[DeanFL]

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I remember listening to Paul Harvey's radio 'Rest of the Story' at 5:55pm when living in Chicago area many years ago. I typically was driving home, and sometimes in the garage when he was on and just sat and listened. Always so interesting.

I heard this on a radio news show today. Very poignant with current events. And for those here who may INCORRECTLY feel this is political or posted to garner opinions etc etc - STOP right now. I am posting this as it 'hit me' and would like to share.


Paul Harvey (1918-2009) was a radio broadcaster for the ABC Radio Networks. He gave the “Policeman” speech on talk radio nearly 40 years ago, and it is known as one of his best speeches…. Mr. Harvey’s father inspired this speech…. He was a police officer who was shot and killed while doing what police officers do every day.


Here is the text from Paul Harvey’s narration:
Policeman. A Policeman is a composite of what all men are, mingling of a saint and sinner, dust and deity.

Gulled statistics wave the fan over the stinkers, underscore instances of dishonesty and brutality because they are “new”. What they really mean is that they are exceptional, unusual, not commonplace.

Buried under the frost is the fact: Less than one-half of one percent of policemen misfit the uniform. That’s a better average than you’d find among clergy!

What is a policeman made of? He, of all men, is once the most needed and the most unwanted. He’s a strangely nameless creature who is “sir” to his face and “fuzz” to his back.

He must be such a diplomat that he can settle differences between individuals so that each will think he won.But…If the policeman is neat, he’s conceited; if he’s careless, he’s a bum. If he’s pleasant, he’s flirting;if not, he’s a grouch.

He must make an instant decision which would require months for a lawyer to make.

But…If he hurries, he’s careless; if he’s deliberate, he’s lazy. He must be first to an accident and infallible with his diagnosis. He must be able to start breathing, stop bleeding, tie splints and, above all, be sure the victim goes home without a limp. Or expect to be sued.

The police officer must know every gun, draw on the run, and hit where it doesn’t hurt.He must be able to whip two men twice his size and half his age without damaging his uniform and without being “brutal”. If you hit him, he’s a coward. If he hits you, he’s a bully.

A policeman must know everything-and not tell. He must know where all the sin is and not partake.

A policeman must, from a single strand of hair, be able to describe the crime, the weapon and the criminal- and tell you where the criminal is hiding.

But…If he catches the criminal, he’s lucky; if he doesn’t, he’s a dunce. If he gets promoted, he has political pull; if he doesn’t, he’s a dullard. The policeman must chase a bum lead to a dead-end, stake out ten nights to tag one witness who saw it happen-but refused to remember.

The policeman must be a minister, a social worker, a diplomat, a tough guy and a gentleman.

And, of course, he’d have to be genius….For he will have to feed a family on a policeman’s salary.
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[JohnN]

amen

[JSR22]

Written a very long time ago and things have changed.

[Polar Bear]

Originally Posted by JSR22

Written a very long time ago and things have changed.

Seems to me like very little has changed.

[Bay Kid]

Loved Paul Harvey. My Grandfather had the radio on everyday in his country store so all could here his wise wisdom. Miss him and Papa.

Pray for our police.

[JGVillages]

Originally Posted by jsr22

written a very long time ago and things have changed.

things?

[Bogie Shooter]

Here we go again.........

[skarra]

Originally Posted by JSR22

Written a very long time ago and things have changed.

Sadly I think you are right. Here's the latest example -

Karen Garner Arrest - Horrific Highlight Reel from Booking Area - YouTube

The lack of humanity is what is overwhelming in all these cases. I suspect it's not limited to the police either, and our society seems to have lost sight of all the virtues that were described in the original posting (I suspect it was never really true anyway).

I think things have gotten a little better in terms of transparency, but not so good in what we are seeing. It's like we are now able to turn over that rock and what we see crawling underneath is not so pretty.

In this latest video, anyone who has had elderly relatives that have suffered from dementia will be sickened by it. But it's important to see and acknowledge as it shows how much training is still required. (not just by the Police, but the employees at Walmart, etc)

[DeanFL]

Originally Posted by Bogie Shooter

Here we go again.........

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??? please explain...yet another 'shoot and run'...
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[billethkid]

Originally Posted by Polar Bear

Seems to me like very little has changed.

Ditto.

The only difference is today we have a communication system that portrays/amplifies political, special interest and minority groups (not race!) as though they were the general condition....when THEY ARE NOT!!!!

[PugMom]

Originally Posted by Bay Kid

Loved Paul Harvey. My Grandfather had the radio on everyday in his country store so all could here is wise wisdom. Miss him and Papa.

Pray for our police.

dittos. my dad introduced me to talk radio as a child. getting to listen to Harvey was a great influence

[Boomer]

DeanFL,

“You can’t fool all the people all the time.”

(I don’t have time to explain in detail what I mean, in case you don’t understand and need to screech at me in bolded, red font. I have to be somewhere else in an hour.)

But, hey, while I am gone off to do my real-life stuff, maybe you can share with us your feelings about the brutalization of our Capitol police. How’d that make you feel?

I’ll look forward to checking in later.

Bye.

Boomer

[DeanFL]

Originally Posted by Boomer

DeanFL,

“You can’t fool all the people all the time.”

(I don’t have time to explain in detail what I mean, in case you don’t understand and need to screech at me in bolded, red font. I have to be somewhere else in an hour.)

But, hey, while I am gone off to do my real-life stuff, maybe you can share with us your feelings about the brutalization of our Capitol police. How’d that make you feel?

I’ll look forward to checking in later.

Bye.

Boomer

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some folks simply MUST divert to another topic. time to go to Russia Russia now.

Can't have a nice discussion.

Yet another...

Me: It's a beautiful day in The Villages!

You: NO! I see dog poop!
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[KAM+6]

Originally Posted by Boomer

DeanFL,

“You can’t fool all the people all the time.”

(I don’t have time to explain in detail what I mean, in case you don’t understand and need to screech at me in bolded, red font. I have to be somewhere else in an hour.)

But, hey, while I am gone off to do my real-life stuff, maybe you can share with us your feelings about the brutalization of our Capitol police. How’d that make you feel?

I’ll look forward to checking in later.

Bye.

Boomer

I agree