# 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:** 62
**Author:** ![MrDibble](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mrdibble/32/114_2.png) [@MrDibble](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MrDibble)\ **Post date:** [March 19, 2015, 4:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/controversial-encounters-between-law-enforcement-and-civilians-the-omnibus-thread/700942/1221 "2015-03-19T16:30:48Z")
> [@Smapti](#): > > Name one place in the world where “enforcement of the law without a professional police force” is happening in this day and age. See the goalposts move… ---
**Author:** ![MrDibble](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mrdibble/32/114_2.png) [@MrDibble](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MrDibble)\ **Post date:** [March 19, 2015, 4:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/controversial-encounters-between-law-enforcement-and-civilians-the-omnibus-thread/700942/1222 "2015-03-19T16:32:45Z")
Let me just walk this back a bit - when I was talking about “police”, I was intending the kind of _armed_ police that exists in the US and many other countries. I’m not talking about guys with a whistle and baton. ---
**Author:** ![Acsenray](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/acsenray/32/4519_2.png) [@Acsenray](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Acsenray)\ **Post date:** [March 19, 2015, 4:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/controversial-encounters-between-law-enforcement-and-civilians-the-omnibus-thread/700942/1223 "2015-03-19T16:33:11Z")
“Better than before” is not necessarily good. Neither is it good enough. It’s yesterday’s news. And given the outrageous brutality and knee-jerk defensiveness and petulance and self-martyring that we see from cops and—most of all—wagon circling that we are seeing on a daily basis, I’m not inclined to cut any slack. If police unions and police in general were not so defensive and protective of brutality and instead supported efforts to improve the situation then I would be less ready to paint them with a broad brush. ---
**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:** [March 19, 2015, 4:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/controversial-encounters-between-law-enforcement-and-civilians-the-omnibus-thread/700942/1224 "2015-03-19T16:35:41Z")
> [@iiandyiiii](#): > > So you’re fine with all the reasonable criticism and questioning of the police (which doesn’t constitute an “anti-cop” attitude) that doesn’t compare them to Nazis? I think we disagree on what counts as reasonable, but I certainly don’t think they should be beyond criticism. I do, however, think they should have the same right as anyone else to be presumed innocent in a self-defence case. I mentioned before, probably in this thread, that I support the use of body cameras to help settle any disputes, and to keep both the police and those they interact with honest. ---
**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:** [March 19, 2015, 4:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/controversial-encounters-between-law-enforcement-and-civilians-the-omnibus-thread/700942/1225 "2015-03-19T16:40:36Z")
> [@MrDibble](#): > > Let me just walk this back a bit - when I was talking about “police”, I was intending the kind of _armed_ police that exists in the US and many other countries. I’m not talking about guys with a whistle and baton. Where, exactly, do you think uses “whistle and baton” policing? And yes, you do need police to enforce the law, and you do need law of some sort to have a society. That doesn’t, of course, mean that all law is good law, but the solution is to change the law, not blame those who enforce it. Although it looks like we can add “anarchist” to the list of unpleasant things that you are. ---
**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:** [March 19, 2015, 4:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/controversial-encounters-between-law-enforcement-and-civilians-the-omnibus-thread/700942/1226 "2015-03-19T16:44:21Z")
> [@MrDibble](#): > > Let me just walk this back a bit - when I was talking about “police”, I was intending the kind of _armed_ police that exists in the US and many other countries. I’m not talking about guys with a whistle and baton. See the goalposts move… ---
**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:** [March 19, 2015, 4:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/controversial-encounters-between-law-enforcement-and-civilians-the-omnibus-thread/700942/1227 "2015-03-19T16:49:07Z")
> [@Smapti](#): > > See the goalposts move… Yes, he admits a goalpost move, rather than unrepentantly make things up and lie about other posters like you do. ---
**Author:** ![elucidator](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/8edcca/32.png) [@elucidator](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/elucidator)\ **Post date:** [March 19, 2015, 4:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/controversial-encounters-between-law-enforcement-and-civilians-the-omnibus-thread/700942/1228 "2015-03-19T16:59:11Z")
If we root out the bad cops, nobody will cheer louder than the good ones. ---
