Who “Acted Stupidly” This Time?
Another case of American law enforcement “acting stupidly”:
A U.S. Border Patrol agent who was shot and killed Thursday night was responding to a potential incursion into the United States, authorities said.
U.S. Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano says, “This act of violence will not stand.”
Agent Robert Rosas suffered multiple gunshot wounds and died at the scene around 9 p.m. in the Campo area in San Diego County, California, said Richard Barlow of the U.S. Border Patrol.
A police officer rolls up to a scene and immediately makes assumptions based on prejudice and stereotypes.
So maybe some not-so-wise but heavily armed Latinos were loitering with ill intent along the border—a border swarming with smugglers of drugs and illegal aliens, running unmarked along a country staggered by uncontrolled, depraved violence. Why does this guy (this late guy) have to assume the worst?
President Obama has apologized (sort of) for his ill-judged remarks on the Gates/Crowley issue, and wants to wash the whole thing away with a beer with the involved parties (in front of assembled photographers, no doubt).
But Agent Robert Rosas won’t be attending, no matter how thirsty for a beer he might have been. Agents, officers, sheriffs, you name it—respond to any call, day or night, never knowing if they’ll find arrogant Harvard academics or genuine riffraff (the difference isn’t as great as you might think). They are the front line between our cozy existences and anarchy. If that makes them “stupid” I concede the point—but we should all be grateful for their stupidity.