We Are No Longer Friends – The Self Defense Company

We Are No Longer Friends

We Are No Longer Friends

WE ARE NO LONGER FRIENDSfacebook-icon

On December 20, 2014 NYPD Officers Rafael Ramos and Wenjian Liu were assassinated while sitting in their cruiser eating lunch. Authorities investigating the murders said the gunman did this in retaliation for the death of Eric Garner.

The gunman wrote on his Instagram account:
“I’m putting wings on pigs today. They take 1 of ours, let’s take 2 of theirs,” just hours before the killings. (The post received 200 likes).

I’ve waited a week for signs of support from athletes, political figures and of course, “friends” on Facebook.

Let’s just say your response has been underwhelming; other than the requisite “our thoughts and prayers go out to the officer’s friends and families” from politicians; NOTHING HAS BEEN SAID (except for a handful to be named later).

Where are your posts, where are your tweets, where are the NYPD t-shirts and hats?

So before I go into this New Year, it’s time to clean house. I want those of you who are my “friends” to know EXACTLY why I’m “un-friending” you.

You can also do me the service by unfriending me…I don’t care…don’t go away mad, just go away.

The reason for the mass unfriending is simple – you are part of the problem.

By posting negative NYPD and law enforcement propaganda you helped create an environment of approval that made it “OK” for this deranged killer to execute these two officers.

When he declared he was going to kill cops he received 200 likes. He was looking for acceptance and he got it. But it’s not just those likes; every protester, every politician, every article and every post you made helped him come to the conclusion that he should kill some cops.

But your mindless social tweets are only part of this perfect storm of social decay and violence against law and order.

You’ve elected politicians who approve the “anti-police” rhetoric. They turned over their cities to demonstrators that riot and loot. Regardless of the whether the demonstrations erupted in violence or remained peaceful, that all had one common message –
“The police are bad, racists who abuse their power.”

You support athletes who in their infinite ignorance, wear t-shirts and put their hands up in support of criminals who were not just resisting arrest, but were in the process of committing crimes when they were arrested!

Hey Lebron, where’s your NYPD shirt?

You support, tweet, post and like media who uses terms like “unarmed man” and “victim” instead of suspect. They describe use of force and resisting arrest as “illegal choke hold” and “murder”. They call suspects “teenagers” and “diabetic” not 6’4, 300 pound convicted criminal and of course when you hear ”black subject” and “white cop” it’s all over.

You’re predictable and boring.

You say that the police “could have done something different” without understanding and respecting the very nature of violence where anything can happen. There isn’t any control; there are only degrees of risk and success. Anytime you choose to resist or use force bad things can happen that result in injury or death.

You’re quick to condemn the very people who have sworn their lives to protect your community.

Here’s a novel idea…Why don’t you give the cops, the people who have been trained, vetted and sworn to uphold the law the benefit of the doubt?!?!

You won’t because at the end of the day it’s about power and control.

You don’t want anyone telling you what to do. You don’t like the idea that someone can inconvenience you and force you to explain your actions.

You’re like a child who’s parents have told you NO. You plead your case and if that doesn’t work you stomp your feet and throw a fit.

You live under the illusion that you have “rights” and you think they empower you to do and say whatever you want. Rights that empower you to ignore the law and other authority.

Somewhere along the line you have come to the conclusion that if you don’t want to comply with a police order you don’t have to, as long as you believe or appear to be innocent.

Are you f&cking kidding me?!?!?

Your rights…if you can find a Japanese-American citizen who was in America in 1941 ask them about YOUR RIGHTS and the constitution.

Like all societies we have laws. If you’re suspected of violating these laws you will be placed under arrest and taken before the court to plead your case. It’s not the job of the cop to pass judgment. His or her discretion only goes so far. It’s your responsibility as a citizen to play your part in the system: comply with the order and have your day in court.

It’s not fun, its not always fair, it tedious and sometimes very expensive, but it’s the society in which we live.

But no, you have created a culture without any accountability.

You’re not successful because your boss doesn’t like you.

You fail because you have a bad teacher.

You lost because the ref screwed you.

Let me tell you something you need to get a grip on: the single common denominator in all of your failures and disappointments is YOU.

This week if we’re no longer “friends”, you will know why.

Before I go, a big shout out to athletes and organizations that have shown support to the NYPD:

Jets’ Players Nick Mangold and Jeff Cumberland

Tom Coughlin and the NY Football Giants

Kyle Flood and the Rutgers Football Team

That list is WAY TOO SHORT.

Train honestly,

 

Damian Ross Founder and Master Instructor

 

 

 
Damian Ross
The Self Defense Company

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Published by Damian (Instructor)

Founder, The Self Defense Company

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147 Comments

  1. Hi Damian,
    I’m writing this from over the pond , a cousin of your great nation .Its terrible that you would even have to send such a hard hitting email. Police offers here and in the States do a marvellous, brave job keeping our ever growing violent world safe . I’m so sorry for the loss of those brave officers and hope both governments will learn from this and remember these men and women are on our side .
    I’m not on FB or twitter but I agree entirely with you on this issue . Keep up the good work and have a happy 2015 .

      1. Those who would give up essential Liberty, to purchase a little temporary Safety, deserve neither Liberty nor Safety.

        P.S. Damian you sound like a hysterical crybaby for deleting “friends” that don’t agree with your views.

          1. “Those who would give up essential Liberty, to purchase a little temporary Safety, deserve neither Liberty nor Safety. ”
            BEN FRANKIN 1755.

            Thank you for criticizing a man that helped give you the liberty to do so.
            Either your “3rd Grader” is infinitely more intelligent than you are or….
            YOU’RE ABOUT THE MOST IGNORANT MAN ON THE PLANET.

            I suspect BOTH. ;>]

          2. In his auto biography Ben Franklin wrote:
            “On the whole, I proposed as a more effectual watch, the hiring of proper men to serve constantly in the at business; and as a more equitable way of supporting the charge the levying a tax than should be proportion’d to the property….”

            I suspect Ben was a man of contradictions…being a slave owner and an abolitionist.

    1. I agree with your post Mr Ross. My son is a policeman. I have repeatedly pointed out in comments that Brown was not an 18 year old teen – 18 is legally an adult. He was a grown thug and criminal with a long rap sheet!! What’s his name in NYC was criminal with a long rap sheet. They both resisted arrest (probably both knew they would be going to jail for a long time). They and they alone are responsible for what happened to them!!

  2. Bullseye. I am not your Facebook friend, but I will be liking your page after receiving this email link. I served my country with honor, respect and dignity in the US Marine Corps. I firmly believe in supporting our Gaurdians as I know they are what stands over our lives in the gloom of night ready to protect us from the threats of the world. I am disgusted by social behavior demonstrated by those who believe entitlement is our right . Some mihht say I’ve paid my dues, but I believe I am forever responsible as I am awake to the truth. SEMPER FIDELIS!

  3. I feel the pain of NYPD. I shroud my badge in the memory of my fallen brothers in blue. I sit and question the athletes politicians the Jesse Jackson and AL Sharpton and want to know why they are not condemning and organizing protests. I shake my head at the lack of concern that two officers were gunned down and the so called president doesn’t get on national news and condemns the violence like he did for Ferguson. It’s a travesty. All officers across the US should walk away from the job for 1 hr. Then see how much they want us to become the sheepdog again and hold the wolves at bay.

    1. Screw an hour, that would only create a backlog of calls for us to clear. How about a week. This place would tear itself apart, & then they MIGHT understand. That would give them the opportunity to strap on the belt & solve everything, like they think they can.

    2. said. ive thought of that myself..let them walk off the job for one hour. God bless you sir and thank you for doing a job that is so under-appreciated. we are raising a bunch of thugs. got to stop the slap on the hand punishment. the killing of these two men were killed by a coward…he killed himself becaeuse he new he was going to get caught by the same people he just killed and would spend the rest of his worthless life in prison.

  4. Thank you for pointing out our faults as a heartless society that does not care about citizens who swore to protect and serve. Many people are getting their information from social media, and the mainstream media thieves on the manipulating the masses on false pretenses. Good luck God bless I hope you have many more years of success.

  5. Hi Damian. Wow what a great response to the nonsense your referring to in your statement. Couldn’t have been better stated. My family and I support police officers around the country and hope they stay safe, though with all the racial divide and leftist rhetoric it will be even harder these days. Thanks for your insight and it will always be happy to lead or even follow Americans such as yourself. Merry Christmas and happy new year..

  6. I feel that this email is a little hate-filled especially when I SUPPORT our veterans and first reaponders! NOWHERE have I ever bashed any cops as my family and friends ARE CURRENTLY serving in the field as local police, county deputies and my father served in the Air Force, my husband in the Navy and daughter currently in the Army. So if YOU want to unfriend me go ahead but get off your high horse!

  7. It is certainly deeply painful and furiously angering to see what was done to this innocent, hard working police officers and what the demonic agitators did, committing murder by proxy and getting away with it. I don’t have FB or Twitter but I have raised my voice on every forum I can. We have now a country were criminals rule and we must stand up to it. The President and all the NAACP are criminals that ignore the fact that their own black people suffer much more crime from other blacks and keep black abortion high. Jesse Jackson, Al Sharpton and every other black and white and any color politician that have stayed silent at the murder of these policemen are criminals, too. Only American Patriots can bring these criminals down with the help of God.

  8. Very well said Damian! The lack of support for officers is absolutely sickening. And you are absolutely correct that this is a culture we have allowed and created. When we have a president who says and does things like “those cops acted stupidly” (when they attempted to question the professor a few years back), “if I had a son he would look like Trayvon”, or sending 3 representatives of the White House to Michael Brown’s funeral. Our president is certainly no friend of law enforcement, and for being a Constitutional law scholar, he doesn’t seem at all inclined to actually allow our legal system to work as intended. Are there bad cops out there? Sure. Just like there are bad teachers, bad priests, bad judges, bad store owners, and on and on. The majority of officers are decent people, trying to make a living and do the right thing and make a difference. And as you pointed out, if a person feels wronged by the police, the appropriate place to deal with that question is in a courtroom. Had Michael Brown or Eric Garner either one chosen to take that route, they would still be alive.

    I have emailed the NFL multiple times regarding the ignorant display by the Saint Louis Rams. I have yet to receive any response. They endorse the behavior of their players, and are part of the problem. On the other hand, the Yankees franchise will be paying education expenses for PO Ramos’ children.

    We are not friends on Facebook (with the exception of the SDC page), but I’ll have to find you. It will take a myriad of voices speaking out and presenting a unified front to turn things back around. You are most definitely one of the good guys!

