When a bad cop is indicted, the good ones receive an affront too

[Victor Steinbok]

I would read this a bit differently, focusing not on the indictment but
on the actions that Gonzales is charged with. These actions are an
insult, an "affront" to the remaining "honest" policemen because he
stole from them, from their collective funds. I would not read it as a
suggestion that people might see them guilty by association. A bigger
problem is in the "allegations" because what is meant is not the
accusation, but the underlying actions that are being alleged. I suspect
this is what threw you off.

     VS-)

On 3/25/2010 8:25 PM, Joel S. Berson wrote:
> A Boston police detective is indicted on charges that he fraudulently
> claimed disabilities. U.S. Attorney Carmen M. Ortiz (a recent Obama
> appointment) says "The allegations against Mr. Gonzales are an
> affront to the honest men and women of the Boston Police
> Department."  Boston Globe, March 25, Metro, B1.
>
> The honest cops of Boston may have felt betrayed by Gonzales, or be
> concerned that onlookers tar them with guilt by association, but
> "affront" = "An insult offered to the face; a word or act expressive
> of intentional disrespect; a purposed indignity; an open insult or
> outrage" seems wrong.  And even if one stretches "insult", surely the
> "allegations" are not the "affront".
>
> Joel
>

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