After much debate with various people about this topic, it seems that a funeral of this grandeur is acceptable because of the job. In other words, other citizens and their duties aren't as valued...teachers, doctors, professors, librarians, garbage workers etc. To expand, I haven't seen or heard of a funeral that large for any of these people. Did they use tax dollars to pay for this? Absolutely. Do your research. Officers that were flown in from other areas had their flight/accomodations covered by tax payers. As a tax payer, I would rather my money go to a funeral of a single mother who lossed her child due to police brutality (as was the case at York University when the police claimed that the youth had a "heart attack"). Nobody on this forum is denying the fact that what occured was sad and deserves respect. But to have our national flag at half guard? To have 12, 000 people attend...and please don't be ignorant that no tax payers money came to set up the arrangements etc., because we did pay for it. 12,000 off duty at one given time? Security of the event? "Free buses" from the T.T.C.? Well who pays for the buses anyways
This is their job. They choose to be police officers. They are getting paid for it. They know what their job entails. A death in 9 years for the Toronto squad testifies to the safety of the job. I agree that a regular funeral, as any of us would receive, should have been conducted. As someone who has had more negative encounters with the police than positives, this further demonstrates the fact of their "brotherhood" and do whatever they want attitude and perspective on society.
For G20, I peacefully went downtown and was restricted as to what I could do and where I could go and was asked to leave at certain points...Why? If I was showing the same brotherhood to a cause that I believe is just?
Let's continue to empower the same officers that squell any attempt that citizens have to protest etc. The same officers that continually abuse their citizens. They want to have a massive funeral downtown because a co-worker fell? No! Would the city shut down a street because someone else died?
Would I rely on police to save my children from harm? Absolutely! That is what I AM PAYING FOR! THAT IS THEIR JOB! The officer did not volunteer to try to stop the snowplow! That is his job! People die on the job everyday...Anyhow, I just think that this "spectacle" further demonstrates how some jobs are valued and appreciated more in society than others and what a mixed message we are sending our youth.
I imagine this is your kinder side showing - Yes they volunteer - Something you may have a problem with as it is spread throughout - Volunteer - get ready to die. Perhaps the other way would be better - Conscription for all professsions that place their life on the line - Myself I would take the voulunteer as they are motivated.
Something again you would not understand - What motivates them -
Police Officers, Firefighters, Soldiers and others that put their life on the line share a bond that you could never understand - The reason you would never understand is simple - I read your post and you are simple as well. That is just my opinion though, warts and all.
