# Controversial encounters between law-enforcement and civilians - the omnibus thread **URL:** \ **Category:** The BBQ Pit\ **Created:** [October 10, 2014, 7:35am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/controversial-encounters-between-law-enforcement-and-civilians-the-omnibus-thread/700942 "2014-10-10T07:35:51Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 274
**Author:** ![FXMastermind](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/fxmastermind/32/7289_2.png) [@FXMastermind](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FXMastermind)\ **Post date:** [July 27, 2015, 7:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/controversial-encounters-between-law-enforcement-and-civilians-the-omnibus-thread/700942/5461 "2015-07-27T19:03:21Z")
Best topic ever ---
**Author:** ![doorhinge](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/a5b964/32.png) [@doorhinge](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/doorhinge)\ **Post date:** [July 27, 2015, 7:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/controversial-encounters-between-law-enforcement-and-civilians-the-omnibus-thread/700942/5462 "2015-07-27T19:12:17Z")
> [@dasmoocher](#): > > Wow, really!!?? Really. ---
**Author:** ![Frylock](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/ce7236/32.png) [@Frylock](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Frylock)\ **Post date:** [July 27, 2015, 7:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/controversial-encounters-between-law-enforcement-and-civilians-the-omnibus-thread/700942/5463 "2015-07-27T19:16:14Z")
> [@Smapti](#): > > If your self-preservation instincts require you to engage in behaviors that you _know_ will not preserve your self, then they are broken. Let’s stipulate to that. Here is the fact everyone is trying to remind you of: Everyone’s self-preservation instincts are broken. It takes considerable, intense training to be able to bypass these broken instincts in those cases where bypassing them is necessary. It is not something anyone is able to overcome simply through forethought. Sudden loud home invasions when you’re asleep or half asleep? That is one of those situations in which the brokenness of our self-preservation instincts tends to screw the vast majority of us over. ---
**Author:** ![Hentor\_the\_Barbarian](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/8edcca/32.png) [@Hentor\_the\_Barbarian](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hentor_the_Barbarian)\ **Post date:** [July 27, 2015, 7:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/controversial-encounters-between-law-enforcement-and-civilians-the-omnibus-thread/700942/5464 "2015-07-27T19:40:15Z")
> [@dasmoocher](#): > > Couldn’t you just blindly comply with what the tiger wants? That’s the ticket. Let me consult my copy of _ **Smapti’s** Guide to Self Preservation_… Hmmm. Ah, here we go. Turns out you should give the tiger a blowjob. ---
**Author:** ![Gary\_Kumquat](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/4491bb/32.png) [@Gary\_Kumquat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gary_Kumquat)\ **Post date:** [July 27, 2015, 8:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/controversial-encounters-between-law-enforcement-and-civilians-the-omnibus-thread/700942/5465 "2015-07-27T20:01:42Z")
> [@doorhinge](#): > > And none of it is true. Do you realize that the Onion is a combination of humor, satire, and bullshit? And right there is another example of why being able to follow the context in a discussion if you don’t want to look like the stupidest prick in the room. Again. ---
**Author:** ![The\_Stainless\_Steel\_Rat](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/the_stainless_steel_rat/32/5727_2.png) [@The\_Stainless\_Steel\_Rat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/The_Stainless_Steel_Rat)\ **Post date:** [July 27, 2015, 8:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/controversial-encounters-between-law-enforcement-and-civilians-the-omnibus-thread/700942/5466 "2015-07-27T20:10:29Z")
> [@Smapti](#): > > If your self-preservation instincts require you to engage in behaviors that you _know_ will not preserve your self, then they are broken. I have worn glasses since I was 7 years old (I’m 62 now). I am effectively blind without them. My first instinct if awakened from a sound sleep by an unexpected home invasion, with people yelling and lights in my eyes is going to be to reach for my glasses. That’s 55 years worth of daily, ingrained habit. Do I deserve to die for that? ---
**Author:** ![Smapti](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/smapti/32/17938_2.png) [@Smapti](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Smapti)\ **Post date:** [July 27, 2015, 8:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/controversial-encounters-between-law-enforcement-and-civilians-the-omnibus-thread/700942/5467 "2015-07-27T20:16:17Z")
> [@The\_Stainless\_Steel\_Rat](#): > > My first instinct if awakened from a sound sleep by an unexpected home invasion, with people yelling and lights in my eyes is going to be to reach for my glasses. That’s 55 years worth of daily, ingrained habit. > > Do I deserve to die for that? If you know that such an action would cause your death, and you have resolved that **that is what you would do anyway** , then the consequences of that are on you. ---