**Author:** ![Acsenray](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/acsenray/32/4519_2.png) [@Acsenray](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Acsenray)\ **Post date:** [March 19, 2015, 5:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/controversial-encounters-between-law-enforcement-and-civilians-the-omnibus-thread/700942/1229 "2015-03-19T17:06:05Z")
> [@elucidator](#): > > If we root out the bad cops, nobody will cheer louder than the good ones. Then why do they reflexively defend brutality? Why do they squeak at the merest hint of oversight and accountability? ---
**Author:** ![MrDibble](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mrdibble/32/114_2.png) [@MrDibble](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MrDibble)\ **Post date:** [March 19, 2015, 5:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/controversial-encounters-between-law-enforcement-and-civilians-the-omnibus-thread/700942/1230 "2015-03-19T17:16:42Z")
> [@Steophan](#): > > Where, exactly, do you think uses “whistle and baton” policing? Britain, Ireland, Norway, Iceland and New Zealand > [@](#): > > Although it looks like we can add “anarchist” to the list of unpleasant things that you are. That you think “anarchist” is an unpleasant thing to be says more about you than it does about me. I’m proud to be an anarchist - it’s better than your illicit feelings for Rainbow Dash, at any rate. ---
**Author:** ![MrDibble](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mrdibble/32/114_2.png) [@MrDibble](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MrDibble)\ **Post date:** [March 19, 2015, 5:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/controversial-encounters-between-law-enforcement-and-civilians-the-omnibus-thread/700942/1231 "2015-03-19T17:18:53Z")
> [@Smapti](#): > > See the goalposts move… Dude, it’s OK not to know what an expression means - it’s not “moving the goalposts” if I straight up say “here, let me clarify what I meant” ---
**Author:** ![elucidator](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/8edcca/32.png) [@elucidator](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/elucidator)\ **Post date:** [March 19, 2015, 5:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/controversial-encounters-between-law-enforcement-and-civilians-the-omnibus-thread/700942/1232 "2015-03-19T17:22:34Z")
> [@](#): > > Then why do they reflexively defend brutality? … Dunno, not a cop. What I hear said is that they depend upon each other to such a degree that their “tribal loyalty” exceeds everything else. I am not in a position to judge that. Overall, I am a good person with worthy principles. Could I handle being a cop? Fuck no. ---
**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:** [March 19, 2015, 5:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/controversial-encounters-between-law-enforcement-and-civilians-the-omnibus-thread/700942/1233 "2015-03-19T17:43:14Z")
> [@MrDibble](#): > > Britain Ha ha ha ha ha ha ha! You fucking moron, I live in Britain and that’s not been the case for half a century. Not least because batons are too dangerous, compared to tasers and other options, but you’re too fucking stupid to realise that, aren’t you? > [@](#): > > I’m proud to be an anarchist - it’s better than your illicit feelings for Rainbow Dash, at any rate. What the fuck is a “Rainbow Dash”? And the fact that you’re proud to be an anarchist just proves you’re even more of a fucking moron that I thought. It’s made me realise something though - it’s not you the police need to be protecting, it’s everyone else than needs protecting from you. No wonder you hate them. ---
**Author:** ![MrDibble](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mrdibble/32/114_2.png) [@MrDibble](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MrDibble)\ **Post date:** [March 19, 2015, 6:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/controversial-encounters-between-law-enforcement-and-civilians-the-omnibus-thread/700942/1234 "2015-03-19T18:16:39Z")
> [@Steophan](#): > > Ha ha ha ha ha ha ha! You fucking moron, I live in Britain and that’s not been the case for half a century. Are you saying British police are routinely armed with guns? No? Then they’re still Mr Plod for the purposes of comparison to US police. > [@](#): > > Not least because batons are too dangerous, compared to tasers and other options Only an idiot would think when i said “batons and whistles” I _literally_ meant “batons and whistles” - of course I’m including tasers, mace, radios… > [@](#): > > What the fuck is a “Rainbow Dash”? No, it’s cool, this is a safe space, you can be open about your … proclivities. And rather an anarchist than a racist, any day. Especially a racist _yiffer_… ---
