# How could a police officer be this wrong? **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [June 30, 2012, 12:54am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-could-a-police-officer-be-this-wrong/626759 "2012-06-30T00:54:33Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 19
**Author:** ![Ambivalid](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/a5b964/32.png) [@Ambivalid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ambivalid)\ **Post date:** [July 30, 2012, 1:53am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-could-a-police-officer-be-this-wrong/626759/361 "2012-07-30T01:53:05Z")
> [@Labrador\_Deceiver](#): > > You didn’t have to deal with shit. The illegally parked car inconvenienced you in no way. > > If you want to get angry that someone was breaking the law, fine. That’s legit. But don’t act like it had any other negative consequences on your ability to function in a wheelchair. I tire of this little game. I DIDN"T SAY THAT PARTICULAR ILLEGALLY PARKED CAR directly affected me that day. WHAT I SAID was that I had to “constantly deal with asses _ **like** _ the one that parked his car illegally that day.” Close but no cigar. ---
**Author:** ![Labrador\_Deceiver](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/7c8e57/32.png) [@Labrador\_Deceiver](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Labrador_Deceiver)\ **Post date:** [July 30, 2012, 1:53am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-could-a-police-officer-be-this-wrong/626759/362 "2012-07-30T01:53:58Z")
> [@Labrador\_Deceiver](#): > > You didn’t have to deal with shit. The illegally parked car inconvenienced you in no way. > > If you want to get angry that someone was breaking the law, fine. That’s legit. But don’t act like it had any other negative consequences on your ability to function in a wheelchair. After re-reading, I think I misunderstood what you were saying. I apologize and retract the above. ETA: Simulpost. ---
**Author:** ![Ambivalid](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/a5b964/32.png) [@Ambivalid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ambivalid)\ **Post date:** [July 30, 2012, 1:55am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-could-a-police-officer-be-this-wrong/626759/363 "2012-07-30T01:55:29Z")
> [@Labrador\_Deceiver](#): > > The only difference is that he was provoked. “Provoked” only to him. And I agree. But I’m saying his standard for provocation in that instance was completely flawed and not justified whatsoever; considering the circumstances. ---
**Author:** ![Labrador\_Deceiver](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/7c8e57/32.png) [@Labrador\_Deceiver](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Labrador_Deceiver)\ **Post date:** [July 30, 2012, 1:57am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-could-a-police-officer-be-this-wrong/626759/364 "2012-07-30T01:57:32Z")
> [@Ambivalid](#): > > “Provoked” only to him. And I agree. But I’m saying his standard for provocation in that instance was completely flawed and not justified whatsoever; considering the circumstances. Yes it was. Totally justified. A guy who has no business even asking such a question asked him a dickish question. Yeah, he was well within bounds with his response. ---
**Author:** ![Ambivalid](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/a5b964/32.png) [@Ambivalid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ambivalid)\ **Post date:** [July 30, 2012, 1:58am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-could-a-police-officer-be-this-wrong/626759/365 "2012-07-30T01:58:48Z")
> [@Labrador\_Deceiver](#): > > After re-reading, I think I misunderstood what you were saying. I apologize and retract the above. > > ETA: Simulpost. Ok. Noted. I read this after I already posted a response, however. ---
**Author:** ![Magiver](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/4491bb/32.png) [@Magiver](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Magiver)\ **Post date:** [July 30, 2012, 2:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-could-a-police-officer-be-this-wrong/626759/366 "2012-07-30T02:03:40Z")
> [@Ambivalid](#): > > “Provoked” only to him. And I agree. But I’m saying his standard for provocation in that instance was completely flawed and not justified whatsoever; considering the circumstances. people don’t like busybodies. You can be right and still be a horse’s ass. I get the impression that you haven’t come to terms with your physical limitations and are striking out those who most remind you of that fact. ---
**Author:** ![Labrador\_Deceiver](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/7c8e57/32.png) [@Labrador\_Deceiver](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Labrador_Deceiver)\ **Post date:** [July 30, 2012, 2:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-could-a-police-officer-be-this-wrong/626759/367 "2012-07-30T02:03:46Z")
> [@Ambivalid](#): > > Ok. Noted. I read this after I already posted a response, however. Yeah, I was late with the correction. Sorry. ---
