P.S. Bear in mind that the average cop probably has to put up with a heck of a lot more serious abuse than a t-shirt depicting a cop holding the word ‘pig’. Any cop who reacts badly to this t-shirt has seriously questionable mental stability.
Yes, I only associate with telepaths. I actually haven’t spoken a word in several years (I’m also telepathic). What?! My claim that I would probably rather not associate with someone who was actually offended by a t-shirt of this nature means just that. If someone comes up to me while I am wearing the cop/pig t-shirt (I don’t own it and wouldn’t because I don’t think it’s very funny, not because it’s too offensive) and gives me some sort of ‘cops deserve better’ spiel, it’s no skin off my nose. This person is taking things far too literally, and I try not to associate with overly-judgmental people.
Better than what? They should be immune from being depicted in a negative manner on a t-shirt? Pray tell who else deserves this sort of special treatment. I wouldn’t want to walk around offending people who do our dirty work…
Also, for those that are implying that the wearing of this t-shirt may lead to getting beaten up by cops, if that really is the case then isn’t the shirt all that much more apt… I think we’d be hard pressed to find many (if any) cops who are actually offended by this t-shirt (I also certainly hope that this is the case).
It 's just a f***ing t-shirt that could get your head peeled like an apple, that’s all.
I’m sure not going bet that the cop that happens to pull me over is mentally stable.
I seriously doubt that.
I wouldn’t feel the slightest bit nervous about wearing the t-shirt out and about for cops to see. If a cop so much as approached me for questioning because of the t-shirt I’d be genuinely surprised. Afterall what kind of training do cops get if they believe a subversive t-shirt gives them reason to believe the wearer is up to no good.
Your mother’s right. It’ll get a lot of negative reaction. Are you here looking for opinions? I think anyone wearing that shirt would be an asshole or a little punk looking for attention.
What is it that you like about that shirt?
Lobsang, old thing, old chap, old staple-puller, I really think you should re-assess that statement, in light of the fact that the professionalism, training, leadership & brainpower of local cops varies widely throughout this grand nation of ours.
In various rural districts, the word “hippie” is still in common usage, applied to anybody with hair longer than a crewcut, mullets not included.
The term “hick cop” oh just leaps to mind.
In these locales, that shirt can get you hurt.
I understand the source of your error–you are a sophisticated cosmopolite, and far above this sort of thing. In a pig’s eye, you are! 
[brain]re-assessing…
accessing… Memory accessed: watching ‘cops’ and ‘America’s wildest police videos’ with the interviews of local cops.
applying new term ‘hick cop’ to old memory of interviewed cops. match.
Communication port open[/brain]
I guess I’ll take your word for it.
[brain]Communication port closed.
Switching to idle mode[/brain]
(ok so I got carried away with the brain process thing)
Lobsang, come on over to the U.S. and I’ll take you out for a night of bar hopping at some of my stops here in North Jersey while you’re wearing that shirt. We’ll see if you “still doubt that” on the ride home.
Never mind, I see you’ve thought it out.
Hmmm… “Cosmopolite” cos-mo-po-lite. Yes… that’ll do nicely. I’ve heard of “cosmopolitian”, but I never knew “cosmopolites” existed. Thanks for the handy word Bosda!
Now, I’m just supposing here, but I’m guessing that for some cops, this t-shirt would inspire them to do just what was required of them—just their duty and no more. I’m not suggesting that it would inspire cops to beat up the wearer of this t-shirt (though I’m sure that there are less-than-savory cops who would do that).
But there are instances where a cop can use his/her discretion on a matter—let that person off with a warning for speeding, or give them a ticket. Go the extra mile to give them a break, or not. Be more laid-back and sympathetic, or go strictly “by the book” even if it’s perhaps a little harsh. I think such a shirt might inspire the “by the book” and no more.
So even when you encounter a perfectly professional, honest cop, (which I’m sure are the majority) you might get a less-than-optimum response from them, because of that t-shirt.
I have. But I still find it alarming (assumig it’s true). You make it sound comparable to walking around in Israel wearing a Nazi uniform. Or republican areas of Northern Ireland with a Union Jack draped around you. And those would cause reactions from civilians. This is police we are talking about.
Don’t interpret that as me continuing to doubt it. As I said I take your word(s) for it. What would be the reaction on east/west coast of America (i.e not ‘middle’ America)?
Well, I’m east coast (NJ), and alot of my friends are cops who get pretty drunk and rowdy out of uniform. One of them just smashed a guys face in with a pool ball last weekend. Back to the OP. Why would you want to wear that shirt? I think more people would look at you and think “asshole” rather than “wow, that person’s coool”. What’s the point? Does anyone think all cops are pigs?
In Britain that t-shirt would inspire virtually no feeling in most people. They wouldn’t think twice about it, and are unlikely to think “asshole” if they see someone wearing it. (We have better reasons to think of people as assholes, like making way too much noise on a friday night). It looks typical of the psuedo-controversial t-shirts that seem common (at least in the culture I live in) these days. Therefore we dismiss it subconsciously as just another wacky t-shirt.
But if the op is going to wear it in this America where people are apparently less indiferent to the statements deliberate or not, of others, then I wouldn’t listen to me.
Again, I’m puzzled by the idea that thinking you agree with the sign you’re wearing on your chest is taking things far too literally. Since it’s a good bet that you chose to wear that shirt (assuming you did), it’s kinda hard to place any other interpretation on it.
Huh? Do you actually consider it special treatment to not go around blanketly insulting a group of people based on their choice of career, especially when that career is one of public service?
I would never go up to a person and tell them that I thought their t-shirt was offensive. It’s not my place to do that - note that the OP asked for opinions. You, on the other hand, apparently find it so normal to wear clothing that puts down a group of people that to not do so is considered “special treatment.” And yet, you suggest that I’m overly-judgmental? I suppose that’s valid, since my feeling is based on actual judgment, while a broadly insulting shirt is based on …? A desire to be obnoxious or hurtful? A failed attempt to be funny? I don’t know.
Deliberate or not? What, are people in the UK dressed by the t-shirt fairy?
Will someone please explain to me why it’s not reasonable to assume that the views expressed on one’s t-shirt are one’s own?
It’s not irony to flat out say something when you don’t mean it at all - with no cues to indicate sarcasm or humor. It’s also not funny. It’s just either stupid or outright lying.
I’m not saying that. I am simply saying that most people in the UK don’t give a rat’s arse what the views of a complete stranger are. AND about half would probably agree with the sentiment of the t-shirt.
I don’t find the t-shirt funny or cool. Nor do I find it offensive or disagreeable. I am completely indifferent to it. I DO NOT CARE about it enough to form an actionable opinion. The thing I do care about is that so many people can get worked up about something that MAY show someone’s general opinion, but probably not their current state of mind. The wearer of that t-shirt is not likely to have thoughts of hate towards the police flowing through his mind at every moment!
I happen to respect most police, the reasonable ones who do their job properly and don’t bring their own personal feelings into the mix. I wanted to be a policeman when I finished Uni. I still do. (but I have a job and am getting a little to comfortable being overweight)
Have fun with your new toy, astro. 
Sounds like a great guy. Just the type that inspired Ice T’s “Cop Killer”.