Thin Blue Line Getting Thinner

, ,

One thing I need to make clear is my love and admiration for the good men and women in blue who put their life on the line everyday.

I know telling some of my old police stories can seem to put police in a bad light at times. This is not ever my intent. It’s the broken political system I try to bring to light. I believe one of the biggest problems in LE today is not the regular line-officer who signed up to serve and protect, but mostly police leadership who are run by bad political leaders above them. Bad culture and pressure from the top down. And this is to say nothing about how many laws we have on the books.

Chiefs who are literally ordered (decision by decision) by mayors with a deep distain toward police, but still want the police budgets and protection it brings to the city. Mayors who have now become the police by running the police, then whip the officers when they enforce their type of policing. See the irony?

Mayors who badmouth guns, but yet hire officers from the agency personally protect them 24/7. Then, will quickly throw the officers under the bus if the officer needs to make a split second decision that may look bad on a two dimensional camera. See the irony?

It’s called having your cake and eating it, too. It doesn’t work. And the “leaders” of most PD’s buckle under the pressure (every single time) to keep their status and paycheck. That’s the truth. Most are not true leaders.

Just because there’s some things I believe need to change (like very limited government to begin with) doesn’t mean I’m at all anti-police. Limited government doesn’t mean no government. In fact, I’m pro-good policing. Yes, it’s possible. I have too many stories to count where I know I was there to save and protect life. Truly serving and protecting. There was nothing better. And just because I offer my ideas doesn’t mean I’m always right. I’m just one man with one opinion.

But to you who are truly anti-cop..

Who are you going to call when you or your family gets hit by a drunk driver?Who are you going to call when riots break out and the streets and your business windows are broken? Or when your nice pretty iphone or property gets stolen out of your hands? Or your identity gets taken? Who will you call if you or your family gets physically assaulted (or worse) and you want justice? Who? That’s right, you will call the police for help. And they will help. Even if you hate them.

The truth is we need the American Police Officer. I should say Peace Officers. We need the thin blue line in society. But more importantly we need The People to get engaged in the voting process to elect moral leaders in their cities and counties who are going to allow the police to truly serve and protect with discretion. Leaders who try and understand natural law and the proper role of government. Not leaders who try to grow more government with more police that they hate. That’s where true change can happen. With you and me.

To you who are currently serving in law enforcement and truly care about the people you serve and protect. Again, I love you and I back you. I’m sorry if some of my police stories put you in a bad light. Keep up the good work you do and stay safe.

 

/by

Religious Freedom isn’t Free

, ,

Something happened in the Salt Lake Police Department that meant a lot to me this year. 3 of my friends sent me screenshots of the change. I had to read it twice to believe it. Has kinda made me emotional the last few hours. I wanted to write my thoughts.

The department changed a policy and will have new procedure and training on how to handle and treat people of faith who request a position change for a religious accommodation.

To this day many people still ask me why I didn’t bring a law suit on the city. I can’t always explain it, even to myself, other than I just didn’t feel right about it. Every time I prayed for guidance, litigation felt like a dark hole. However, every time I felt to tell my story publicly, instead instead of suing, I felt hope and light. I felt that by telling my story I could one day help someone who believes how I believe. Also for someone who believes something entirely different than I do. It goes all ways. That’s the First Amendment. The free exercise of religion.

When you litigate, the courts can silence you for years. And most of the time when you settle a case, silence is part of the deal. I know several of my officers friends from the SLCPD who are still in litigation with the city from over seven years ago and counting. And the harder each party fights, the more resistant each party gets on the issue. Nothing changes. And ultimately who really loses if you “win”? The tax payers and officers pay will suffer. Not the city. They will just take it from someone else. That’s the truth.

I usually don’t like to give any amount of credit to upper city administrators, because I overall don’t trust how they operate, and usually lack integrity once the going gets tough to do the right thing, but in this case yesterday, I give them credit. Thank you, Chief Brown and Chief Doubt, and whoever else made this change possible. They aren’t the ones who took my badge years ago, but they’ve done the right thing here. Some say “It’s too late” but to me, especially with this issue, it’s never too late.

M. J. Sobran once said that, “A religious conviction is now a second-class conviction, expected to step deferentially to the back of the secular bus, and not to get uppity about it.”

Well, my message is that we sometimes we need to get uppity about it. Sometimes annoyingly uppity if we have to. And yes, looking back we can always see how we could have gone about things differently. At least for me. Go about it more diplomatic; go about it without offending, or going about it without ruffling feathers, etc. But my point is that we need to go about it. We need to go about it to keep the freedom we still have. And with conviction. If we don’t go about it, we will lose it. I believe times are only going to get tougher with this particulate issue regarding religious liberty. We have to stand up when we are being forced down with fear and silence. Even if we lose our career.

Because at the end of the day if we can’t have religious liberty or some type of personal conviction, as Maxwell said, what matter of men and women are we to be anyway? There’s no more “Plymouth Rocks” for future pilgrims to flee to. This is it. And if we lose it in America, there’s nowhere else to go.

