It's all about Race

[merrylander]

The problem is if I get nasty with someone they will likely punch me in the nose, and nowt I can do about it because I do not have a badge.

[Twodogs]

I can honestly say that I have never been treated poorly by any police officer. That statement should carry a little water too, as I have been arrested more than 30 times in my adult life. The only time I was ever injured by a cop, was when I turned around on one with a 7" buck knife open. I didn't know he was there, and he didn't know I had the knife, so we were both pretty surprised. Between him trying to take the knife, and me trying to give it to him, my little finger got cut nearly clean off. I went to jail for my part in the bar fight (after a trip to the hospital), but he made sure to let them know that I was actually handing the knife over, and the injury was an accident. When I got out a few days later, he met me at the elevator and handed my knife back to me. I've always played it straight with law enforcement, and they have always played it straight with me. I was just a little wild in my younger days.

[wajobu]

TD--I think that your experience with the Law is the rule rather than the exception...it's a tough business...protecting, serving and putting one's life on the line. I, for one, am glad that you're still with us; having survived those younger days, my friend.

[merrylander]

I think that is where people get mixed up over law enforcement - To serve and protect - they sure can do the former, but unless they were in a 1:1 ration to private citizens, there is no way they can do the latter.

[Twodogs]

Just saw on the news that a tape recording has emerged and will possibly be released to the media shortly. Upon hearing that news, the profiled guy (and his attorney) said he thinks it's just time to move on.

[merrylander]

Well the tape is out and it does not make things look very good for the police. It seems the lady who called it in did not identify the two men as being black, nor did she say they were wearing backpacks, but were carrying suitcases. After prodding by the dispatcher she did say that one of the men might have been hispanic.

Makes me think of the story about the Brit using the expression "The spirit is willing but the flesh is weak." The Frenchman translated it into German whereupon the German translated it for the Russian. What the Russian understood was "The meat is rotten but there is plenty of vodka."

[Charles]

Originally Posted by merrylander

I think that is where people get mixed up over law enforcement - To serve and protect - they sure can do the former, but unless they were in a 1:1 ration to private citizens, there is no way they can do the latter.

Just one question. When you're driving down the highway, and see a cop, do you suddenly feel safer?

Chas

[merrylander]

Not particulalrly, why should I feel safer? They sure as heck won't be around when some young fool in his SUV is riding my back bumper.

[Twodogs]

Originally Posted by merrylander

Well the tape is out and it does not make things look very good for the police. It seems the lady who called it in did not identify the two men as being black, nor did she say they were wearing backpacks, but were carrying suitcases. After prodding by the dispatcher she did say that one of the men might have been hispanic.

Makes me think of the story about the Brit using the expression "The spirit is willing but the flesh is weak." The Frenchman translated it into German whereupon the German translated it for the Russian. What the Russian understood was "The meat is rotten but there is plenty of vodka."

I don't follow why this makes the police look bad? I heard the dispatcher ask the lady what race they were, but does anyone think this was so she could tell the cop to beat them up or something? I would imagine that's a fairly standard question in this situation as part of a description. Maybe I'm missing something.

[merrylander]

Why is race even asked about, if someone tries to burgle my home I just want him stopped, I don't give a damn if he is green with purple stripes.