**Author:** ![Ambivalid](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/a5b964/32.png) [@Ambivalid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ambivalid)\ **Post date:** [July 30, 2012, 2:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-could-a-police-officer-be-this-wrong/626759/368 "2012-07-30T02:05:59Z")
> [@Labrador\_Deceiver](#): > > A guy who has no business even asking such a question Well we could go on but I think this is where we’ll just have to disagree. It wasn’t an accusation of any crime, it was only the inquiry into automobile ownership. I didn’t preface my question with, “This car is parked with no permit, is it _your_ car?” I simply asked the man if the auto belonged to him. How is that question off limits? I could potentially see the argument (not that I agree but the argument would at least be stronger) if I was asking someone if they had _permission_ to park in handicap parking, but that is not what was being asked. ---
**Author:** ![Ambivalid](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/a5b964/32.png) [@Ambivalid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ambivalid)\ **Post date:** [July 30, 2012, 2:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-could-a-police-officer-be-this-wrong/626759/369 "2012-07-30T02:09:57Z")
> [@Magiver](#): > > I get the impression that you haven’t come to terms with your physical limitations and are striking out those who most remind you of that fact. If I tell you you’re wrong, will you believe me? :rolleyes: People who violate handicap parking are the ones who most remind me of my physical limitations? How’d you come to that conclusion, exactly? What’s the psychology behind that? 😕 ---
**Author:** ![billfish678](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/7bcc69/32.png) [@billfish678](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/billfish678)\ **Post date:** [July 30, 2012, 2:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-could-a-police-officer-be-this-wrong/626759/370 "2012-07-30T02:16:44Z")
> [@Ambivalid](#): > > Well we could go on but I think this is where we’ll just have to disagree. It wasn’t an accusation of any crime, it was only the inquiry into automobile ownership. Baloney. Unless you were asking because you wanted to know if it got good gas mileage or gave a nice ride or some kind of " is this a nice car?" type of question you were indeed amateur “crimestopping”. You were asking specifically because it WAS in the handicapped parking space and you thought something wasn’t right about it. You just wanted to know if the old fart was the perp. And the non perp old fart got pissed about being falsely accused. Kinda like you did awhile back for being accussed of being parked in a handicapped parking space illegally (how ironic). ---
**Author:** ![Magiver](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/4491bb/32.png) [@Magiver](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Magiver)\ **Post date:** [July 30, 2012, 2:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-could-a-police-officer-be-this-wrong/626759/371 "2012-07-30T02:20:47Z")
> [@Ambivalid](#): > > If I tell you you’re wrong, will you believe me? :rolleyes: I’m just throwing out what I see as the obvious. It doesn’t hurt my feelings if you don’t see it. I have nothing to gain or lose in this. > [@Ambivalid](#): > > People who violate handicap parking are the ones who most remind me of my physical limitations? How’d you come to that conclusion, exactly? What’s the psychology behind that? 😕 because you get all worked up by it. ---
**Author:** ![Magiver](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/4491bb/32.png) [@Magiver](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Magiver)\ **Post date:** [July 30, 2012, 2:22am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-could-a-police-officer-be-this-wrong/626759/372 "2012-07-30T02:22:54Z")
I would be interested in an answer to this question. Since you’re going to the gym to exercise, why don’t you park in the back and take up 2 parking spaces? ---
**Author:** ![Labrador\_Deceiver](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/7c8e57/32.png) [@Labrador\_Deceiver](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Labrador_Deceiver)\ **Post date:** [July 30, 2012, 2:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-could-a-police-officer-be-this-wrong/626759/373 "2012-07-30T02:25:49Z")
> [@Ambivalid](#): > > Well we could go on but I think this is where we’ll just have to disagree. It wasn’t an accusation of any crime, it was only the inquiry into automobile ownership. This is incredibly coy of you. Cartoonishly so. I don’t think anyone is buying it, though. ---
**Author:** ![Ambivalid](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/a5b964/32.png) [@Ambivalid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ambivalid)\ **Post date:** [July 30, 2012, 2:29am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-could-a-police-officer-be-this-wrong/626759/374 "2012-07-30T02:29:53Z")
> [@Magiver](#): > > I’m just throwing out what I see as the obvious. It doesn’t hurt my feelings if you don’t see it. I have nothing to gain or lose in this. > > because you get all worked up by it. LOL. Oh, I see. ---
**Author:** ![Magiver](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/4491bb/32.png) [@Magiver](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Magiver)\ **Post date:** [July 30, 2012, 2:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-could-a-police-officer-be-this-wrong/626759/375 "2012-07-30T02:32:52Z")
> [@Ambivalid](#): > > LOL. Oh, I see. this is actually the response I would expect. ---
