Arizona Officer Supports Obama for the cause of Law and Order
You wouldn't expect to hear a police officer in his bullet-proof vest, gun-in-holster, badge-wearing full uniform quoting the lyrics of a Rogers and Hammerstein's South Pacific song. "You've got to be taught to be afraid of people whose eyes are oddly made and people whose skin is a different shade - you've got to be carefully taught." Yet, this tall, "saxy lieutellan," Arizona Police Officer (he's asked to remain anonymous, so we'll just call him by the name of the character in South Pacific, "Lt. Joe Cable"), surprisingly finds life as a Democrat in the midst of Arizona's Republican atmosphere a reasonable response to today's candidates - but not for the reasons one might expect.
Our "Lt. Cable" says he needs to stay unnamed because he has applied for a promotion within his Department and he fears visibly proclaiming his political bent just might poison his chances. "In police work, it's better not to stand out," he says. "A good officer leads quietly, thoughtfully."
"We don't discuss politics at work," Lt. Cable explains. "It's paramount for police officers to maintain an aura of neutrality, which means discussions of politics are off-limits. Even in our private lives, we keep our politics close to the vest. Every police officer's primary function is to maintain or reestablish the status quo during any given situation. That's our role. As cops, we hold and preserve a conservative stance in dealing with the public because it serves to settle things. Even our private lives, we're a pretty conservative bunch. By default, then, most cops are conservative by nature and practice. Like the military, we pretty much tend to vote Republican."
So why is this one guy so unique and different? Why this particular cop? What makes him willing to risk everything and go against the tide, even if it is in the privacy of a voting booth?
As the Lieutenant explains, there are actually three reasons why he's decided to vote for Obama, opposite his colleagues. First, he thinks we're way overdue for a change in the way this country has been run, but he doesn't believe McCain and Palin are the way to go. "It doesn't help that Palin was found to have abused her power as Governor of Alaska -- especially over a police executive," he says. "When any one of our own is mistreated ... no matter where they might live ... officers gather in support of one another. And that certainly applies in this case where someone who we consider one of our executive officers was mistreated by his superior."
Secondly, Lt. Cable has a vested interest in how we view racial issues. "When you pull someone over for a traffic violation ... if they are a minority, frequently they'll complain about racial profiling," he says. "It's simply not true. If I'm looking at an unsafe lane change, I'm observing the violation and not the violator. I'm not looking through their windshield to determine the color of their skin or nationality. I'm just noticing the law." "I'd like to move past the notion of separateness and divisiveness," he continues. "People might have more of a feeling of racial equality if we added the tertiary factor of electing a modern black man who is himself not a divisive individual. That one thing alone might remove the stigma of people feeling picked on because of their skin color. When we're policing the right way, we do not profile -- we simply observe the law and maintain the peace."
Finally, Lt. Cable discussed the way each campaign has conducted itself from a standpoint of crowd control. To him, the Obama rallies seem organized and enthusiastic, but nevertheless, respectful. From a police view, there's vigilance for the occasional rabble-rouser, but there's not chaos or disruption. Detractors are tolerated, yet carefully monitored and controlled.
On the other hand, the McCain and Palin gatherings "seem to be trouble from the start." As the good Lieutenant puts it, "I'm responsible for my officers in the field. I believe policy is set at the top, so if I allow an anything-goes atmosphere, my officers are going to be confused. If, however, I set an example of proper conduct, everyone below me will know what's expected. What I hear from McCain and Palin is mean-spirited confusion and that translates to the crowd in those explosive responses we've heard like, 'terrorist' and 'kill him.' From a police viewpoint, that's a crowd control nightmare. You've got to wonder what McCain ... as a military man ... is thinking and why he would allow that kind of atmosphere."
"These guys are playing the ultimate 'bad cop' and it makes life miserable for those of us who are responsible then to clean up their mess."
Lt. Cable tips his head a bit in thought. "You know, if McCain encourages chaos at a simple rally, how's he going to behave if he's leading the nation through all its current crises? That's what I wonder. How will he manage disagreeable leaders of other countries if he can't even hold his temper here?"
Our anonymous Lieutenant ended by noting that the philosophy of separatism didn't work during the Civil War, and it still won't work today. "When you divide people ... when you call some people 'Joe Sixpacks' and others 'Elitists,' ... when you ridicule people because they may be different, you're only making things volatile. I want a thoughtful president ... not one who incites division."
Bottom line is, he wants his president disciplined ... like a cop! For him, the person who is most restrained, most attentive is Barack Obama.
Rogers and Hammerstein's South Pacific may have been a story set during World War II, but its lessons are still in the forefront today. It's still true that when you don't have knowledge you have misunderstanding. It's still true that "you've got to be taught before it's too late, before you are six or seven or eight, to hate all the people your relatives hate -- you've got to be carefully taught!"
