Blog Stage VIII: Comment on a Colleagues Work #2

In an entry from my fellow colleague, it is discussed that Texas has passed House Bill 2908 through legislation.  This bill will make consequences of crimes against law enforcement more severe.  I agree completely with my colleague in the opinion that this is an unnecessary bill.  I do not condone the assault of a police officer, but I definitely do not think that there needs to be further severity in the repercussions for doing so.  It is sad but true that crimes against citizens and injustices by police officers have been a common topic in the media.  With the times we are in, I understand that maybe the House thinks they are protecting their officers from angry citizens by passing this bill--but I don't believe this is the way to go about invoking peace.  What should be looked at is the police force themselves, and ensuring that they are serving this country justly.  There needs to be action taken to make sure our police officers are really serving us and not racially discriminating.  Reacting to the ugly injustices committed by law enforcement in this country by threatening to further punish citizens is completely inappropriate and is not solving the real problem at hand.  It is disgusting that there has been so little done for the people and families that have been killed and harmed by the people that are supposed to be protecting them, but legislation is passed for law enforcement seemingly with ease.

My colleague also makes a good point in referencing "Bad Enhancement Bill Boosts Pressure for False Convictions".  If the problem at hand is that we are unable to trust our law enforcement, why are we giving them more power to harm us?  If we can't rely on them to be honest and morally just, why would we trust them to not twist stories around in their favor to put citizens in jail? These are questions that need to be addressed by the legislature.  It has been a reoccurring theme that the governing body ignores the injustices committed against citizens--minorities in particular.  It is long overdue that action is taken in favor of the people that are being oppressed.  These things can not be ignored if we want to live in a country that truly strives for equality,  not just one that exploits different races for gain when it's convenient but ignores the crimes committed against them.