New York City Police Commissioner Bill Bratton called slain New York City Police Officer Rafael Ramos "a hero" and gave the officer a posthumous promotion during Ramos' funeral today.
"The men and women who hear that blue and wear that badge, we know who Rafael Ramos was," Bratton said at Ramos' funeral. "He was a New York City Police Officer, and he was, he is a hero."
Thousands of uniformed police officers gathered for the funeral at Christ Tabernacle Church, in the Glendale neighborhood of Queens, standing outside the church where it was broadcast on large screens.
Bratton was just one of many high level government officials who spoke, including Vice President Joe Biden and New York City Mayor Bill De Blasio.
Biden called the New York Police Department the finest in the world.
"They were a part of New York's finest, and that not an idle phrase," he said. "This is probably the finest police department in the world, the finest police department in the world. They earn that praise."
I posted this partly to because I wanted to affirm the fact that for the most part I support the police, and I think what they do is both heroic and necessary to keep all of us safe.
My beef is not with the honest cop on the beat, and I do know they exist. My beef is with power hungry assholes and the over militarized police departments that are equipping their officers as if they expect to be invaded by China at any minute.
And yes I do realize that we live in a society with numerous citizens that are so heavily armed that the average police officer is ill equipped to neutralize them WITHOUT having access to the kind of weaponry one might expect to find during a zombie Apocalypse.
But that of course is a whole other argument for a whole other post.
And besides I thought that was what we had SWAT teams for.
But just like we should not lump all cops together we also should not excuse them for blaming the protesters and Mayor de Blasio for these murders.
And scenes like this of the police turning their back on the mayor while he gives the eulogy are inexcusable in my mind. You know I hate to disagree with Vice President Biden but it does not seem to me that the "best police force in the world" would behave in this manner.
"And scenes like this of the police turning their back on the mayor while he gives the eulogy are inexcusable in my mind."
ReplyDeleteAgreed. Next it's heil hitler and storm troopers. The mayor is these guys' boss, the union notwithstanding.
The guy heading their union is the jerk! Did you watch how he was speaking to the public initially? Trouble maker loud and clear. There will be more continued trouble with the cops across the nation and this New York bunch is escalating it!
DeleteI read on Slate that the police union is currently in negotiations on a new contract. The more dickish they can be to the mayor and hurt his poll numbers, the bigger the pay raise they think they can get.
DeleteI think the assassination of the cops was a horrible crime and the result of one derranged individual, but if I apply the NYPD logic, it goes something like this:
-the cops were shot because of the protests
-the protests were because of the half-assed work of the prosecutor in the Grand Jury
-the half-assed work was because cops won't cooperate with a DA that actually brings a cop brutality case to trial
-the Grand Jury was because of the illegal actions of a cop who killed an unarmed person by choking him.
So, by the NYPD's own logic, either they're responsible for the cop killings or they're above accountability.
I smell bacon. they sure snivel and cry foul when its the victims family members. two wrongs don't make a right. better clean up your police Depts. obviously we need to keep an eye on you. two men gone because of Others actions. people are fed up!
ReplyDeleteWe're reading every day stories of police brutality and particularly unwarranted killing of young black men...because they're black. I'm white, but I'm seeing the massive national shock and horror to two policemen killed for no reason but being cops as ironic. Of course it's a tragedy, they were apparently two of the 'good cops', good men, but if I were black I'd be thinking of all the victims of police brutality who just got a 5 min. blip on evening news...no particular notice, really.
ReplyDeleteThe huge reaction to those two cops' deaths seems way over the top. Cops, like ordinary citizens, get killed. It's awful. But what makes these two a national event of mourning?
It's a police backlash to all the bad cop stories coming out of the woodwork. And it's working. The media's doing it's part.
This society is in deep trouble.
There is nobody being killed by the police 'because they are black'. How about stopping the constant bullshit myth. Did you learn that from your master Al the 4 million dollar tax man Sharpton?
DeleteGet your head out of the sand, or out of Limbaugh's ass.
Delete7:11 What is wrong with you? YOUR master, Al Sharpton? I don't have a fucking master, never have, never will.
DeleteJust because you don't seem to have a mind of your own, don't assume that others don't.
I can't stand Al Sharpton, never could. SO? If you have a problem with him, which you definitely seem to do, take it up with him.