    BTW, thanks for your quick reply to my questions the other day. Very much appreciated. I really like the training and the work you do. Stay safe!

  9. I have to say that I doubt any protester who is anti violent wanted to see peace officers murdered. Even Al Sharpton condoned the murder of these peace officers. This man who murdered these officers ended up killing himself because he was a sick misguided coward and was afraid to face judgment for his sick crimes. Having said that, I think someone who is protesting abuses by certain members of law enforcement intentions were never to feed the illness of a murderer. I have seen first hand officers that abuse the power they are giving to serve and protect, but I have also seen some awesome members of the police departments as well.. These officers that join any police force for the power of being a police officer tend to make all the other police officers who want to help the community look very bad and is a major PR problem for all police departments. I also have seen police chiefs holding signs with protesters that say “All Lives Matter” and support these efforts of these police officers who do this, because connect to the citizens they are sworn to serve and protect and gaining their trust is essential to stopping real crime that all of us are against. People who live in urban parts of the city and certain races are still angry and afraid of abuses by that bad officers because little seems to be done on a PR front to gain the trust of these citizens who have ever right to protest how they see fit. Killing officers is sick and not one protester supports or have ever want that to happen in anyway shape or form. Because those sick killings make the protesters make them look bad just like the one or abusive cops make an entire department look bad.

    1. It’s the culture we have created that has enabled these fringe maniacs to justify their actions. There is NO one on the planet (Al Sharpton inlcuded) who would ever come out in support of murdering anyone. But their words set the stage…and that’s the problem.

      1. Damien I agree. You and I don’t know each other. I’m organizing a rally for the 3rd or 5th Saturday in Jan here in York Pa. The rally is in support of LEO. I just wanted you to know there are people who care.

  10. Agree with this 100 percent, the very people who are criticizing and bitching about police are the very people who cry like a bitch and dial 911 for the cops to come running when shit hits the fan. I’m in favor of as much personal liberty and freedom as anybody else, but without some sort of law and order in our society people would be like monkeys “swinging from trees flinging their crap at each other” as Red Foreman from that 70’s show put it. How about these ignorant SOB’s walk for a week hell even a day in an inner city urban police officer’s shoes and deal with all of the shit they have to on a daily basis and see if they still run their mouths. When society gets to a point where it praises murderers and damns heroes then it’s a sign we’re in a state of moral and ethical and in turn overall decay. It happened to the Greeks and Romans centuries ago and I’m afraid we’re well on our way also. Our local mayor in Nashville is also part of this problem, allowing protesters to lie down in mall or store isles and even worse roadways and block traffic and the police hands are tied to do anything about it. Your rights are no longer rights when they harm or infringe upon the rights of others.

  11. Document agree more Damian. Honestly the cops are not the problem the media s the problem. Between the MSM and the government here lately pushing a race war. The whole reason imo of the riots happening is because of labels that the media keeps putting on everything and the way they present the matter. Now as far as the police go I personally know a lot of officers and can only think of one bad Apple and he is no longer an officer for that reason. But in general an officer does not wake up in the morning and say “hmmm its a great day to go kill someone and loose my job” they have a job to do and a family to go home to just like the rear of us. If I wind up on the no friend list I understand but I will keep training SDTS because I love it lol. Anyway excelent post Damian merry Christmas and happy new year!

  12. Hi Damien,
    It’s a total disgrace what happened those officers, they have family that will never see them again, while scum still walk the streets
    RIP
    And shame on those who like on the website should be ashamed of themselves

  13. So you’re unfriending me because I didn’t post about the 2 NYPD officers on your site. I’ve posted on many many sites, in fact my avatar on FB is the NYPD patch with a blue line through it. So I didn’t do it on your site. Get over yourself.

  14. While I admit I’m not as good at posting as I could be, I would NEVER post support or add to the infamy of these dregs of society intentionally. I admit I’m not sure what to do with situations such as this, but the anger I feel is likely to cause more trouble if it not kept in check. I come from a family with several members formerly and presently in law enforcement,and it sickens me to see how wrong society has become.

  15. I cant blame you a bit for your decision. Most of the STUPID ASS people that caused you to do this cant even spell facebook much less have a clue in whats right and wrong.

  16. If you decide to open another page I would be very interested in joining. We need to be heard one or the other.

  17. Hi Damien , great post. Although I’m not on Facebook or twitter, I guess we all could do something more to show support for the NYPD for this terrible tradgedy. I know the leftist and Police haters get all the attention. I guess the people who support the police should try to get some too.

  18. You are correct as usual Damian. Just like allowing N. Korea to dictate what entertainment we are allowed. Incidents like we have been seeing much too often make me wonder a little why I bother putting on my uniform and going to work. But its for those freedoms, even the ignorantly expressed ones, that I will continue to do what I do. I give a big and humble thanks to people like you, Damian, that give us the tools we need to do our jobs the best we can. Happy Holidays.

  19. Damian, you’ve struck a cord, you’ve had your say come what may. Your message, although a bit brash at it’s start is just yet another indicator light on the dash board that, even in the relationships of the marketplace ……all is not well in the Great Red, White and Blue and it’s message needs to be sounded. Our Country, at our Nations most highest Governing position has ( by the blessing of those who voted hope and change)fundamentally changed it’s course at an intersection leading to no where… but chaos. I believe it’s intentional and I fully agree with the points you’ve made concerning the lethargy of society that morals and ethics do not matter in life and especially at the voting booth and into the highest office of the land. letting someone else do the dirty work ref: the attitude of not getting involved leads to Police Officer’s being assassinated. The 200 likes could not have been made by an American. Although we are a melting pot of people from many lands it’s what we fundementally believe about America and being American that separates the friends vs foes. I for one, having worked at a State Prison and two Law Enforcement Agencies in the past say …Press on!

  20. Hi Damian. Michael Menssen here. I’m really confused. I am an 8-year U.S. Navy Submarine force veteran, a 15-year professional firefighter, a paramedic for almost as long, and a sworn arson investigator. I also have 7 children… One serving in Iraq, in the U.S. Army, one serving as an EMT for a neighboring city, and 5 still in school, living at home. My wife is a full time emergency room nurse. We are both, also active in our church, and give to various charities, both local, and abroad. I work hand-in-hand with my city, and surrounding cities police departments and I support them in any way that I can. I have police officers as friends, in my personal life, as well. I work my ass off most days, whether at work, or at home trying to keep my house from falling down around my ears, or repairing the things my children break. I am overwhelmed with my workload at home, and at work. I have way to many friends on Facebook to keep up with the onslaught of daily posts. However, anything from the self defense company, or you gets read sooner or later. Also, pretty-much anything from the “Police-one” site gets read. I can’t say the same for everything else. I repost anything that I might think is of value, usually from the police-one site. The horse-shit claims of thugs, and lying “witnesses” have infuriated me from the beginning… way before Ferguson. So, the reason I am confused, is because, I appear to be at the pointed end of your email. Because, perhaps, I don’t have time to respond to your email. I’ve been with your program for years, read practically everything you’ve written, and respect you, and what you have done, highly… HIGHLY. This does not seem to be the you that I have come to know. In addition, this Christmas season, I received several emails with offers for membership to access the SDC lessons online. Sounds fan-freaking-tastic. Hard to explain to the wife when I have purchased practically every product you’ve ever made, and most of them at full price… The one-hour self defense course, the Family-safe course, the civilian police assist (been a while), the guardian course, and the full year self defense course. I am a member of your Facebook self defense academy, and have been for some time. I badly want to begin training via the video system you have set up, and have purchased 2 video cameras to get started. One of them was crap. Still figuring out the other one. But, what I’m getting at is, at the end of one of those offers, you said, “if you don’t take advantage of this offer, delete me from your mailing list…” I have become familiar with your candid sense of humor, over the years, and enjoy it. However, I thought this was overstepping just a tiny-tiny bit, as I have already paid for all of your material once. I know you can’t tailor each email to each individual. But, I know there are others like me out there.

    1. No Mike (from one Firefighter to another :)). The post was pointed at people who commented negatively on the Brown and Garner arrests and helped perpetuate the anti-law and order sentiment in this country.

      Thanks for your service.

      1. I guess I don’t understand Facebook very well. You’re saying you have friends on Facebook who commented positively about the rioting related to Ferguson, and all the cop hatery going around? Yeah. The very least I would do is un-friend them. Most of them are practicing willfull blindness. And, it is beyond disturbing to see this, not only in the public arena, but at the highest levels of our government. Our country is going to hell in a handbasket, and I don’t know how many good people are left out there to slow it down. I hope and pray it is enough.

    2. Mr. Ross, I must say that I have to agree with Mr. Menssen in regards to the point of the spear!

      Having just returned from Holiday travels, I came across your mass mailing to your ‘friends’… it is disturbing on numerous levels. I can agree with the outrage of negative commentary regarding our slain heroes, I do not however agree with you wanting to remove everyone who does not besmirch those who did the postings.

      Your feelings regarding what is taking place are certainly justifiable, however pushing good people away from you by lumping them into your sense of just, does not help your cause. If you yell at all of your followers, eventually you will be followed by none. Have your feelings, post them if you wish, however pushing others often has a peculiar way of shoving back.

      I was raised periodically by my Grandparents, they were loving and kind to me and gave me some life lessons that I have and will continue to live by, one of the lessons was “if you don’t have something nice to say, say nothing at all”. This has served me tremendously throughout my life, and I am certain it will into the future as well. I share this with you because I know of the good that you are doing here on the planet, others need people such as ourselves.

      Regarding deleting ‘friends’ on FB, I would like to suggest that your purge those who made negative statements, and continue to remove negatives from your life in a similar fashion until you are surrounded by positivity and see how much calmer you become inside. If you would like to remove me from your FB account that is fine, however it would be a shame to lose another friend over a few bits of type.

      With a Military sister and LEO family members, it behooves me to not post things that will further incite the mental illness of others who are targeting our heroes on the front lines. I have my opinions that are shared with those who are close to me, and wish to discuss these matters, we process, then lay it to rest. Keep up the good fight, and find everlasting peace my friend, it is life changing.

      Respectfully,
      Darren Vernon
      Canadian Combatives

      1. Darren,

        I’m a little confused by your comment. You’ve contradicted yourself.

        First you say “I do not however agree with you wanting to remove everyone who does not besmirch those who did the postings.”

        Then you say ” I would like to suggest that your purge those who made negative statements”. WHICH IS EXACTLY WHAT I SAID AND DID.

