In The Odyssey, Odysseus desires to return to his Ithaca. Throughout his journey home, he is delay by Poseidon who wishes to punish him for blinding his son, Polyhemus. With the help of Athena, a goddess, Odysseus was able to return home. In the New York Times, there is an article about a Sergeant in the U.S military who is going through a similar journey. Sergeant Osvaldo Hernandez “decided that he wanted nothing more than to join the Police Department.” (A 27) however, Osvaldo Hernandez was arrested in 2002 for gun possession. Hernandez stated that he had the gun for self-defense. Odysseus blinded Polyphemus to protect himself and crew members.
Due to his arrest, the Police Department would not allow Osvaldo Hernandez to become a Police Officer. Hernandez’s Athena comes in the form of Governor Paterson who pardoned Hernandez of his gun possession charge. Both Odysseus and Hernandez paid a huge price for a single mistake that they made.
Haberman, Clyde. A Mistake the police won’t forgive. Oct 11, 2010
October 11, 2010 on Page A 27