Coming to someone else's blog and squirting your shit around doesn't really accomplish a lot, does it?
Why aren't you over on Al Sharpton's blog bitching? Why don't YOU file charges against him, chicken shit? What a coward!
I suspect most of us want police we can admire, respect and trust. Just as most of us want people in our families and communities we can admire respect and trust.
DeleteThe obstacle to that is accrued anger, prejudice, egos dueling and greed overriding judgement, good-heartedness stifled by injustice.
We are, after all, all in this together, people trying to live, looking for some peace and happiness. Putting the anger aside is a step, difficult, yes, but the necessary step we can take if our hearts are genuine.
I agree, these were two of the good guys, and it is horrifying that this has happened. But the disproportionate response when a police officer is killed in the line of duty has always bothered me. These are people who chose a dangerous line of work (and thank goodness someone does), one where the possibility of being killed on the job is a daily reality. Honor them, fine. But is it necessary or even wise to have thousands upon thousands of police officers at the funeral for their 'brothers'? Doesn't that just make the 'them against us' mentality even worse? And are the taxpayers paying for all of this extreme hullabaloo? 'Cop killers' are no more heinous than 'mom killers' or 'grandpa killers'. Nobody's life is worth more than another's. And turning their backs on the mayor? Really? Utterly juvenile and disrespectful.
Delete7:11 -- read today's Daily Kos about Giuliani's racist hate-mongering.
DeleteGo to anyplace that has a concentration of black residents and a white police force, and then report back on how the police power is used against a mostly poor underclass.
7:11, need translation. WTF are you talking about?
DeleteThere is nobody being killed by the police 'because they are black'.
DeleteCitation, please.
Don't you love people like Anon 7:11? Their delusion is epic.
DeleteThere was a woman in a suburb of Chatanooga yesterday who got in her car with body armor and drove around shooting at people, cars and cops.
Want to guess what happened to her . . . . They took the dangerous armed thug in UNHARMED. Of course she was a blond white woman with a weapon. If she'd been a young black kid with a toy gun in a park---well, she would be stoned dead.
@anon at 7:36 am
DeleteNo, we have no idea if these cops were "good" or not.
Some of you on this blog are so full of ca ca! There are and have been blatant 'black' killings by 'white' cops for eons! And, they are still continuing. Many blacks and brown folks have been unarmed and that too has been proven/documented!
DeleteIt's the 'white' cops that get off (no trial or jail time!) when doing these crimes! And, THAT is what is creating the problem across our country.
As to Al Sharpton - he is an activist - and I've never heard or seen him say anything that would incite what we are currently seeing. He walks in peace as did Martin Luther King and MLK received the same racist type of behavior (as is Reverend Sharpton) and was eventually killed/assassinated for doing so.
There assuredly IS a horrible amount of racism in our country. Look at the disrespect President Obama has received. Thank god he will go down in history as one of the best POTUS our country has had. He's had more hate and obstruction from our racist United States Congress than has any other POTUS.
I'm white and dislike what I'm seeing from the idiots in the police force in New York City. Their lead union guy is a total asshole - just review some of his previous statements that are accessible. He's causing continued trouble within the ranks of the cops and black and brown folks!
I suspect killings are going to increase throughout our country - which is sad to say. Could we end up in civil war? It wouldn't surprise me one bit!
Really 7:42, the Daily Kos? Hah! Is that where all of you white guilt retards are getting spoonfed your lies and misinformation?
DeleteThe killer was a psychotic, who'd escaped detection earlier when it was learned that he had a mental record and hundreds of rounds of ammunition.
ReplyDeleteNo mayor could have prevented this wanton act.
Instead, the police department has had a long-standing dispute with de Blasio about funding and random, racist searches, and they have used the funeral to express their political protest -- a disreputable use of a funeral to stage their opinions. They should have waved signs to show their views, and to display just how disrespectful they were being to the patrolman being eulogized.
I lived next door to the Manhattan District Attorney, Frank Hogan, in 1971, when a police car stationed outside his apartment house was randomly targeted by two robbers, and both patrolmen were killed. No police officers protested that Mayor Lindsay could have foreseen or prevented this random tragedy.
As for the NY City Police, Biden was just pandering. We've been indoctrinated with the various "Law and Order" franchises to feel friendly toward the NYPD. But they're no better than most other big city forces. And yesterday's protest, not squelched by the Police Commissioner, puts paid to the idea that they're "heroes" or "saints."
