Doing Your Job

In this country you choose your job. Well, based on your opportunities you pick a job. Everyone cannot be a professional athlete but it's not like we all take a test when we're 10 and are told what we are going to do for a living. We have a say and we have a choice.

Some jobs people fall into, like managing a McDonalds. People don't dream of being a McManager as a child but somehow people find themselves doing just that. Others seek out jobs in hopes of helping others, selfless jobs, serving a purpose. No matter what job you end up choosing, do it. Whether you just want to make money, you want to save the world, or you just want to get out of your parent's basement, do your job.

What's got me going on this is a combination of watching a wrap-up documentary on Columbine and local news coverage of a standoff a town or two over. In both cases the actual armed criminals had already shot themselves hours before the police actually entered the building under siege.

When a fireman (or women) agrees to take on that job they are fully aware that when a building is on fire and people are running out that they are expected to run in. Despite survival instincts they are aware that it is their job to do everything they can to save people in fire emergencies, even if it means risking their own lives.

Now why should being a police officer be any different? When they agree to carry a gun and to protect and serve, shouldn't they also run into a building to save civilians even at risk to their own life? i realize that all of these jobs are done by people, people with families and loved ones, but when you choose the job you choose you should do that job. The risks are well know. There are plenty of safe jobs out there you can choose if you want to play it safe. When you step into a high risk job you need to accept that high risk.

Now fire fighters get the necessary equipment to keep them as safe as possible when running into fires and cops should have the same. Outfit every cop car trunk with full flack jackets/vests, helmets, riot shields even, whatever it takes. Help to minimize the risk of a fatal shot, but nonetheless, they need to take on those situations in the world we live in. That is the job. Some days may be speeding tickets but some days may be armed conflicts.

Whether it's politicians making decisions on our well being or waitresses placing our food orders more people need to be doing their jobs. When the shootings at Columbine were over with after 45 minutes, the fact that it took riots teams 3 hours to enter and secure the school is unacceptable and we seen to have learned nothing since that incident.