Rich's Random Thoughts

RICH'S RANDOM THOUGHTS

By Rich Briggs
The Weekly Recorder
May 16, 2008

*The recent tragedy that took place in Pittsburgh where a 19 year old young man was shot to death because he allegedly, and most likely, shot a police dog to death, illustrates, to me, what we have wrong in our society. As I have mentioned, this column’s foundation is common sense and personal responsibility. While this incident took place in Allegheny County, it just as easily could have taken place here in Washington County.

The fact that the young man and his family are African American notwithstanding, it is time to stop blaming law enforcement officers for doing their jobs and it is time to start looking inside one’s soul, to look at oneself in the mirror, and look at the big picture. It has been documented that the young man had a history of legal troubles and was trying to turn his life around. Yes, young people do make mistakes and this young man made more than his share. Why did he have a gun in his possession?

His family said he was killed over a dog. First, the police officer in charge of the K-9 unit would not have released his dog had there not been some kind of danger. These are highly trained individuals, dogs included, and they do not release the animal unless they sense something wrong. To top this off, the dog is classified as a police officer and a member of the force. That, in itself, is grounds for serious implications.

Of course, this incident is not over. During this past weekend, both the dog and the young man were eulogized and laid to rest. Now, it will become a battle between the family and Pittsburgh Police and excessive use of force. I have stated in the past that I have no problem with the police using force to stem a possible volatile situation. These men and women in uniform put their lives on the line everyday to protect us, then they get accused of excessive force when they are really doing their jobs.

We all remember when Corporal Joseph Pokorny was gunned down with his weapon after a routine traffic stop. The defense did everything possible to prove that Pokorny was unjust in what he did while the subject used his own force against the officer and eventually ended his life. To add insult to injury, the inmates in Allegheny County Jail celebrated the subject upon his incarceration for killing a police officer. We then complain about jail overcrowding. Something has to give and I can sense trouble brewing if this keeps up.

Police officers have to have the most thankless jobs because of what they deal with on a daily basis. I have had my differences with officers who perform routine traffic stops only because I feel there are more important laws being broken than speeding. This situation illustrates what I am talking about. Traffic stops are more embarrassing than anything. Real crimes are what need to be addressed.

Every time there is a crime involving a person of color and law enforcement officers use force to subdue the subject/s, you always hear the cry about excessive use of force and police abuse and brutality. You never hear about why the subject was shooting a firearm or causing problems that were unwarranted and unjust. All you hear are excuses as to why the subject is innocent because of status, bad luck, no breaks, etc. Dear reader, those excuses have to stop. I don’t care about anyone’s ethnic origin, take responsibility for your actions and quit blaming others.

*I hate beating a dead horse, but this bears repeating. What is wrong with people, especially when they get behind the wheel? Look, my late father taught me how to drive and now I know that it doesn’t take near as much for people to earn their driver’s licenses. Either that or some people have just flat out forgot how to drive, or never knew how to drive in the first place.

Okay, the price of gas has really gotten under all of our skin. Granted, I can take that as an excuse for feeling some anger. I feel your pain as I am frustrated just like the rest of the populace. But, what is the problem with not putting your headlights on when it is overcast and/or raining outside while driving? I can’t count that high how many times I have seen people driving in the morning, or evening, with inclement weather and dark skies and they do not have headlights on. I am sure glad I am paying attention because they sure aren’t.

I get questioned as to why I pull over when someone is following me too closely. The reason is simple. I have been rear ended, from a dead stop, twice during my driving career and experience. One time on GreenTree Road and once in Washington on Murtland Avenue. Why this happened, I do not know and I’ll never know. The other driver was not paying attention both times, and that has become the norm and not the exception.

I can’t count the number of times people have pulled out in front of me without even looking in my direction. I can’t count the number of times people have driven right past me while I have been parked in a lot and ready to proceed. No one pays attention anymore and I am surprised more accidents do not occur.

I have a severe lack of trust of people, anymore, especially when they drive, and I do not like feeling that way. I remember when I got my driver’s license over a quarter century ago and how excited I was to finally have that freedom. My dad wanted me to learn how to drive really bad so that I could enjoy the same experiences he did. At the time, I loved driving and took advantage of every opportunity I could to drive. My dad loved to drive and, at times, wished he could have driven for a living.

Well, how times have changed. I no longer like to drive. I do it now because I have to; to get to work, to get to the store, to get to an intended destination. The price of gas notwithstanding, my truck sits if I do not have to go anywhere. It used to be just going out for a ride was a tempting venture. Not anymore. One of the biggest problems is that our infrastructure cannot handle the traffic anymore. The Parkways have been outdated for years, which accounts for all of the traffic problems into and out of the city of Pittsburgh. But we also have our problems here at home.

To travel to Washington, Canonsburg, or anywhere else for that matter takes a monumental task. Too many want to go in the same direction and there is only so much room. No wonder there is road rage. We have a classic bottleneck in many sections of this county and something has to give sometime. It results in accidents and, unfortunately, deaths.

I am not going to sing my own praises and say I am perfect behind the wheel. I get very upset while driving. I use my headlights, my turn signals, and my head is constantly on a swivel. I don’t want to be the cause of any would be accident. I make my share of mistakes and I do get away with some things. Yet, I cannot understand what some people are thinking when they are behind the wheel.

I always tell the kids I work with that they have to respect the vehicle when they learn how to drive and when they get their licenses. This cannot be stressed enough. I also believe this needs to be stressed to the rest of the populace as well. I think many adults are letting their vehicles get away from them. Maybe some of us need a refresher on what it means to operate a motor vehicle and respecting those around them. Think before you get behind the wheel, and most definitely think while you are at the wheel. You could save a life, perhaps even your own.