# Why I hate cops **URL:** \ **Category:** The BBQ Pit\ **Created:** [June 19, 2014, 9:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-i-hate-cops/691174 "2014-06-19T21:38:27Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 11
**Author:** ![Jackmannii](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jackmannii/32/311_2.png) [@Jackmannii](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jackmannii)\ **Post date:** [July 2, 2014, 9:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-i-hate-cops/691174/201 "2014-07-02T21:35:31Z")
> [@LibrarySpy](#): > > Cops are chosen for their low IQs. Considering all the dumbass assertions made on this board over the years, this may not make the top 100, but it’s a contender. It reminds me of a guy in my Political Science 101 course freshman year, who confidently proclaimed to the class that all Chicago cops when they were growing up, drove through the ghetto throwing rocks at black people’s houses. Not that some were racists…but that they _all_ were rock-throwing deviants in their formative years. Such testimonies say a lot more about the brain-dead prejudices of those who emit them. ---
**Author:** ![Ethilrist](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ethilrist/32/4604_2.png) [@Ethilrist](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ethilrist)\ **Post date:** [July 3, 2014, 12:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-i-hate-cops/691174/202 "2014-07-03T12:24:38Z")
> [@common\_good](#): > > I’m busy. My nephew is in hospital and I’m involved in a custody battle over his guardianship. **I don’t have time for petty crap.** Your suspicions are false. Go live a life outside the castle walls, then get back with me. > Can’t believe how many dumb smart people at this site. Posting cites that support your point are not petty crap. If you don’t have time to support your point, don’t start threads. ---
**Author:** ![andros](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/e480ec/32.png) [@andros](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/andros)\ **Post date:** [July 3, 2014, 2:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-i-hate-cops/691174/203 "2014-07-03T14:46:58Z")
> [@Ethilrist](#): > > Posting cites that support your point are not petty crap. If you don’t have time to support your point, don’t start threads. Jeezus! Give the guy a break! All he wanted to do was have a whole bunch of people agree with him that “Teh copz r dum!” Is that so much to ask? ---
**Author:** ![common\_good](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/f475e1/32.png) [@common\_good](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/common_good)\ **Post date:** [July 3, 2014, 10:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-i-hate-cops/691174/204 "2014-07-03T22:38:04Z")
> [@Ethilrist](#): > > Posting cites that support your point are not petty crap. If you don’t have time to support your point, don’t start threads. Fine, and don’t answer them. I’ll cite when able. I’m guided by memory, which is not reliable. But, my memory is sharp for an old guy and my personal experience, wide. I’m also working on some equations for you (too) serious professionals, as well. Patience, my eager young brethren of Science. I have many more tales of Police-State Gazette to tell. btw, met a nice cop today. ---
**Author:** ![common\_good](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/f475e1/32.png) [@common\_good](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/common_good)\ **Post date:** [July 3, 2014, 10:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-i-hate-cops/691174/205 "2014-07-03T22:42:31Z")
> [@andros](#): > > Jeezus! Give the guy a break! All he wanted to do was have a whole bunch of people agree with him that “Teh copz r dum!” Is that so much to ask? And you wanna’ make fun of me. Knock yourself out. That’s much more important. Don’t know about you, Andros ? I like your swagger. Don’t yet know if you know anything much. ---
**Author:** ![Debillw3](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/3bc359/32.png) [@Debillw3](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Debillw3)\ **Post date:** [July 3, 2014, 10:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-i-hate-cops/691174/206 "2014-07-03T22:43:51Z")
Does the word “most” still mean “no less than 50% +1”? If so, I read through this entire thread and all I found was anecdotal evidence that doesn’t even come close to proving that no less than 50% +1 cops in the whole world are evil assholes. Is anyone going to prove that? ---
**Author:** ![common\_good](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/f475e1/32.png) [@common\_good](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/common_good)\ **Post date:** [July 3, 2014, 10:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-i-hate-cops/691174/207 "2014-07-03T22:51:34Z")
Many of my critics are in denial about police powers in America. I plan to inform you, in time. Come down off of your lofty perches, a bit, and dismount your royal steeds. You niave shall be enlightened in time. Your homework: read 1984, Orwell… . And re-read The US Constitution. Assuming you’ve read it once, at least. Later, my esteemed colleagues. Keep your minds open and your flies closed. ---
**Author:** ![andros](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/e480ec/32.png) [@andros](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/andros)\ **Post date:** [July 3, 2014, 10:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-i-hate-cops/691174/208 "2014-07-03T22:54:11Z")
> [@common\_good](#): > > And you wanna’ make fun of me. I don’t know about _want._ It’s more like when a pitcher lobs in a perfect grapefruit; I just gotta swing at it. > [@](#): > > Don’t know about you, Andros ? I like your swagger. Don’t yet know if you know anything much. Nope, not much. I know to always split aces and eights, never to play pool with a guy named Slim, never to go up against a Sicilian when death is on the line, and always to drink my Ovaltine. I reckon that’s about it…but really, there’s not much else to know in life. ---
