# Gotta pit- the cops. **URL:** \ **Category:** The BBQ Pit\ **Created:** [January 12, 2009, 9:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gotta-pit-the-cops/480892 "2009-01-12T09:04:35Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 5
**Author:** ![Stan\_Shmenge](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/94ad74/32.png) [@Stan\_Shmenge](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Stan_Shmenge)\ **Post date:** [January 13, 2009, 3:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gotta-pit-the-cops/480892/81 "2009-01-13T15:17:56Z")
> [@Paul in Saudi](#): > > I am a Freemason, a school teacher, a retired military officer; a pillar of the community. I am rather spring-loaded in the “suspicious of the police” position. With the exception of one encounter with the Secret Service who were smart, polite and professional, all my meetings with the police have show them to be rude and unprofessional. > > Sure, I have not met all the police in the world, but the ones that I have met have made a bad impression. THIS. Thanks Paul. I bet they are more just over there in Saudi Arabia than they are here. Again, thanks for the support. Again, I ask, all the scoffers in this thread: Are you or any of your relatives LEOs? I don’t expect an answer. ---
**Author:** ![fachverwirrt](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/94ad74/32.png) [@fachverwirrt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/fachverwirrt)\ **Post date:** [January 13, 2009, 3:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gotta-pit-the-cops/480892/82 "2009-01-13T15:54:16Z")
> [@Stan\_Shmenge](#): > > Yes, I can write basic HTML code too. It is just easier to grab posts individually. Can you also click a button? Like, the multi-quote button that we’ve had since last September’s upgrade? > [@Stan\_Shmenge](#): > > I thought I had brought enough money and the change machine was broken. Can you honestly say that you have never gone to the dryer after the time was up, only to find that the clothes were still damp? I, for myself, can’t say that. I can say, though, that if I were in a position where my clothes might be stolen if I left to get more change, I’d probably think to, you know, bring the clothes with me. ---
**Author:** ![Dante](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dante/32/9673_2.png) [@Dante](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dante)\ **Post date:** [January 13, 2009, 4:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gotta-pit-the-cops/480892/83 "2009-01-13T16:27:42Z")
> [@Stan\_Shmenge](#): > > Again, I ask, all the scoffers in this thread: Are you or any of your relatives LEOs? I don’t expect an answer. Really? Reverse psychology? Haven’t seen that technique in a while. And so subtle! FTR, none of my relatives are reverse psychologists. ---
**Author:** ![Stan\_Shmenge](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/94ad74/32.png) [@Stan\_Shmenge](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Stan_Shmenge)\ **Post date:** [January 13, 2009, 4:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gotta-pit-the-cops/480892/84 "2009-01-13T16:30:29Z")
> [@fachverwirrt](#): > > Can you also click a button? Like, the multi-quote button that we’ve had since last September’s upgrade? > I, for myself, can’t say that. I can say, though, that if I were in a position where my clothes might be stolen if I left to get more change, I’d probably think to, you know, bring the clothes with me. Well, I was young and Naive. As far as the multi-quote button, I haven’t really played with it! Sounds good, will give it a try. There are so many doo-dads on the screen that I try to ignore the things I am not using. ---
**Author:** ![Stan\_Shmenge](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/94ad74/32.png) [@Stan\_Shmenge](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Stan_Shmenge)\ **Post date:** [January 13, 2009, 4:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gotta-pit-the-cops/480892/85 "2009-01-13T16:34:50Z")
> [@Dante](#): > > Really? Reverse psychology? Haven’t seen that technique in a while. And so subtle! > > FTR, none of my relatives are reverse psychologists. Not reverse psychology. Just a trend I notice on this board. You will get nitpicked for everything but your main point, which often never gets a response. ---
**Author:** ![Dante](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dante/32/9673_2.png) [@Dante](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dante)\ **Post date:** [January 13, 2009, 4:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gotta-pit-the-cops/480892/86 "2009-01-13T16:47:09Z")
> [@Stan\_Shmenge](#): > > Not reverse psychology. Just a trend I notice on this board. You will get nitpicked for everything but your main point, which often never gets a response. Your main point appears to be that cops are assholes, or specifically, assholes to you. People have been either agreeing or disagreeing with you, usually based on their own experiences with LEOs, or with you (hey, it’s the Pit). And now your next tactic is asking if people are related to any LEOs? Seems you’re the one who’s nitpicking. ---
