[Superman]

At the risk of sounding like I might not be a liberal after all (don't be fooled, I am the liberalest of liberals and don't you forget it), I have to say I've got a lot of respect for the men and women in blue, particularly the ones who are the best prepared and most professional. Washington State Patrol troopers used to write tickets at a 30% rate. Only 30% of stops involved a citation. That was when they focused on safety. They are trained and prepared and effective when it comes to promoting public and traffic safety. Unfortunately, they're no longer in the safety business. They are in the revenue business. That's got to be frustrating for them. I would prefer to have them do the job they are so good at. Protecting the public. And they would like that too.

As I say, my hat's off to the Washington State Patrol. Those folks are, for the most part, true professionals. Too bad they are not allowed to practice their craft.