**Author:** ![common\_good](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/f475e1/32.png) [@common\_good](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/common_good)\ **Post date:** [July 3, 2014, 10:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-i-hate-cops/691174/209 "2014-07-03T22:58:05Z")
Oh, and I corrected my OP by adding that not all cops are assholes. Half, maybe. OK ? Stop splitting hairs and tell me where I’m wrong. The cops in NYC shot a black guy going to his own wedding 41 times ! He was ‘armed’ with a fucking hero sandwich ! Springsteen wrote a song about it, for Christ sakes. There, you made me bring Him into it. I’m not makin’ this shit up, my tender darlings. ---
**Author:** ![andros](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/e480ec/32.png) [@andros](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/andros)\ **Post date:** [July 3, 2014, 11:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-i-hate-cops/691174/210 "2014-07-03T23:01:11Z")
Now as for things I _believe_? That’s another matter entirely. F’rinstance: > [@common\_good](#): > > Many of my critics are in denial about police powers in America. I believe that is simply incorrect. > [@](#): > > Your homework: read 1984, Orwell… . I believe that _1984_ is neither a textbook nor a Sibyl. I also believe that it’s been sadly abused by people who don’t really understand it or its context. > [@](#): > > And re-read The US Constitution. Assuming you’ve read it once, at least. Later, my esteemed colleagues. Keep your minds open and your flies closed. And I believe quite firmly that whatever you plan on teaching us about how awful police are has nothing to do with the Constitution. But I also believe that you’ll come up with some sort of tenuous connection that you, in turn, believe makes perfect sense. Also, I believe with all my heart that the Dodgers will win the pennant. Some day. ---
**Author:** ![common\_good](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/f475e1/32.png) [@common\_good](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/common_good)\ **Post date:** [July 3, 2014, 11:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-i-hate-cops/691174/211 "2014-07-03T23:03:06Z")
> [@andros](#): > > I don’t know about _want._ It’s more like when a pitcher lobs in a perfect grapefruit; I just gotta swing at it. > > Nope, not much. I know to always split aces and eights, never to play pool with a guy named Slim, never to go up against a Sicilian when death is on the line, and always to drink my Ovaltine. I reckon that’s about it…but really, there’s not much else to know in life. I don’t play poker, I can beat Slim at pool, and I AM Sicilian. Didn’t know Ovaltine was still marketed. You must have some years on you, for that reference. Oh, pitchers don’t throw fruit. But I can still hit the shit out of whatever baseballs they throw. I like you , Pal. Don’t know just why, yet. ---
**Author:** ![common\_good](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/f475e1/32.png) [@common\_good](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/common_good)\ **Post date:** [July 3, 2014, 11:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-i-hate-cops/691174/212 "2014-07-03T23:13:05Z")
Okay, if you want to be taken seriously, leave out the Dodgers, just as Cub fans have learned about their beliefs. ---
**Author:** ![Debillw3](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/3bc359/32.png) [@Debillw3](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Debillw3)\ **Post date:** [July 3, 2014, 11:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-i-hate-cops/691174/213 "2014-07-03T23:18:14Z")
> [@common\_good](#): > > Oh, and I corrected my OP by adding that not all cops are assholes. Half, maybe. OK ? Stop splitting hairs and tell me where I’m wrong. The cops in NYC shot a black guy going to his own wedding 41 times ! He was ‘armed’ with a fucking hero sandwich ! Springsteen wrote a song about it, for Christ sakes. There, you made me bring Him into it. I’m not makin’ this shit up, my tender darlings. You keep pulling out numbers, I’ll keep expecting cites. That’s not splitting hairs; that’s expecting that you say only that which you can back up. That’s also not saying that you’re wrong, but, rather, saying that you need to, again, prove the accuracy of the numbers you’re quoting. Per that post, you’ve changed your stance from “50% +1” to 50%. Again, all I see is anecdotal evidence. _cough_ Sampling Bias _cough_ ---
**Author:** ![andros](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/e480ec/32.png) [@andros](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/andros)\ **Post date:** [July 3, 2014, 11:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-i-hate-cops/691174/214 "2014-07-03T23:18:45Z")
> [@common\_good](#): > > I like you , Pal. Don’t know just why, yet. I thought we’d covered that. It’s because I’m such a sexy bitch. And also because I’m a charming but amoral rogue who turns out to have a heart of gold in act three. [Grapefruit](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Glossary_of_baseball_(B)#big_as_a_grapefruit). [Aces and eights.](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aces_and_eights_(blackjack)) [Slim](http://www.texasmonthly.com/content/skinny-slim). [The second classic blunder, after “Never get involved in a land war in Asia.”](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RWW6aDpUvbQ&noredirect=1) [Ovaltine](http://www.ovaltineusa.com/). [Be sure to drink yours.](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Secret_decoder_ring) ---
