like to tell this gentleman how much you embrace his thoughts, his e-mail address is: dybee@aircar.com.  You see, sir, every time you comment on a blog, the technology captures your e-mail address.  You may care to know that.