**Author:** ![Revenant\_Threshold](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/f1d935/32.png) [@Revenant\_Threshold](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Revenant_Threshold)\ **Post date:** [March 19, 2015, 6:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/controversial-encounters-between-law-enforcement-and-civilians-the-omnibus-thread/700942/1235 "2015-03-19T18:20:38Z")
> [@MrDibble](#): > > Are you saying British police are routinely armed with guns? No? In recent times, there’s actually been a little of this - you can go to London and sometimes spot the odd armed officer where you mightn’t before. But I wouldn’t say it was routine for police to go armed. ---
**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:** [March 19, 2015, 6:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/controversial-encounters-between-law-enforcement-and-civilians-the-omnibus-thread/700942/1236 "2015-03-19T18:22:37Z")
> [@MrDibble](#): > > Are you saying British police are routinely armed with guns? No? Then they’re still Mr Plod for the purposes of comparison to US police.Only an idiot would think when i said “batons and whistles” I _literally_ meant “batons and whistles” - of course I’m including tasers, mace, radios… Not all are, no, but some are, and there’s always armed police available for immediate despatch if necessary. Which is probably the way it should be when the vast majority of the population isn’t armed. Back maybe 12 or so years ago when there was a significant problem with gun violence (by UK standards) here in Nottingham, it was routine to see armed police about. Not being prone to attacking or insulting the police, I didn’t find that a problem. Oh, and having a go at you for thinking you said what you meant? That’s sensible… Moron. > [@](#): > > No, it’s cool, this is a safe space, you can be open about your … proclivities. > > And rather an anarchist than a racist, any day. Especially a racist _yiffer_… Except that you’ve admitted your dislike of Whitey on many occasions. And I’ve no fucking idea what a “yiffer” is, and I don’t care to look it up. Especially as you’ve said that your actual words don’t matter, so I’m going to assume it’s some sort of homophobic insult and judge you for it. Racist homophobic anarchist twat. ---
**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:** [March 19, 2015, 6:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/controversial-encounters-between-law-enforcement-and-civilians-the-omnibus-thread/700942/1237 "2015-03-19T18:23:09Z")
I had to google Rainbow Dash. 🙂 ---
**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:** [March 19, 2015, 6:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/controversial-encounters-between-law-enforcement-and-civilians-the-omnibus-thread/700942/1238 "2015-03-19T18:24:32Z")
> [@Steophan](#): > > Except that you’ve admitted your dislike of Whitey on many occasions. Do you have a cite for this? I’ve seen a lot of **MrDibble** ’s posts about race, and I don’t recall anything denigrating “Whitey” or the white race as a whole. ---
**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:** [March 19, 2015, 6:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/controversial-encounters-between-law-enforcement-and-civilians-the-omnibus-thread/700942/1239 "2015-03-19T18:34:16Z")
> [@iiandyiiii](#): > > Do you have a cite for this? I’ve seen a lot of **MrDibble** ’s posts about race, and I don’t recall anything denigrating “Whitey” or the white race as a whole. I’m using his own views on race against him, where expressing any idea that could be construed in any way as negative towards a particular race is racism. He’s repeatedly said he trusts white people less than others. Which is understandable given that he’s from SA, but not defensible given his stated positions on race and racism. I’m not searching through thousands of posts to find one, so believe me or not, it’s your choice. ---
**Author:** ![TCMF-2L](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tcmf-2l/32/16553_2.png) [@TCMF-2L](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TCMF-2L)\ **Post date:** [March 19, 2015, 6:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/controversial-encounters-between-law-enforcement-and-civilians-the-omnibus-thread/700942/1240 "2015-03-19T18:36:37Z")
The only Rainbow Dash I can find on Google is a My Little Pony character - a blue horse with a rainbow coloured mane and tail. I guess (from the context) MrDibble is using it as part of his self professed dislike of Furries. Didn’t realise Furries were particularly attracted to My Little Pony characters but I am not exactly part of the scene. (At least I wouldn’t dare admit to being part of the scene around MrDibble after he’s made clear his animosity!) TCMF-2L [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/controversial-encounters-between-law-enforcement-and-civilians-the-omnibus-thread/700942.md?page=61) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/controversial-encounters-between-law-enforcement-and-civilians-the-omnibus-thread/700942.md?page=63)