"True heroism is remarkably sober, very undramatic. It is not the urge to surpass all others at whatever cost, but the urge to serve others at whatever cost." -Arthur Ashe
Puts on Internet waders
On the subject of Punisher logos & police, it’s a fundamental credibility problem. The logo stands for the failure of law and due process; so either the LEO wearing doesn’t understand the symbol or is throwing shade at their profession. Neither says good things about their judgement.
The Minority Marksman.
"When you meet a swordsman, draw your sword: Do not recite poetry to one who is not a poet."
-a Ch'an Buddhist axiom.
I have two non-issued patches on my gear when at work. Both are on my soft armor which is worn under my uniform shift. Oe is a full color US flag that I wore when deployed with a grond combat element OCONUS. The other is a memorial patch for the four OPD officers murdered several years ago.
No TBL, no other images. Just don't wear stuff that van be even remotely problematic when working.
.mil....usmc infantry
We allow no other patches on your kit in my unit other than the unit provided zap number patch on the front of the plate carrier. Morale patches may be funny or have meaning to some small subset of the unit but by placing them on your kit overtly are an attempt to differentiate the individual from the team. Collect those patches and put them on a velcro roll hanging on a wall or in a binder.
Right now 2nd Mar Div units are fighting a directed gear SOP from the division commander because he feels that disipline is slipping. That could be another thread but I will happily rip morale patches off guys kits to keep the ability for guys to set their kit up the way that works best for them and not have everybody regardless of billet with the same setup.
As someone who remembers the character making the transition from villian to hero, I would agree with your analysis. He started out as a commentary/satire of Mack Bolan, "The Executioner," and similar characters such as the protagonist from "Death Wish." I believe he went to being a hero shortly after the Bernie Goetz incident.
He was certainly part of the mix of full-auto gear fetishism that fed my "gun nut" tendencies in the 80s--I still have the first four issues of "Punisher Armory," a prime example of pre-Internet "gun porn." Entire series here: https://readcomiconline.to/Comic/The-Punisher-Armory
When he became a hero, the Punisher was pretty much the personification of "the War on Drugs."
These days, I see him as the personification of everything I am not fond of in "gun culture." Walter Mitty with anger issues....
If I saw a LEO wearing a Punisher skull, I can't say it would inspire confidence in his or her decision making process.
REPETITION CREATES BELIEF
REPETITION BUILDS THE SEPARATE WORLDS WE LIVE AND DIE IN
NO EXCEPTIONS
"Maybe you did not clearly communicate." Or I maybe I was just too nuanced. I'll be less scalpel and more sledgehammer in this post. It's okay, it happens, no big deal... I appreciate learning my audience and adapting.
"Out of curiosity have you worn a uniform." Classic. I won't answer simply because it does not matter - for a lot of reasons. But, I appreciate your attempt to devalue my opinion through that question and subsequent video flex.
That all being said, welcome to my TED talk, let's begin:
Opinions are absolutely tempered by experience or lack thereof which is why the term "educated opinion" is a thing. However, in this discussion it really can't be used to include or exclude anyone's particular opinion. Why? I'll explain...
An opinion on "morale patches" is open to anyone regardless of previous "uniform experience" because uniformed professionals represent more than just themselves. This is especially true if we are talking about government employees. If the uniform represents something bigger than the person wearing it (which is why it's a uniform) it stands to reason the individual's personal preference for what goes on that uniform for "morale" is irrelevant and inappropriate, if applied.
I guess it just boils down to this: I'm not a fan of personal "pieces of flair" on a uniformed professional who works for a local, state, or the federal government. If you have a different opinion I'm sorry we don't agree.
Not really.
In closing, remember that someone's information (or opinion) holds value or it does not, period. An appeal to authority ("...have you worn a uniform?") to support an illogical or emotional position is just plain lazy. Save that old standby argument winner for the less astute interweberz, please and thank you.
In a world full of morale patch Stans... be a Joanna.
"True heroism is remarkably sober, very undramatic. It is not the urge to surpass all others at whatever cost, but the urge to serve others at whatever cost." -Arthur Ashe
The only right to an opinion I have on this is as just some guy on the internet. That said, I don’t wear logos unless I’m getting compensated. I’f I’m wearing a brand icon, then I’m either an endorser, or friends with the owner (eg., numerous music companies, Ares watches, local coffee, brewery, or surf shops).
So far as the punisher, Marvel isn’t paying any of these guys, and I’m pretty sure that Stan Lee didn’t leave some 20-something SWAT cop in ‘Vegas anything in his will.
As a John Q Public member, I’d raise an eyebrow if my personal injury atty met me with a Daredevil logo on his/her suit jacket (Matt Murdock lawyer badassery aside) or my ortho surgeon met me wearing leathers with a giant bloody angel on the back.
”But in the end all of these ideas just manufacture new criminals when the problem isn't a lack of criminals.” -JRB
Double
Last edited by ffhounddog; 07-19-2019 at 01:22 PM. Reason: Additional post