**Author:** ![andros](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/e480ec/32.png) [@andros](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/andros)\ **Post date:** [July 3, 2014, 11:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-i-hate-cops/691174/215 "2014-07-03T23:21:58Z")
> [@Debillw3](#): > > _cough_ Sampling Bias _cough_ Aw, that cough sounds awful. 😃 Yeah. Yanno **common** , I’ll make you a deal, actually. I’ll read the Constitution, start to finish, tomorrow morning. And I’ll throw in the Declaration of Independence and the Gettysburg Address and Dr. King’s “Dream” speech. (Honestly, I’ll be doing those anyway, as I do every year on 7/4, and have since I was 12.) In return, you will read [this](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Confirmation_bias) and [this](Yanno **common** , I’ll make you a deal, actually. I’ll read the Constitution, start to finish, tomorrow morning. And I’ll throw in the Declaration of Independence and the Gettysburg Address and Dr. King’s “Dream” speech. (Honestly, I’ll be doing those anyway, as I do every year on 7/4, and have since I was 12.) In return, you will read [URL="[Confirmation bias - Wikipedia](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Confirmation_bias)) and [this](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Selection_bias). Deal? . ---
**Author:** ![common\_good](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/f475e1/32.png) [@common\_good](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/common_good)\ **Post date:** [July 3, 2014, 11:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-i-hate-cops/691174/216 "2014-07-03T23:23:05Z")
> [@Debillw3](#): > > You keep pulling out numbers, I’ll keep expecting cites. That’s not splitting hairs; that’s expecting that you say only that which you can back up. That’s also not saying that you’re wrong, but, rather, saying that you need to, again, prove the accuracy of the numbers you’re quoting. > > Per that post, you’ve changed your stance from “50% +1” to 50%. > > Again, all I see is anecdotal evidence. > > _cough_ Sampling Bias _cough_ Well, it’s good to know somebody’s crunchin’ the numbers. Nice job. I’m gonna’ be working on a number myself, in a few minutes. To what do I ‘refer’ ? Have at it, geniuses. ---
**Author:** ![common\_good](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/f475e1/32.png) [@common\_good](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/common_good)\ **Post date:** [July 3, 2014, 11:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-i-hate-cops/691174/217 "2014-07-03T23:25:46Z")
Oh, no ! The dreaded Anecdotal Monster is loose !! Heavens, we’ll be influenced by actual real life experience which, as we know, is WORTHLESS ! AHHHHH !!! ---
**Author:** ![common\_good](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/f475e1/32.png) [@common\_good](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/common_good)\ **Post date:** [July 3, 2014, 11:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-i-hate-cops/691174/218 "2014-07-03T23:27:53Z")
> [@andros](#): > > Aw, that cough sounds awful. 😃 > > Yeah. Yanno **common** , I’ll make you a deal, actually. > > I’ll read the Constitution, start to finish, tomorrow morning. And I’ll throw in the Declaration of Independence and the Gettysburg Address and Dr. King’s “Dream” speech. (Honestly, I’ll be doing those anyway, as I do every year on 7/4, and have since I was 12.) > > In return, you will read [this](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Confirmation_bias) and [this](Yanno **common** , I’ll make you a deal, actually. > > I’ll read the Constitution, start to finish, tomorrow morning. And I’ll throw in the Declaration of Independence and the Gettysburg Address and Dr. King’s “Dream” speech. (Honestly, I’ll be doing those anyway, as I do every year on 7/4, and have since I was 12.) > > In return, you will read [URL="[Confirmation bias - Wikipedia](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Confirmation_bias)) and [this](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Selection_bias). > > Deal? > . Read the same word three times ? How stupid do you think I am ? Log-out ---
**Author:** ![common\_good](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/f475e1/32.png) [@common\_good](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/common_good)\ **Post date:** [July 3, 2014, 11:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-i-hate-cops/691174/219 "2014-07-03T23:29:43Z")
> [@andros](#): > > I thought we’d covered that. It’s because I’m such a sexy bitch. And also because I’m a charming but amoral rogue who turns out to have a heart of gold in act three. > > [Grapefruit](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Glossary_of_baseball_(B)#big_as_a_grapefruit). > > [Aces and eights.](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aces_and_eights_(blackjack)) > > [Slim](http://www.texasmonthly.com/content/skinny-slim). > > [The second classic blunder, after “Never get involved in a land war in Asia.”](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RWW6aDpUvbQ&noredirect=1) > > [Ovaltine](http://www.ovaltineusa.com/). [Be sure to drink yours.](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Secret_decoder_ring) You seem flaming. Good for you. And funny. ---
**Author:** ![common\_good](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/f475e1/32.png) [@common\_good](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/common_good)\ **Post date:** [July 3, 2014, 11:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-i-hate-cops/691174/220 "2014-07-03T23:36:14Z")
> [@Debillw3](#): > > Does the word “most” still mean “no less than 50% +1”? > > If so, I read through this entire thread and all I found was anecdotal evidence that doesn’t even come close to proving that no less than 50% +1 cops in the whole world are evil assholes. > > Is anyone going to prove that? Is the glass half empty or half full ? Answer: who cares ? [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-i-hate-cops/691174.md?page=10) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-i-hate-cops/691174.md?page=12)