By Terry McGaheyIt seems to me that many Americans today are straddling the fence when it comes to what their true feelings are and they seem to be afraid to offend others by stating the facts and/or opinions of what they truly believe in part due to Political Correctness.
To use a few police analogies, I ask these folks to take stock in themselves by asking; am I the coyote, one of the sheep, or the sheep dog or lama who protects the sheep?
The coyote is a sneaky predator which will always take the easiest target such as the old or the very young. This analogy basically applies to the criminal element in our society.
The sheep analogy applies to a large majority of the people who just go along with the crowd because everyone else is doing it. They go about their lives with their head down following the next guy or gal to the next fad or whatever it may be.
In other words the average citizen who believes it doesn't effect me so why should I care? But what those folks don't realize is that sooner or later, it will effect them in one way or another. These are the folks the coyotes, or in this case the criminals, prey upon.
Next comes the sheep dog and/or the lama. Always alert and watching over their flock against the predators who would do harm to their charges. This analogy doesn't just belong to police officers, it belongs to all of us!
When writing a police report it's pretty basic for the most part. The report consists of who, what, when and where.
At this point I would ask the average citizen to take a long hard look in the mirror and ask themselves honestly, Who am I?
Am I the coyote who takes advantage of people whenever I get the chance, or am I one of the sheep who can easily be led to slaughter?
Then again, am I the sheep dog or the lama who stays alert, watches out for my neighbors and others who can't or won't defend themselves against tyranny or criminal intent?
Once a person has answered one of these simple questions honestly, then they will realize their limitations and possibly learn more about themselves.
Should they decide they belong in the sheep category, so be it. But several folks may have it within them to become the sheep dog or lama. Not all will be able to do so, but for those who straddle the fence they may find it within themselves to do so. And believe me, we need more of them.
Now, before anyone poses the question, have I ever been a police officer -- my answer is no.
I have worked in personal protection and as an armed airport security officer. Through that job, I became involved with Wyoming State Homeland Security as a Wyoming State First Responder of which I am still a member.
