"Do you think it's abnormal for a policeman to keep hitting on a captured felon after he's subdued him? Just for a little while, a few extra blows? I mean, one that was fighting back, who threw some blows and kicks and punches himself, made the cop afraid for his own life."
Of course that's within the range of "normal?"
The question, of course, becomes whether "normal" somehow means "more forgivable?"
With vast power comes vast responsibility. When a person takes on a badge, or a uniform, or a surgical gown, or a law degree, or a seat in power in politics he, or she, will continue to experience "normal" impulses, some of them base. What they'll also achieve as a result of their greater power, however, is a greater capacity to act on those impulses.
We have a higher standard for people in such position and when they assume that power they should recognize and accept that higher standard. If they falter and come up short then they must be punished harshly so that others in the same position will know that they must not act out their basest "normal impulses."
So we show little sympathy for such "normal actions," so that other "real cops, real soldiers, [and] real prison guards," will have some sort of a "don't do that" jolt when they're about to "keep hitting on a captured felon."
And that's a good thing because our "best and brightest" are often no better, and many are much worse, than the average guy on the street. In fact some "real cops, real soldiers, [and] real prison guards" are sadistic, brutal, scum.
At least that's been my experience and I'm not one of the "Sweet little old ladies who never raised their voices once in their lives because they grew up in a protective cocoon [and] have no idea whatsoever about what I'm talking about." Ed |