Watch "The Wire" to get another perspective on real life in a big city (Baltimore) and what its police force is like, good and bad.
These losers are clearly demonstrating they're not the finest of anything, they're just an undisciplined rabble of two-year-olds.
ReplyDeleteThe police asked that the peaceful protests be suspended until
ReplyDeleteafter the funerals of the fallen officers.Then they protest at the funeral by turning their backs.....
Total hypocritical dickweed douchery.
First off, I have a real problem with anyone in a uniform being called a "hero".
DeleteMaybe I'm old school, but back in my time you were called a hero for an act of heroism.
Putting in a job application and wearing job appropriate clothes doesn't make u an automatic hero.
And when the "heroes" make a political statement at a funeral, well that just shows you what kind of "heroes" they really aren't.
7:32 AM I agree with you. The majority of the cops are not heroes! Neither are the military. Only a certain few earn that designation by doing something outstanding while serving.
DeleteIt reminds me of giving all the kids trophies on a softball team when they came in second! Americans are screwed up!
Keep that circular liberal talk going if it makes you feel better.
ReplyDeleteDeBlasio is in deep shit and he knows it.
So you did you feel about Cliven Bundy?
Delete7:20 AM You do know that DeBlasio is married to a black woman and they have children. The Mayor knows exactly what trouble his son can run into from the New York cops! Cops kill unarmed black youth throughout our country. It's been proven! And, the cops get off in doing the killings! They need to go to jail for doing it!
DeleteI support the Mayor of New York! And, I'm white!
No. The people of NYC are in deep shit because they have a fascist police state that doesn't think people are supposed to protest the killing of a black man on a city street, but they can protest because they got their feelings hurt because the mayor acknowledged the protesters. Interesting how the NYPD is becoming like a bunch of butthurt tea-baggers every day. First Amendment rights for them--but know one else. Idiots.
DeleteWhat does this have to do with Cliven Bundy 7:47?
DeleteDeBlasio is treading on thin ice, and he is in repair mode, his mayorship is severly damaged.
What this has to do with Cliven Bundy is this:
DeleteTwo whites (a man and a woman) who supported Cliven Bundy as 'good upstanding citizens' pointed weapons at federal agents, officers of the law, without being at least arrested.
Following the Bundy ranch 'stand-off' two Bundy supporters murdered two policemen without over-the-top media coverage and/or Fox outrage for the two just-as-dead as the two NYC policemen.
http://www.lasvegassun.com/news/2014/jun/09/neighbors-couple-suspected-las-vegas-killing-spree/
Where was the national media outrage over these two dead LA cops? Fox coverage? Where was/is the right-wing ranting poutrage at the white cop murderers and Cliven Bundy instigators?
dowl
I think turning their backs to the mayor makes the cops look cowardly. Just like they look like cowards when they dress up in all that military gear.
ReplyDeleteThey may not be cowards, but at least to me, that is how they appear.
I'm with you. The cops' "protest" infuriated me.
ReplyDeleteTheir petulance against the Mayor is doing them far more harm than good for their cause, if their cause is to inspire respect from the public.
ReplyDeletefinest PD in the world? Ask Frank Serpico about that. Turning your back on the Mayor is really classy. What better way to show he was addressing a bunch of assholes.
ReplyDeleteCops in my community are the last ones I'd call for help. Don't respect them! Think what the asshole force did in New York as to their Mayor was total bullshit. They are magnifying the problem and I'm suspecting there will be more cop killings throughout the nation.
ReplyDeleteI have a deal with our neighbors, any time we have to call the sheriff dept for anything the other will come over and film the encounter. I wish I didn't have to feel that way. BTW we are law abiding citizens who more than likely would be calling to report thefts or property damage. It's a shame I have to feel wary of my local law enforcement but I do.
DeleteI'll never call a cop for a damned thing! My surrounding neighbors and I have already discussed it and we all feel the same way. We will help each other when there is a need. And, we feel confident we can do it!
DeleteSure you would never call the cops for a damned thing 10:11, sure you wouldn't.
DeleteIn the last year alone cops within 30 miles of my home have been arrested for rape, theft, abuse, and drug dealing. Now please explain why I should put any of them on a pedestal?
