My Facebook Apology

What is it with social media that allows us to behave like complete jerks, with no concern of how it will portray us? Why do we feel free to be mean, to talk down in ways we'd never do in person? Why do we allow ourselves to start arguments,  or to shred someone to pieces?

To be sure, I have tossed things into the Facebook universe in a moment of anger.  I have come across as hateful and uncaring more than once.  I use language that I'd never use in front of my pastor. Generally, I'm complelled to act this way because I'm mad about an injustice I see. I am a passionate defender of those I support.  And usually,  it's cops.

I have lived with police officers my whole life. They're in my family.  Their friends are my friends. And here is what I know about them--they are a strong bunch. Most of them like guns. They like the thrill of driving their police cars to a scene, lights on and sirens blaring loudly.  They like being physically fit, but also really like junk food.
Here's what else I know: they became cops because of their deep commitment to helping those in need. They want to right the wrongs in the world.  They love helping victims.  They love justice.  And this: they cry when a kid dies. They get sick when they are called to a scene where someone has committed  suicide.  Their hearts break when they take a report from a rape victim.  They worry about their cases--did they do everything right, not miss a detail, not do anything that will result in an attorney getting the perp off on a technicality?
They have nightmares--about bodies they've found, about terrible scenes they've worked,  about being killed as they step out of their police car.
They age quickly.  Their bodies break down because of the enormous physical demands of the job. They stress. They worry that they'll have to kill someone.  They worry about defending themselves,  and that whatever they do will lead to lawsuits, jail time,  or riots in their city.
They are depressed.  It's hard to work a physically and spiritually demanding job that has so many critics.  They turn on the TV and hear celebrities and politicians demean them, question their motives, accuse them of being murderers, even as those same celebrities and politicians seek their protection.
And so I fly off the handle.  I post angry rants. I share the latest pro-police meme.  And I act like I am a pretty hateful person.  But I'm not hateful.  Far from it.  I just want to protect those who would die to save me. And you.

So, please be patient with me. I'm still learning how to balance love and passionate support.