Knowing People

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You know, I know that most of you know, that I've spent more than half of my life, and almost all of my adult life, as a cop. You know that because some of you are family. some friends, and others have just been following this blog from it's conception where my roots are very clear.

From walking a beat in the busiest police precinct in world, to working a patrol car in the San Fernando Valley; from training new cops, to investigating corrupt ones, to working narcotics and vice, there is little cop stuff that I have not done.

While you are probably waiting for a thrilling cop story, I'll save that for another time. What I want to talk about is not how well you know me, but how well I know you. Even if I've never met you. How's that?

You see, I've studied people for over 33 years. All kinds and types. Both genders, and the ones in between. Most every race, religion, culture, age, and profession. Doctors, lawyers, judges, preachers, politicians, athletes, and pilots. And a wide variety of criminals, like molesters, drunks, thieves, swindlers, dopers, whores, and murderers. The rich, the poor, the famous, the vagrants, brilliant ones, to dumb ones. I've learned from them all.

So, here is the one common thing that I've learned about the people I've met. So very few of them, and you are a part of them, really care about anything anything unless it directly affects them. But I will admit that I'm as much a part of being them as you are.

Ever notice that? Few care about crime until they ("they" include those that are very close to them) , become a victim. Few care about the vagrants until they lose their job or become homeless. Few care about cancer, mental illness, or traffic deaths until it strikes their home. Few care about the military until their son or daughter serves; only then do they become a patriot. Few take time to vote intelligently until they learn about corruption. And few seem to forget history much too soon. It's been a while since I've seen a U.S. Flag waiving in memory of 9/11.

Notice that I'm careful to use the term "few?" That's because not all of you fall into this selfishness category. And it's not up to me to determine which of you are those few. I'm not the judge,nor will I judge. That's for you to decide for yourself.

So, who are the ones that are not part of the few? Those are the ones that either don't know about what is happening, or those that just bury their heads or turn the other way. Those are the ones that never offer an opinion, nor take a stance on anything. Those are the ones that know what is happening, but shout their remarks from the anonymity of a darkened closet. Those are the ones that will not fight. Those are the weaklings.

So, if you are not part of the few, examine yourself. Get involved, take a stance, help where you can, and make a difference to someone, somewhere, somehow.

Have a wonderful weekend!