        BTW, I don’t have “followers” and I don’t want “followers”. I have an opinion and you can agree or disagree. I don’t expect people to agree with me 100% of the time.

        Finally if you don’t stand up against injustice and lawlessness, well…what good are you? If you have a platform and you believe something is wrong you get off your ass and do something about it.

        People need to realize that social media is damaging and it does shape opinion. There is no doubt that if this fringe nutjob didn’t think people would approve his actions he might have just killed his girlfriend and himself and called it a day.

        As for the Zen, enlightenment…well even Ghandi knew when it was time to fight. Eventually, if you don’t make a stand someone will make it for you.

  21. I think it is disgusting with the anti cop sentiment. Liberal leftwing people are just showing there ignorance. I agree with you Damian.

  22. Dead on Damian. Refusal of accountability– along with “authority figures” who both condone and encourage it–puts the proverbial “loaded gun” (and license-to-kill) in each and every disturbed, self-justifiably “disrespected”, sick-minded being’s hands. Keep shining the light my brother for need of vigilance that our laws provide to expose the very root of our society’s #1 enemy.

  23. I retired in February from the Fort Worth Police Department as the Gang Intelligence Sergeant. I am accustomed to dealing with gang members and drug cartels. In my career as a detective, I worked more than 6,000 cases of violence and crime. I have been shot, stabbed, and run over. I am unable even to count the hundreds of murders that I have worked in my career. God spared my life several times and I am very grateful for that. As a police chaplain, peer team member, and United Methodist Pastor, I have attended or preached at dozen’s of officer’s funerals. I am also a 10th Degree Black Belt in Karate, under Pat Burleson and Jhoon Rhee. I only wish the officers hall had more realistic and scientific training that would keep them aware and help them to fight.

    While I am sorely disappointed in the celebrities and media as they trash the police, I am not surprised. Our society ethos is in great disrepair. In my upcoming book On Fighting with Lt. Col. Dave Grossman, we will be dealing with the psychology, sociology and physiology of fighting on the street. Unfortunately, the public doesn’t back up our officers as they try to please the media and be “politically correct.” It is heart wrenching for me.

    Keep up the good work and may God richly bless you in your endeavor to teach others how to protect themselves. As a nation, we especially need to pray. Psalm 144:1-2

  24. Damian
    I have never agreed or have I ever posted any article against the police. We had a rally for the police in our city to show support for them. I didn’t know I had to post anything on your site when I accepted your request to become my friend. As I see it Blacks can commit any crime they want and will be supported by the majority of Black’s in this country,just look at the OJ Simpson and Michal Brown case and will continue on until it is stopped by our chicken shit politicians. So if you think you know how I feel then go ahead and unfriend me and cancell by subscription

  25. Social media is a complete waste of time for personal use for this reason. Most people on it are idiots who “like” and “comment” based on what they hear on the idiot box aka TV. They all back down when you press them in a real life debate. Likewise, public schooling has brainwashed people into political correctness over factual correctness. Saying “African American” instead of “black.” It’s only “hate speech” and “hate crime” if it’s directed towards blacks, gays, etc. In the United States and Western Europe, you have a unique phenomenon of young white males raised to be apologetic for being white and for having a set of balls. You don’t see this bullshit in Asia or Eastern Europe. With this type of “forward,” liberal thinking, you move “forwards” towards more liberal problems which used to be unheard of. This is why I lean towards conservative libertarian rather than just libertarian. Many Libertarians are too anti-cop, pro-minority, and pro-gay.

  26. Damian,
    I live in Ireland but have been watching what had been going on there with you guys in the U.S.
    I feel sympathy and respect for the families of those fine police officers. And I hope that some day their pain may be a little easier for them to live with.
    Even in this country do gooders and society in general are much to quick to criticize the people who go to work every day to protect us and our families.
    Yes recently there has been anger and protest about members of law enforcement shooting two “innocent civilians”, but the reality is that neither of the officers involved in the shootings woke up those mornings with the intention of taking a life, where as the piece of shit that shot those fine officers not only woke with the intention of taking a life, but bragged about it on social media. Shame on you to all who liked his post, I do hope that fate has something special in store for you people and your families.
    So Damian my hat is off to you and for all those like you who take a stand and call it like it is. I wish you the best in 2015 and I pray for the families of the two officer’s who went to work every day to help their fellow man.

  27. Damian, I totally agree with you ! As a matter of fact, I de-activated my facebook account because I couldn’t believe my friends were behaving like “sheep” and staying quiet at a time when they need to be speaking up. The “wolves” are moving in on the sheep. Sheepdogs like you (and me) are warning the sheep about the sh*t storm that’s coming, but the sheep just prefer to go on thinking that nothing is wrong. I feel your frustration !

  28. Damian,

    I fully support you here. Alas, it is true that I do not post enough on Facebook, Twitter, or any other “social” media; I’ve just never been one to get caught up in all that. I suppose I am always too busy shining my boots and putting on my badge and dealing with idiots like this head on (not that that should be an excuse.) At briefings, my department holds a moment of silence any time something like this happens, so it is very much on my mind. I weep. I pray. I get pissed. Perhaps I should be more supportive in public.

    I feel like I have let my fellow officers down. I feel like I have let you down. Most importantly, I feel like I have let myself down. There is not a day that goes by that these events are not on the minds of me and my family. My only fault is that the “world” doesn’t know it. I apologize to the officers and their families, and I apologize to you. If my End of Watch were to come in a similar manner, I would hope I receive the support that I have failed to give. I’m sorry… I have failed to train honestly.

    1. James,

      Not to worry – but it’s time to fight the good fight. I have had people who I thought were intelligent post anti-cop messages and share them on my page.

      Yet these officers are executed and they remain silent. So for that…they’re gone because my values are so different that I can’t possibly want to know anything more about them. How can you condemn a LEO before the evidence is examined and then NOT say something when it is CLEAR that an injustice has been done.

  29. Damian, well said. I only wish we see more Americans with this viewpoint. I’m not even American but I think your uniformed services, both police and military, do an excellent job for you and the rest of the world too in many cases. Its ridiculous and very sad to see them take all this stupid flak for putting themselves on the line and doing a good job. Just as civilians live under a system of law and order, the police and military do too. Its amazing how the vocal critics, and even the apparently educated ones, do not see that and think its OK to crucify uniformed men without trial. Its not even about being right or left, liberal or conservative…though I know where I stand on that. Its just about being rational!

  30. Interesting read Mr. Ross. Let’s be honest, there is strong bias on both sides between the community and law enforcement. Obviously stuff like this happens every day, not just here in the United States. There are bigger problems people need to be concerned with. As Americans let’s be fortunate that we don’t live in Somali, North Korea, or any other country that treats citizens a lot worse.

    1. So you’re saying that since we’re not being ruled by warlords and our women and children being raped and massacred we should be thankful and let this piece incident slide.

      That’s insane. How low do you want to put the bar?

      Do you think the Somali government (or lack their of) happened over night? No, it start with a shift in values and culture that creates a vacuum for people with the will and the means to seize power. It starts with lack of self governance and law and order. It starts with people disrespecting the law. Heck, if someone is willing to kill a cop they’re not going to think twice about putting you in the box.

  31. My wife is a Police Officer so I feel the threat of potential violence in the performance of her duties not just as a spouse but as a man concerned for the peril a member of the “fairer sex” has the endure in this job.

    She made a point that hit home to me.

    The people that are rightfully outraged and equally outspoken on the death Eric Garner in NY are for the most part silent on the deaths of these 2 Officers. Not all, but most.

    The people that are rightfully outraged and equally outspoken on the death of these Police Officers are for the most part silent on the death of Eric Garner. Not all, but most.

    In explaining this to me she made this point. If you are not outraged by either of these incidents you should be ashamed. If you are outraged by only one of these incidents you should be ashamed as well.

    I suggest we all take stock of this and examine where you stand.

    There is no right or left, there is only right or wrong.

    1. I’m going to strongly disagree since you can’t even compare the two incidents.
      Eric Garner was killed while breaking the law and RESISTING ARREST. He died because he was morbidly obese, diabetic, asthmatic and had a heart condition. A treadmill would have killed Eric Garner.
      On the other hand you have two police officers executed in cold blood just for being police officers.
      Truth be told if you’re not outraged by this…when will you get outrage? When some psycho hi-jack a bus full of orphans and drives it into a preschool?

      The problem is that people now believe that good cops are the minority and most cops are bad and racists…which is ridiculous since the majority of NYPD officers are black and hispanic.

      The time to be outraged is now. Garner doesn’t belong in the same breath as Ramos and Liu.

      1. Finally if you don’t stand up against injustice and lawlessness, well…what good are you? If you have a platform and you believe something is wrong you get off your ass and do something about it.

        wow you really are some special kind of hypocrite aren’t you? What about the injustice and lawlessness of the cops? Kent State, Watts, Selma, L.A. do I need to go on? Ring any bells about POLICE lawlessness? According to themselves AND the LAW that these morons swore to uphold they ARE just as guilty as the dirty cops they are NOT turning in!!! So again your argument/propaganda holds NO water. I do agree with you about the social media playing a big part of the racial tensions in this country but the police are responsible for the way the public views them. the vast majority of people (aka the public) see cops everyday rather than reading about them so their knowledge is firsthand yet you dismiss them without a thought because they don’t subscribe to your propaganda of hero worship

        1. The purpose of the article was simple: if you came out in support against Eric Garner and Mike Brown, why don’t you come out against the execution of the NYPD Cops Ramos and Liu?

          It was not a thesis on police corruption – it’s a commentary on people such as yourself who only seek to blast police every chance you get because you just don’t like the idea of being powerless.

          Finally to compare Selma, Alabama to Eric Garner and Ferguson, MO is UNBELIEVABLE. Known criminals resisting arrest vs. innocent girls killed because of racism.

          At the end of the day I guess you feel those NYPD officers “had it coming”?

    2. Your wife has a very good head on her shoulders, there are two sides to every issue! Law enforcement and citizens should be held to the same standard, I am opposed to either side acting in a criminal fashion both are human, both break laws and both should pay the same price when they do so !

    3. Gerry M, I guess you came to the wrong place to be reasonable. But thank you for speaking up here. All Lives. Matter.

  32. I was very sorry to hear about this cowardly, despicable double shooting of two Hardworking Policemen. At the end of the day they were on duty to protect and serve the public, and put food on the table for their families. I think the nutjob who did it done us all a favour when he took his own life.

  33. Very Well Said Damian !! Ross for B , oh forget it !! Merry Christmas And Happy New Year to you and your Whole Family !! Hope you are all doing well !!

