The view from under the Maryland bus. By Kevin E. Dayhoff Dec.
20, 2015
I spent time this afternoon with several of the police
officers, known as the “Baltimore Six,” and their families, as part of efforts
to help brighten their Christmas holiday.
By Kevin E. Dayhoff Dec. 20, 2015
Maryland Troopers Association Lodge #20 Chaplain
The views expressed here are not only correct but they are
my views and mine alone – and the views of my upbringing – and my mother’s but
I take full responsibility for my views. And please note that I take great
pride in respecting the points of views of others who respect mine.
I spent time this afternoon with several of the police
officers, known as the “Baltimore Six,” and their families, as part of efforts
to help brighten their Christmas holiday.
This was the first time I had the opportunity to meet any of
them in person. I met fine individuals and wonderful families. My heart – our hearts
go out for them at this difficult time.
I guess that my many years of serving as an appointed and an
elected official, as well as five-years as a chaplain for the Westminster Fire
Department and Maryland Troopers Association Lodge #20, and 12-years as a
newspaper reporter gives me a certain insight into the character of
individuals.
I have been told by other police officers and public officials
that have known some or all of the six Baltimore police officers; that these
men and women in uniform have the hearts of dedicated public servants, who have
worked tirelessly under very difficult circumstances to protect and serve.
In return, because it was politically expedient, certain public
officials have thrown these men and woman under a bus in order to enhance their
careers and cover-up their short-comings and inadequacies – and years of failed
public policies and political leadership.
These officers and their families are our neighbors, friends,
and part of our greater blue family.
They are all on a long journey. As sad as their current
circumstances, today they were measured, thoughtful, reflective, but
nevertheless upbeat, not only because they exuded a depth of character and
personal integrity, but because they have been humbled by the incredible
support they have received from the community.
I guess we have not been reading about the support they have
received from the community because it does not meet with a pre-determined
media narrative.
They will need more of our help in the future – and I may
quietly reach-out and ask for your support.
We help these individuals because it is the right thing to
do.
We help, simply because for those of us who have served the
public in Maryland for years – it is only by the grace of God that it could
just as easily be you or me under the Maryland bus.
All of us who served in appointed or elected office in
Maryland or have served the public in Maryland know all too well that in
Maryland you do not have to do anything wrong to wake-up one morning a scape-goat
and thrown under a bus because it is convenient for a powerful individual of powerful
organization or institution or simply good politics.
(I
faced it just the other day when a powerful institution wanted to throw me
under a bus. I was just doing my job as a volunteer. They saw that as a perceived
threat. Fortunately the men and woman of the fire company stood behind me.)
Today, any one of us can be the victim of a news media
account that is factual but does not tell the truth. Or the current
pre-occupation with lies, damn lies and videotape.
In the race to the bottom that is Maryland, there is an unscrupulous
political element that does not care about the welfare of individuals and
families if it does not meet with their political narrative or quest for power.
In Maryland, no one has any immunity from being squished
like a bug, just for doing your job, or standing-up for the right thing or
standing-up to corrupt powerful individuals and institutions that wish to sweep
its short-comings under the rug, with the explicit help of the Maryland elite-ruling
class.
Always remember, that in the end; without public safety you
cannot have a community.
It is at time like this that I recall the words of the
German clergyman, Pastor Martin Niemoeller (1892-1984)
"First they came for the Communists, and I didn't speak
up because I wasn't a Communist. Then they came for the Jews, and I didn't
speak up because I wasn't a Jew. Then they came for the trade unionists, and I
didn't speak up because I wasn't a trade unionist. Then they came for the
Catholics, and I didn't speak up because I was a Protestant. Then they came for
me, and by that time no one was left to speak up."
In Maryland, it is time that we stood-up for what is right.
There is no better time than right now for standing-up for the Baltimore Six.
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