I noted earlier today that the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel refused to run a letter about the Milwaukee police chief’s throwing one of his officers under the bus.

While the Journal Sentinel wouldn’t run that, they did run a column that is so idiotic all you need know about its idiocy is the headline: “A just and free world means a world without police.”

Read it if you dare. I read it, and thought it was satire — it was that out of touch with reality. (Not to mention tasteless either on her part or the part of the Journal Sentinel for printing it immediately after the death of a Wisconsin State Patrol trooper.)

A sheriff’s deputy and EMT wrote this much better response:

For all my adult life, I have worn a uniform in the SERVICE of my country. I have been in the ARMY National Guard, ROTC, US Civil Air Patrol and US Coast Guard Auxiliary. I have served as a firefighter, EMT and Law Enforcement Officer. I realized it was a privilege to serve, it is not a right, nor did I embark on my service as validation through applause.
I served by choice, because the ideals what the United States of America were founded upon were a noble and worthy of service. Our strongest ideal is that of the right of the individual to express his anger against the government without the fear of reprisal. A person has the ability to choose one path in life to pursue life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness. No other nation on earth enjoys such freedoms. Soldiers and Law enforcement are responsible for their protections of those rights. For democracy to work; it needs the individual to have personal accountability and responsibility. It requires it citizens to be involved and educated to make sound decisions as a collective.

It requires balance by all. I am closing in on the end of my career, and I am asking you to think about this perspective. There is a large and growing fringe in America, outlaw motorcycle gangs, organized criminal networks, both foreign and domestic and ideological groups who want nothing more to promote anti American values. About 700,000 men and women go to work every day working to keep America safe internally. The ideas of comparing ISIS and American Law Enforcement is just egregious. For ISIS due process in a bullet to the head because they don’t like your religious values and your pursuit of happiness. The United States we are a nation of laws. It is not a perfect system, but it does allow the individual the right to challenge the government in a forum of decorum and order. It gives you the right to criticize me why I go about my work every day.

Behind the badge, no cop wants to become involved in a shooting, just like no soldier want to kill another human being. The world has people who predators are willing to exploit and harm good people, that includes you all the while you criticize us.

In the spirit of Teddy Roosevelt’s speech the critic I offer this to you. You enjoy the opportunity to express your first amendment right, in the safety and convenience of your home. I think you should walk a mile in a person’s shoes before your criticize. I think you should take the opportunity to become a police officer and work the street. Change the system from within,

I think you should have the opportunity to see what I see, work where I work. After 25 years then you can criticize, and I think your article was in extremely poor taste printing on the death of a State Trooper who was attempting to arrest an armed bank robbery suspect.

On behalf of the thousands of Wisconsin law enforcement officers, you’re welcome for the appreciation you have shown by expressing your right to freedom of speech. We stand between you and the predators that would rather not let you have that right. Enjoy the fact, you can criticize me and my brothers while we continue to protect you. If you would rather, the folks in ISIS might welcome you with open arms, on second thought no, the would not…it is their intent to suppress women’s rights. Not sure; ask a veteran. In this world, there is the idea of Karma, and I think you better prepare for that “Ah Ha” Moment. Until then, this is an open invitation for YOU to come ride in my squad and see first hand whether we are part of the solution or the problem.