  34. Damian, this was refreshing to read. I recently shut down my Facebook page cause I couldn’t stand all of the negativity in my “friend” feed about “murderous” and “racist” cops. I don’t need to go into anymore cause you said it all. Great read. Motivated me to go out and do my job tomorrow, not feel bitter towards society. After reading today about the L.A.P.D. cops that were ambushed I felt bitter, but, you reminded me there are people who support police still and to keep riding for folks like yourself.

  35. What a wonderful post! I support LEO’s everywhere and pray that you all go home daily. I would like to add another group of athletes to your short list….The NY Yankees! They stepped up immediately and said that they would pay the costs for the education of Officer Rafael Ramos’ two sons! That is classy!! Putting money to good use, not supporting some idiot who made a shirt that other idiots now can wear wherever they want..it’s their constitutional right. Bullshit!
    Stay safe out there!

    1. Yep, that’s correct. They have a fund set aside specifically for first responders who are killed in the line of duty. Also the Stephen Siller (Tunnel to Tower Run) foundation paid off their mortgages

  36. This is unfortunate. The killing of the policemen was horrible and wrong. When you speak of protests as creating an environment in which this was encouraged to happen however, you are in the wrong. Peaceful protests are not what made this country. Contrary to what some may wish to believe, the greatest triumphs and tragedies of our tumultuous evolution as a society have never been peaceful. This is tragic but very American.

    1. Adam I commented that the protests had anit-police rhetoric and that the media, politicians and social media helped create that environment. And calling police racists and murders and painting criminals as “unarmed victims” is hardly peaceful. Even though there’s not looting, it still is a combative position. There is nothing peaceful in nature about these protests.

      Oh and if you THINK that violence to create change is strictly “American” you need to pick up a history book. Change only happens when violence or the threat of violence is invoked. This is a human condition.

  37. To put this very simply, I support the police. When I see a post that portrays the police favorably, I usually post it in a Facebook group I’m in, Law Enforcement for Life. I do not bash the police or encourage harm to them. However, that is where my role in this ends. I am a Christian anti-abuse advocate with a focus on peer sexual abuse in schools and on getting Christians involved in stopping abuse. Consequently, 95% of what I post has to do with abuse or the Bible’s condemnation of abuse. This is why you will not have seen any posts/tweets from me about Ferguson, New York, or the police, though I have made the occasional comments about racism. The only times I ever post anything negative about a police officer, it is unique to the negative actions of that police officer and/or is in direct reference to the subject of abuse or the necessity of the police being more positively and actively involved in the community, in which I put equal emphasis on the importance of people in the community working with police. If this is not enough for you, I will miss your emails about self-defense and I love my stinger knife.

  38. Damien, I am a retired Firefighter/Paramedic, I have and will always continue to support the LEO’S and Firefighters. After 26 plus years I have watched the public change their attitudes towards all public servants. The fact that that skank got one like let alone 200 is disgusting. I have posted (responded) to these self appointed experts on police matters. They don’t care about facts, they are self-titled to do as they please. I come from an Irish family of Firefighters and Police Officers and trying to explain things to these naysayers is like talking to a wall. God speed, pants up, don’t loot.

    Have a Safe and Happy New Year! Be safe.

    1. Tim,
      The cops were there for Eric Garner when they were ARRESTING HIM for BREAKING THE LAW – that same law he was out on bail for breaking. In fact, the cops were there for you – upholding the law.

      I don’t know what’s going on in your brain that equates a subject having a heart attack while resisting arrest and two officers killed in cold blood.

      You’re right, it goes both ways… the right way and the wrong way.

  39. I agree 110%! The day I caused a death while in the line of duty is a day I still have nightmares about. If I wouldn’t have tried to pull over this woman’s car, the wreck would have never occurred, and her child would still be alive. If I fell this way over an accident, imagine how an officer who shoots someone feels, someone who didn’t know the age of the person, or that it was a toy gun, or someone who was having his eye socket shattered and had no choice but to fire because he was still being charged at. No one can judge until they are in that exact situating, and then to be accused of doing it because you are racist? You don’t even see color when you are in that adrenalin state. It’s a shame and I am glad I retired early for medical disability.

  40. Dear Sir

    I understand your grief for the great men in blue and your need to vent your frustrations over the treatment of law enforcement in today’s social network, however, let me vent for some of the people who have frustratingly tried to quietly fight the good fight in a world where Columbian drug lords have moved in, bought properties, bought the police departments, media, city councils, little local airports, and multiple neighborhoods, and judges..just saying..see some of those headlines if they are not all covered up now from Roane County, Tn where airplane full of drugs crashes, drugs disappear from crash, local former judge sentenced, city council busted, unidentified teen found dead at airport, state witness disappears, found dead floating in river, kiddy porn ring busted on main street..from time to time a mother s or private citizen s work is cut out for them..see local group receives grant to hire policeman. See policeman gets busted at local crack dealer. We try to support our local policemen and policemen everywhere..give us a little social media space to vent also…see local deputy nabbed at Nashville airport..sometimes its a nightmare..I ve been personally told when asking for a name and badge number of a deputy dragging my screaming 6 yr old out of my home that it was none of my business! My baby is almost 30 now. All I did was turn in the local cocaine addicted judge who never showed up for court on time ( if at all) to the higher forces that be. He got 2 years of federal time. The fight isn’t over. The drug lords are here. Sometimes we just find them wearing a badge..sorry!

    1. Maria,

      I hear you and let me ask you, have you or anyone contacted the FBI or the DEA? What steps have been taken, articles written, etc that support your claims? If it is true, posting here won’t do a heck of a lot, but bringing it to the attention of the Knoxville Office (https://www.fbi.gov/knoxville/) or the Memphis office (https://www.fbi.gov/memphis/) is a step in the right direction.

      Understand that the more effort and proof you put into this, the more believable your story. I should also add that if you approached them on behalf of a group or an organization you would be heard.

  41. Damian,

    THANK YOU for this. I have 2 family members who are police officers. They work long hard hours and battle to make sure that there is always someone to look after their child. They work to get criminals off the street, while also fighting negative views toward them. My brother has already had accusations which were not true,but people now know that there is such a huge anti-cop movement that it won’t take much to get people to support them, regardless of whether or not they are in the wrong. It is good to know that there are people like you out there that still support them.

  42. Very well said. I post in support of good cops doing their job everyday. I also post about cops that are not doig the job well also. The killing of these two officers was an outrage. People, especially in the Patriot Community seem to hate cops and any type of LE because they feel their rights have be violated in some ways. Now I have never had a problem with police. I carry my weapon in accordance with state law, do not open carry because I understand it scares people, and am respectful when stopped by the police. I have never been beat up or treated badly by Police. I feel that is because of the way I handle myself, and understand that the Police have a job to do.

    That job is thankless, they spend their days upholding state and local laws, which may not be popular, they answer calls which put their lives in danger, and all these fools bitching about the Police are the first to call them when they are robbed, mugged, their daughter raped, or anything else, especially to handle that drunk loud neighbor who won’t turn the music down.

    As you said Damian we live in a nation of laws, we follow them because that is what keeps our society in order, and we still have the best system in the world. Sure it is not perfect, but we have the best thing going.

    So if you are unhappy about the way LE is run, start citizen review boards that have teeth and can work with DA’s to prosecute bad cops and hold departments liable for bad policing If you do not like laws work to have them changed, work within the system, but don’t think you have the right to just break laws you feel are unjust because you will lose, and don’t take things out on the Police who are just doing their jobs.

    Happy New Year Everyone.

  43. Hello Damien. A very powerful letter and a shame it needed to be written at all, but I can certainly see where you’re coming from. I haven’t commented on any of this from the original incidents in Staten Island and Ferguson on social media as I didn’t want to contribute to the firestorm of ugly public sentiment this was sure to bring about. As a man of color I realize at any time I could run into the wrong cop on the wrong day. The type who shouldn’t be one. I’m sure you’ve seen the type yourself on the job. However I don’t consider the police my enemy. Have I been stopped multiple times? Yes. Have I been able to walk away from almost all of them with a pleasant good night or take care? Yes. It’s all about communication and mutual respect. Will this win out all the time? No as there are unpredictable and incendiary elements on both sides, but it’s still the best way to minimize incidents and protect both the police and the community they serve. God Bless you and your fellow officers.

    1. Thank you for the sensible post. Look, I would be naive to the point of ignorance if I thought racism and prejudice didn’t exist. It happens, it’s just unfortunate that people tend to choose the wrong incidents to get behind.

  44. Damien I agree with you completely, what I fail to understand is that if our law enforcement are not allowed to protect themselves them what makes anyone think they will be able to protect is.

  45. thsnk you for that excellently written message. I have several relatives who are law enforcement officers and also relatives in the Armed Forces. I’ve learned silence is considered agreement when something horrific happens. One either disagrees and says so or remain silent which perpetrators consider agreement. I pray your message is taken positively and people reflect on their actions.

  46. I stand behind our law officers, firefighters, first responders and military, 100%! If you can’t act lime a decent human, don’t complain if you get your button in the wringer. You deserve what you get. Pray it’s not me you screw up with!

  47. Thank you so much for standing up for the police. Years ago my cousin a police man was killed. His name is on the wall in Washington DC. The police are here to protect us. I am sick and tired of these politicians and the media and sports people who are standing up for the people who are breaking the law. And how dare these people go against the law when they have police protecting them from the crowd’s. To me that is two face. May God protect our policemen. Thank you again.

  48. As a Vietnam Veteran, I certainly understand your post and your position. We weren’t to well received when we came home. All I can say is “thank you for your service and keep up the good work.” There are many, many citizens that appreciate what you do. Unfortunately I believe they sometimes hide their feelings do to their personal fear.

    God Bless!

  49. My Dad was in The Massachusetts State Police and my son was in the local police for 14 years. I always stick up for the police and even though there have been a couple “bad ” ones locally I still say “walk in their shoes and then see how it really is”. I am almost 77 years old and so proud of my dad and son and my grandfather who was a lawyer and had a relative in the FBI who was murdered. My nephew was in the Vietnam was and am proud of him. Law Enforcement does what they have to do. God Bless all of you and I pray for you every night. When a police officer is killed no matter what “color” he is my tears fall. You are all in my prayers every night and will always be there. God Bless all of you. <3

  50. I see many of my fellow Vietnam Veterans have posted the warm welcome when we came home. I Posted about this ferguson shooting I am a Baptist Preacher and I have seen Rev Sharpton and Jess Jackson leaders in the Black communities in this country. Creating this Bigotry and Hatred based on Race and then on Law and order. They have a lot to answer to God for If a grand jury did not find the Police Officer guilty of a Crime then this gives citizens the right to loot rob and destory. Because they our Black not an excuse. Now it is Murder of the people that protect and serve, I can’t even imagine the suffering the families of all the people who have died. My prayers go out to the Families of the Police Officers in NY .

