# 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:** 391
**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:** [January 2, 2016, 7:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/controversial-encounters-between-law-enforcement-and-civilians-the-omnibus-thread/700942/7802 "2016-01-02T19:31:23Z")
> [@PastTense](#): > > It’s time for Congress to pass laws banning cell phone manufacturers from making cell phones which look like guns! [You say that as a joke, but here’s the thing…](http://www.gannett-cdn.com/-mm-/84d499cf435c3e6fdd9ac549636ea461a8f98694/r=880&c=880x495/http/videos.usatoday.net/Brightcove2/29906170001/2015/07/29906170001_4336392799001_video-still-for-video-4336321464001.jpg) ---
**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:** [January 2, 2016, 7:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/controversial-encounters-between-law-enforcement-and-civilians-the-omnibus-thread/700942/7803 "2016-01-02T19:37:03Z")
> [@UberArchetype](#): > > My police encounters over the years typically involved receiving a speeding ticket I felt I did not deserve under the circumstances. And how many miles over the limit had you been driving when you were so unjustly fined? ---
**Author:** ![UberArchetype](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/u/2bfe46/32.png) [@UberArchetype](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/UberArchetype)\ **Post date:** [January 2, 2016, 7:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/controversial-encounters-between-law-enforcement-and-civilians-the-omnibus-thread/700942/7804 "2016-01-02T19:43:45Z")
I was clocked a 11 over, in a line of cars in heavy traffic all travelling at 81 in a 70 zone. ---
**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:** [January 2, 2016, 7:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/controversial-encounters-between-law-enforcement-and-civilians-the-omnibus-thread/700942/7805 "2016-01-02T19:47:18Z")
> [@UberArchetype](#): > > I was clocked a 11 over, in a line of cars in heavy traffic all travelling at 81 in a 70 zone. So you were, in fact, breaking the law, and were issued a citation for breaking that law. Exactly on what basis did you “not deserve” it? ---
**Author:** ![UberArchetype](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/u/2bfe46/32.png) [@UberArchetype](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/UberArchetype)\ **Post date:** [January 2, 2016, 7:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/controversial-encounters-between-law-enforcement-and-civilians-the-omnibus-thread/700942/7806 "2016-01-02T19:57:50Z")
It was unfair - everyone else in sight was going the same speed. ---
**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:** [January 2, 2016, 8:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/controversial-encounters-between-law-enforcement-and-civilians-the-omnibus-thread/700942/7807 "2016-01-02T20:10:27Z")
> [@UberArchetype](#): > > It was unfair - everyone else in sight was going the same speed. Ah, yes, the “everyone does it!” argument, best argued in the famous case of Billy vs. Jimmy where the Supreme Court refused to overturn Billy’s conviction for sticking his tongue out at Jimmy on the basis that Freddy had gotten away with it yesterday. Do you suppose that it’s practical to station thousands of squad cars along the shoulder to pull over every single individual who exceeds the limit? I doubt it. Police officers are human, and in the absence of some sort of Orwellian system of cameras and computers that tracks every vehicle’s movement in real time, they can’t feasibly fine everyone who speeds. You happened to be the one who got caught. You broke the law. You got caught. It was a fair cop. You should accept that and strive to avoid breaking that law again in the future instead of whining that you were the one that drew that particular officer’s attention. ---
**Author:** ![Happy\_Fun\_Ball](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/happy_fun_ball/32/17664_2.png) [@Happy\_Fun\_Ball](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Happy_Fun_Ball)\ **Post date:** [January 3, 2016, 12:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/controversial-encounters-between-law-enforcement-and-civilians-the-omnibus-thread/700942/7808 "2016-01-03T00:09:51Z")
Jesus **Smapti** , you piss me off. I am sure you know by now that I find much of your ideology completely reprehensible. Just goes against every grain of my being more than any other ideology I have ever encountered. Seriously; it’s like nails on a chalkboard but to my soul. But then you keep posting stuff (mostly in other threads, but occasionally in this one) where I agree with 100% and it just drives me nuts. I know this doesn’t change anything, but I just though I would share it with you. ---
