[quote]cueball wrote:
I commented early on in this thread and then sat back and watched as the differing opinions became polarized. It seems that each side (knowingly or not) isn’t actually arguing about the same thing.
The group that is siding with the cop (in the original post) are discussing that one particular incident, not eccesive force in general. The other side is actually arguing about a much bigger issue but using the situation in the OP as a base for the discussion.
Vegita, I fully sympathize with your position and disagree with a lot of action by law enforcement officers. After watching your videos it should be apparent that people should be wary of officers. It should also be obvious that the “fight the power” attitude will also get you the full force of that power. Those videos exhibit that.
Questioning authority IS our right and should be exercised, but it should be common sense that there is a right and wrong way to go about it. I think this may be what those who disagree with you are actually trying to say. Not necessarily that you should lay down for the man, but be intelligent in your questioning and distrust of that authority. The man in the video clearly did not show such judgement. There are many requests a cop can make. Some will be justified, some not. Oblige when prudent, don’t when it’s obvious it’s ridiculous. But be prepared to face “their” consequences if you do. And at that point, you might actually have a case.
This thread actually reminds me of the “wigger” thread. Some cops are dirty and unfit for the job, but not all are, and are not responsible for the actions of other officers. Therefore, condemning, distrusting, and holding ALL officers accountable for the actions of a few, isn’t right.
Having said that, I fully agree that you should ALWAYS be prepared for an encounter with a shitty cop. We all know they are out there, and as others have pointed out even through experience, you just never know. However, if the first thought in your mind is “fight the power” you will lose out. Because, unfortunately, you will most always be outnumbered due to “back up” and if the cops think they are right, you won’t convince them otherwise nor get them to admit a mistake.
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This is a real good take, I agree with all of it. And I AM smart enough to pick my battles wisley, like I said, the guy getting out of his car was not smart, but he was still within his right to get out. I am not arguing that he wouldn’t have been better off staying in the car and waiting till the cop approached. That is not my argument, my argument is that the cop did not have the right to order him back into the car for no reason. He had the right to order his hand out of his pocket, after that, talk to the guy, don’t treat him like a criminal. The only reason some of us have broadened our argument to widespread police abuse is because of the mind numbingly stupid comments about, Just do what the police tell you, or The guy should have been tasered in the throat 6 times.
People are trying to argue how smart an action is and by it not being a smart act, saying then he has no right to do it. Smoking a pack of cigarettes a day is not smart, yet I will die defending someones right to do it. Binge drinking is not smart, Yet I will defend that also. People are allowed to be stupid ya know.
V