  51. RESPONSE TO “WE ARE NO LONGER FRIENDS”

    Today, I ran across this article from MySelfDefenseTraining.com.
    Normally, I see some good stuff from them; this just isn’t.
    I SERIOUSLY DOUBT THAT DAMIAN WILL HAVE “THE SACK” TO POST THIS ON HIS ARTICLE.

    OK Damian Ross, I’LL PLAY YOUR STUPID LITTLE GAME. And I’m good at “games”.
    I’m going to paste the article here with “quotation” marks.
    My responses will be [bracketed].

    “WE ARE NO LONGER FRIENDS
    On December 20, 2014 NYPD Officers Rafael Ramos and Wenjian Liu were assassinated while sitting in their cruiser eating lunch. Authorities investigating the murders said the gunman did this in retaliation for the death of Eric Garner.”

    [NO…the evidence says that Ismaaiyl Brinsley was a disturbed man fleeing his many failures and was on a suicide mission. THIS WAS HIS LAST SHOT AT FAME. He was not some “decent man driven to destruction” by the sophistically misrepresented words of Bill DeBlasio and for you to insinuate such is about as dishonest as it gets.
    There are good cops and Ramos and Liu may have been good ones; but you really can’t say that with all certainty. EVEN GOOD COPS DO BAD THINGS. It’s quite the conundrum that any cop who dies is a “HERO” and any citizen who dies is a “VIILIAN”.
    I think you’ve been watching too many cartoons.
    And for all the “good cops” out there that witness such actions by “bad cops” and remain silent, THEY ARE EQUALLY AS CULPABLE.]

    “The gunman wrote on his Instagram account:
    “I’m putting wings on pigs today. They take 1 of ours, let’s take 2 of theirs,” just hours before the killings. (The post received 200 likes).
    I’ve waited a week for signs of support from athletes, political figures and of course, “friends” on Facebook.
    Let’s just say your response has been underwhelming; other than the requisite “our thoughts and prayers go out to the officer’s friends and families” from politicians; NOTHING HAS BEEN SAID (except for a handful to be named later).
    Where are your posts, where are your tweets, where are the NYPD t-shirts and hats?”

    [VERY GOOD QUESTION: Where are all these people who’s live have been enriched by “Stop and Frisk” policies, “Shoot-First” mentalities, “Guilty Until Proven Innocent” principles, “No-Knock Warrants”, SWAT raids on wrong houses, and “Asset-Forfeiture” legislations? THESE AREN’T “COPS”; THEY’RE SOLDIERS.
    These are what soldiers do to THE ENEMY.
    ARE WE THE ENEMY?]

    “So before I go into this New Year, it’s time to clean house. I want those of you who are my “friends” to know EXACTLY why I’m “un-friending” you.
    You can also do me the service by unfriending me…I don’t care…don’t go away mad, just go away.
    The reason for the mass unfriending is simple – you are part of the problem.
    By posting negative NYPD and law enforcement propaganda you helped create an environment of approval that made it “OK” for this deranged killer to execute these two officers.”

    [So you’re “unfriending” people because you think they are part of the problem, huh? That’s funny: It’s PEOPLE LIKE YOU who are the ENTIRE problem. Justifying the actions of Panteleo simply vindicates his actions and your belief that “nothing is wrong with the system” shows just how naive and blind you are.
    I haven’t heard any response from you in regards to the cop who raped a woman on the hood of his cruiser:
    https://www.nydailynews.com/news/crime/fla-month-rapes-woman-patrol-car-hood-cops-article-1.1994103
    AND HERE’S WHAT HAPPENS WHEN YOU COMPLAIN ABOUT BEING ASSAULTED:
    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L34qSYmIsxU
    You REALLY need to see this.

    Or how about the man who was murdered for simply not showing his ID?
    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PbI5HHz7fJU

    And here is a compilation of NUMEROUS examples of New York’s Slimest hard at work.
    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WEKadgJYtMw

    And it’s not just “big crimes”…THEY LIE ABOUT EVERYTHING.
    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t9BLMKAo5WQ

    AND I CAN DO THIS ALL DAY. Might want to spend some time on YouTube; there are 1000 to 1 cops assaulting citizens.
    BUT WHERE WERE YOU? WHERE WAS YOUR VOICE OF “REASON” THEN?]

    “When he declared he was going to kill cops he received 200 likes. He was looking for acceptance and he got it. But it’s not just those likes; every protester, every politician, every article and every post you made helped him come to the conclusion that he should kill some cops.
    But your mindless social tweets are only part of this perfect storm of social decay and violence against law and order.”

    [My best guess (AND IT’S A GOOD ONE) is that AT LEAST 200 OF THOSE LIKES are from people who have experienced firsthand the unbridled reign of terror showered upon them by the people who are supposed to be protecting them.
    WHICH IS FAR AND AWAY A GREATER CRIME THAN SIMPLE CRIMINAL VIOLENCE.
    When you break the law to “enforce it”, YOU HAVE INVALIDATED YOUR AUTHORITY. And sent the citizens the bill for it.
    And for the rest of the protesters and “mindless tweeters”, it’s MORE THAN LIKELY they have also felt the heavyhandedness of Public Serpents.
    YOU REAP WHAT YOU SOW: WHEN YOU SHOW NO MERCY, YOU GET NO MERCY.]

    “You’ve elected politicians who approve the “anti-police” rhetoric. They turned over their cities to demonstrators that riot and loot. Regardless of the whether the demonstrations erupted in violence or remained peaceful, that all had one common message –
    “The police are bad, racists who abuse their power.”

    [It’s not “anti-police rhetoric”: IT’S ANTI-POLICE BRUTALITY RHETORIC…if you can even call it “rhetoric”.
    Not all of them are “bad, racists who abuse their power” (thanks for the clarification), but it’s quite the double-standard when citizens are charged with “accessory to a crime”, BUT THAT ALL THESE “GOOD COPS” AREN’T when they participate in the VERY SAME INCIDENT where citizens ARE abused.
    No “double-standard” there.
    Their silence sends the same message that you do now: “THERE’S NOTHING WRONG WITH A LITTLE POLICE BRUTALITY”.
    And it’s not just their “silence”: they silence anyone who does speak out.
    And since no civilian panels are allowed to investigate routine police brutality charges (THANKS TO UNION PROTECTIONISM), no wonder why so many cases are handily dismissed.
    And on the rare occasions where “police brutality” is CLEARLY ESTABLISHED (Thank GOD for cellphone cameras), the officer is “cited”, “reassigned”, “suspended” or maybe….”fired”: BUT ASKING FOR CRIMINAL CHARGES IS ABOUT AS RARE AS HEN’S TEETH.

    AND WHILE WE ARE ON THE TOPIC OF “LOOTING”, would you care to discuss the massive confiscations and forfeitures of property and assets that sometime total more than q 1000’s of times the cost of any perceived offense a person is charged with?
    Or better yet…HOW ABOUT WITH NO REASON OR PROBABLE CAUSE AT ALL?
    https://www.washingtonpost.com/sf/investigative/2014/10/11/cash-seizures-fuel-police-spending/
    Anything to say about this?]

    “You support athletes who in their infinite ignorance, wear t-shirts and put their hands up in support of criminals who were not just resisting arrest, but were in the process of committing crimes when they were arrested!

    [YES…having a pack of “untaxed cigarettes” is SUCH A CRIME. And so is “standing in the street”. If Darren Wilson had followed police procedure AND ACTUALLY RESPONDED TO THE CALL HE WAS SUMMONED FOR, it’s highly unlikely he would have pursued two “perps” without backup and created a situation where he HAD to draw a weapon FROM ONE WHERE HE DIDN’T.
    I don’t support indicting Wilson: I SUPPORT INDICTING THE ENTIRE SYSTEM OF CORRUPT POLITICIANS PASSING BAD LAWS FOR BAD COPS TO ABUSE.
    How do you like me now?]

    “Hey Lebron, where’s your NYPD shirt?
    You support, tweet, post and like media who uses terms like “unarmed man” and “victim” instead of suspect. They describe use of force and resisting arrest as “illegal choke hold” and “murder”. They call suspects “teenagers” and “diabetic” not 6’4, 300 pound convicted criminal and of course when you hear ”black subject” and “white cop” it’s all over.
    You’re predictable and boring.”

    [SINCE 1993, THAT “CHOKEHOLD” HAS BEEN ILLEGAL IN NY; how insincere of you to ignore WHY it was made “illegal” (someone else died over that), YET IT IS STILL TAUGHT TO THIS VERY DAY IN ALL NYPD POLICE ACADEMIES. The officer in question was NEVER a cop when this “chokehold” was legal: EXPLAIN HOW HE HAS THE AUTHORITY TO USE IT?
    I’d REALLY like to hear this explanation.
    And while you’re at it, YOU CAN EXPLAIN THIS: In 2007, Garner filed a handwritten complaint in federal court accusing a police officer of conducting a cavity search of him on the street, “digging his fingers in my rectum in the middle of the street” while people passed by.
    FOR “LOOSEYS”? (individual cigarettes?) FOR ANYTHING?

    ONE OF THE MORE DISHONEST THINGS I’VE SEEN PEOPLE DO is take separate incidents and combines them as one perspective: I find it hard to completely exonerate Michael Brown, but HAVE NO PROBLEM AT ALL DOING THAT FOR ERIC GARNER.
    The only “evidence” of a crime was Garner’s possession of a pack of cigarettes that didn’t have the required $4.35 on top of the $1.09 Fed tax THAT IS TAXED AGAIN AT 8.9%.
    And as far as “resisting arrest”, I SAW THE WHOLE VIDEO; he was never placed under arrest.
    ANOTHER ONE OF THE DISHONEST THINGS PEOPLE DO is to cite some previous arrest (and in most cases simply “charges”) as some kind of empirical evidence that justifies ANY DEADLY POLICE REPONSE to non-violent offenses.
    I don’t know about you, but I would NEVER pay those kinds of taxes either.
    BTW, it’s 18.375% TAX ON ANY VEHICLE PARKING IN NEW YORK.
    No wonder everyone takes the subway.]