In this country we are all different and believe differently. That’s the beauty of how America was to be built. And sometimes that difference means disagreeing with each other. I believe you can still disagree with each other and love all at the same time. It’s possible.

Thanks again to everyone who has supported me and my family.

Love you all.

(Here’s the video news interview when I finally told my side of the story) I can’t believe it’s been over 4 years

https://www.ksl.com/?sid=33605041             <—- Story Here 

/by

The Human Race

,

One of the biggest lies that’s being told in America today is that “racism” still exists like it used to in the 60’s. It doesn’t. At least not like they want us to believe. Sure there are some “racists” who hate, but it’s just because they hate everyone, including their own race. And there are defiantly those that use “minorities” for their political agenda. All in the name of a unity deficiency in the United States.

But here we are to the point where our country is as divided as it is. On a lie. The single biggest reason why race is still a huge topic today is because we keep talking about it. The media feeds off it. Politicians can’t get enough of it. Colleges and schools preach it from every classroom. It’s engrained. And that’s the only reason it’s still here.

When it comes to the police, people really believe police are somehow racist to minorities. It’s a lie. Did you know more white people are shot by police than blacks each year? Significantly higher number. I was a cop for 7 years and never met a racist cop. Never heard a peep of racial slurs. In 7 years.

Here’s the irony that some wont like- it’s called reverse discrimination. (Not the same as racism) I’ve seen it too many times to count. I’m sure you have. But nobody dares to talk about it or bring it up.

What I’ve noticed (correct me if I’m wrong) is the only people, in today’s society, that are actually getting passed up for positions, and schools, within many and most organizations are straight white males. That’s the truth. Next are strait white females on the list. Then Hispanics are next. So on until the most diverse person, a transgendered Native American. That’s a home run mix. This is why people like Elizabeth Warren said she was an Indian when she’s not. This is the game people must play to think they have a shot. That’s another reason why they are putting “sexual orientation” into everything. A forced, fake, utopia. And we all play into it.

Another lie is that “White Privilege” is a thing in todays climate. It’s not. And if it was, why would someone like Elizabeth Warren need to pretend to be Native American to get into school and climb the political ladder? She wouldn’t.

I have a friend who is a twin and they are half Hispanic. Him and his brother put in for the exact same college and he checked he was white and his brother checked he was Hispanic. The “Hispanic” brother got in, he didn’t. That’s not white privilege.

Our modern society tries so hard for “diversity” that we ironically end up discriminating. And guess what? You can discriminate on any color, including white. But that’s not the narrative being told.

Organizations care first and only on how they are seen as when hiring vs. hiring the best possible candidate with competence and character. They in turn create their own monster problems that end up eating and suing them in the end.. and for what? You got it… Discrimination. They’ve created their own poisonous culture in the workplace.

It gives a disservice to everyone; especially a minority or female who can actually out perform everyone, too. Because then everyone thinks (including them) that the only reason they got the job, was to fill the race and gender quota. It’s a lose lose for all.

Here’s an idea…. stop talking about race. Stop talking about skin color, gender, sexual orientation, and on and on and on… Treat each other like we want to be treated. We are ONE race. The human race. That’s how you fix it. Just stop and live the golden rule. There is no other way to unite.

/by

Thoughts on Socialism and God

,

I just received this message from someone who believes socialism is of God….

“@Eric: I will say something that you and your people will think is evil. And you can practice battling the devil. But it will be me battling the devil…

“The Reason the Jews crucified Jesus Christ, because they were capitalist. They made money capitalizing off the sins of the world….

His socialism ended their Capitalism. Man created money to claim ownership on Gods resources, socialism fixes that mistake.”

Tim Spagnola Jr.

——————————–

Brother Tim,

I hope you don’t think you’re battling the devil when we join in discussion. I don’t believe you are the devil either. That’s actually what the devil would want us to believe. However, with those comments I do believe many of your thoughts are greatly deceived regarding this issue of free agency.

There is nothing more that God wants than for us to love one another and share with each-other. But Tim, He won’t force us. That’s the difference. The reason why love, donations, tithing, and generosity do work, is because it’s free-will and not forced-will. Love invites love and resentment invites resentment. And when a human being is forced, they will resent.

The reason why the Jews crucified Jesus is because He was teaching who the Father was, who He was, and who they (the Jews) were really born to be. Which is to become like God in pure love. (See John 10:34) Further, He was teaching them the true order of heaven; which is free-will in love.

What Jesus wasn’t doing: He wasn’t teaching them forced-will. He wasn’t forcing anyone to do anything. In other words, God isn’t going to force anyone to share; and He definitely isn’t going to force anyone to heaven. Those are “demmandments”, not commandments. “Come unto me” He says. It’s our choice; not His force.

I invite you to study history, Tim. Because we learn from history that we don’t learn from history. Every rise and fall of an empire was because of too much power The People gave the government. Just look at every dictator in the world and what they did. They took the power in the people and ironically destroyed them. That is forced-will vs. free-will. “Power corrupts and absolute power corrupts absolutely.” John Acton

You cannot decide what to do with other people’s money unless you are committed to use force (a gun) to take that money from them. All socialist programs are mandatory. Heaven is not. That’s the difference. Jesus commanded us not to steal. Even if it’s “Legal”, done through a corrupt government system. It’s still theft.

