Street Smart

This will be my last column (I can almost hear the applause from some!). I was offered a position in my former profession, and I simply won’t have the time. The circumstances surrounding this significant decision are kind of interesting and partially the result of current events.

First a little background. During my lengthy career, one of my favorite and most rewarding assignments was that of K9 handler/trainer. I worked in three different K9 units (patrol, narcotics and bomb) for the Los Angeles Police Department and the Arson Section for Los Angeles Fire Department. My last K9 assignment was as the supervisor in charge of the Bomb Detection K9 Unit. In a significant way, Biden’s asinine decisions regarding Afghanistan made my background working with detection dogs relevant again and opened several doors.

Many (too many in my opinion) don’t remember how things were immediately after September 11, 2001. I do! National security resources were stretched almost to a breaking point. One of those resources stretched was explosive detection canines (EDCs). Before 9/11, EDCs were part of the national security arsenal, but not very prevalent. Larger police departments and a few federal agencies had some, but not many. After 9/11, EDCs became a vital tool and a very sought-after asset. It took time, but ultimately we had K9’s deployed all over the country. Law enforcement couldn’t keep up with the demand and private companies had to help fill the void. As time passed, Americans forgot about 9/11. EDC’s were still important and still deployed, but, foolishly, the urgency wasn’t there.

That all changed two months ago with Biden’s Afghanistan debacle. Mainstream media and the Biden administration downplay the impact of those decisions. However, the people tasked with keeping our nation safe (to be clear…not to include Biden or his administration) know exactly where we stand now. Just yesterday I addressed a class of 14 individuals who are in training to become Bomb K9 handlers. I emphasized to them the widely held opinion that we are right back where we were on September 10, 2001! The bad guys are out there, making their plans, and they’re coming for us again. Pretty sobering words for a group of young men and women training with K9s to look for explosives. It didn’t have to be that way, but here we are.

Moving on…writing this column has been quite an experience. It was fun in the beginning, but became pretty demoralizing over time. I started this little adventure hoping it would be a positive thing, and that I could generate discussion on current events. My hope was that I could present a conservative perspective on different issues and encourage debate. I was wrong! I initially included my email address with the hope that people would engage in a positive sense. What I learned was eye opening, but very disappointing.

As expected, the people who agreed with my perspective were very supportive. However, I was shocked at the response I received from people on the other side of the debate. I received dozens of emails from people who didn’t like my column. Of all those emails, only one (one!) was from a person with the maturity to constructively oppose my position. This person disagreed with my opinion on a topic and very effectively argued his position. Via email, we had a constructive exchange of ideas (my goal). This person didn’t change my position and I don’t think I changed his. The point though, was that the exchange was civil and positive. Virtually every other email I received from those opposed to my position ended up being a personal attack. Never once were facts presented or ideas expressed.

It was really surprising to see how much “Trump Derangement Syndrome” clouded some people’s reasoning. The people I’m describing did not have the maturity to see past their hatred for President Trump and have a constructive exchange. Here’s an example: regular readers will remember that I supported President Trump’s policies regarding immigration (I was called many vulgar names for supporting President Trump’s policies).

One Trump-hating critic refused to engage in a discussion regarding the immigration situation unless I admitted that I was wrong and Trump was the problem. Apparently, the only way this person would engag, was if I started from a position of being misguided! How can you have a real debate with a person like that? The answer? You can’t! Over time, it became quite clear that those with a liberal perspective absolutely cannot embrace the possibility that other views exist. Furthermore, these same people became downright belligerent when an opposing view was expressed. They simply would not engage and absolutely rejected any facts presented. What I learned is this: when dealing with most liberals, it’s okay to have an opinion… as long as it’s the same as theirs.

Thanks to the editor for the opportunity. Despite all the above whining, I did learn a lot. Thanks also to all of those who, in person or via email, supported this column. That support was greatly appreciated. Finally, thanks to my critics! The truth is I learned more from you than any others. I’m with George Bernard Shaw who, when confronted with similar circumstances, famously stated, “I learned long ago never to wrestle with a pig. You both get dirty, and besides, the pig likes it.”

Blaine Blackstone is a retired Los Angeles Police Sergeant who enjoys the simpler life in Thompson Falls.