A Higher Standard

I write this blog when I'm inspired by something. In this space I've written about my kids, my friends, and my passion for sports. Sometimes I'll go for a period of time between posts. And mainly it's because I write here when I have something I need to say.

This morning I was struck by a story on the news as I prepared for work. I'll leave the names out, but it was the story of the Chicago Police officer who assaulted a female bartender. He was convicted in part due to videotaped footage of the incident and yesterday, the case came to sentencing.

No jail time. None. The man -- a POLICE OFFICER -- struck a female bartender less than half his size because she wouldn't serve him any more alcohol. The incident was captured on videotape. And his punishment? Probation and community service.

This is a travesty. It's a travesty because it's a vulgar insult to every man and woman who wears a badge.

The judge was lenient because he had no previous record. He beat up another human being, he didn't steal a candy bar from the mini-mart or park in a no parking zone. And he wasn't defending himself from an attacker or protecting a loved one. He deserves no leniency.

He deserves no leniency because he's simply a bully. He assaulted a smaller and weaker person. Impressive. He deserves no leniency because a real man doesn't strike a woman. Now, call me sexist, but in the house I grew up in, that just wasn't allowed. Never.

But most of all, he deserves no leniency because he's a cop. If anything, he should be held to a higher standard. He's sworn to serve and protect. The Chicago Police Department put out a book not long ago called Courage, Integrity, Commitment and Community. It was a great piece on the men and women of CPD who put their lives on the line to make the city and everyone in it safer. And what this guy did and the measly sentence applied simply denigrates the men and women who wear that shield and do the job every day. It's an insult and the justice system owes them more than that.

There are good cops and bad cops, just like there are good and bad bus drivers or sales clerks or mechanics or teachers or doctors. The news gets filled with tales of cops gone wrong and we get very little of the day-to-day good work these officers do. And stories like this one don't help.

Police officers represent the best in us, put on the front line to protect against the worst in us. We should hold them to a higher standard, we should expect more because I'll guarantee you they do.

It takes courage and honor to wear the badge. Even in a travesty of justice, I hope we can all remember that.

And to this guy, enjoy your new career in the drive thru...

The Ride

A little composition inspired by conversation with friends about the path we're all on. Everybody's on one, but where is it taking you? That's a question we all have to find our own answers for...

The Ride

Everyone's on their way to someplace else
On a path of promises and problems
Some morning's you wake up
With questions about the road you're on
And the deals you made with yourself

That map you're looking at
Won't show you where you're going
You're worried you'll reach your destination
Without the benefit of really knowing
But it's all a part of the journey
To find out who you are inside
You can fight it or embrace it
But you're still gonna take the ride

None of us really know where we’re going
We choose a direction and we’re on our way
Sometimes we change our minds just based on the way the wind’s blowing
We just do what we can, taking it day by day
Taking it day by day

If it seems sometimes the scenery's going by
Faster than you can see it
And your life's part of a third-person story
And you're not sure you want to be in it
If you wake up to all this time gone by
And wonder where you were
The trip is as you planned it
But now you ain't so sure

If it seems at times all the choices you made
Are somehow coming back to haunt you
And to get through the day you gotta do
Some things you don’t really want to
If the price you pay for passion
Is more pain in an already broken heart
It’s OK if you gotta stop and pull over
And take a moment before it tears you apart

And none of us really know where we’re going
We’re pointed in a direction and we’re on our way
We’ve all got scars and secrets we aren’t showing
We do what we have to, taking it day by day
Taking it day by day

Everybody's racing
Falling behind, faster they go
Everybody's chasing
Elusive dreams they may never know
And maybe everybody's facing
Something they just can't let show
So you keep on riding

There's twists and there's turns
There's things you'll never see coming
And you might think sometimes it's too late
To change the course that you're running
It takes a leap of faith
You say a prayer and close your eyes
Turning the wheel, hitting the brakes
You’ll be OK
Stopping and starting again's all part of the ride

And none of us really know where we’re going
We choose a direction and we’re on our way
We’re chasing hopes and dreams without ever knowing
Where we’ll end up, just taking it day by day
Taking it day by day