Shocked For Sure!

What happened? Unbelievable! I watched the TV last night totally stunned. Went to bed feeling completely uneasy too.

So there I was last night out walking the pugs. It was not a typical time I walk the boys. I had decided to walk over to our garage unit to measure the new fish tank as we need to figure out where it's going in our home. I should mention we live about 2 blocks from a police station and we live 2 blocks from the Dallas County police shooting range where they have their officers train and continue to practice their shooting. Yes, it can get loud from time to time. But it's only heard if you happen to be outside. We never hear anything once inside our mid-rise complex. Anyway, there I am walking with the puggies and all of a sudden I notice not one, not two, but three police officers that live in our building rush out and run to their cars. They were speeding out of the parking lot in a matter of a few seconds. I soon arrive back at our apartment turn on the TV and there is no regular programming, only live coverage of the ambush. I sat and watched in disbelief. What happened last night makes no sense.

It is being reported this morning the gunman wanted to kill white people and of course mainly wanted to kill white police officers. Then why was he at a predominantly African-American protest rally? Why open fire in rapid succession? If you are shooting in rapid succession how does one know who they are taking out? Now my husband says with a scope on a semi-automatic sniper weapon a person can tell what race they are aiming out. So maybe, but to my simple mind and hearing how fast those shots were fired it's hard to imagine one could be too selective about whom they hit.

Okay, now the direction I'm about to go in may be considered controversial. So tread lightly or stop reading now.  To me this is not ONLY a race issue. People are hiding behind the race issue. People are hiding behind the gun issue. To me this is a blatant disregard for police/law enforcement, overall authority. Period. End of story! I noticed it during my college days, a twisted lack of respect for police started creeping up at that point. It has grown year by year and at this point in our nation it is at an all time high. Too me that is the root of the problem. It's not about guns, it's not only about race. I'm not saying some of those issues aren't playing a part but I am saying it's not the root issue. Let's boil it down to the root issue! Let's start teaching kids to respect authority again. The lack of respect this young generation is having for authority and even their own parents is completely UNACCEPTABLE.

I would also like to add if this is only about race then last night's ambush on police would not have occurred in Big D. Why? Of all the cities I've lived in, Dallas...hands down....no doubt about it.....without a doubt...has the highest number of African-American police officers. Umm, hello, the police chief is African-American! And the deputy mayor is African-American too! So clearly this is not just about race!

To say I'm still in shock of what occurred in our city last night remains to be true this morning!  Never saw this coming, that's for sure. That being said....Dallas Strong! Back the Blue! I'll put those two phrases being used in our city this morning in hashtag form as well. #dallasstrong #backtheblue

**Due to the events of last night the blog will reflect a more appropriate look. The celebratory fireworks I planned on featuring until at least this coming Monday must be sidelined! I could go with black or gray but the saying that is going through the city is all about "backing the blue"!