**Author:** ![Ambivalid](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/a5b964/32.png) [@Ambivalid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ambivalid)\ **Post date:** [July 30, 2012, 2:35am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-could-a-police-officer-be-this-wrong/626759/376 "2012-07-30T02:35:57Z")
> [@billfish678](#): > > Baloney. > > Unless you were asking because you wanted to know if it got good gas mileage or gave a nice ride or some kind of " is this a nice car?" type of question you were indeed amateur “crimestopping”. > > You were asking specifically because it WAS in the handicapped parking space and you thought something wasn’t right about it. You just wanted to know if the old fart was the perp. And the non perp old fart got pissed about being falsely accused. Kinda like you did awhile back for being accussed of being parked in a handicapped parking space illegally (how ironic). Baloney on you. I’m not denying what my motivation was, I’m saying this man only heard a question about car ownership. Considering the next thing out of his mouth after answering that question was ,“what’s wrong?”, it doesn’t suggest he had any idea I was implying he had parked illegally. He didn’t get “falsely accused” of shit. And he didn’t react as if he was accused of anything. It WAS a shiny new Cadillac, so why is “is this your car?” _not_ a question in the line of wanting to know about “gas mileage” or “being nice”? and automatically a “crimestopping” one? Hmm? ---
**Author:** ![Labrador\_Deceiver](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/7c8e57/32.png) [@Labrador\_Deceiver](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Labrador_Deceiver)\ **Post date:** [July 30, 2012, 2:37am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-could-a-police-officer-be-this-wrong/626759/377 "2012-07-30T02:37:54Z")
> [@Ambivalid](#): > > Baloney on you. I’m not denying what my motivation was, I’m saying this man only heard a question about car ownership. Considering the next thing out of his mouth after answering that question was ,“what’s wrong?”, it doesn’t suggest he had any idea I was implying he had parked illegally. He didn’t get “falsely accused” of shit. And he didn’t react as if he was accused of anything. > > It WAS a shiny new Cadillac, so why is “is this your car?” _not_ a question in the line of wanting to know about “gas mileage” or “being nice”? and automatically a “crimestopping” one? Hmm? Again, nobody’s buying it. You’re actually coming across as desperate at this point. ---
**Author:** ![Ambivalid](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/a5b964/32.png) [@Ambivalid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ambivalid)\ **Post date:** [July 30, 2012, 2:38am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-could-a-police-officer-be-this-wrong/626759/378 "2012-07-30T02:38:09Z")
And just in general, I would take this criticism against me _ **much more seriously** _ if it was made by anyone other than the same ole’ band of posters who regularly gang up together in my threads. That and if the criticism held up under scrutiny. ---
**Author:** ![Magiver](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/4491bb/32.png) [@Magiver](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Magiver)\ **Post date:** [July 30, 2012, 2:41am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-could-a-police-officer-be-this-wrong/626759/379 "2012-07-30T02:41:39Z")
> [@Ambivalid](#): > > Baloney on you. I’m not denying what my motivation was, I’m saying this man only heard a question about car ownership. Considering the next thing out of his mouth after answering that question was ,“what’s wrong?”, it doesn’t suggest he had any idea I was implying he had parked illegally. He didn’t get “falsely accused” of shit. And he didn’t react as if he was accused of anything. > > It WAS a shiny new Cadillac, so why is “is this your car?” _not_ a question in the line of wanting to know about “gas mileage” or “being nice”? and automatically a “crimestopping” one? Hmm? Ambivalid, certainly you understand that words represent only part of the communication process. The person you talked to could hear the inflection in your voice and look at your body movement to infer what you meant. Unless you have asperger’s syndrome you should understand that it was quit easy for the person to infer what you were talking about. You certainly should also understand how people might react to a busybody regardless of the legal aspect of the parking violation. ---
**Author:** ![Ambivalid](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/a5b964/32.png) [@Ambivalid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ambivalid)\ **Post date:** [July 30, 2012, 2:42am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-could-a-police-officer-be-this-wrong/626759/380 "2012-07-30T02:42:13Z")
> [@Labrador\_Deceiver](#): > > Again, nobody’s buying it. You’re actually coming across as desperate at this point. No… You, Billfish, Magiver, MOL, Ascenray and Joey P (and some others) aren’t “buying it” and frankly the lot of you wouldn’t “buy” anything I said no matter what. So what difference does that make? [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-could-a-police-officer-be-this-wrong/626759.md?page=18) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-could-a-police-officer-be-this-wrong/626759.md?page=20)