I hope this brings to light why people all over this country will fight to keep their freedom and liberty. It truly can be lost in one generation. I will not allow it to be mine.

Ezra Taft Benson once said,

“Another notable counterfeit system to the Lord’s plan is collectivized socialism. Socialism derives its philosophy from the founders of communism, Marx and Engels. Communism in practice is socialism. Its purpose is world socialism, which the communists seek to achieve by revolution, and which the socialists seek to achieve by evolution. Both communism and socialism have the same effect upon the individual—a loss of personal liberty.”

Howard W. Hunter also said,

“If man will not recognize the inequalities around him and voluntarily, through the gospel plan, come to the aid of his brother, he will find that through “a democratic process” he will be forced to come to the aid of his brother. The government will take from the “haves” and give to the “have nots.” Both have lost their freedom. Those who “have,” lost their freedom to give voluntarily of their own free will and in the way they desire. Those who “have not,” lost their freedom because they did not earn what they received. They got “something for nothing,” and they will neither appreciate the gift nor the giver of the gift.”

So let us all do better. Let us recognize. But let us all do better with our choice to do better.

With all the free-willish Love I have to muster,

Eric Moutsos

 

 

/by

Thoughts on Pot from a Cop

,

A few people over the years have asked what my stance is on legalizing marijuana; either for medical or recreational use. Maybe they wanted to know because of my law enforcement background. I’ve never responded because I find myself going back and forth in the marketplace of ideas. Here are my thoughts today. Remember, it’s ok to disagree with me. We can still be friends.

For medical purposes, I don’t know why it’s not already legal for people with certain pain that marijuana helps. For example, have you ever seen videos of some people with epilepsy use it? It’s actually amazing to see how quickly it works. Also, have you see what prescription pain meds do to people in the long and short run? To me, that’s truly painful. No pun intended.

For recreational use, and I want to be clear, I don’t believe any drug that alters our mind/body/spirit is good for us. I don’t condone any of it. I believe drugs are a way to dull our physical and spiritual senses and we can’t become our best selves with the talents we’ve been given.

However, let’s try this for an experiment. I would bet the farm that if marijuana and alcohol were switched for one week, meaning that if everyone who got drunk for the week, instead got stone-cold high, our crime rate across the country (especially violent crime) would fall by over 50% or more. Almost overnight. Especially including crimes like robbery, sex assault, aggravated assault, intimate partner violence (or DV), child abuse, and homicide (to name a few). Did you know that over 40% of convicted murderers had used alcohol before or during the crime?

When I was a police officer I remember dealing with A LOT of people who had been drinking the liquid courage and wanting to fight everyone who got in their way, including me. However, I don’t ever remember a fight between people who had been smoking pot. Not one.

I believe alcohol is THE worst drug on the planet (worse than most illegal drugs today) but somehow, it’s the only one that is legal. How does that make any amount of sense?

Everyone is talking about these “experiments” with marijuana to see if they medically help people. I get it. But I say we first start with my experiment. Switch the two for one week and watch what would happen. And because I not only believe crime rate would go down by 50%, I also believe 50% of law enforcement in our entire country would be twiddling their thumbs with not a lot to do at night. Would we need as many police? Think about that for a second.

So, if I were to be forced to “pick a poison” out of alcohol and marijuana for America, for me it would be marijuana no questions asked. I would vote tomorrow for the experiment. I believe I would be right.

Again, I’m not advocating any drug use. It’s all bad for society to be high for no other reason than being high. Just want to get a conversation going.

/by

Police Quota Bill Passes House

,

Great news so far- still has a ways to go- now it goes to the house. (Feb 2018)

The Utah police quota bill passed unanimously out of the senate committee today. It was harder than I thought to tell some of my stories and experiences at the Salt Lake City Police Department. I love the men and women at the department and law-enforcement around the country.

As expected, several police chiefs and heads of departments were against the bill the way it was written. Many showed up to speak against it. The whole time these questions ran through my mind… If there’s no such thing as police quotas, why come to contest this bill? If quotas didn’t exist, why dress up in uniform, drive to the Utah Capital, and publicly say you’re against a bill that changes behavior you claim to not have? Do you see what I mean?

I know I will now probably never get a job in law enforcement ever again in the state of Utah, but hopefully my experiences will help shape the culture that desperately needs to change. Allow the police and the public’s relationship to heal. Allow cops to be cops. They want to serve and protect, not have pressure to hit numbers imposed on them.

Thank you Senator Howard Stephenson for your fight to do this. Thank you Todd Weiler for your words today (your stories were great). Thank you Connor Boyack for your support and effort. Thank you Jeff Hardenbrook for your testimony about the South Jordan police and the 65 monthly mandatory ticket quota when you worked there.

I hope this bill can continue on and become a law. It’s good public policy for the state of Utah.

https://kutv.com/news/local/bill-forbidding-ticket-quotas-in-law-enforcement-moves-on

/by