Follow Auburn McCanta on Twitter: www.twitter.com/@DancingBirds
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This is a great post. I wish the lieutenant all the best in his career. HIs thoughtful analysis is remarkable. Every waking minute these days I am appalled and totally frustrated at the Republican base. I look at these Americans and think, what world are they living in? Where is their reasoning for wanting a McCain-Palin ticket? I wish they would sit back, take a breath, examine the real facts, and use their intellect wisely.
I am TRYING to follow Sen. Obama's example and remain cool and calm, but it's hard. However, I give myself credit for one thing: in our development (very MIDDLE middle class) I have seen more McCain/Palin yard signs than Obama/Biden yard signs. I have gritted my teeth and REFUSED to put up a sign for OBAMA/BIDEN, even though that's where my heart is.
I sincerely hope that there are other OBAMA/BIDEN voters who are doing the same thing and not reacting to a tit-for-tat display.
Keep the faith, but don't get over-confident. As Sen. Obama said last night, "I have seen defeat snatched from the jaws of victory."
Obama/Biden '08
Thank you kind Officer 'Cable'. And thank you Ms. McCanta for writing such a refreshing article coming from the not so red state of Arizona.
As a fellow Arizonan, I do believe that there are far more Obama supporters than are being tallied in the polls.
We have a showing and I hope it translates in the polls.
Officer, you are on the ball!!!!
This man must be a first rate officer.
I'm so happy to see this story and have the chance to respond. The results of Scholastic Mag came out the other day and the results were overwhelmingly in Obama's favor. One of the students commented that a majority of the kids get their information at home and their choices usually mirror their parents.
The main stream media keep talking about the Bradley effect and if race is a silent factor in this election . I am heartened by the kids votes and feel that racism is not a problem in the homes as it used to be.
Check out fivethirty
I really think there are more supporters who are keeping their mouths shut because they live in a red state or area than anything else ... or because they used to be Republicans and have switched teams and aren't ready to admit it yet. I know Republicans who are dying for Obama to win because they'd like to see signs of life from their 401(k).
I would like to thank this officer for his clear and thoughfull analysis. I hope that he get the promotion, he is the type of man who qualifies for a leadership role.
I'll pass on your message. I'm sure he'll be encouraged by all the kind thoughts posted here.
Dear Ms. McCanta, Thank you for the well written interview. "Lt. Cable" is my "baby" brother and I read your article through tears of joy and pride. Of course I know how my brother stands, I was just so "gosh darn" proud to have others read how intelligent and eloquent he is. I look forward to reading your work. Warmly, BlueStateMama and Proud Sister. YES WE CAN!!
I hope Obama and McCain reads this one. It's the truth!
The most convincing arguments I have read so far for electing Obama. Thank you.
When some ask again and again, "What has Obama accomplished?", look at the wonderful way he runs his campaign. The first duty of the President of the United States is to educate and inform the people... what is called the "Bully Pulpit". Look how far America has come just by having the Obama campaign running in our borders. Consider. So many crisises are boiling over at this moment and yet there is calm on the streets. We are waiting for Obama. It is going to be an uphill walk, but most of the country has confidence just because it looks as if Obama will continue to lead us. (Bush who?)
The only way Obama can lose is if we fail to vote because they tell us it's over and your vote will not count. That will be their last ploy.
Great post thank you!
'just by having the Obama campaign running...
You are so right! I never thought of it like that but if this election wasn't going on and definitely if O wasn't there to proffer his steady and guiding presence, the country may be a lot more volatile due to the terrible credit crisis than it is right now. We need this man on the world stage and the sooner the better.
Obama has accomplished more in his 18 months campaiging than McCain has accomplished in 30 years in the senate
What a very good prospective a cop can give on the way they are trained and attuned to crowds individuals and group situations. Very good article and makes you repsect our police and firemen even more. Obama is very respectful and kind...McC
I'm an ex-cop and his experiences and comments are right on the mark, in my opinion. I, too, remember being the token liberal on the police force I was employed with.
Thank you for your comment, but thank you especially for your service as a cop. It's a tough profession and its officers are challenged daily to maintain calm in the face of uncertainty.
Wow . . . really interesting guy, with a really thoughtful and interesting point of view Thanks for introducing us to him!
Well if your boss is joe arpiao of Maricopa County you better not say your a Democrat.
Joe makes Lt Callahan (dirty Harry) look like a "new age" cop!
"You know, if McCain encourages chaos at a simple rally, how's he going to behave if he's leading the nation through all its current crises? That's what I wonder. How will he manage disagreeable leaders of other countries if he can't even hold his temper here?"
This is similar to something I've been thinking about recently. If McCain can't even control his own campaign, how the heck is he going to be able to lead this country?
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