Sworn to Duty.

[Truth Seeker]

I'm confused too. Truth Seeker's use of commas in the OP is giving me fits. Did they leave their fellow officers to deal with the problems, or did they leave their fellow officers, to deal with the problems?

Sorry about the commas.

Just going by memory...the officers in question, did either this. Did not show up when called, or were there and just walked off. In either case, 500+ is not a easy thing to ignore.

Especially when their help was needed at the most dire moment.


They.
Are.
Not.
There.
.

 

[Old One]

It's easy, for me at least, because I took an oath to put the well-being of my country ahead of my family and myself. I was proud to serve and proud of job I did for my country. Yes, if my family were in possible trouble, I would be very worried and the situation would have become more stressful. But I still had a job to do. I still swore an oath that I protect my country. If I hadn't, if I had gone back against everything I believed true and good, I couldn't have lived with myself.

Agree 100%. There is an immutable (IMO) social compact between those who take an oath (be they soldiers, police officers, firefighters or other specialties cut of similar cloth) and those they have sworn to protect, serve and defend. Just as their are few things more noble (IMO) than placing others interest, safety and well-being ahead of your own - even to the point of sacrificing your own life in that service, there are few things more ignoble than than breaking that compact, regardless of the reason.

Organizations such as police, military, firefighters and other first-responders are built on the foundation of selfless service, shared sacrifice and teamwork. If a portion of that interdependent team decides to "take their ball and go home" - they endanger not only those they purport to serve, they also endanger their fellow oath-takers, whose task(s) become that much more difficult, dangerous and even deadly.

As an adherent to such an oath in the past, I understand that it isn't very fashionable in some circles today to place selfless service to others above one's own desires and self-interest...but without men and women who are willing to do so, society would quickly cease to function. In ancient times (and much of fantasy literature, for that matter), few were despised more than Oathbreakers (LOTR "Paths of the Dead", anyone?)...

Are there extenuating circumstances for these NO police officers? Perhaps. Low pay, rampant crime, leadership rife with corruption and nepotism, poor equipment, poor training, poor planning and a sense of overwhelming helplessness in the face of Mother Nature's fury...but that doesn't excuse deserting in the face of crisis.

My 2 coppers...

~ OO

 

[Del]

As a rule I generally despise shrinks, but I love this dude who reponded in NO by packing a backpack full of medical supplies and a glock 9 mil with hollowpoints. This dude is just cool.

 

[Truth Seeker]

As a rule I generally despise shrinks, but I love this dude who reponded in NO by packing a backpack full of medical supplies and a glock 9 mil with hollowpoints. This dude is just cool.

Just saw that on CNN...he came back to help, but not without protection.

On a another note, Anderson Cooper CNN reporter, was just asked by Nancy Grace of CNN, when is he coming back home.

He said.

He not...

He will not leave New Orleans.

Nothing more was added.

From that alone...I know and feel the changes stirring in that man...he will be never the same again.

 

[Del]

On a another note, Anderson Cooper CNN reporter, was just asked by Nancy Grace of CNN, when is he coming back home.

He said.

He not...

He will not leave New Orleans.

Nothing more was added.

From that alone...I know and feel the changes stirring in that man...he will be never the same again.

That might be the e.coli talking. He's been working recovery as an imbedded reporter. Stress too, but reporters have a long history in managing hostile enviroments. He'll be ok, but it would be an interesting story if he quit to work in a different type of service.

 

[Del]

CNN comment

I get a kick out of this incredible CNN crew dispensing info to all quite bravely, then Catherine Calloway comes on the overnight shift with the general aura and attitude like she's an anchorwoman from the Running Man.

Smile Cathy! You'll feel better!

 

[wingsandsword]

As a rule I generally despise shrinks, but I love this dude who reponded in NO by packing a backpack full of medical supplies and a glock 9 mil with hollowpoints. This dude is just cool.

Modern day adventurer (good aligned), there was a crisis, he rose to the occasion by grabbing some gear and going off to help people in need, without regard for the danger. Times like this can really bring out the heroism in some people.

In fact, that gives me an idea, a d20 Modern adventure with the PC's as rescue workers in New Orleans, protecting the survivors from looters and fires, rescuing survivors from flooded areas, navigating the dungeon-crawl like conditions inside some buildings trying to find someone shouting for help. Write it up, then sell the .pdf with all the proceeds going to a relief effort.

 

[Del]

In fact, that gives me an idea, a d20 Modern adventure with the PC's as rescue workers in New Orleans, protecting the survivors from looters and fires, rescuing survivors from flooded areas, navigating the dungeon-crawl like conditions inside some buildings trying to find someone shouting for help. Write it up, then sell the .pdf with all the proceeds going to a relief effort.

I would so play that.

 

[Del]

Well just now the Mayor of NO has ordered all non recovery people in the city to be forcibly removed.

This will get bad. Ya know, considering how things have developed to this point.

 

[Ralts Bloodthorne]

Martial law, baby.

Otherwise, it'll be bad.

Of course, it'll be bad either way.

BUT, from what I've been hearing the place is about a warm day away from becoming the world's largest bio-warfare petri dish.