    “You say that the police “could have done something different” without understanding and respecting the very nature of violence where anything can happen. There isn’t any control; there are only degrees of risk and success. Anytime you choose to resist or use force bad things can happen that result in injury or death.”

    [Falsely supposing that officers could die from jaywalkers, tax rebels or those who simply refuse to show ID reveals the dishonesty you are willing to stoop to in order to support a system that tramples the rights of the people that pay their salaries.
    Falsely implying that people don’t “understand and respect the very nature of violence” shows how little you understand about the Non-aggression principle; but being the Statist Buffon that you are, I UNDERSTAND that as well. How ARROGANT of you to insinuate that YOU are the ONLY ONE who does understand.
    I seem to remember a country that went to war over “taxes”; they had no problem “resisting authority” : SHOULD WE ALL BE HAVING TEA AND CRUMPETS @ 10:00AM EVERYDAY?
    In fact, IT WAS THESE VERY SAME PEOPLE WHO GAVE US THESE RIGHT THAT YOU SO WILLINGLY ALLOW POLICE TO TRAMPLE.
    You’re not an American: YOU’RE A SUBSERVIENT IDIOT.
    Should we also abide by a United Nations when it appoints itself as a “World Authority”? It’s a little different when you look at it that way, isn’t it?]

    “You’re quick to condemn the very people who have sworn their lives to protect your community.
    Here’s a novel idea…Why don’t you give the cops, the people who have been trained, vetted and sworn to uphold the law the benefit of the doubt?!?!”

    [NO….WE ARE QUICK TO CONDEMN THE VERY PEOPLE WHO HAVE BETRAYED THEIR SWORN DUTIES TO PROTECT US.
    And does that “training” include THE USE OF AN ILLEGAL CHOKEHOLD?
    Why, I think it does!
    Were they “sworn” to not use it?
    WHY, I THINK THEY WERE!
    As far as “benefit of the doubt”, WE ARE LONG PAST “DOUBT”. With the first known case of NYPD brutality dating back to 1893, I’D SAY WE’VE HAD ENOUGH.]

    “You won’t because at the end of the day it’s about power and control.
    You don’t want anyone telling you what to do. You don’t like the idea that someone can inconvenience you and force you to explain your actions.”

    [OH…THIS IS GREAT! We should ALWAYS submit to “power and control”.
    Not “submitting to power and control” is how this country was born: AND WE SHOULD GO RIGHT BACK TO IT? And spare me the “anarchy” Red Herring.
    Not having anyone “tell me what to do” or “having to explain my actions” COULD BE CONSIDERED THE DEFINITION OF FREEDOM…..you remember that right?
    After all, freedom IS what this country is founded upon.
    Thanks Hitler! I was about to “go astray” for a minute there.
    WE HAVE RULES: FOLLOW THEM. It’s called the Constitution and they supersede any of the subsequent ones…you may want to read it sometime…there’s lots of good stuff about restraining unbridled authority in it. You’ll find it doesn’t support your position at all.]

    “You’re like a child who’s parents have told you NO. You plead your case and if that doesn’t work you stomp your feet and throw a fit.”

    [YES…I am a STUPID CHILD with no brain of my own; with no concept of right or wrong, and with moral compass or conscience whatsoever. AND THE POLICE ARE MY LORDS AND SAVIORS WHO RULE OVER ME WITH A ROD OF IRON TO KEEP ME FROM HARMING MYSELF OR ANYONE ELSE.
    Really?]

    “You live under the illusion that you have “rights” and you think they empower you to do and say whatever you want. Rights that empower you to ignore the law and other authority.”

    [Actually….I DO HAVE RIGHTS. And for you to imply otherwise is RETARDEDLY DISHONEST. And YES…I CAN SAY WHATTHEFUCKEVER I WANT. And there’s not a God Damn THING you can do about it……unless you’d “silence” me?
    Here’s a quote from Dr. Martin Luther King: “One has not only a legal but a moral responsibility to obey just laws. Conversely, one has a moral responsibility to disobey unjust laws.”
    Sounds very much like the philosophy that liberates.
    Your philosophy sounds very much like the one that ENSLAVES.
    Thank you for your Serfdom.]

    “Somewhere along the line you have come to the conclusion that if you don’t want to comply with a police order you don’t have to, as long as you believe or appear to be innocent.
    Are you f&cking kidding me?!?!?”

    [ACTUALLY NO….I’M NOT KIDDING YOU. Jesus….what “f&cking” bubble do you live in? https://ktla.com/2014/04/23/sheriffs-deputies-charged-with-planting-evidence-at-l-a-pot-shop/
    AND I CAN DO THIS ALL DAY LONG AS WELL.]

    “Your rights…if you can find a Japanese-American citizen who was in America in 1941 ask them about YOUR RIGHTS and the constitution.”

    [AND YOU’RE USING THIS AS AN EXAMPLE OF WHAT WE SHOULD ALLOW?
    Not only can you GO FUCK YOURSELF, BUT YOU CAN EAT A DAMN BULLET WHILE YOU’RE DOING IT.
    Wow. Just WOW.]

    “Like all societies we have laws. If you’re suspected of violating these laws you will be placed under arrest and taken before the court to plead your case. It’s not the job of the cop to pass judgment. His or her discretion only goes so far. It’s your responsibility as a citizen to play your part in the system: comply with the order and have your day in court.”

    [Funny how a person who hasn’t been convicted CAN BE SENTENCED TO DEATH WITH THAT “INABILITY TO PASS JUDGEMENT”. And that “discretion” that only “goes so far”, GOES ALL THE WAY TO THE GRAVE.
    And you’re right: WE SHOULD “PLAY OUR PART”; let’s just go along nicely, miss a bunch of days at work..maybe get fired….pay a ridiculous amount of money for bail and attorneys, lose more work in court, file for an appeal and take our case to Supreme Court…..maybe get the “chokehold” outlawed or something to that effect.
    I SEE HOW WELL THAT WORKS…Don’t you?]

    “It’s not fun, its not always fair, it tedious and sometimes very expensive, but it’s the society in which we live.”

    [OF COURSE ITS FUN…just ask the cops, lol! Here: I’ll do it for you. https://www.emancipatedhuman.com/2014/09/23/lapd-cops-busted-laughing-and-fistbumping-as-they-handcuffed-nurse/
    “NOT ALWAYS FAIR”? And you wonder why so many cases go to Supreme Court….AND THOSE ARE JUST THE ONES THAT CAN AFFORD IT.
    How many more would go if THE STATE picked up the tab like they do for the cops?]

    “But no, you have created a culture without any accountability.”

    [AND YOU HAVE CREATED ONE WHERE THE COPS AREN’T ACCOUNTABLE.
    Thank you for that.]

    “You’re not successful because your boss doesn’t like you.
    You fail because you have a bad teacher.
    You lost because the ref screwed you.
    Let me tell you something you need to get a grip on: the single common denominator in all of your failures and disappointments is YOU.”

    [YES..WE ARE ALL JUST PERRINIAL “LOSERS”; we suck….and you are the only one on this planet (save for a few like-minded bum-smoochers) that have ANY CLUE in this great country. THANK YOU FOR SAVING US, CAPTAIN OBVIOUS!
    Your arrogance knows no bounds.]

    “This week if we’re no longer “friends”, you will know why.
    Before I go, a big shout out to athletes and organizations that have shown support to the NYPD:
    Jets’ Players Nick Mangold and Jeff Cumberland
    Tom Coughlin and the NY Football Giants
    Kyle Flood and the Rutgers Football Team
    That list is WAY TOO SHORT.
    Train honestly,”

    [While you’re busy thanking the 20,000 Officers present at Ramos’s funeral and almost as many for Liu’s, TAKE A SECOND TO THANK THE TAXPAYERS WHO FOOTED THE BILL FOR IT. Because I’m QUITE CONFIDENT that had they had to spend their own money, or not received tax deductions to fly from across the country to attend, IT WOULD HAVE LOOKED LIKE A SHOWING FOR “THE INNOCENCE OF MUSLIMS”.
    You do remember that one, don’t you?
    Everybody saw that film. ;>]
    And to the officers that turned their backs to the Mayor at BOTH funerals, THEY TURNED THEIR BACKS TO AMERICA.
    Their message was loud and clear; WE CAN KILL YOU, BUT YOU CAN’T KILL US BACK.]

    “Damian Ross
    The Self Defense Company”

    [But one last thing, Damian: HITLER WOULD HAVE BEEN PROUD OF YOU. Your nationalism and blind obedience…I mean “subservience” would have rendered you a FINE OFFICER IN THE SS. And with your literary skills and persuasive nature, you might have even been elevated to the post of “Assistant Minister of Propaganda”: why, even Joesph Geobbels would have befriended you.
    AND YOU COULD USE A FEW FRIENDS NOW THAT YOU’VE LOST SO MANY.
    But, I forgive you: and even though I’m deeply offended by your insincere position, I’ll “turn the other cheek”…..THE CHEEKS OF MY ASS.

    WITH ALL “DUE” RESPECT (and that means absolutely NONE), Rob F’n Gainey]

    A WORD TO THE MEERCATS WHO WILL POP UP OUT OF THEIR HOLES TO ATTACK ME FOR SPEAKING THE TRUTH:
    Bring it on. I’m not looking for approval from a bunch of people looking for approval themselves.

    1. Rob,

      It’s hard to take you seriously when you mis-quote me and say I would have supported Hitler.

      But I have to ask…what if you had it your way?

      Let’s assume for a moment that complying with a police order was optional. Let’s call our new place “Roblandia”.

      One night I get stopped by Roblandia police because I fit the description of someone who robbed a pharmacy. They ask me for ID and what I was doing at the time of the robbery.

      I refuse to give them my ID, tell them I didn’t do it and proceed to walk away.

      What would you have Roblandia’s Finest do?

      1. Welcome to ROBLANDIA…where fresh Red Herring is served everyday, ALL DAY LONG.

        “Misquote” you” Ha! Everything here was VERBATIM from your post. If you can’t be honest with yourself, fine; if you can’t be honest with me, SCREW YOU.

        And actually I didn’t say YOU would supported Hitler, I SAID HITLER WOULD HAVE SUPPORTED YOU. Some comprehension skills you have there, Shakespeare.
        Public education, I suppose.

        “One night I get stopped by Roblandia police because I fit the description of someone who robbed a pharmacy. They ask me for ID and what I was doing at the time of the robbery.
        I refuse to give them my ID, tell them I didn’t do it and proceed to walk away.
        What would you have Roblandia’s finest do?”

