I mean, I get this. You work with a bunch of people you don't agree with. They give you crap, a lot of it. Someone gets shot and they start making cruel jokes. Political ones, maybe sexist ones. Racist too perhaps.
You get pissed and refuse to work with jerks like that anymore.
But!
You are the only one on that team that has the proper motivation to do the job well. The only Democrat on a fire force that actually wants to save those shot. Why the hell would you NOT go on that call?
Tucson brought some ugly things to light. Most having nothing to do with the event but on the hatred and bile against others we all harbor to some degree. But to not save those affected because the men you work alongside are Republican bigots? That's not an excuse. Ever.
I really want the hateful crap the other fireman said to be published for the whole world to see. I do. I want to see what could make a man refuse to work with that ilk.
That, however, in no way excuses Ekstrum's behavior. It might explain how he came to the decision but it will never justify it.
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