Alexandra Bogdanovic's Blog: That's life... - Posts Tagged "hateful-speech"

As the saying goes, a picture is worth a thousand words.
I took this one at Ground Zero a couple of years ago. Because I photographed a reflection, the image of the police officers on duty there that day is a little distorted. Needless to say, the irony didn't escape me.
But a distorted reflection in a photograph is one thing. The recent vilification and distorted portrayal of law enforcement -- specifically the NYPD -- by politicians, activists and the mainstream media is another thing altogether.
While one cannot be certain that their hateful rhetoric directly resulted in the brutal slaying of two New York police officers December 20, one can certainly argue it was a contributing factor.
Former New York Police Commissioner Bernard Kerik and PBA President Pat Lynch have no doubt about it. In published reports, both have said the politicians and others who have engaged in anti-police rhetoric now "have blood on their hands."
Lynch vowed that they will be held fully accountable. Personally I hope they are -- in a court of law as well as the court of public opinion.
At the very least this tragedy should serve as a powerful reminder that another old saying -- the old saying about sticks and stones -- is an absolute fallacy. Words can hurt us.
Until next time, "That's life..."