Columnist’s Rally Opinion Needed a Few More Facts
Columnist’s Rally Opinion Needed a Few More Facts
Editor,
Just a few words regarding the last couple of published opinions of Elizabeth Gage and those criticizing law enforcement. The general public, including Ms. Gage. are not always privy to the intelligence that law enforcement receives regarding criminal street gangs which include outlaw motorcycle gangs.
For instance, did she know that two rival outlaw motorcycle gangs were “throwing parties” within 1/4 mile of each other just off of the downtown area during the Fourth of July weekend. The same two rival outlaw motorcycle gangs who in the past have killed each other’s members multiple times. The same outlaw motorcycle gangs who control the distribution of illicit drugs throughout the United States and Canada. The same outlaw motorcycle gangs who have raped, tortured, and mutilated innocent victims. The same outlaw motorcycle gangs who carried handguns into our city illegally.
What would have happened if things went awry again in Hollister and all those police officers were not around? Who would have protected the hundreds of innocent bystanders. Ms. Gage and the like would have been the first ones to criticize law enforcement for not being prepared. Thumbs up to local law enforcement for an excellent job! Just a few more words or rather a poem written by a fallen police officer’s brother:
“A COP ON THE TAKE!”
First he takes … the oath.
Now look at what else he takes:
He takes … it in stride when people call him pig.
He takes … his lousy pay check realizing he’ll never be rich.
He takes … a second job sometimes to make ends meet and support his family.
He takes … time to stop and talk to children.
He takes … your verbal abuse while giving you a ticket you really deserved.
He takes … on creeps you would be afraid to even look at.
He takes … time away from his family to keep you safe.
He takes … your injured child to the hospital.
He takes … the graveyard shift without complaint because it’s his turn.
He takes … his life into his hands daily.
He takes … you home when your car breaks down.
He takes … time to explain why both your headlights have to work.
He takes … the job no one else wants – telling you a loved one has died.
He takes … criminals to jail.
He takes … in sights that would make you cry.
Sometimes he cries too, but he takes it anyway because someone has to.
He takes … memories to bed each night that you couldn’t bear for even one day.
He takes … time to explain to his family why he can’t make the ball game his child is in and why he has to work on the holiday when other parents are off.
Sometimes … he takes a bullet.
And yes, occasionally … he may take a free cup of coffee.
If he is lucky … he takes retirement.
Then one day he pays for all he has taken … and hopefully … God takes him.
NICHOLAS RABAGO
Hollister