ReplyDeleteHow about the cops with their mightier than thou attitudes that beat their wives? There are many that do that too. I know two and you know what - their buddies actually protected them!
DeleteThat NY bunch does not have my respect due to being so disrespectful of their Mayor who is married to a black woman and has black children! I'm sure the racist NY cops scare the hell out of him. He has a black kid that could be shot by one of them and they are probably laying for him as I type this!
Laying in wait for the Mayor's son 11:25? Think you might be 'laying' it on a bit thick. So now the definition of not being a racist, is you have to marry outside your race? You are ridiculous. Totally ridiculous.
DeleteThis is how the Nashville, Tennessee police department worked with protesters. When we look at both sides, the community wins.
ReplyDeletehttp://thegrio.com/2014/12/28/nashville-police-chief-letter-defends-protesters/
Police depts killed over 500 people last year alone. Many of them mentally ill needing help instead of a bullet, others killed because cops are too hopped up on power and steroids. Why should anyone care if 2 cops are killed? The average person has much more to fear from law enforcement than anyone else.
ReplyDeleteBeing rude at funeral is a great way to comfort the family and show respect for the dead. NYPD wanted to exploit the freebie media attention and they knew proper behavior doesn't make to past the news editor. Two-year-olds use the about the same tactic in grocery stores.
ReplyDeleteNYPD is caught up in their self-created mystique they don't even realize how pathetic their little tantrum really was. They won't grow up, unless there is a massive clean out of the rotten cops in NYPD.
It use to be that cops maimed when shooting at someone. Now they shoot to kill! Who in the hell do they think they are? I'm far from being impressed by any of them - especially that New York bunch of cops.
ReplyDeleteThey are NOT all heroes unless an individual cop does something that actually earns that designation. Stop calling them 'heroes' America! They have a job to do just like the rest of us.
They acted like spoiled children and should be reprimanded in whole by their superiors for their act of childish disrespect. Acting like petulant children is no way to gain the respect of the populace whose tax dollars pay their salaries.
ReplyDeletehey 7:11. I'm white. o yes they Are targeting blacks. like it or lump it You just don't like someone that's a mouthpiece speaking out for a group. like him or not.
ReplyDeleteThe root of this violence and anger is urban overcrowding. New York is but one of the areas of the world that is beginning to show signs of deteriorating social structure due to overcrowding, and it will only get worse. All of the major cities of the world are suffering this "crowded rat" scenario discussed by sociologists in the 1960's. Overcrowding, in rodents and humans, causes a breakdown of the society through increased violence and overwhelming mental stresses. We're watching it happen. People aren't meant to live this way, on top of each other with little or no remaining personal space. We can't expect people to behave "normally" when they are living in conditions that are abnormal for our species.
ReplyDeleteGood Point. How did we ever evolve to this level when urban overcrowding is the root of the anger and violence? Must be a pain having to hire someone to guard your porsche while you run in the store to pick up a few things. From what I've read and experienced, for the most part, people are social animals and are able to adopt well to all sorts of surroundings. But then I'm not home during the day time because of work, and haven't yet found a human corpse on my front walkway. Guess I'm one of the lucky ones
DeleteI find it disturbing to read some comments from homo sapiens who take the job of policing lightly and / or take sides with someone simply because of their race. FWIW. cops come in every color and nationality, and there are African American cops who STILL do their job with respect and value those they swore to protect and serve. I'm going to say something that may offend a lot of people, but the problem starts in the home then spills into the streets. Lazy parenting, not teaching kids boundaries and respect for others, etc. etc. Anyone whose read this blog knows the "type" and sees how it's passed from generation to generation. Again, there ARE some bad cops, but the majority are decent, hard working people who kiss their spouses before a shift and don't know if they'll make it home alive because there are idiots out there with guns and a vendetta against anyone of color, but who do they call when things go south? Imagine being sent to a house, not knowing what, who, how many you'll find whose first order of the day is to kill someone in uniform.
ReplyDelete4:27 said "Lazy parenting, not teaching kids boundaries and respect for others, etc. etc."
DeleteOh, I couldn't agree more. My parents were not lazy. They taught me not to turn my back on a person giving a eulogy at funeral. NYPD just needs to go back and get some great parenting, so they'd know how decent human beings behave with respect for the family of the dead.