**Author:** ![Cisco](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/ccd318/32.png) [@Cisco](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cisco)\ **Post date:** [January 13, 2009, 5:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gotta-pit-the-cops/480892/87 "2009-01-13T17:12:52Z")
> [@Dante](#): > > Really? Reverse psychology? Haven’t seen that technique in a while. And so subtle! > > FTR, none of my relatives are reverse psychologists. Hey, cut him some slack. If I waited 3 minutes and 0 posts for an answer and STILL didn’t get one, I’d be in a pretty defeatist mood too. ---
**Author:** ![Fish](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/bc8723/32.png) [@Fish](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fish)\ **Post date:** [January 13, 2009, 6:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gotta-pit-the-cops/480892/88 "2009-01-13T18:27:56Z")
> [@Stan\_Shmenge](#): > > Again, I ask, all the scoffers in this thread: Are you or any of your relatives LEOs? I don’t expect an answer. I drive a dirty car, obey the law, and I have never been ticketed for any moving violation — although I have been pulled over 3 times. None of my relatives are LEOs. I also never “dress down cops,” insist that I know my rights, demand to know why I’m being pulled over, or act in any way obstructive. Lest you think I’m a stay-at-home driver who has not the vast experience you claim, I have driven across the U.S. from Washington to California, and from California to Tennessee, in a van with Canadian plates. In fact, I’ve never been in the vehicle when any member of my family was pulled over, except once — I was in the car when my uncle was pulled over, clearly for speeding. I can’t help but come to the conclusion that you are either unlucky, unpleasant to the cops, or both. It’s hard for me to swallow the concept that all cops are evil bastards looking to screw over the little guy and that I (and everybody else in the thread) happened by sheer coincidence to miss all of them. ---
**Author:** ![Fell\_through\_the\_Ice](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/a9adbd/32.png) [@Fell\_through\_the\_Ice](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fell_through_the_Ice)\ **Post date:** [January 13, 2009, 6:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gotta-pit-the-cops/480892/89 "2009-01-13T18:41:30Z")
> [@Stan\_Shmenge](#): > > I am pretty much a road warrior, and a better driver than you, unless you are Mario Andretti. The douche is stong in this one. ---
**Author:** ![Cisco](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/ccd318/32.png) [@Cisco](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cisco)\ **Post date:** [January 13, 2009, 6:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gotta-pit-the-cops/480892/90 "2009-01-13T18:44:58Z")
> [@Fish](#): > > I drive a dirty car, obey the law, and I have never been ticketed for any moving violation In all fairness to Stan Shmenge, being pulled over for having a dirty car in Irvine is the most believable story in the OP. ---
**Author:** ![Fish](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/bc8723/32.png) [@Fish](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fish)\ **Post date:** [January 13, 2009, 6:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gotta-pit-the-cops/480892/91 "2009-01-13T18:52:21Z")
There’s this thing called soap and water. I’m sure they have some of it in California, although they may have to pipe in the soap from somewhere. ---
**Author:** ![Cisco](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/ccd318/32.png) [@Cisco](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cisco)\ **Post date:** [January 13, 2009, 7:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gotta-pit-the-cops/480892/92 "2009-01-13T19:04:04Z")
Again, in the spirit of fairness, you admitedly don’t wash your car, Fish. ---
**Author:** ![Fish](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/bc8723/32.png) [@Fish](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fish)\ **Post date:** [January 13, 2009, 7:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gotta-pit-the-cops/480892/93 "2009-01-13T19:17:35Z")
In the spirit of fairness, a dirty car has never caused me to get a ticket, either. If I were being pulled over regularly for “driving a dirty car” I would find the time to wash the fucking thing. 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![Fell\_through\_the\_Ice](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/a9adbd/32.png) [@Fell\_through\_the\_Ice](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fell_through_the_Ice)\ **Post date:** [January 13, 2009, 7:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gotta-pit-the-cops/480892/94 "2009-01-13T19:24:04Z")
