Reasonable Expectation of Death

The death of Breonna Taylor is a tragedy, let there be no mistake.  This was a beautiful young woman, a first responder, an emergency medical technician, cut down in the prime of life.  When we ask the question "why" it happened we must not get it confused with "what" happened.  When we get down to the basis of "why," it becomes about the initial choice that was made.  That choice was hers.  She put herself in a bad situation.  It doesn't matter if it was for love.  People do many questionable things because of love, but love doesn't make it right. 

I was brought up in a different age, an age when parenting was still in vogue.  I was taught not to hang with bad crowds.  I was taught to pick my friends wisely.  I was taught to do whatever the police asked, knowing that my dad and lawyers would work it all out later.  I was taught that violently defying authority was tantamount to admitting guilt.  I was taught that, in the heat of a moment, accidents happen and I was to avoid such incidents and not become a statistic.  I was taught to look at life and determine, for each choice I made, what was going to be a reasonable expectation of death, and then to avoid that bad choice.  It would always be viewed as my bad choice, just as parents who don't parent will always be viewed as guilty when their child dies during the commission of a crime.

I don't know Breonna Taylor.  I can't judge her.  I can assume, her being an EMT, she wasn't stupid.  Her becoming an EMT would evidence that, perhaps, she was well parented.  Being with her boyfriend, I can assume she thought she was in love.  But, why was she in the line of fire?  Only she knows that.  Why did the boyfriend shoot knowing there was innocence in the residence?  Selfishness?  Stupidity?  We will, hopefully, find out because, at the end of the day, his shooting a weapon at police led to her death as surly as her choice to be there.  

There were many facets to what happened, but I keep going back to why she put herself in this bad situation in the first place?  I assume she knew this guy's background.  I assume she knew he had a firearm.  I wonder if she worked out the inherent danger of the situation? And yet, this intelligent, innocent, woman put herself in this obviously bad situation.  As a grandfather, I feel for her parents.  As a parent, I'd like to know why she was there, and why she mistakenly assumed she was safe with this guy.  

I could be wrong.  I usually am.  There are a lot of assumptions.  We may never truly know why the innocence of Breonna Taylor died.  God bless her.

Editor's Note

(Re: disclaimer cum "get out of jail free" card)

Before you go getting your panties in a bunch, it is essential to understand that this is just an opinion site and, as such, can be subjected to scrutiny by anyone with a differing opinion. It doesn't make either opinion any more right or wrong than the other. An opinion, presented in this context, is a way of inciting others to think and, hopefully, to form opinions of their own, if they haven't already done so. This is also why, occasionally, I will present an "opinion" just to stir an emotional pot. Where it may sound like I agree with the statements made, I'm more interested in getting others to consider an alternate viewpoint. 

It is my fervent hope that we keep open and active minds when reading opinions and while engaging in peaceful and constructive discussion, in an arena of mutual respect, concerning those opinions put forth. After over twenty years with military intelligence, I have come to believe engaging each other in this manner and in this arena is the way we will learn tolerance and respect for differing beliefs, cultures, and viewpoints.

We all fall from grace, some more often than others; it is part of being human. God's test for us is what we learn from the experience, and what we do afterward.

Pastor Tony spent 22 years with the United States Air Force Intelligence as a planner, analyst, briefer, instructor, and senior manager. He spent 17 years, following his service career, working with the premier, world-renowned, Institutional Review Board helping to protect the rights of human subjects involved in pharmaceutical research. Ordained 1n 2013 as an "interfaith" minister, he founded the Congregation for Religious Tolerance in response to intolerance shown by Christians toward peaceful Islam. As the weapon for his war on intolerance he chose the pen, and wages his "battle" in the guise of the Congregation's official online blog, The Path, of which he is both author and editor. "The Path" offers a vehicle for commentary and guidance concerning one's own personal, spiritual, path toward peace and the final destination for us all. He currently resides in Pass Christian, Mississippi, where he volunteers as a chaplain at the regional medical center.