mdb23:

I agree with what you had to say 100% I thought I said pretty much the same thing a couple of times; however, this was right to the point! :D

My favorite team is not the Broncos it is our United States Military. If I walked into a room full of celebs and SF.....I would want to spend time with America's true role models and heroes, America's warriors.

I recall a trip to Kaiserslautern as a young MP (1974). I saw two guys wearing the Green Beret, in the flesh! I had never seen one before! I can assure you I was completely star struck.

The Avalanche is not my favorite team. They are not deserving of adoration, but my other heroes are. The men and women manning the ramparts in our cities and counties. Even though I wear a uniform, I am in awe of those individuals who step up to serve in law enforcement.

Cops, soldiers, marines, and others in uniform are what makes America great. WE are the patriots. WE are select and elite. WE serve our country... BY CHOICE.

Columbine was law enforcement's hedgerows. SWAT is a concept that is a couple of decades old and is still evolving. The military has had centuries to perfect their trade.

What is important, is that you have law enforcement like Tripwire, MDB23, and myself who have confidence in law enforcement's ability to respond to the next Columbine and be successful. The lack of confidence in the law enforcement community would be cause for alarm.

A significant percent of the battle is mental. Confidence and arrogance brougt about by self assuredness and faith in your department is healthy and necessary.

There will be a Beslan in America. There is plenty of documentation that it is coming. Law enforcement is perparing for it. There will be no repeat of Columbine or Beslan. We will go to the sound of gunfire, as we always have. The difference is the mindset. 9/11 is an example of that mindset. How many police officers perished on that day? 72 gave all that day.

CoLawman:

A great post! I agree with you on all points. We all learn from our mistakes.