SWAT Teams and Balance

Every now and then I get a comment from some amazingly ignorant people. Despite making it very clear that I am against the militarization of our police forces - some numbskull says I should be "balanced" and show both sides. I am very clearly in concert with the use of a special force in hostage situations, etc. - which is very, very rarely the case when a SWAT team is deployed. Mostly it's just boys with toys playing wanna be soldiers.

First, a blog is typically about the author's opinion - some (like me) go to the trouble of researching and backing up their opinions with facts supporting their opinions. My opinions are also not based on support for or use of drugs. Frankly I don't care what an adult does as long as it doesn't impinge on the rights of others - I believe our founding fathers believed the same. It happens that I don't use drugs - or ever care to do so.

My opinions on this topic are based upon cops killing and maiming people, destroying property and terrorizing the people they are supposed to be serving and protecting. Some cops actually live and breath "protect and serve" - God bless them. But a whole lot don't. Unfortunately there are way too many "Al Bundy's" of the world in law enforcement - little education, no other way of having power and their best years were in high-school. They have to have respect legislated for them (remember it is an aggravated assault to spit at (even if you miss)a cop) - they have no tools personally to earn respect.

Second, mass media provides no balance at all - in fact, when it comes to the SWAT they glamorize them on shows like "COPS" and "(insert city name) SWAT". It is very rare indeed to find the media covering murders by cops. I don't use that term lightly - just look at the Kathryn Johnston case in Atlanta: ridiculous use of force, lies and cover ups by "dirty" cops, smear campaigns by the police department, and finally (surprisingly) - murder charges against the little thugs with guns.

Third, at least have some balls when leaving your opinions - are these numbskulls so afraid of showing their ignorance in their posts that they have to post as "anonymous"?

Fourth,how about providing some facts to back up your opinions?

P.S. - Why is it again that SWAT teams wear masks - supposedly to protect their identities against drug cartel members and the like - right? Well check out the SWAT section of various city police web-sites: half the time they include pictures, names and descriptions of SWAT team members. Huh??? Again boys with toys playing wanna be soldiers - against us. (Update: I note with satisfaction that the McKinney SWAT Team site no longer shows their pictures - I guess they got cauaght with their pants down in this one!)

Can anyone actually show an instance of a SWAT team busting anything other than someone who is innocent - or a very small time dealer or personal user? And we need para-military forces for that??? Funny how SWAT teams never seem to go up against the types of people they are supposed to be going against.