**Author:** ![Fear\_Itself](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/fear_itself/32/19637_2.png) [@Fear\_Itself](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fear_Itself)\ **Post date:** [July 27, 2015, 8:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/controversial-encounters-between-law-enforcement-and-civilians-the-omnibus-thread/700942/5468 "2015-07-27T20:24:00Z")
> [@Smapti](#): > > If you know that such an action would cause your death, and you have resolved that **that is what you would do anyway** , then the consequences of that are on you. “Stop hitting yourself! Stop hitting yourself!” ---
**Author:** ![dasmoocher](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/dbc845/32.png) [@dasmoocher](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dasmoocher)\ **Post date:** [July 27, 2015, 8:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/controversial-encounters-between-law-enforcement-and-civilians-the-omnibus-thread/700942/5469 "2015-07-27T20:39:35Z")
> [@Fear\_Itself](#): > > “Stop hitting yourself! Stop hitting yourself!” In all fairness, it sounds like **The Stainless Steel Rat** may have some pretty thick glasses. ---
**Author:** ![Evil\_Economist](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/c89c15/32.png) [@Evil\_Economist](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Evil_Economist)\ **Post date:** [July 27, 2015, 8:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/controversial-encounters-between-law-enforcement-and-civilians-the-omnibus-thread/700942/5470 "2015-07-27T20:42:01Z")
So, the three people arguing one side of this position here are **Smapti** , **Steophan** , and **Doorhinge**. That’s an interesting combination of crazy, racist, and stupid. Anyone in the normal spectrum who wants to argue their case for them, or is this one of those things that all normal people have the same opinion? ---
**Author:** ![CannyDan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cannydan/32/548_2.png) [@CannyDan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CannyDan)\ **Post date:** [July 27, 2015, 9:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/controversial-encounters-between-law-enforcement-and-civilians-the-omnibus-thread/700942/5471 "2015-07-27T21:20:10Z")
It’s not a poll but I’ll weigh in on the nominally normal side. I don’t wake from a sound sleep instantly and with all of my cognitive functions at 100%. My ability to evaluate the rapidly changing situation, make sense of the various noises (breaking doorframe, flash bangs, people shouting, etc.), understand the varied and possibly contradictory and/or confusing human voices calling out (“Police!” “Don’t move!” “Hands where I can see them!” “Stop!” “Clear!” etc., repeated and not separately in some order but superimposed over each other) and make a considered decision NOT to look, let alone jump up either in terror or in self defense, is pretty low on the probability list. It is either disingenuous or outright stupid to claim normal humans can be expected to do otherwise merely as a result of forethought. And to suggest that such a reaction would justify an otherwise innocent person being killed by the police is simply vile. ---
**Author:** ![Steophan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/steophan/32/9595_2.png) [@Steophan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Steophan)\ **Post date:** [July 27, 2015, 9:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/controversial-encounters-between-law-enforcement-and-civilians-the-omnibus-thread/700942/5472 "2015-07-27T21:31:54Z")
> [@Evil\_Economist](#): > > So, the three people arguing one side of this position here are **Smapti** , **Steophan** , and **Doorhinge**. That’s an interesting combination of crazy, racist, and stupid. Anyone in the normal spectrum who wants to argue their case for them, or is this one of those things that all normal people have the same opinion? The idea that many frequent posters here are “on the normal spectrum” is amusing… ---
**Author:** ![Kobal2](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kobal2/32/20_2.png) [@Kobal2](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kobal2)\ **Post date:** [July 27, 2015, 9:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/controversial-encounters-between-law-enforcement-and-civilians-the-omnibus-thread/700942/5473 "2015-07-27T21:36:43Z")
> [@Smapti](#): > > If your self-preservation instincts require you to engage in behaviors that you _know_ will not preserve your self, then they are broken. Well, I’m sure we poor man-things are to be pitied for not having developed a snap-second instinct for grovelling subservience as y’all have on Smaptopia, but our gracious if judgemental overlords might recognize that our instincts have served us rather well these past hundred millenia or so. Seeing as we’re quite notably still here and thriving. [QUOTE=The Stainless Steel Rat] I have worn glasses since I was 7 years old (I’m 62 now). I am effectively blind without them. My first instinct if awakened from a sound sleep by an unexpected home invasion, with people yelling and lights in my eyes is going to be to reach for my glasses. That’s 55 years worth of daily, ingrained habit. Do I deserve to die for that? [/QUOTE] Why, obviously. Your instincts are all sorts of broken, old boy. Barely fit to breathe. ---
