While reading in newspapers about the killing of innocents in Afghanistan when the soldiers were in pursuit of insurgents, I realized there is a correlation between gangbangers and insurgents. Both are cowards who hide behind women and children. Then when the innocent die because of them, the public expects the police/soldiers to "pay" for this atrocity when in reality it should be those who are willing to let them "hide" in their homes to be held responsible.
At the end of their day's work or tour of duty the police officers and soldiers want to go home to their families; I can't even imagine the stress related to their jobs. And then to be blamed when innocent people die while they're just trying to do good is the ultimate insult.
The police, soldiers and even the Guardian Angels all wear uniforms making them easily identifiable while insurgents and gangbangers (to the average citizen) dress like everyone else, so how can we identify them? Their families know, so why aren't they doing the right thing by turning them in? While the adult family members deserve whatever happens to them (they could have made the choice to not let them live in their homes) the innocent children also pay the price. When my children were growing up, I'm sure they understood that because I love them I would never support them if they got involved in any illegal activities and they could not live in our home if they did so. And, I never made excuses for any of their bad behaviors, and they paid the consequences for their actions.
Janet Lumm
Schaumburg
