I think it’s really “don’t vote for the candidate pushing racist conspiracy theories, saying racist things, and re-tweeting white supremacists regularly”, not necessarily that you have to vote for Clinton, to not be a supporter of racism/sexism/homophobia/etc (whether knowingly or unknowingly).
No, they did that.
Relocating to Elections from IMHO.
It’s almost like it’s the flip-side to the “if you disagree with me, you’re anti-police and every police officer who dies in the line of duty means you have blood on your hands” argument. But it’s not like any serious-minded police union or organization official would ever resort to that kind of disingenuous, morally reprehensible kind of tactic.
NO! You should be VERY frightened. Only a Strong Man Leader can save us now. We are being overrun by “them”. We must fight to keep “them” away from good people like us. Vote Strong Man Leader! Glorious Leader!
Police are not underpaid. They make too much. They are able to retire very early and continue to drain the hapless taxpayer long after they stop harassing them.
Two wrongs don’t make a right, mom used to say.
It’s healthy you admit it’s disingenuous and morally reprehensible though.
My God! A union is defending one of their members! I’m shocked! Shocked!
Dude, that’s what public employees unions do. Hell, what all unions do.
The thing to remember is that by their nature, and for good reason, unions will always have a somewhat adversarial relationship with management and their employers. In the case of public employees unions, we’re their employers.
What “anti-police statements” has Clinton made.
I’m aware of what unions do. There are a hundred ways to defend a cop with a Nazi tattoo–mostly centering around the right to free speech so long as it doesn’t interfere with work. Instead, they chose the most racist way. They denied that a Nazi eagle with the word “Fatherland” in Nazi script was a Nazi reference–insisting he was merely showing German pride (which is very similar to what neo-Nazi groups say)–and then said it was basically the same thing as a panther tattoo, suggesting that a Black Panther tattoo would be the equivalent of a Nazi tattoo.
There are police unions that are not racist reactionaries. They prove it’s possible to stand up for cops without being an asshole. But while it’s possible, the balance of FOP leadership doesn’t choose that path. And, as you note, police unions are just a teensy bit of a special case, given that they are already a paramilitary organization with unparalleled power in American society.
The town I live in just distributed “free of charge” political-lawn-sign type signs to all of the businesses in town which are basically I Support The Police Look At This Sign Bearing A Blue Stripe. Good luck being a business owner who may not feel like displaying such propaganda. I suppose it’s either a way to force a contrived sense of support, or a way to shame those who would rather not be told what to display. (Oh, I couldn’t help but notice that you aren’t displaying your sign…) There is a real sense that if one does not support the police 100%, no matter what, then one is anti-police.
Like during the Iraq invasion the public started having concerns about its legitimacy and suddenly “Support our Troops” bumper stickers started showing up everywhere.
This isn’t all that surprising. I don’t think Hillary Clinton herself has been particularly antagonistic toward the police, but democrats and left wing activists have protested police conduct in high profile cases. Of course they had a point, but the police, not eager to change their culture, have probably felt that the activists are taking the sides of victims and are less protective of law enforcement’s interests. It’s unfortunate, but I don’t see police departments, most of which are still accountable to the general public and public servants, getting toxic like Wayne Lapierre, I probably won’t lose too much sleep over this. It was clear early on that Trump was going to appeal to the police more than his leftist counterparts.
For real. Occasionally in my profession we deal with teachers who abuse students verbally, physically, and/or sexually. When someone excoriates those teachers, my main problem is that they’re interrupting me excoriating them. There’s no goddamn way I want them in my profession.
There is a terrible habit among police–#notallpolice–to act differently.
I find that habit loathsome.
If Clinton has actually made anti-police statements, not just excoriating police who act poorly, I’d be interested in hearing what those statements are.
Wait, does NOFP endorsing Trump prove that they’re racist or that Trump appeals to racists?
I’m not sure it proves either, really. I do recognize both that police in the USA are very tolerant of white nationalism in their ranks, and that Trump has been race-baiting his way through the campaign. But if you don’t either already see both of those things as mostly true, and/or see one of them as a defining trait, I don’t expect this endorsement to convince you.
Uuuhhh…you’re being creepy in this post, Hail Ants.
Well said.
I’m very much anti-Trump, but this Op is total bullshit, equating supporting Trump to racist is really terrible. Most Police organizations have leaned Republican over the years anyway.
The conclusion drawn by the Op cannot be supported by reality.
Jim, who is looking forward to voting for our first Woman President over the media circus sideshow.
She has? When? What did she say?
Don’t bother. That question has been asked three times in this thread with no response.
40% of police officers abuse their families (compared to 10% of the general public). And many people who are dealt with by the police are low level criminals. Traffic violators, drug users, the mentally ill, the homeless, people suspected of misdemeanors or non-violent felonies, etc.
Very few people are serious, remorseless criminals.
Life is not black and white. Cops are not all brave heroes fighting against sociopathic gang members. Reality is more murky.