**Author:** ![iiandyiiii](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/iiandyiiii/32/7924_2.png) [@iiandyiiii](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/iiandyiiii)\ **Post date:** [January 3, 2016, 12:58am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/controversial-encounters-between-law-enforcement-and-civilians-the-omnibus-thread/700942/7809 "2016-01-03T00:58:00Z")
> [@Happy\_Fun\_Ball](#): > > Jesus **Smapti** , you piss me off. I am sure you know by now that I find much of your ideology completely reprehensible. Just goes against every grain of my being more than any other ideology I have ever encountered. Seriously; it’s like nails on a chalkboard but to my soul. But then you keep posting stuff (mostly in other threads, but occasionally in this one) where I agree with 100% and it just drives me nuts. I know this doesn’t change anything, but I just though I would share it with you. Part of his brain is reasonable. The part dealing with authority and law enforcement appears warped beyond the possibility of repair. ---
**Author:** ![Happy\_Fun\_Ball](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/happy_fun_ball/32/17664_2.png) [@Happy\_Fun\_Ball](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Happy_Fun_Ball)\ **Post date:** [January 3, 2016, 1:38am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/controversial-encounters-between-law-enforcement-and-civilians-the-omnibus-thread/700942/7810 "2016-01-03T01:38:56Z")
> [@iiandyiiii](#): > > Part of his brain is reasonable. The part dealing with authority and law enforcement appears warped beyond the possibility of repair. Right?!? He believes might is right and must be obeyed no matter the cost. Slaves cannot resist their masters or try to escape in his world! Even if they are being raped! If the police are shooting you child, you must just stand and watch, you cannot try to stop them. Fucking weird; he is so rational in other threads. ---
**Author:** ![Frank](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/3d9bf3/32.png) [@Frank](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Frank)\ **Post date:** [January 3, 2016, 2:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/controversial-encounters-between-law-enforcement-and-civilians-the-omnibus-thread/700942/7811 "2016-01-03T02:10:05Z")
> [@UberArchetype](#): > > It was unfair - everyone else in sight was going the same speed. I’ve been there, done that. When we saw the cop everyone, except one driver, slowed to 73 or 74, and moved to the middle lane. That one driver continued over 80 in the left lane. He got pulled over. Fine by me. ---
**Author:** ![Typo\_Negative](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/typo_negative/32/484_2.png) [@Typo\_Negative](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Typo_Negative)\ **Post date:** [January 3, 2016, 3:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/controversial-encounters-between-law-enforcement-and-civilians-the-omnibus-thread/700942/7812 "2016-01-03T03:39:57Z")
> [@Smapti](#): > > Yeah, this is absolutely beyond the pale. _These_ officers fucked up big time and deserve to have the book thrown at them. It wasn’t caught on video, so it will never happen. ---
**Author:** ![UberArchetype](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/u/2bfe46/32.png) [@UberArchetype](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/UberArchetype)\ **Post date:** [January 3, 2016, 3:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/controversial-encounters-between-law-enforcement-and-civilians-the-omnibus-thread/700942/7813 "2016-01-03T15:37:24Z")
> [@Smapti](#): > > You broke the law. You got caught. It was a fair cop. You should accept that and strive to avoid breaking that law again in the future instead of whining that you were the one that drew that particular officer’s attention. Oh for christ sakes. This guy really is an idiot. :rolleyes: I’m not whining about it, couldn’t care less, really. I’m using it as an example of how I don’t like this particular cop. You know, in contrast to how you are a liberal but like cops? Go back and read the thread posts again, slowly this time - for comprehension. :smack: ---
**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:** [January 3, 2016, 5:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/controversial-encounters-between-law-enforcement-and-civilians-the-omnibus-thread/700942/7814 "2016-01-03T17:18:26Z")
> [@UberArchetype](#): > > I’m not whining about it, couldn’t care less, really. I’m using it as an example of how I don’t like this particular cop. You were quite clear about how it was “unfair” and you “didn’t deserve it”. > [@](#): > > You know, in contrast to how you are a liberal but like cops? You say that as if disliking the cops was an inherent part of liberalism, which would no doubt come as some surprise to the many LEOs out there who vote for Democrats. ---
