# 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:** 13
**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 8, 2014, 5:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-i-hate-cops/691174/241 "2014-07-08T17:14:21Z")
> [@Ethilrist](#): > > Wow. That’s almost [400,000 assholes.](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_countries_by_number_of_police_officers) Cite? Here, right here. That so many of you seem proud of it is…disheartening. Do you know of the NSA ? They sure know of you. This seems more a gathering of the blind than a science forum. Andros is one of the few willing to engage intelligently about the very real threat from government over-reach. Most of you simply say “Pish-posh”. Yea, disheartening from such bright people. More scolding later. Adjust your pillows, for now. ---
**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 8, 2014, 5:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-i-hate-cops/691174/242 "2014-07-08T17:18:08Z")
> [@El\_Kabong](#): > > Well, something had to be done before he went to his wedding for the 42nd time. The guests must have crying for relief. At least you gave us a laugh. Not easy to be so flippant about the lives of those you never knew. But, you pulled it off. Commendable. Log-out, gotta’ puke, now.:dubious: ---
**Author:** ![zoid](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/zoid/32/336_2.png) [@zoid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/zoid)\ **Post date:** [July 8, 2014, 5:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-i-hate-cops/691174/243 "2014-07-08T17:22:53Z")
> [@common\_good](#): > > Here, right here. That so many of you seem proud of it is…disheartening. Do you know of the NSA ? They sure know of you. This seems more a gathering of the blind than a science forum. Andros is one of the few willing to engage intelligently about the very real threat from government over-reach. Most of you simply say “Pish-posh”. Yea, disheartening from such bright people. More scolding later. Adjust your pillows, for now. Oh for fucks sake :rolleyes: [ul] [li]You make something up, [/li][li]get asked to back it up, [/li][li]can’t[/li][li]and it’s proof that no one here wants to see the truth you so clearly see, not that you made it up[/ul][/li] Riiiiight ---
**Author:** ![Calatin](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/439d5e/32.png) [@Calatin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Calatin)\ **Post date:** [July 8, 2014, 6:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-i-hate-cops/691174/244 "2014-07-08T18:06:25Z")
> [@Ethilrist](#): > > Wow. That’s almost [400,000 assholes.](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_countries_by_number_of_police_officers) Cite? [Yo.](https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=web&cd=1&cad=rja&uact=8&ved=0CB4Q3ywwAA&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.youtube.com%2Fwatch%3Fv%3DMhLqPfAylF4%26feature%3Dkp&ei=uzK8U_rmC-SF8AHNwoDIDA&usg=AFQjCNFm830DCbcuM7inso6UN4G_LqlM8w&sig2=yEkWxM86O8FqzZlX8YTmyg&bvm=bv.70138588,d.b2U) ---
**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 8, 2014, 6:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-i-hate-cops/691174/245 "2014-07-08T18:36:14Z")
> [@Calatin](#): > > [Yo.](https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=web&cd=1&cad=rja&uact=8&ved=0CB4Q3ywwAA&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.youtube.com%2Fwatch%3Fv%3DMhLqPfAylF4%26feature%3Dkp&ei=uzK8U_rmC-SF8AHNwoDIDA&usg=AFQjCNFm830DCbcuM7inso6UN4G_LqlM8w&sig2=yEkWxM86O8FqzZlX8YTmyg&bvm=bv.70138588,d.b2U) Sorry, I can’t get to youtube at work. Can you tell me what’s up there? And, **common\_good** , can you provide so much as a single cite to support your opinion? ---
**Author:** ![Calatin](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/439d5e/32.png) [@Calatin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Calatin)\ **Post date:** [July 8, 2014, 7:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-i-hate-cops/691174/246 "2014-07-08T19:24:24Z")
> [@Ethilrist](#): > > Sorry, I can’t get to youtube at work. Can you tell me what’s up there? > > And, **common\_good** , can you provide so much as a single cite to support your opinion? A clip from Spaceballs, where Dark Helmet realizes the composition of his crew. ---
