I frequently watch the news when I get home from work. I like to feel that I am remotely connected to what is happening around me and have some knowledge of events that may have an effect on how I venture into the next day.
Last night, the top story angered, saddened and disgusted me. A video was taken of a female police officer being physically attacked by two teenage girls. The video was then uploaded to the internet and has been viewed an alarming number of times. But the worst part, for me, is the fact that the person who stood and filmed the abuse did nothing to help the officer who so obviously could have used the help. The officer handled herself with the utmost decorum and did not encourage further violence by reacting in a way that would only spur on the attack.
I don’t often rant on this blog but this situation made me absolutely furious. This person not only stood by and watched a woman who swore an oath to protect and serve, and sadly to protect and serve the same horrible human being who had the audacity to stand by and film an assault on an officer of the law but, they also had the balls to laugh at the end of their video when the teens attempted to flee the scene and the struggle came to an end.
I cannot tell you that I would jump into the middle of the melee because I abhor violence. But what I can tell you is that I would be using my phone to call 9-1-1 instead of standing still, clicking the record button on my video and bearing witness to a crime, only to film it, and upload it, for a deplorable laugh. Teens who were interviewed and showed the video also laughed until the reporter asked why they found the video funny.
It worries me that this is how society today respects figures of authority and accepts the most hideous displays of behavior as funny without being the least bit concerned about right and wrong. I can safely say that in this case, the phone that was used to film this atrocity is much smarter than the person who owns it.
polysyllabic profundities 
I agree 100%, Susan. Sometimes I really wonder about people and their lack of morality. It’s very disturbing.
I shouldn’t have to be shocked that their first reaction should have been to help and it wasn’t. Unreal.
I concur. Like an effin’ doctor. People, as a whole, are pretty stupid and barbaric.
It’s becoming a frightening epidemic.
Yes, it is.
So well said. Smart phones are making us stupid and thoughtless… humans are losing their ability to empathise because everything happens on screens now.
I was just in awe as the news played it over and over again. What is wrong with some people?
I think some people hold a warped belief that by recording such things they are, in fact, “helping.” (It could get the word out, or be good evidence in a trial or something.) Of course, all it does is provide a pseudo-excuse to avoid getting involved. What a shame.
I’m sure it would help. Perhaps we can get the word out to call 9-1-1 first and then film it for evidence. It just makes me shake my head.
Well said and thank you for using this forum to say it.I hope the media have the courage to be outraged also
I hope so too, Catherine. I have sent this post to both news stations. I will be interested to see if I get a response.
Brave new world…
Frightening parallels…..
I agree with you on this rant! It’s scary/sad that this is how our world has become.
It worries me for our future!