Why I don't want to be Frank Reagan

     In my continued viewing of 'Blue Bloods' (I'm well into season 3 now) I have concluded: I do not want to be like Frank Reagan.  Yes, yes, I know the writers want him to be the one everyone wants to be.  Heck they even pulled in Tom Selleck to play him.  But for several reasons I do NOT want to be him

1) He doesn't take his Catholicism seriously enough.  I don't mean this to say he should be going around, sour faced saying, "I'm Catholic, damn it!"  But, it isn't the center of his life - which would make him even better of a P.C. than his is now.  In one episode, he's seen in the Confessional, which normally would be great, but, in a non feeling monotone, says, "I swore in front of the kids twice.  These are my sins."  and then proceeds to ask the priest if it is true he's leaving the parish.  In other words, his confession was a pretext to get info out of the priest.  This is what knowledgeable Catholics call, leaving the confessional with more sins than you went in...
    Second example of not taking his Catholicism seriously is the floozy he shacks up with when she's in town.  He's compromising his, otherwise, seemingly, untouchable sense of right and wrong for a few minutes of pleasure that could compromise his whole career, let alone his soul.  Then, they have the GAUL to joke about it:  "Better go to confession for this."  Next day his family jokes how he sang with such Vim and Vigor at Mass that morning.  Everyone of them knowing what happened, and not a single one of them caring that he just compromised his integrity nearly as bad, if not worse than, those other cops he confronted for selling stolen guns, or compromising investigations etc.  Frank's no better.  Just so happens that decades prior, enough guilt ridden politicians took his poison of choice off the legal ledgers.  (In my state it's not off the books, but I tried charging someone with it.... got that report kicked back and told to round file it - I sensed another guilty consciences.)
     2) Which is reason #2:  Frank compromises his integrity just as bad as many of the other cops he's fired, forced to retire or let retire.  The fact that he doesn't see this as a weakness in his character that could lead to more and more breaches in his integrity, is another flaw of his called Pride.  The only unforgivable sin is the one you don't think is.  Pride makes sure you won't think it is.
     Frank also compromised his integrity in telling Danny to get the information about a terrorist, from a captured terrorists using, "whatever it takes."  Clear indication that he is ok with torturing the suspect.  Now I applaud Danny and his partner for using a lot more brain than brawn to get that info, but the breach of integrity is done.
     3)  Finally, Frank sticks his neck out for a "good guy" in the department who is being blackmailed by, practically, a hooker in Atlantic City, whom he had an affair with after discovering  that his wife had an affair.  So , I guess, to Frank a "good guy" is one who swears an Oath to God to stick by this woman, "till death" but then decides to break that oath out of revenge.  What should that tell Frank about what this guy would do to his Oath to the State, should the right circumstances come along.
    I could pile on, but I'm too tired to care enough.
Bottom line:  As a Catholic Cop, I Don't want to be Frank Reagan.

Warrior or Guardian?

Who Cares!  Just do the Job.

     Recent comments by both the president and some high-ups in the Law Enforcement world want police officers to stop using the word "warrior" in referring to the job and instead use the word "guardian."  We've seen debates both at Police One and in departments on what term to use.

     I thought I'd weigh in on my personal opinion - because I know you all are just dying to know.

Here it is...

WHO CARES, JUST DO THE JOB!
 

     Let the clueless politicians (both "in" and out of Law Enforcement) waste their time with pointless wordsmith-ing.  Get out there and do the job to the best of your God-given abilities.

 

Does the job mean guarding?  At times yes.  When that time comes, do it the best you can.

Does the job mean using war-like tactics?  At times, yes.  Do it the best you can.

Are we called to be community builders, bridging cultural divides?  At times, yes.

Are we called to support those under our command until evidence proves otherwise?  YES - Do it, darn it

Are we supposed to enforce all just laws?  Absolutely.

Are we supposed to be gentle sometimes?  Yup.

Are we supposed to be justly violent sometimes - and win the encounter?  Definitely.

Are we supposed to take the media opinion into account?  Never

Are we supposed to take race into account more than a descriptor?  Never

Are we supposed to stand between chaos and peace?  Without fail

To those who do evil, are we agents of God's wrath that do not carry the sword in vain (Rom 13:1-7)? Amen.

 Do all of these and whatever else the day brings, to the best of your God-given abilities.

 

Call it warrior.  Call it guardian.  Call it, tiddly-winks.  Call it mumbly pegs.  Let those who don't know, or have forgotten what the job it get their undies in a bundle over it.

 

Know the Job; Do the Job!

Stay Safe, Happy Hunting, God Bless,

The Blue Crucifix.