Just one more piece about today. Before the national anthem, the public announcer explained the flags at half mast, and asked that we take a moment of silence for the fallen Oakland police officers, as "they paid the ultimate sacrifice."
This from the Oakland A's:
"The A’s players and staff were reeling from news that four Oakland police officers were shot and killed on Saturday following a traffic stop a mile away from the Coliseum. Two of the officers had worked games at the Coliseum, providing extra security, escorting players and officials and handling some road block duties.
"The team will hold a moment of silence before today’s game against the White Sox and there were discussions about whether the players might honor the officers in some way on their uniforms. I’m told there will be more formal recognition of the officers during the home opener on April 10, with some kind of ceremony.
"Chicago manager Ozzie Guillen is wearing “OPD” in silver lettering on his cap today and he spoke at length before the game about how devastated he was by the news of the officers’ death because he has such great respect for law enforcement and military members."
Rich Hurd interviewed Ozzie today, and the White Sox manager told him this (from Hurd's blog):
"'There’s no reason to take peoples’ lives. It should be a hard day for the Bay Area,' Guillen said. 'I’ve never seen anything sadder than a police funeral. To take anybody’s life, especially when you’re a policeman or fireman (and) you’re protecting this country. … How come we only worry about police when they get killed? We don’t give them enough credit for making our life easier.'"
My God. And I thought Ozzie Guillen was a clown. I have a lot more respect for him now. (Even though you do have to wonder why the Chicago manager had to say something, and not the Oakland manager...)
I won't be at the April 10th tribute, but I hope radio/T.V. covers it.
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Ron Owens did an hour on the shooting this morning on KGO. A couple callers said they had no sympathy for the fallen officers and their families. Wow, just to say that about yourself, that you don't care that someone died.
But most people wanted to support the police. People are sending flowers and cards to the police stations. Good idea. You don't have to know the officers to know that you care about them, their families, their friends.
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