Respect after Sept 11

[KYEMT325]

OK, here's another topic for discussion. And this one really gets on my nerves. Since 9/11, how many times have you heard about the brave firefighters, paramedics, and police officers on TV??? Quite a bit. Also, you have heard people say how much more respect these people are getting. I want to know...how much more respect are your guys getting at your agency???

Case in point...last night (like 6 hours ago), we had a structure fire within our jurisdiction....turns out to be an arson at a college dormitory. While the fire department and our officers were putting out the fire and investigating the fire, the dormitory next to it had people throwing BEER BOTTLES at them from the 16th floor!!!

Wow, at the level of respect we have progressed to over the last 3 months. In my personal opinion (and don't say I'm bitter)...but the American people in general are the most ungrateful, least respectful people in the civilized world. I mean, how many times do your officers, firefighters, etc. get thanked when they save a life or do something good? Rarely I'm sure. People are all about me me me and not about anyone else. They don't take into consideration the risks you are taking to help them. And some even have the nerve to say "it's your job, just do it". Now if that's not the WRONG attitude to have about it, I don't know what it could be.

Just wondering, what wonderful acts of gratefulness or respect have you witnessed in your own area lately?

[MrJim911]

Shortly after 09-11-01, our police and fire agencies received copius amounts of mail from the public saying thank you and other such niceties about what a great job they do. They all had their respective fund raisers. Made lots of money as I recall. In your case lets not forget that the culprits were college students, and I'm assuming that the beer bottles were empty before being thrown. Let's guess where the alcohol went first? ;) But still that's not an excuse for that kind of disrespect or the obvious safety hazard of flying beer bottles. Hopefully the polcie went up to the 16th floor and "talked" to some people.

I would agree that Americans are alot about me, me, me. But many are not. There is nothing wrong with wanting material wealth as long as you don't forget about the people around you.

[KYEMT325]

Actually Jim the bottles were mostly full...as to make a bigger "splash" when they hit the ground.

And by the way, 3 students were arrested and charged with Wanton Endangerment 1st degree, a felony. Of course the court system will bust it down to something simple like a misdemeanor AI, but I bet those students won't get in trouble again.

And yes, there's nothing wrong with material wealth. But if someone doesn't have respect to the very same people that allow them to live in peace and save their lives when they're in danger, they deserve nothing as far as I am concerned.

[JHP]

I would hope that at the 16th floor the idiots are prosecuted to the full extent of the law. What if one of those bottles had hit someone? I would think that a bottle falling at 32ft per second squared from 160 feet would become a lethal bomb. The projectile may not be falling at a rate of terminal velocity but not far from it!

The alternative is to place it as a youthful indiscretion and elect them in the future as a member of Congress. Where they can continue to throw legislative bombs at Law Enforncement.

:bounce: JHP

[Lupey]

IMHO the respect things goes into a very deep and broad subject. Kids these days are the most disrespectful little pukes EVER. My opinion is that it all begins at home! Majority of it is parents fault. When I was a kid, do you think I would ever disrespect an LEO, Fireman, or just an adult period. HELL NO. Was I afraid of that person, yes, but I was more afraid of my parents finding out and what they would do to me.