I know I could be a lot more popular as a writer. Particularly locally. All it would take is for me to lie.
Author: Kent McManigal
Familial Pride
You should be more proud of your daughter if she’s a hooker than if she’s a “public” school teacher. You should be more proud of the cousin who’s a meth manufacturer than the one who’s a cop.
“Collective Punishment”
If the kinderprison teacher doesn’t know who is guilty of some offense (real or imagined) he’ll just punish the whole class. This is an extremely common practice in government schools and similar places. I think the lesson this teaches is different than the one authoritarians might imagine.
Everyone Deserves Freedom to Speak
If you can’t handle allowing the other side to have their say, it may be a sign your own views are too weak to withstand competition.
Most “Criminals” are Better Than Those Who Oppose Them
From time to time I browse the local sheriff report in the paper. I go down the list repeating “fake- fake- fake- maybe real- fake…” as I read the “charges” brought against those victims of the local badge-scum molestations.
“Lethal Force”
What would someone have to do for you to feel justified using force against them that might result in their death? I’m not asking what would they have to do for the use of lethal force to be justified by arbitrators or a government “court system”, but only inside your own head.
You… Philosopher, You!
I do like thinking. I love to speculate about the nature of the cosmos, time, and gravity and all that. But I know I don’t have the ability to do anything with those thoughts much beyond speculating. If any of my ideas are discovered to be correct, it won’t be due to anything I’ve done. I may never know either way.
Anti-Drug Hypocrites
Nothing is as hypocritical as a cop smoking tobacco by the front door of the police station. Unless it’s a smoker or drinker who isn’t a cop yet still supports the War on Politically Incorrect Drugs.
Building Border Wall Won’t End Well
Whatever else it might accomplish, President Trump’s border wall has already divided America. I oppose the wall, believing it’s a bad idea, but mine isn’t a popular opinion–even among libertarians.
Cops I Have Known
I feel bad for the good people I have known who became cops. I know some of them had the best of intentions. Yes, some saw the pay and the “authority” as tempting bait, but even those managed to convince themselves this was a way they could do good while collecting rewards. Maybe they were even still good people as long as they were off the clock, but no one can be good while being a cop. Not anyone.