**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 8, 2014, 8:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-i-hate-cops/691174/247 "2014-07-08T20:11:18Z")
> [@zoid](#): > > Oh for fucks sake > :rolleyes: > [ul] > [li]You make something up, [/li][li]get asked to back it up, [/li][li]can’t[/li][li]and it’s proof that no one here wants to see the truth you so clearly see, not that you made it up[/ul][/li] > Riiiiight Nice street-smart intro. Makes me doubt you are. I have made-up nothing. I have elaborated, in a few posts, I can cite sources but have not and may never. I wrote of my own encounter with the justice system and no article or other media covered my case. What shall I cite ? Nobody has to believe a word I say. My sole aim is to bring focus to a widespread, systemic failure of police and of the Justice Dept. in their respective duties to serve the public fairly and without prejudice in race, social standing, class, income, or other such arbitrarily applied standards. The media abounds with tales of police acting above the law and of corrupt prosecutors, lab techs, and judges unfit for the bench. I don’t cite; I say. I leave it to you to do your own research. I’m not a scientist. I’m an amateur theorist. Some will concede it’s a topic worth considering. Others do not. I know what I think. I want to know what others here think. Thanks to those who take seriously this question of police powers, NSA spying, and other related concerns. The cynics need not protest too much; but I decline to cite. I recite. Some ad hominem is fine, but some of you might stop acting as though I have invented some previously unknown area of inquiry. And I reiterate that there are many good cops and other authorities with solid ethics and professionalism. I’m not attacking those. ---
**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 8, 2014, 8:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-i-hate-cops/691174/248 "2014-07-08T20:15:07Z")
> [@Ethilrist](#): > > Sorry, I can’t get to youtube at work. Can you tell me what’s up there? > > And, **common\_good** , can you provide so much as a single cite to support your opinion? Sure. Any newspaper stand. If you can find one, anymore. ---
**Author:** ![Calatin](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/439d5e/32.png) [@Calatin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Calatin)\ **Post date:** [July 8, 2014, 8:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-i-hate-cops/691174/249 "2014-07-08T20:34:28Z")
> [@common\_good](#): > > I have elaborated, in a few posts, I can cite sources but have not and may never. Well, you have me convinced, then! Debate is over, guys. :rolleyes: ---
**Author:** ![zoid](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/zoid/32/336_2.png) [@zoid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/zoid)\ **Post date:** [July 8, 2014, 8:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-i-hate-cops/691174/250 "2014-07-08T20:48:09Z")
> [@common\_good](#): > > Nice street-smart intro. So now we’re supposed to believe your “street smarts” instead of verifiable facts. Got it. ---
**Author:** ![Kimstu](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/ecd19e/32.png) [@Kimstu](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kimstu)\ **Post date:** [July 8, 2014, 9:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-i-hate-cops/691174/251 "2014-07-08T21:00:32Z")
> [@common\_good](#): > > I can cite sources but have not and may never. […] > > I don’t cite; I say. I leave it to you to do your own research. I’m not a scientist. I’m an amateur theorist. […] > > I decline to cite. I recite. Whatever floats your boat. Just recognize that this approach is **not** the way to get taken seriously around here. Citing sources and research is the way that intelligent observers establish the difference between themselves and random shit-spouting loonies. Of course, even if you don’t cite sources and research you **might** still be an intelligent observer rather than a random shit-spouting loony. But you can’t expect people to take your word for it. ---
**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 9, 2014, 11:21am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-i-hate-cops/691174/252 "2014-07-09T11:21:56Z")
> [@common\_good](#): > > My sole aim is to bring focus to a widespread, systemic failure of police and of the Justice Dept. in their respective duties to serve the public fairly and without prejudice in race, social standing, class, income, or other such arbitrarily applied standards. Can you even see how very badly you’re sucking at this? You’re either serious, and horrible at it, or trolling. ---
**Author:** ![Really\_Not\_All\_That\_Bright](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/e8c25b/32.png) [@Really\_Not\_All\_That\_Bright](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Really_Not_All_That_Bright)\ **Post date:** [July 9, 2014, 2:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-i-hate-cops/691174/253 "2014-07-09T14:40:48Z")
> [@common\_good](#): > > Some ad hominem is fine… Since you aren’t debating, there isn’t much else left. Nobody can attack your logic or facts because you haven’t presented any. ---
**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 9, 2014, 7:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-i-hate-cops/691174/254 "2014-07-09T19:50:23Z")
> [@Kimstu](#): > > Whatever floats your boat. Just recognize that this approach is **not** the way to get taken seriously around here. > > Citing sources and research is the way that intelligent observers establish the difference between themselves and random shit-spouting loonies. > > Of course, even if you don’t cite sources and research you **might** still be an intelligent observer rather than a random shit-spouting loony. But you can’t expect people to take your word for it. Yes, quite right. I recognize this and am fine with those terms. ---