**Author:** ![UberArchetype](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/u/2bfe46/32.png) [@UberArchetype](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/UberArchetype)\ **Post date:** [January 3, 2016, 7:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/controversial-encounters-between-law-enforcement-and-civilians-the-omnibus-thread/700942/7815 "2016-01-03T19:55:20Z")
Now I’m pretty sure you’re just totally ADHD. ---
**Author:** ![Not\_Carlson](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/bc79bd/32.png) [@Not\_Carlson](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Not_Carlson)\ **Post date:** [January 4, 2016, 3:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/controversial-encounters-between-law-enforcement-and-civilians-the-omnibus-thread/700942/7816 "2016-01-04T03:03:18Z")
Meh. Smapti’s posted some outrageous stuff here, but he’s got a point this time. Getting a speeding ticket for speeding isn’t controversial, it’s just a cop doing his/her job. I hate it when I get ticketed for my careless or reckless driving too, but it’s a fair cop says I. Now if the cop had pulled you over and done the old “broken tail light” (crack!) routine, or maybe shot you in the face, well then you’d have grounds for complaint. ---
**Author:** ![user\_hostile](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/user_hostile/32/474_2.png) [@user\_hostile](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/user_hostile)\ **Post date:** [January 4, 2016, 3:59am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/controversial-encounters-between-law-enforcement-and-civilians-the-omnibus-thread/700942/7817 "2016-01-04T03:59:13Z")
> [@Not\_Carlson](#): > > Now if the cop had pulled you over and done the old “broken tail light” (crack!) routine, or maybe shot you in the face, well then you’d have grounds for complaint. Why do you hate America? ---
**Author:** ![Not\_Carlson](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/bc79bd/32.png) [@Not\_Carlson](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Not_Carlson)\ **Post date:** [January 4, 2016, 3:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/controversial-encounters-between-law-enforcement-and-civilians-the-omnibus-thread/700942/7818 "2016-01-04T15:02:09Z")
Because of your freedom, of course. (That, and because an American callgirl once laughed at my tiny, tiny penis.) ---
**Author:** ![madmonk28](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/madmonk28/32/20811_2.png) [@madmonk28](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/madmonk28)\ **Post date:** [January 4, 2016, 3:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/controversial-encounters-between-law-enforcement-and-civilians-the-omnibus-thread/700942/7819 "2016-01-04T15:25:11Z")
> [@UberArchetype](#): > > I was clocked a 11 over, in a line of cars in heavy traffic all travelling at 81 in a 70 zone. I had a friend in high school who became a cop. His standard answer when someone he pulled over pointed out that other people were also speeding: Cop: “You ever been fishing?” Speeder: “Yes” Cop: “You ever catch them all?” ---
**Author:** ![UberArchetype](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/u/2bfe46/32.png) [@UberArchetype](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/UberArchetype)\ **Post date:** [January 4, 2016, 7:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/controversial-encounters-between-law-enforcement-and-civilians-the-omnibus-thread/700942/7820 "2016-01-04T19:00:15Z")
> [@madmonk28](#): > > I had a friend in high school who became a cop. His standard answer when someone he pulled over pointed out that other people were also speeding: > Cop: “You ever been fishing?” > Speeder: “Yes” > Cop: “You ever catch them all?” Oh, no arguments on my particular “example.” Am I still allowed to hate the SOB for picking me? 😕 ---
**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:** [January 4, 2016, 7:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/controversial-encounters-between-law-enforcement-and-civilians-the-omnibus-thread/700942/7821 "2016-01-04T19:19:20Z")
> [@UberArchetype](#): > > Oh, no arguments on my particular “example.” Am I still allowed to hate the SOB for picking me? 😕 You were speeding, weren’t you? Stop complaining that you got caught and start obeying the damn speed limit. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/controversial-encounters-between-law-enforcement-and-civilians-the-omnibus-thread/700942.md?page=390) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/controversial-encounters-between-law-enforcement-and-civilians-the-omnibus-thread/700942.md?page=392)