The evening of
Wednesday, May 11, 2011 will go down in police lore as - to put it
mildly - a most interesting evening.
You see, it falls
during a very special week, an almost religious week, for the law
enforcement community. One week each year we honor those officers who
were killed in the line of duty during the previous year. It is the
week where we add the newest class of officers to the Law Enforcement
Officers Memorial Wall in Washington D.C.
It is Police Week.
And on the evening
of May 11, organizers were making last minute preparations for the
events of the week which include various ceremonies, conferences, a candlelight vigil, and
a memorial service followed by a wreath laying ceremony.
At the same time,
law officers from agencies of all types and sizes were settling into
hotel rooms as they continued their - in some cases - several-hundred mile journey to Washington D.C. as participants of the Police Unity
Tour. Instead of driving or flying, they make the trek by bicycle as a
way of honoring our fallen brothers and sisters.
The evening of the
11th was also the night where husbands, wives, moms, dads, and children
of our nation's fallen officers prepared for an extremely emotional week
as their loved one is to be given their final honor: inclusion on the
Law Enforcement Memorial Wall.
On the same night,
less than two miles away from the Memorial Wall, the home of our
nation's President was bustling with an evening of poets and poetry.
One of
the invited guests was an artist who gained notoriety from - among other things -
performing songs glorifying cop killers.
In fact, one of
his songs is about Joanne Chesimard, the convicted murderer of New
Jersey State Trooper Werner Foerster. Below is an excerpt:
There were lights
and sirens, gunshots firin
Cover your eyes as
I describe a scene so violent
Seemed like a bad
dream, she laid in a blood puddle
Blood bubbled in
her chest, cold air brushed against open flesh
No room to rest,
pain consumed each breath
Shot twice wit her
hands up
Police questioned
but shot before she answered
One Panther lost
his life, the other ran for his
Scandalous the
police were as they kicked and beat her
Trooper Werner Foerster never kicked or beat her as the song goes.
He died on the pavement of the New Jersey Turnpike from multiple gunshot
wounds. And while this "poet" portrays Chesimard and her cohorts
as completely innocent victims, he, interestingly, never quite addresses
how Trooper Foerster was shot twice in the head with his own gun.
But we digress.
This poet has also supported and written about Mumia Abu
Jamal, the murderer of Philadelphia Police Officer Daniel Faulkner.
And he performed in the White House. And during Police Week.
How unthinkable.
How unimaginable.
The most troubling
and even demoralizing part of this story is the fact that President
Obama had a chance to undo this situation before it happened. When news
of this story first broke, some suspected that the invitation to this
fellow was made by a low level staffer, and upon hearing of this
artist's past,
Mr. Obama would rescind the invitation and distance himself from the
situation.
But that wasn't
the case. Instead, the White House defended their position and,
ultimately, the President and first lady enjoyed an evening of poetry
including a performance by a man who glorifies cop killers.
And, again, it all
took place during Police Week.
The president is
the president to all people, not just those who support law enforcement,
or the military or anyone or any particular value system. We understand
this.
But at a time
where our nation's most noble profession is honoring men and women who
lost their lives defending good from evil, it is clearly inappropriate
to socialize with a man who justifies and glorifies evil.
Yes, the president
is the president to all people: us too.
The second slap in
the face comes from our own law-and-order governor. You know the
fellow, Governor Chris Christie, who campaigned on and always boasts of
his support for law enforcement.
Governor Christie
was asked for his opinion on the President's choice of entertainment. The
response from Governor Christie's office was no comment.
Incredible.
(continued below)
Governor, this was
an easy pitch. The killer who was glorified murdered a New Jersey State
Trooper. You are the governor and the boss of the New Jersey State
Troopers. What exactly is the problem?
Perhaps our
governor has his own evening of poetry coming up on his schedule.
In ending this
piece we originally thought to paint the irony of the law enforcement November dilemma
if an Obama vs. Christie election were to take place should Governor
Christie decide to run.
But this editorial
shouldn't end with anything remotely near silly or satirical.
Instead, President
Obama, your decision and timing were reprehensible. Having such a
person at the White House is inevitably going to create headlines and
controversy. Did this really have to take place during Police
Week?
Governor Christie,
your actions or lack thereof were more confusing. The woman celebrated
by this artist killed a trooper, one of your troopers. And all we
get from you is silence?
You've both often characterized yourselves as unwavering
friends of
law enforcement. Understand something, the distinction of being a true
friend of law enforcement is defined by us, not you.
And, right now,
neither of you are even close.
NJLawman.com