        FOLLOW THE CONSTITUTION.
        A. Was there “Probable Cause” to stop me in the first place? AND THAT OLD LINE OF BULL BISCUITS ABOUT “FITTING THE DESCRIPTION” IS ABOUT AS TIRED AS YOUR EXCUSES.
        Apparently, you’ve never heard a “police description”: White male between 5’10 and 6’4, unknown age, wearing a dark hoodie.
        Or better yet, here’s a FINE EXAMPLE of “police descriptions” and how well they work. https://www.thewire.com/national/2014/02/lapd-officers-who-shot-103-rounds-two-innocent-women-violated-policy/357728/

        B. “Ask what I was doing at the time?” Bahahahahaha!!!! EVEN IF THERE WAS PROBABLE CAUSE, I HAD BEEN ARRESTED (forcibly, of course), TAKEN INTO HOLDING FOR QUESTIONING, what ON EARTH obligates me to tell the police ANYTHING?
        Even under arrest, you are not required to say anything…WITH OR WITHOUT AN ATTORNEY.
        What country do YOU live in?

        C. Roblandia Police might not “always get their man”….ON THE SPOT, but they would do what most police departments do and use the legal tools at their disposal with surveillance cameras in the area and on the premise.
        Besides…in “Roblandia” (as you so preposterously propose) IT WOULD BE LEGAL FOR CITIZENS TO CARRY CONCEALLED WEAPONS. Any “robber” might find himself greatly outnumbered by law-abiding citizens not afraid to protect each other, as opposed to a retroactive policing solution that always arrives AFTER a crime has been committed.

        Is that what you were looking for, F. Lee Bailey?

        1. Few things…

          1. Who determines probable cause?

          2. You support citizens executing “on the spot justice” without due process?

          3. And you’re OK with invasion of privacy?

          You’re kind of all over the map here.

          BTW, how many names are you going to use Rob?

          1. 1. Who determines probable cause?
            A. A judge.
            B. Someone who breaks the law visibly, or has cause to be legally stopped: random searches are NOT PROBALE CAUSE.
            2. I support citizens executing “on the spot justice”….OF COURSE I DO. That’s about the only way to stop “on the spot crime”. Criminals fear only one thing: A BETTER SHOT. And it would be the absolute best deterrent to crime, as has already been shown.
            3. Invasion of Privacy? HOW SO? Because police used the pharmacy’s security cameras? Or those of neighboring businesses?
            THE SPYCAMS ON THE STREET CAN GO AWAY.

            It’s not that I’m all over the map….IT’S THAT YOU HAVE NO COMPASS.

          2. 1. What if I don’t want to go before a judge? If I’m not going to show a cop my ID, why would I even bother with a judge?
            2. So ANYONE with a pulse should be able to carry a firearm and enforce the law? No criminal background check, no training, no education…just give a gun and let them dispense justice?
            3. You mentioned taking footage from security cameras to identify the subject. I didn’t mention a specific case, this was a hypothetical situation.

            Just to be clear, you would rather have any citizen, without any training, education, enforce the laws. It would also be those citizen’s responsibility to apprehend a suspect and bring them before a judge. After of course they knew through security camera footage, EXACTLY who it is they were going to arrest, because those security camera videos are in HD and always have the best angle.

            Am I correct here?

    2. Rob,

      I should also mention that if a cop breaks the law he or she should be held to a higher standard because they have taken an oath to uphold the law.
      This article was not a study on police crime.

      It’s a commentary on popular opinion regarding the attitude towards law enforcement regarding this particular situation.

      Basic reading comprehension should have revealed that message at some point.

      1. This is about the first sensible thing I’ve heard you say: why wasn’t this in your original post? Or ANY critique of the police department? BECAUSE YOU WERE TOO BUSY BERATING PEOPLE FOR DOING THAT IT MIGHT HAVE BEEN “SLIGHTLY” HYPOCRITICAL TO DO SO YOURSELF.
        I get it.

        There are people everywhere that feel like me: that the current system of “justice” is tainted and corrupt, ALMOST BEYOND SALVAGE. “Almost”, I said. But supporting police when they’re wrong is not how you salvage it. We live in a world of “FEAR”…one that is constantly fueled by fictitious accounts of real events that somehow have been turned around by certain branches protecting their own self-interests. The Media?
        SAY IT ISN’T SO!
        And exactly where does the media get most of it’s breaking stories?
        The police?
        The Government?
        The Military?
        If you speak out against them, YOU’RE LEFT OUT IN THE COLD LATER.

        I prefer to live in a world I can see and feel: where ISIS doesn’t exist: BECAUSE THEY WOULDN’T HAD THEY NOT BEEN FUNDED BY THE US GOVERNMENT.
        I prefer the world where “prohibition” (OF ANY KIND) doesn’t fuel the black market and underworld with massive cash and violence.
        It’s almost as if our best efforts to prevent crime and violence ARE ACTUALY CREATING IT.
        There will always be bad people. You will not prevent every crime or act of “turrurism”. You may not even solve every crime or punish every “turrurist”.
        BUT IF YOU’RE ASKING ME TO GIVE UP LIBERTY FOR SOME FALSE SENSE OF SECURITY, I will politely decline. But keep asking and I might not be so “polite”.
        Where would it end? When we’re all living in our own private cells? Even “prison” isn’t secure….how on earth does the place with the UTMOST SECURITY become so “unsecure”?

        I can remember when the door of my house was never locked. And when people knocked before they came in.
        That world is long gone, but I don’t need “a police state” to protect me: it doesn’t work.
        We need to be able protect ourselves…AND I THOUGHT THAT’S WHAT YOU STOOD FOR.
        Am I wrong here?

        1. At the end of the day, I’m for law and order. I’m for the right for you to protect yourself and your loved ones – the law empowers us to do so.

          I’m also not going to start every post with the mundane “there’s good cops and bad cops and the bad cops…” It’s remedial to do so and it has nothing to do with the article. My point was if you’re going to march, wear shirts for criminals who were killed or died while resisting arrest, why don’t you show your disdain for people who were executed JUST FOR BEING COPS.

          It’s just as bad for killing them because they were black, white, asian or hispanic. Just because (in your view) one cop does a bad thing…then ALL COPS SHOULD PAY?

          At the end of the day, you don’t like being told what to do. Yet eventually there will be someone who will have the power to make you go before the judge and prove your innocence.

          1. Damian, I have been reading a lot of what you have written, and I’m a very firm believer in what you stand for. This, coming from a disabled ex Jasper County Deputy Sheriff in Missouri. I would sincerely appreciate it if you would send me a Facebook friend request.
            May our fallen brothers in Blue forever Rest In Peace.

  52. Most Americans have so much apathy on this.

    Two exceptions are Nick Mangold and Rex Ryan of the NY Jets. They wore NYPD hats to show support. I thanked them on facebook.

        1. I think Alex has some good points, but the 66% is a little tough to swallow. It appears official since a gray beard in a suit is reporting them while he’s reading off of a piece of paper – but I really don’t buy that number. Hey, I know it happens. Departments need to make sure that cops are actually working and YES they will look to generate revenue – but I think it’s exaggerated.

          Unless you can show department issued arrest rates, I don’t believe 66%.

    1. Umm, that was an analogy to demonstrate that Ben Franklin made statements based on ideals and lived in reality. Though he opposed slavery he still owned slaves which was customary of the time. Even though he cautioned against “over regulation” he still realized the need for a professional trained force.

      I guess being a hypersensitive, angry white man you overreact anytime you hear the words, BLACK, SLAVERY or RACE.

      Well, there is no arguing with crazy is there….

      So, let’s recap just so we’re on the same page.

      You would like to abolish the police and have untrained, armed citizens enforce the law their own communities.
      These people will enforce the laws as they see fit but you would still want judges to interpret the law.
      I can only imagine where you land on lawyers, so who is going to put arguments before the judge?

  53. ….I-agree-with-you…. —100%, and-do-hope-and-pray-our-Nation-stabilizes. The-police-departments-under-fire-from-the-thugs-and-corrupted-politicians-and-liberal-judges…. —deserve-support-from-us, the-law-abiding-public. Shame-to-those-who-have-senselessly-harm-you-and-put-your-lives-at-risk. Blessings-to-you.

  54. I mourn the loss of NYPD Officers Rafael Ramos and Wenjian Liu. I support the NYPD and all police agencies.
    However, unless the Police admit to Police brutality when it happens (e.g. Abner Louima ) and excessive force, when it happens, (e.g. Eric Garner) and STOP hiding behind their ‘Blue Wall of Silence’, there will always be distrust of the Police.
    I think that race has very little if anything to do with the violence and looting. I think that leftist, malcontents, and the criminal element are just hiding behind these tragic events.

    Note: The Abner Louima case is most argregious and 10 years old. NYPD police officers involved in the Louima case were convicted and given long prison sentences.

    1. Phil, can’t argue about Abner Louima, those guys were sick, perverted and twisted and should have been jailed for life.
      Regarding “excessive force” with Garner – nope. He could have put his hands behind his back. That’s what it looks like when you refuse a police order.

      It’s my belief that first responders should be given the benefit of the doubt, but when they are found violating that trust – they should be may to pay at a much higher price than the public and NOT shown leniency. Cops violating civil rights and breaking the law, fire fighters committing arson. All should be held to a higher standard.

  55. I support our first responders. These are people who put their life on the line for all of us. These are our heroes! It is beyond comprehension that people would side with criminals against those who are trying to uphold our laws and to keep us safe (no matter our color). What is our country becoming?!?

  56. I’m glad we are NOT friends, because I would definitely be unfriending YOU. I happen to believe in the Eric Garner cause and for you to unfriend anyone who goes against your beliefs, don’t let the door hit you! Yours is NOT the only opinion and believe it or not, but there ate a lot of crooked cops out there. You are just blind..

  57. Damian, I agree with you 100%.. I taught school for almost 40 years and we taught the children to respect the policemen and other law enforcement people. If it weren’t for the police departments around our nation it would be in much more trouble than what it is today. I have a brother retired from police work and also a son that worked as a policeman, so I know a little of what you are talking about. Keep up the good work. God Bless you.

  58. Damian, we have never met so maybe we aren’t friends. But you are not unknown, I’ve read quite a few of your posts lately. I agree that those that think it was okay, those that believe any police officers deserve the treatment given those 2 officers, and those that think you are wrong are the real blind ones in this world. Ii was a firefighter for 18 years and know several peace officers and respect each one of them. Earlier in life, in a different city, I was a volunteer with the local rescue squad. We worked hand in hand with the police, sheriffs department and fire departments of the surrounding area. Emergency personnel of any department hold to your feelings about this incident. God bless you for putting out there so the decent people can share it.

