dw wrote: ↑Fri May 27, 2022 8:09 amA certain degree of valorization of police and military exists in all societies (hence the uniforms, ranks, medals, special benefits et al. that set them apart from other citizens).
Not true. Many places, including in the US, LE is a tool of oppression despised by the general population.
dw wrote: ↑Fri May 27, 2022 8:09 amThis is necessary because whether or not any individual soldier or police officer is actually heroic, the job requires them to be 'heroic' in the sense of risking their lives to protect others. Again this is regardless of whether they actually do this or whether they ever find themselves in a dangerous situation.
Except LE in the United States 1) has no obligation to do so (see SCOTUS) and 2) routinely does not as the most recent shooting demonstrates.
And I disagree with your entire premise that LE must be valorized.
LE in a free society should be respected not valorized. They are equals and fellow citizens. Citizen soldiers. That is the backbone of a free society.
A praetorian guard must be valorized. Because they don't do anything to earn their status. So they demand respect and honor. LE in the United States has largely become a praetorian guard.
dw wrote: ↑Fri May 27, 2022 8:09 amSo you want to recruit people to those occupations that are inspired by the ideals of sacrifice and public service.
Sure. Except LE naturally attracts bullies.
dw wrote: ↑Fri May 27, 2022 8:09 amI take things like discounts for police offered by private businesses to be a sign of a healthy society, even if they can be construed as part of the larger pro-police propaganda movement. That people actually see them as nefarious seems bizarre to me unless you're a revolutionary.
You think I'm talking about discounts? You talking about discounts? Discounts? This fool over here talking about discounts? Discounts?
I'm talking about LE not being held to the same liability, both criminal and civil, rules everyone else it. With rights and priviliges not afforded to the general population. And what do they do? Sit outside a door for an hour while single gun man kills children. Because he had a gun. Praetorian guard.
This in no way responds to the Right's blind glorification and allegiance to LE (who so for 'tools of oppression' reasons not because they think they are heroes). Who, despite stating they are for less government, routinely expand police powers. The most watched news media organization in the US (Fox News) practically performs verbal fellatio on any LE anytime they get a cat out of a tree. There are entire lobby groups, unions, a major political party, mainstream media organizations, community organizers, and on and on they do nothing but blindly support police. I almost see a thin blue line shirt or car sticker daily.