The Firing Line Forums - View Single Post - Ooops: San Antonio SWAT hits the wrong house

cpileri · November 23, 2002, 10:06 AM

If a surgeon follows all proper procedure, paperwork, and regulation- except that TINY part about PROPERLY IDENTIFYING THE PATIENT, and injures that person; that surgeon is in deep, deep (you know what)!

There will rightly be a huge lawsuit and settlement that is NOT in the surgeon's favor.

But law enforcement make the same mistake, causing similarly physical injuries and possibly death (yes, the exact same consequences as a medical mistake) and its all fine and dandy.

Not even a sarcastic "Gee we're sorry. Won't do it again. Sorry we don't have the budget to pay your medical expenses either- just bought a bunch of flash grenades... er ... I mean new uniforms."

One standard for all: if you are entrusted with such great and grave responsibility; you are subject to severe repercussions for failing to properly execute any action.

I have heard enough about "we followed proper procedure" as being an acceptable excuse!

November 23, 2002, 10:06 AM	#12
cpileri Senior Member Join Date: December 24, 2001 Location: Peoples Republik of Maryland, Sister State to Kalifornia Posts: 619	Proper procedure, my @&& If a surgeon follows all proper procedure, paperwork, and regulation- except that TINY part about PROPERLY IDENTIFYING THE PATIENT, and injures that person; that surgeon is in deep, deep (you know what)! There will rightly be a huge lawsuit and settlement that is NOT in the surgeon's favor. But law enforcement make the same mistake, causing similarly physical injuries and possibly death (yes, the exact same consequences as a medical mistake) and its all fine and dandy. Not even a sarcastic "Gee we're sorry. Won't do it again. Sorry we don't have the budget to pay your medical expenses either- just bought a bunch of flash grenades... er ... I mean new uniforms." One standard for all: if you are entrusted with such great and grave responsibility; you are subject to severe repercussions for failing to properly execute any action. I have heard enough about "we followed proper procedure" as being an acceptable excuse! __________________ ___________________________ "Necessity is the plea for every infringement of human freedom. It is the argument of tyrants; it is the creed of slaves." -- William Pitt (1783)