In a bold move, the TNGOP issued press release declaring that it no longer trusts our State Troopers.
Few political organizations are willing to slap law enforcement personnel across the face like that. But here it is -- in the sub-head of the press release no less, right below the title:
An Independent Investigation is Necessary to Restore Trust in Troopers
The press release also includes a laundry list of dispersions against anyone wearing a State Trooper uniform, such as:
• “Two-thirds of Tennessee Highway Patrol officers tapped for promotion under Gov. Phil Bredesen gave money to his campaign or had family or political patrons who did, a Tennessean investigation found in November 2005.”
• The Tennessee Highway Patrol has 48 officers with charges on their record ranging from suspended driver’s license issues to felonies
So the TNGOP wants you to believe that our State Troopers are a bunch of felons who bribed their way up the ranks. They’re willing to smear the integrity of all State Troopers across the board, just to score some political points against Governor Bredesen. Disgusting. If you’re going to sling mud, at least aim it at politicians -- not our State Troopers.
And it doesn’t stop there. Three more bullet points follow the two above, targeting three individual Troopers: two for ticket fixing and one for bidding in an auction of police-seized items.
Wow, three whole incidents in past six years. That’s the best you can do??
Look, there’s always going to be Trooper here or there who does something stupid or breaks the law, under any governor, in any state. Those people should be investigated and punished -- no doubt and no excuses -- but you’ve got to do a lot better than three incidents in six years to indicate some sort of massive political corruption here.
Now, if you want to talk about Lt. Ronnie Shirley… Okay, I’m not going to defend that guy. Those allegations are serious and disturbing. The people of Tennessee deserve a full and open investigation. But Lt. Ronnie Shirley is one guy. You can’t smear every State Trooper because of him. (Actually, that’s exactly what they did.)
Personally, I have faith in our State Troopers. I don’t need anyone to restore my trust in them. And I resent anyone trying to slander them as a group. They put their lives on the line every day to protect and serve. They deserve better than GOP smears and mudslinging just because they happen to serve under the Democratic governor.
- Calvin Rye
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