Soapboxes for the All-Star and the State Trooper

OK - so my boy was selected as an All-Star. Haha, who trades All-Star players?? Boston does, apparently. Now by no means are the Sox doing poorly, but can we all just think how much BETTER they could be doing WITH Bronson?? They would at least have a consistent starter in the #4 or #5 spot. Someone that has a proven track record. Some of his losses last year were at the hands of a poorer defensive backing (Edgar Rent-A-Wreck, 2nd baseman du jour) - not the case this year on the Sox.

I KNOW, I KNOW - when is this going to get old for me?? Umm, probably never. OK - that's not true but the Sox would have to get him back and pay him A LOT more, OR Theo Epstein would have to admit he was a tool for trading his 'buddy'. Since neither of those are happening in the near future - I think I will remain on my soapbox.

Another soapbox of mine: Police Officers.

So - as we did last year, Frank and I went to the Cambridge St bridge over by the Doubletree Hotel where the Pike/Storrow exits are to watch the Boston fireworks. Many people were there last year and many showed up this year too. So we get there about 9:30 and park on the side of the street with all the other cars. At 10:20 - the state police come around and tell everyone they have to move their cars. There are NO signs indicating you can't park there, nor is it a 'state highway' (as far as I know) - thus parking there is NOT illegal. And while being ordered to move irritated me, it wasn't the reason I got REALLY ticked. As the trooper was walking and telling people to move - I spoke up from my car and said (loudly), "Sir, may I ask you a question?" The trooper said something inaudible to me or Frank and kept walking. He didn't even turn around to see if there was a REASON I was stopped (flat tire, injured etc). NOW I am pissed. The way I see it - it is his duty to SERVE and PROTECT. And who is it that he is supposed to be serving and/or protecting?? ME. My taxes pay his fucking salary. Period. What I was going to ask this man, is irrelevant, my timing - not perfect but if I have a question to ask - he can take 30 seconds of his - no wait - MY- time to answer it.

There was another time that just came to mind when a cop swore at me. I was driving through Boston and I had slowed down due to traffic or construction or something and the cop banged his fist on the front of my car (not hard - but to get my attention) and said, "keep fucking moving". I shit you not.

People have often commented on my inability to just blindly respect authority. And ladies and gentlemen - THIS is why. These types of interactions - right here. I don't feel safe around law enforcement officials - I feel scared and like I am a child who is only spoken to when they are in trouble. And GOD FORBID, I ask for help. How can anyone expect me to respect people like that? Many law enforcement officials believe they are entitled to respect because of their title. Bullshit. It is not someone's title or status that earns them respect - it is what they do with it. And ignoring a person, who was doing NOTHING heinous or illegal, is not an action I can respect.

(Please note that I realize - like everything else - not all law enforcement is 'evil'. But unfortunately, I can count the times when I felt respected by law enforcement on half a hand. I would need all fingers and some toes for times I have felt disrespect. I am not a troublemaker - I have never been arrested or anything close to it. And THAT is my point. I have done nothing to be treated like I am something on the undersole of his shoe.)

Just sayin'...