**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 9, 2014, 8:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-i-hate-cops/691174/255 "2014-07-09T20:02:26Z")
> [@Ethilrist](#): > > Can you even see how very badly you’re sucking at this? You’re either serious, and horrible at it, or trolling. No. Can you see how obtuse many of you are being ? No one has to accept a word I say. I don’t care whether or not you do. But my experiences are offered honestly. As stated, I’m not a scientist. I’m just an honest guy expressing an honestly held conviction told in as forthcoming and truthful a way as I’m able. That I’ve been dismissed as a criminal, a liar, a troll, or other pejorative terms is of little concern to me. That my accounts of things are so widely held suspect reveals more about my critics than about me. Thanks for all replies, favorable or not. ---
**Author:** ![zoid](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/zoid/32/336_2.png) [@zoid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/zoid)\ **Post date:** [July 9, 2014, 8:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-i-hate-cops/691174/256 "2014-07-09T20:12:01Z")
> [@common\_good](#): > > That my accounts of things are so widely held suspect reveals more about my critics than about me. It really doesn’t. This is an unfortunately common fallacy. ---
**Author:** ![The\_Second\_Stone](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/bbe5ce/32.png) [@The\_Second\_Stone](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/The_Second_Stone)\ **Post date:** [July 10, 2014, 12:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-i-hate-cops/691174/257 "2014-07-10T00:15:13Z")
> [@epbrown01](#): > > As a black person in America, I’d dispute that, especially the rarely. I’ve had two moving violations in about 40 years of driving, the last over 10 years ago for doing 48 in a 45; I’ve been stopped by the police while driving maybe a hundred times, conservatively. I’ve been stopped while jogging and asked why I’m running when surrounded by others doing the same, stopped while walking for no apparent reason, other low-level harassment. I’ve had guns pointed at me numerous times. The one time I’ve been a victim of a crime and had a car stolen, the police taking the report accused me of fraud based on nothing but the idea that a black person couldn’t afford a 2-year old Honda (?) and this was a scam to get out of the payments. Well, the exact same thing happens to me all the time, and I’m white. So what you and all my black friends are saying simply isn’t true about cops being biased. Some of my black friends without cars complain about regularly getting stopped for “walking while black”. As a white person who gets stopped at least once a month for no good reason, the only explanation I have is that I’m a damned liar who never gets stopped by the police for being white. Duh. duh, duh, duh. Have you ever tried “white” therapy. My friend Michael Jackson used it. He lightened his skin, got tons of money, acted really weird and got a driver. He was never bothered by the cops for driving again. Shame about the DA being obsessed by little boys though. I understand that Michelle Bachman’s husband, Dr. Maurice Bachman, has a new psychological program called, “pray the black away.” You give him lots of money and he teaches people to pray to be whiter and whiter every day. The more I know about people, the more I like dogs. ---
**Author:** ![andros](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/e480ec/32.png) [@andros](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/andros)\ **Post date:** [July 10, 2014, 1:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-i-hate-cops/691174/258 "2014-07-10T01:10:20Z")
…what? ---
**Author:** ![zoid](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/zoid/32/336_2.png) [@zoid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/zoid)\ **Post date:** [July 10, 2014, 1:44am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-i-hate-cops/691174/259 "2014-07-10T01:44:49Z")
> [@andros](#): > > …what? +1 That was just wierd ---
**Author:** ![Morbo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/morbo/32/389_2.png) [@Morbo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Morbo)\ **Post date:** [July 10, 2014, 2:37am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-i-hate-cops/691174/260 "2014-07-10T02:37:50Z")
For some reason I’m reading **The Second Stone** ’s post in the voice of H.I.'s boss from **Raising Arizona**. Maybe he threw in one Polack joke too many. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-i-hate-cops/691174.md?page=12) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-i-hate-cops/691174.md?page=14)