An ancient axiom holds there is some good in every
situation. Indeed, there are indications that police forces in many parts of
the U.S.
are examining their practices and policies and making positive changes as a result
of a rash of documented brutality in
dealings with the public they should be safeguarding, especially the reprehensible
shootings of black men without sound justification. Justice may yet be served properly.
However, one might ask if the pendulum could swing too far
the other way, a characteristic of American political life and social change
seen often in the past.
The new sign pictured here popped up recently on a route we
travel often between a home improvement store and our favorite supermarket. I
am certain that the old sign it replaced said, "VIOLATORS WILL BE
PROSECUTED."
Saying less forcefully they "may be" prosecuted, it seems to me,
opens a loophole for miscreants who might be willing to play the odds and take
a chance they will be among those who escape punishment. There also could be an
administrative problem. Who decides which dumpers will be prosecuted? Based on
what? The volume of junk they drop off? The esthetics of the stuff? The nastiness
of any odors?
Could it be this type of more sensitive warning could
go so far that tellers with their hands raised might say, "Please don't
rob our bank. You may be prosecuted." I'm sure the bandits would pay a lot
of attention to that sort of notice--right after they entertained the hostages with a round of LOL.
