A police officer who, off duty, breaks and enters, and shoots an innocent man in his own home, does not deserve any of the special treatment we socially afford police officers for the performance of their duty.
It's not clear most Americans agree with this.
It's not clear most Americans agree with this.
If you've ever tried a case where the police are even tangentially involved, you know that jurors -- theoretically ordinary people (actually the ones too dumb/bored/civic minded to escape) -- regardless of race, age, whatever, tend to defer to police. It's uncanny.
Also, if you find yourself thinking, "The People of Texas are so totally gonna agree with Mike Gerson," while this is not impossible, it's probably a good time to step back, get a fresh breath of air, clear your head, walk around, and think for a few moments.
