An off-duty 65-year-old Baltimore police officer was shot and killed by another officer Thursday morning after he left a strip club wearing brass knuckles during a brawl and drew a handgun, police said...I'm sure he was, and there will be no shortage of younger officers following his example.
"Officer Stamp was a mentor to some and a friend to many," Bealefeld said.
Gee, I thought "metal knuckles" were illegal in Maryland. Oh, they are--with proper "Only One" exceptions, of course. I have mixed feelings about them--on the one hand, using them in a "fair fight" seems cowardly, on the other hand, I don't believe in fair fights--if someone attacks me, I will have tried to disengage if possible, so anything goes.
Still, I've never seen a drunken bar brawl that didn't involve poor individual choices by all parties involved, starting with the decison to frequent such a place, or not notice what it's like and get the hell out. Add an aggressive disposition and a bit of alcohol, bring in a few sexy young thangs to stir up male rivalries and...
But there I go being "judgmental" again.
See, this is why they need to pass laws making sure you and I can't carry in bars. If a trained heroic professional can't handle it, what chance do I have, immature and moral weakling that I am...?
And if I know I can't trust myself, I sure as hell can't admit that I might trust you.
[Via Carlton R]