In modern America, we seem to have gone over the deep end in our democratic sentiments to the point where we tend to hold people accountable according to the standard that ought to be used for the lowest common denominator, not the standard that might be fitting for a given person's level of education, intellect, power and responsibility. This applies in spades to the way that police and prosecutors are often allowed to behave like unthinking, amoral cretins. Police are allowed to violate the most basic "common sense" rules, such as raiding suspected drug criminals in the middle of the night while they're sleeping, all the while expecting them (again, against common sense) to be perfectly coherent and aware of who might be raiding their house. Prosecutors are allowed to bend and twist the law in ways more closely associated with a sociopath out for self-aggrandizement and satisfaction than the pursuit of real justice and law and order. Beyond those things, we have the obvious corporate examples wherein no one but the socialists seriously believe it is proper to punish corporate executives for swindling their employees, stockholders and creditors while landing safely a continent away from the blast zone with their golden parachutes.
I think it's increasingly clear that our democratic, lowest common denominator policies and laws simply don't work. They assume that all people are the same, and don't provide special accountability for those with special responsibility and power over others and their property. The officer who shot Salvatore Culosi should be executed for his negligence because he had a SWAT officer's training on firearms, and thus should be held to a far more rigorous standard than a private citizen. Prosecutors like Mary Beth Buchanan should be subjected to disbarment, and prosecution for being a party to the willful creation of injustice where appropriate. Men like Bernie Madoff ought to be required to spend the rest of their lives working to repay their victims. To grant them mercy and hold them accountable to the same standard as a normal person ignores the fact that these people have special duties and authority, and to not deeply factor that into their punishments is to give them free reign in those areas to act like imbeciles and scoundrels at the public's expense.
If necessary, we can just repackage noblesse oblige in the words of Peter Parker's Uncle Ben: with great power comes great responsibility.
I think it's increasingly clear that our democratic, lowest common denominator policies and laws simply don't work. They assume that all people are the same, and don't provide special accountability for those with special responsibility and power over others and their property. The officer who shot Salvatore Culosi should be executed for his negligence because he had a SWAT officer's training on firearms, and thus should be held to a far more rigorous standard than a private citizen. Prosecutors like Mary Beth Buchanan should be subjected to disbarment, and prosecution for being a party to the willful creation of injustice where appropriate. Men like Bernie Madoff ought to be required to spend the rest of their lives working to repay their victims. To grant them mercy and hold them accountable to the same standard as a normal person ignores the fact that these people have special duties and authority, and to not deeply factor that into their punishments is to give them free reign in those areas to act like imbeciles and scoundrels at the public's expense.
If necessary, we can just repackage noblesse oblige in the words of Peter Parker's Uncle Ben: with great power comes great responsibility.
I want to thank you for remembering Dr. Sal Culosi... he was a friend, a great guy. While I am not quite a angry at the SWAT officer who shot Dr. Culosi as you are, I do believe he should have been brought to trial.
Well, as I said, the reason that I would want such a harsh punishment for him is that he is a SWAT officer. He knew better than to have his gun aimed at Culosi's heart, and to have his finger on the trigger. I am a "mere civilian" and I know from basic firearms training that that is an unacceptable risk. With the power and elite position of being a SWAT officer, should come the added expectation that you simply cannot "be human" and make that mistake. That is an aspect of Noblesse Oblige and how it would be applied in a society like ours.
I am Sal's mother...and I come to these sites often…to see...if public sentiment...has completely waned…as Sal’s loss is mine…our family’s…his friends…and his patients…and to a lesser degree…theirs…although...if this abuse of power...in uncalled for circumstances...is allowed to go unchallenged...then what happened...to our Salvatore…and our family...can very well...happen again...to another family.
So I thank you...for recognizing…that what happened...on January 24, 2006...to my son…is and was…unjust…inexcusable…and…preventable.
The policies...and protocols...that permitted...and ultimately…their presumed...ulterior motive...that precipitated...the use of the FCPD SWAT team...and their excessive force tactics...so as to intimidate…a non-threatening...low risk...non-violent...no criminal record…never having owned a weapon....compliant...gentleman...as my son was...are reprehensible...unconscionable...and unforgivable.
I have always...held law enforcement officers...in the highest regard. I am not anti-police...having lost…my own state trooper brother...while on duty...and for whom…my Salvatore…was named.
As I read...the news stories...about the overuse...of SWAT teams...in particular...as well as accounts...about the regular police...all across our United States...it appears...that many of them...have adopted a mentality...that views common interactions...with the public...as though...we are the enemy...and they are ending...in unnecessary...and tragic results. Not wanting to become jaded...I am still trying...to hold onto the belief...that they are sworn to protect… and serve...the residents in their communities...but I'd be dishonest...if I stated...that those convictions...I once held...without question...are still as strong.
The accountability...transparency...and preventive change...we were hopeful in seeking…has been an uphill battle. It appears…that there are two sets of rules…and we are not…all held…to the same standards…in assuming the consequences…for our actions.
So here we are...now...almost three years later...still in the legal arena...seeking the justice...owed to my son...and our family…hoping to keep a promise…made to him.
Sal was a good...and caring person...I love…miss…mourn…and grieve…for my son.
Again...thank you...and may God bless you...and those like you…who continue to care.
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His case actually hits a tad close to home for me. I found out that my in-laws used to go to the office that he worked at in Warrenton. They were saddened and upset when I told them how the incident when down according to the reports from civil liberties blogs. It's also hard because I too come from a law enforcement family.
I know it's got to be hard for you and your husband, but take solace in the fact that God has seen what these men have done, and unless they repent before Him, they will never "get away with it." He has seen how your son was manipulated by a vice cop, and how he was negligently killed by the SWAT officer, and those things are very grave sins in the eyes of the Lord. One way or another, you are going to get justice.
Sal was my "calm...voice of reason…safety net…my rock"...he knew...what was…and
would be...expected of him...especially…once his father and I...would no longer be here.
Even though...Salvatore was my third child...he was my first son...and along with that...
came the "talk"...about his being there...to support his siblings...as necessary...whether...
that meant...physically...emotionally…or financially…rising to meet their needs...and lend
assurance to them…in whatever challenges...that would come their way.
Whenever I would…raise my concerns…he would always give me...his reassuring look...and
his "I know...Mom" response.
Our entire family is heartbroken...and changed forever…because of a deceitful pretext...that ended...with the devastating loss...of my son's life.
They have broken God's fifth commandment...either by sins of commision...or omission…and...
they will...if not on this side of the heavens...then on the other side...take responsibility for whatever roles they played...in causing my son...to have his life...stolen from him...and us.
You are correct...in what you have said...and I appreciate your comments.
I know God is merciful and just...and in the end...we all will be accountable to Him. He is the ultimate judge.
So I keep the faith...and continue to pray.
Again, thank you for your remarks.