Crossing The Line Over The “Thin Blue Line”

If you think about it anyone, anywhere, anytime could claim that something was racist or bigoted. Still, just saying it doesn’t make it so. At some point in time, reality and common sense has to weigh in and the people in positions of authority have to put an end to the constant whining of the liberal and Marxist left.

On Friday, the Los Angeles police chief, Michael Moore, did the exact opposite. He banned a symbol that honors police everywhere, the Thin Blue Line Flag.

There are certain symbols that do invoke negative emotions. The swastika for example is now thought of as a true symbol of hatred due to its association with Hitler, as are the letters KKK for the persecution of minorities or the numbers 666 which is known as the “number of the beast” from the Book of Revelations.

Those symbols are clearly associated with and represent either evil, racism, or bigotry. The Thin Blue Line Flag represents none of those things.

The flag was designed in 2014 by a college student, Andrew Jacob. It is meant to show support of the police and to honor the difficult job they do. The flag is essentially an American flag with alternating black and white stripes except for one blue stripe. Blue was chosen because police uniforms are predominantly that color. The stripes are meant to show unity within society with the blue stripe in the middle representing protection for all, separating peace from chaos.

The term or phrase “The Thin Blue Line” has long been used by police forces everywhere. The phrase was actually born from a battle.

In 1854, during the Crimean war, a red coated Scottish regiment of the British army, found themselves outnumbered against constant Russian attacks. That battle is what inspired Tennyson to write the famous poem “Charge of the Light Brigade.” The British press honored the red clad defenders as “The Thin Red Line,” that was standing, like police are often called to do, between normalcy and lawlessness.

The flag, therefore, is a visual embodiment of a phrase that represents the bravery and determination of those willing to put their lives on the line for the protection of all of us. There is absolutely nothing racist or bigoted about it.

Still, once again, a person in authority has buckled to the lunacy of those that are offended by anything and everything.

Moore has now banned the Thin Blue Line symbol from all public areas of police property. In his explanation of why the banning was taking place, Moore stated that he had received a community complaint that alleged that the flag:

“Symbolized support for violent extremist views such as those represented by the Proud Boys and others.”

Moore stated:

“It’s unfortunate that extremist groups have hijacked the use of the Thin Blue Line Flag to symbolize their undemocratic, racist, and bigoted views. I directed to have the item taken down from the public lobby. The U.S. flag should be proudly displayed in our lobbies whenever possible. Memorials for our fallen are also authorized in all public spaces. The police station should be free of political ideology.”

Moore added:

“LAPD officers can display the Thin Blue Line Flag in their workspace, locker door or personal vehicle.”

Moore’s weak-kneed response to such a preposterous claim outraged the board of directors of the Los Angeles Police Protective League which represents nearly 10,000 police officers.

“It is difficult to express the level of utter disgust and disappointment with Chief Moore’s political pandering directive to remove the Thin Blue Line Flags and memorials for fallen officers from all public areas within our police stations. This direction came as a result of complaints from anti-police, criminal apologists, and activists who hold too much sway over our city leaders and unfortunately, our Chief.”

The union added:

“The ban is disrespectful and defeatist kowtowing by our department leadership to groups the praise the killing of police officers and outright call for violence against those in uniform. We have directly expressed our outrage to the Chief.”

The union is correct. The hateful cannot be allowed to obscure the truth for unjustified reasons, based on irrational emotions. The left is chronically offended, but their feigned outrage cannot be allowed to interfere with what is right and just.