On Dec 24, 12:20*pm, "SteveB" wrote:
"Dave Hinz" wrote in message

...





On Sun, 23 Dec 2007 22:17:14 -0600, cavelamb himself
wrote:
Dave Hinz wrote:

You fear the cops more than the people the cops are there to protect you
from? *Really?

I really am interested in your answer. *You fear your cops more than you
fear your criminals? * Tell me again where you live?

I've never had any problem talking to a USA'n, armed cop.
Maybe you know different cops than I know.

I also wonder about your non-response to this.

...perhaps, just perhaps, that shows that criminals aren't stupid, and
are deterred from crime if someone armed, or potentially armed, is in
the area. *Hmmm.

and there you see the slippery slope...

Nothing slippery or slope about it. *Criminals avoid getting hurt if at
all possible. *You observed that cops are never around when crimes are
committed. *I'd start by saying you're obviously wrong but yes, there is
probably a strong correlation. *The difference in your POV and mine, is
that I see it as a deterrance factor, you apparently see it as some sort
of psychic avoidance thing or whatever.

I don't actually care where the cop is when I need them, they're not
where I need them. *So, I'm on my own. *If I'm banned from defending
myself, the only person made safer by that ban, is the criminal who
ignores laws like "don't shoot people" and all that.

(this is not aimed at you, Dave, but to some of the people who have posted
in this thread; *I agree with you on a lot of things.)

It's all attitude. *Most people have a problem with police officers because
they have to deal with them because they have done something wrong. *(Or
that they are living a lifestyle that includes illegal activities and are
paranoid of the police.) *Waddyamean I can't drive like an idiot?
Waddyamean I can't park wherever I want and not pay the meter? *Waddya mean
I can't drive as fast as I want? ........ even though it's icy and blowin a
gale .......... *(boy, I'm glad I left that blunt at home)

If they've been victimized, attitude changes because they want the good man
to get the bad man. *Then they want the cops. *And IF they do catch the
criminals and retrieve the car or furniture, what a hero!

And most people's problems with cops during encounters with them is
attitude.

I am very familiar with LEOs. *We have several in our family and lineage..
Some are/were good cops, and a couple would have ****ed up a job at
McDonalds and should have never made or stayed on the force. *My daughter is
currently an active PO, and SIL is a sergeant in a cruiser working graveyard
in a city of two million people. *I have worked as a coroner investigator
and other part time or voluntary capacities.

I have visible identification on my car and in my wallet identifying me as a
member of law enforcement. *It's a specific sign that signals an officer
that this is one of them. *I have only had two encounters in the last
fifteen years, those for minor traffic scrapes, both not my fault. *I am not
a "victim" of police stops because I drive sanely and within the law. *I
have not been stopped and questioned in any police matter for any reason.

Both times, I just hand my ID to the PO, look them straight in the eye, and
in an instant they know who I am. *One asked me a couple of verification
questions. *Then I watch the show with the other guys. *How the citizen
treats the officer. *How the officer treats the citizen. *One citizen was
good, the other was contentious and had the "Why aren't you out there
catching criminals instead of giving me a ticket" routine. *Both officers
were courteous and professional.

I have been on numerous ridealongs. *I love them, but only get about two a
year because I don't want anyone to claim favoritism. *But anyone can go on
these evenings patrolling with police to see just what they do, and how much
crap they do have to take from people with attitudes on a daily basis.

There are a lot of good police officers out there. *And there are bad ones.
And there are transitional ones who will not stay because of one reason or
the other, and move on to something else. *And then there are the power
freaks who just love being able to exert their power. *Most good street POs
move on to better departments and specialize in certain crimes. *So, the PO
you see on the street are the ones that either like it, or can't pass the
test to move up. *And some of them are frustrated because they think just
because they've been there ten years, they deserve the gift of promotion and
shouldn't have to pass no steenking test. *And there lies many problems.
Guys just putting in time.

Enter, John Q. Citizen. *Wannabe lawyer. *Frustrated businessman. *Henpecked
husband. *Bulldozer married woman. *Manhaters. *People who live a shady
lifestyle, but aren't doing anything bad at that moment. *Control freaks who
don't like being told to shut up and take their hands out of their pockets..
Or just angry unhappy people.

Every time I read someone's comments here downing cops, I know that were
their attitude to be traced back to its source, it wouldn't be a bad cop.
They're fired every day for mistreating citizens, but those citizens go on
and don't **** and moan for the rest of their lives. *Those citizens with an
attitude have an attitude about every little thing, and can be classified as
just unhappy human beings. *Little children who will fuss because they think
they didn't get the biggest piece of pie. *And it if wasn't that big bad cop
giving them a parking ticket for double parking for an hour in the airport
drop off area, it would be something else. *And ALL someone else's fault..

So, if you don't like cops, handle the situation yourself. *And if you run
into a PO, try to act decent for a change and see how that works. *Or carry
a weapon and dispense your own justice for as long as that lasts.

And maybe get some counseling for that attitude.

Steve- Hide quoted text -

- Show quoted text -

Damn good post...right on the mark.

Thanks for taking the time to do the writeup.

TMT