> [@Stan\_Shmenge](#): > > “I am ticketing you for having long hair, ya dirty hippie” Please scan and upload the citation which lists “having long hair” as the reason you were ticketed. ---
**Author:** ![Cisco](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/ccd318/32.png) [@Cisco](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cisco)\ **Post date:** [January 13, 2009, 7:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gotta-pit-the-cops/480892/95 "2009-01-13T19:32:22Z")
> [@Fish](#): > > In the spirit of fairness, a dirty car has never caused me to get a ticket, either. If I were being pulled over regularly for “driving a dirty car” I would find the time to wash the fucking thing. 🙂 How many times did he say he was pulled over for driving a dirty car? ---
**Author:** ![Algher](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/3d9bf3/32.png) [@Algher](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Algher)\ **Post date:** [January 13, 2009, 7:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gotta-pit-the-cops/480892/96 "2009-01-13T19:36:57Z")
> [@Cisco](#): > > In all fairness to Stan Shmenge, being pulled over for having a dirty car in Irvine is the most believable story in the OP. My wife got pulled over in my old beater truck in Irvine. Once they approached the vehicle (hands on guns, though holstered) and realized that they had stopped three middle aged women they relaxed. The official reason? The tags were expiring in a few weeks (though not yet). I have only once dealt with a bitter officer, but even then he let me off (issue regarding the legality of a left turn from a parking lot leaving a Ducks game). I have been let off many times, due in no small part I think to politeness to initial responses. This includes blowing through a stop sign at 2:00 AM on a Saturday night/Sunday evening. \*\*Stan’s \*\*descriptions of police activity certainly can happen, but IMHO represent less than 1% of all cops. \*\*Stan \*\*- stay out of Vegas, your odds stink. ---
**Author:** ![Fish](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/bc8723/32.png) [@Fish](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fish)\ **Post date:** [January 13, 2009, 7:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gotta-pit-the-cops/480892/97 "2009-01-13T19:56:17Z")
> [@Cisco](#): > > How many times did he say he was pulled over for driving a dirty car? How many times did he say _the cop said_ he was pulled over for a dirty car? Once. ---
**Author:** ![Jamaika\_a\_jamaikaiake](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/7993a0/32.png) [@Jamaika\_a\_jamaikaiake](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jamaika_a_jamaikaiake)\ **Post date:** [January 13, 2009, 8:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gotta-pit-the-cops/480892/98 "2009-01-13T20:08:15Z")
> [@Stan\_Shmenge](#): > > Yah, five tickets in 40 years of driving. I am a real scofflaw. Are you a LEO or related to one by any chance? What are the chances someone is not related to a random 1/12 of the population? ---
**Author:** ![Cisco](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/ccd318/32.png) [@Cisco](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cisco)\ **Post date:** [January 13, 2009, 8:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gotta-pit-the-cops/480892/99 "2009-01-13T20:14:58Z")
> [@Fish](#): > > How many times did he say _the cop said_ he was pulled over for a dirty car? Once. Huh? How many ducks in a cup of tea in China? ---
**Author:** ![Stan\_Shmenge](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/94ad74/32.png) [@Stan\_Shmenge](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Stan_Shmenge)\ **Post date:** [January 13, 2009, 8:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gotta-pit-the-cops/480892/100 "2009-01-13T20:29:38Z")
> [@Jamaika\_a\_jamaikaiake](#): > > What are the chances someone is not related to a random 1/12 of the population? If one in twelve citizens is a cop, we truly are living in a police state and it is all over. Welcome to Prison Planet. I was reading a book of “facts”, answers to questions posed to the NY public library, that claimed that 1 out over every 10 grocery dollars is spent on Oreo Cookies. Not believing that one either. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gotta-pit-the-cops/480892.md?page=4) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gotta-pit-the-cops/480892.md?page=6)