    1. Look you and I both know that there are first responders who take advantage of their positions. It happens and when it does, we need to hold them accountable and to a higher standard than citizens.

      That being said – I’m shocked that people use examples of past police corruption and crime as a reason for not speaking out against the executions. These people will take the opportunity to bring up every incident they can google as an argument. Like one has something to do with the other.

      There’s right and wrong, and it’s just that simple.

  59. While I agree with you that it’s a disgusting and completely unjustified act on two serving officers (my condolences to their families) I cannot get behind the thought process of giving up my rights they are just that my rights. That our fore fathers fought for. I can however get behind the thought process of of if you are being detained by an officer of the law you should cooperate I can also get behind the fact that everyone should be held accountable for their own actions and take personal responsibility for their own choices I have Facebook. I do not believe everything that’s posted on there. It would not be a responsible thing to do. But I haven’t met anyone yet who could convince me that giving up any portion of my constitutional rights would be a great idea we have rights for a reason. And that is so no one can violate (government official or law enforcement officer) the rights that mine and your ancestors fought and died for.

  60. Overall I agree with you and have great honor and support for all LE. The problem NYPD has in writing this Email is the Wirld SAW the Officer use the illegal chokehold on the Dude, and heard his desperate cries that he couldn’t breathe.

    1. Dave, I here you but you have to understand – this coming form some who has trained hundreds if not thousands of law enforcement and civilians to handle use of force situations. I have been in literally dozens of them myself and on top of that trained thousands in the sports of wrestling and judo as well as competing in hundreds of contests.

      That’s what it looks like when you have to make someone comply by force.

      Now I can’t tell you if the officer INTENDED to apply a choke hold, but coming from my experience of strangling hundreds of people in practice, competition and real life…that was THE WORST CHOKE HOLD on the planet. If that was a choke hold, Eric Garner would not have been able to speak.

      Add to that the officer had his hand around his neck for only a handful of seconds. Not enough time to cut off his air supply.

      Eric Garner was yelling he can’t breathe when he was lying face down.

      Do you think Eric Garner was the first guy to yell “I can’t breathe”?

      Dave, I see it ALL the time on the mat and we have a saying – if you can talk you can breathe.

      The fact is, Garner was going into cardiac arrest and there’s no way for anyone in the field to know that. The problem is, nice, well meaning people like yourself see that and think “There’s got to be a better way”.

      Truth is, there isn’t. The better way is if you comply with a direct order.

      Check this out, I think you’ll appreciate it. An Arizona activist who was vocal about Ferguson and Garner was put through use of force training. It’s pretty interesting…https://www.fox10phoenix.com/story/27788056/2015/01/07/activist-critical-of-police-undergoes-use-of-force-scenarios

  61. Good afternoon , Damian. I follow your postings through friends, and i believe i follow you on facebook. Although i dont get half of the feeds i should, not sure why, but i do have a question for you. And i dont wish to argue, i just dont understand a couple of things i am seeing. 1st, i did see all of the video in regards to the Garner killing. i do have issue with how it went down, but that being said i do know he(garner) was a scumball. i have seen 3 videos where he had beaten people up badly. One of them a senior citizen. That being stated, my issue i guess is with the officer who did it. nothing really said about his record, of which there “supposedly” are statements of reprimand for excessive force. I have also seen a video clearly showing a officer killing, by saying this i mean flat out murdering a man, by the accused, or supposed criminal, however u wanna call him, as he was standing beside the cop car facing the front fender the cop pulls his gun and shoots him in back of the head. murdering him. all on video. This is the issue i have, and yes i feel i do have a right to state it, as i did serve 14 yrs in the Army Reserve, and a year for the Storm in 91-92. I know of, and have seen many many cases of police abuse swept under the rug by higher up officials, because of friendship or whatever, which i believe has happened soo much and is prevelant enough that folks have had enough. NO, i absolutely dont agree, nor do I condone anyone ever to disregard a police officer, BUT, i think its time the cops of all levels clean house and identify and remove the punks and power wizards from the forces of America. I appreciate you and your works and words. i do. I had to vent and be heard, right or wrong, its how i feel andi WILL NOT apologize for it. Thank you good sir, and good day.

    1. Ken,

      As a citizen of the US you have a right to criticize your government. I do not know about any of the other video with Garner only that he had a criminal record and was currently out on bail for selling loose cigarettes and possession.

      Regarding the arrest, I only examined the video and my observations come from a career of instructing law enforcement and participating in use of force situations. Regardless of his previous record of “excessive force” (of which I do not see any report from credible news agencies).

      As to police excessive force – I do believe it exists – I would be naive to think otherwise and I also believe that we need more whistle blowers in law enforcement and ANY organization for that matter.

      But the Garner case is not the model to build an excessive force case. Rodney King – YES. Abner Louima – YES. Mike Brown – NO.

      If you are going to comment on police brutality, well you need to pick a case and present the facts. Like I said before, this article calls out the people who criticized the Garner arrest and remained silent on the NYPD Executions of Ramos and Liu.

  62. Thanks for writing this. I just wanted to let you know that JetBlue airlines provided any law enforcement officer in any part of the country a free round trip plane ticket to attend the funerals.

  63. I’m from Alabama. The crime around here is getting out of hand. I have respect for the law and the officers who enforse it. It takes a special kind of person to be a Police Officer in this crazy world we live in. It is a terrible thing when a Police Officer is killed performing their sworn duty. I’m very sorry about what happened to those Officers. People don’t seem to understand what they see and have to deal with every day. Some lawbreakers are easy to spot, some are not. Someone running from the police makes it look like they have done wrong. I don’t know the exact circumstances about this Garner. When someone resists arrest bad things can happen. I’ve been questioned before, I wasn’t doing anything wrong, but I talked to the office, didn’t try to run and talked to the office with respect

    1. This is how most normal people react. Look there are cops who abuse their power – but for the most part they’re trying to do their job safely, just like everyone else.

      The problem happens when cops act too nicely. Like this poor guy in AZ…

    2. Sorry, I touched the post button by accident. But the officer told me he was sorry for the incident that he was just doing his job and I said it’s OK and that was the end of it. If I had ran it would have been bad. The point is if a person is innocent why run. The guy who killed those officers, Should be executed. Just my opinion.

  64. I agree with a lot of what is said here. You did miss millions of supporters on fb who like me, aren’t politicians, aren’t athletes, and aren’t famous, but we are the majority and the majority still speaks louder than any of those named above. The NJ Devils also did a tribute. The problem is, well there are too many to list actually but start with the main stream media. There have been lots of people including a lot of fb folks who have supported, continue to support but unfortunately there’s no sad story in that and no racially or financially motivated agenda so they’re not interested. There is a war being waged against our law enforcement. Not a black and white one, a blue one. It’s time to give the power that’s been taken away back to our law enforcement.

    Praying for all of you on the road, in the uniform, doing the job, walking. The walk, talking the talk.

  65. This is a 2 hour video which I am not going to watch. Reading the caption this guy believes the the Sandy Hook massacre in Newtown CT was staged by a group called “Capstone” a “cooperative government community”.

    He asserts that all of the participants received $200,000 for their participation. He also asserts that no children died because there are no social security numbers of the deceased.

    Did you know that the following weekend I was at a junior wrestling tournament attended by students of Newtown, CT?

    Did you know that I met parents and saw children who survived that massacre?

    I don’t know who Wolfgang Putz is, but at the end of the day, he’s wither in it for attention or $$$.

    1. The 2-hour video goes into much more depth than what the caption says below and it’s very informative. I’m not taking sides here, I just brought it up because I thought you might find it interesting. Again, if you don’t want to watch the whole video on you’re spare time you don’t have to. However, I highly recommend watching the video considering your work in law enforcement Mr. Ross. By the way, did you get a chance to visit his website at sandyhookjustice.com?

  66. This crazy social media is why I canceled them at the first of the year. I want no part of it.

  67. I dumped Facebook and Twitter. FB fact checked me for reporting the AMA rescinded its earlier recommendation that physicians not prescribe Hydroxychloroquine for off label use against early stage COVID infections. They parroted the headline from a Snopes article even though I provided a link to the AMA November 2020 memo and gave directions for how to find the rescinding statement. Even though the memo actually uses the term rescind when referring to its earlier recommendation for physicians not to prescribe Hydroxychloroquine for off label use against COVID infections, they assured me and all of my “friends” that Snopes said the AMA had not rescinded its recommendation. I got rid of my Twitter because, well, not only because Jack Dorsey creeps me out but because it is only logical that if you tweet on Twitter you are a Twit. Police officers have an incredibly hard job. Much of the time it is to stand in the face of violence in the interest of people who can’t defend themselves. Most “Daytime TV Watchers” don’t understand what it it is like to deal with the irrational and abusive behavior cops deal with on a daily basis, and if they were exposed to it, they would run to their doctor for a prescription to treat their PTSD. Here is my suggestion. Hey Nancy, why don’t you pass a law banning gang members from using choke holds. As far as S H, learn to disassemble your fire arms. If anyone was ever able to get to my stored F As, it wouldn’t do them any good without a barrel, spring, or cylinder. I guess they could go on Ebay. Self defense requires forethought and situational awareness. It is a shame that the officers who were murdered in the case you referenced did not have the situational awareness to detect the threat and defend themselves. Walking a beat around a VFW bingo hall. My partner wanted to walk with me and talk about his paintball tournaments. I kept telling him. “We are supposed to be walking tandem on each side of the building.” Hey, I wasn’t the boss. He had more seniority than me. We got back to the front door, and there was a trail of money coming out the doors with a bunch of panicked and irate old women shouting they had been robed. It was veterans day! You know. It never happens until it does. If you learn and follow the rules of the road, you will be miles ahead. They say watch your six, but first you have to be aware you have a six.

  68. Look what this permissive, lawless, media fueled idiocy has led to seven years later! People think that social media is the majority of public opinion. Protesters loot and burn. Police are injured, killed, and vilified while doing their jobs enforcing law and they have to turn bad guys loose.

    As it becomes more dangerous for women to go to school, work, or to the mall, people will relocate out to where it is safer. Self defense and being aware of your surroundings and situation is vital. Like you said we are being monitored and censored. Truth is not important. Ends justify the means. Lives are lost for stupid decisions and the people who make those stupid decisions are extolled because they mean well? Lies spoken nicely mean more than the truth spoken plainly.

    I think things are heading to get worse.

    Good post, Damian. Then and now.

    Mike Morgan

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