**Author:** ![doorhinge](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/a5b964/32.png) [@doorhinge](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/doorhinge)\ **Post date:** [July 27, 2015, 9:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/controversial-encounters-between-law-enforcement-and-civilians-the-omnibus-thread/700942/5474 "2015-07-27T21:54:18Z")
> [@Evil\_Economist](#): > > So, the three people arguing one side of this position here are **Smapti** , **Steophan** , and **Doorhinge**. That’s an interesting combination of crazy, racist, and stupid. Anyone in the normal spectrum who wants to argue their case for them, or is this one of those things that all normal people have the same opinion? Bwahahaha. Can you produce documentation that states you are normal? Do you have eyewitlesses that will verify that you are normal? And normal as compared to what? The other loonies in the shallow end of the gene pool? If all you have is the usual suspects masquerading as normal, while they’re busy trying to shout down anyone who’s opinion is different then theirs, I have to assume that you must be sitting down because you don’t have a leg to stand on. Bwahahaha. 😃 ---
**Author:** ![Gary\_Kumquat](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/4491bb/32.png) [@Gary\_Kumquat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gary_Kumquat)\ **Post date:** [July 27, 2015, 10:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/controversial-encounters-between-law-enforcement-and-civilians-the-omnibus-thread/700942/5475 "2015-07-27T22:12:01Z")
> [@doorhinge](#): > > The other loonies in the shallow end of the gene pool? Son, you can’t follow a conversation with a road map and directions from others. Claiming genetic superiority really isn’t an option for you at this stage of the game. Fuck, aspiring to genetic mediocrity is setting your sights high. ---
**Author:** ![xenophon41](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/xenophon41/32/253_2.png) [@xenophon41](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/xenophon41)\ **Post date:** [July 27, 2015, 10:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/controversial-encounters-between-law-enforcement-and-civilians-the-omnibus-thread/700942/5476 "2015-07-27T22:13:13Z")
Dammit! **doorhinge** is winning the thread again. I mean, I didn’t really study- er, I mean I can’t comment… Look, I just skimmed the post, OK, but it had to brilliant. Did you see this part: > [@doorhinge](#): > > 😃 Did you see that, you so-called “normals”? _Did you see it?_ ---
**Author:** ![Fear\_Itself](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/fear_itself/32/19637_2.png) [@Fear\_Itself](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fear_Itself)\ **Post date:** [July 27, 2015, 10:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/controversial-encounters-between-law-enforcement-and-civilians-the-omnibus-thread/700942/5477 "2015-07-27T22:14:36Z")
> [@doorhinge](#): > > Bwahahaha. Can you produce documentation that states you are normal? Do you have eyewitlesses that will verify that you are normal? And normal as compared to what? The other loonies in the shallow end of the gene pool? If all you have is the usual suspects masquerading as normal, while they’re busy trying to shout down anyone who’s opinion is different then theirs, I have to assume that you must be sitting down because you don’t have a leg to stand on. Bwahahaha. 😃 I don’t understand. Are you saying there is no such thing as normal? ---
**Author:** ![doorhinge](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/a5b964/32.png) [@doorhinge](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/doorhinge)\ **Post date:** [July 27, 2015, 10:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/controversial-encounters-between-law-enforcement-and-civilians-the-omnibus-thread/700942/5478 "2015-07-27T22:38:30Z")
> [@Gary\_Kumquat](#): > > Son, you can’t follow a conversation with a road map and directions from others. Claiming genetic superiority really isn’t an option for you at this stage of the game. Fuck, aspiring to genetic mediocrity is setting your sights high. Dad, it’s unfortunate that your unable to force your will upon others. Get well soon. 😃 ---
**Author:** ![doorhinge](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/a5b964/32.png) [@doorhinge](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/doorhinge)\ **Post date:** [July 27, 2015, 10:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/controversial-encounters-between-law-enforcement-and-civilians-the-omnibus-thread/700942/5479 "2015-07-27T22:39:36Z")
> [@Fear\_Itself](#): > > I don’t understand. (post shortened) I know. ---
**Author:** ![doorhinge](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/a5b964/32.png) [@doorhinge](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/doorhinge)\ **Post date:** [July 27, 2015, 10:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/controversial-encounters-between-law-enforcement-and-civilians-the-omnibus-thread/700942/5480 "2015-07-27T22:41:41Z")
> [@xenophon41](#): > > Dammit! **doorhinge** is winning the thread again. > > I mean, I didn’t really study- er, I mean I can’t comment… Look, I just skimmed the post, OK, but it had to brilliant. (post shortened) 'Nuff said. Thanks. Life is good. 😃 [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/controversial-encounters-between-law-enforcement-and-civilians-the-omnibus-thread/700942.md?page=273) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/controversial-encounters-between-law-enforcement-and-civilians-the-omnibus-thread/700942.md?page=275)