A close friend of mine has done almost the same thing as you are contemplating, although she has done in in reverse order.

She was an officer with a good sized metropolitan city for two years and has just moved abroad to attend graduate school. But for two years she was helping her community, aiding law enforcement, and learning the strength of her character in meaningful ways. Not to mention the hilarious and bizarre stories she had to share when we would all get together.

My suggestion is for you to try it. You already feel stifled by academia, and even if the police work doesn't work out it may lead you to something tangental that is much more fulfilling. The screening and training process to be an officer is rigorous. Believe me, with all they put you through you'll know without a shadow of a doubt if you want to be an officer or not.

Best of luck!

It's barely worth paying attention to people so poorly educated about facts and reality, with the exception of two things:

1) Mr. Brian Smith of Greenville, S.C and his quote: "Government -- to be honest with you, and this will probably be misquoted, but on 9/11, I think they hit the wrong building. They should have gone into the Capitol building."

Need I even mention that had this nutcase made such a statement four years ago, every single media outlet in the country would be calling for his head? He'd be excoriated up and down by the President, Vice President and just about every Senator, Representative, pundit, talk radio host, talking head, columnist and blogger in the country.

However, I imagine that the mainstream (conservative) media's response will be...crickets.

and

2) Fascism, Communism and Socialism ARE NOT AT ALL the same things! I know it feels good to knee jerk these terms whenever you're pissed off about the government, but people, read a fucking book already! I'm sick and tired of these unlike things being conflated as if they were identical. They're not!

The endemic violence in America is a symptom of a diseased and excessively violent culture.

Think about it- which country on earth is currently more militarily aggressive than any other? Which country is currently deeply embroiled in two wars- one of which was undertaken solely through choice? Which country has the highest global murder rate? Which country spends more on its military and wars than the next 25 COMBINED?

Why is it that we Americans not demand better of ourselves and our government? Wouldn't it be a better reflection of our nation, both at home and abroad, if we had an interest in improving lives instead of just ending them?

Sorry, I don't buy it.

The argument presented here is based upon the assumption that the "best" relationship for raising children and for "society" is solely that of a man and woman. But same sex couples have been raising children for years- SUCCESSFULLY.

I also find an enormous unacknowledged arrogance in the opinions and views of the right wing, which inherently assumes that they know "what's best" for all of American society, regardless of the legitimate points and views of those of us on the left, or those who are politically centrist or independent.

Finally, religious organizations need not fear that the government will suddenly kick the doors in and dictate how they run their places of worship. There still exists a separation between the church and state in this country, despite the previous administration's attempt to abolish it.

"15-20 years ago: Politely explaining why it was okay for an employer to fire an employee for being gay."

Sadly, still legal in over 30 states.

If you weren't torturing people on behalf of the CIA and the United States, you have nothing to worry about.

If you were- and if we can prove it- then fuck you, you're going to jail.

I think you know where this is going to end up, and it isn't good. You are involved with a self admitted addict, not only alcohol but cocaine as well. Sure, he's charming and funny and you love him- so many addicts are charming! That's what makes awful behavior bearable to the non-addict. You're cleaning up puke off of the floor one day and the next day he tells a funny joke and it's all okay - for a while.

He compares himself to the utterly down and out as a justification that things aren't bad. But they are. You know this, and deep down he does too. When he compares himself to the homeless addict- he's basically telling you that he is not going to consciously stop doing this until he reaches that point. Of course, by then, he may be dead, so he might not have to reach it. Do you really want to go down that road?

He also seems to be surrounded by people who justify this- friends and family who drink like crazy- but those people are only enabling his behavior. People who truly care would intervene, especially because of family history.

Please don't waste even another month with this man. Based upon his age (late 20's) I assume that you are in a similar age range and this is definitely not too late to start over, or just be alone for a bit. Don't let him waste any more of your youth on his addictions. It is only going to get worse. Run.

For me, and millions of other American citizens who voted for Obama, the idea of "Change" that he sold us on meant not only would we stop torturing, but we would hold those in our government who broke our laws accountable.

So we don't torture anymore. Excellent. But it infuriates me that those in our government and in its employ who DID torture are now going to get off scot free because Obama doesn't want to make waves by holding lawbreakers accountable to the law.

What the FUCK?!?