Cops Doing Good Things

[USArmyParatrooper]

With so much special recognition given to cops doing bad things on DU, I thought it only fitting to give cops doing good some of the limelight.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bwQVwvt5LOU&NR=1&feature=fvwp

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i_zRPWyATZw
An Obvious Animal Lover

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gKzwPx8tLt0&feature=related

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YQlZCImEYZE

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=chWy8DcKNEQ

[tabatha]

1. Cops do good things every day.

I guess, it is like the news ---- the bad stuff gets the attention.

[KittyWampus]

10. that's seems to be the point, IMO. Here on DU, it's mainly the negative about anything

that seems to get attention.

[proteus_lives]

36. Media 101.

"the bad stuff gets the attention"

Same with doctors, lawyers, teachers.

[whistler162]

56. Well it is attack Police officers weekend....

unfortunately this isn't sarcasm!

[Swamp Rat]

2. Unfortunately, police mostly defend and protect the wealthy,

and often brutalize the poor and defenseless.

There were two former posters at DU who consistently posted about the good things cops do. So, yeah, we know there are a couple of good gals and guys in the mix.

[USArmyParatrooper]

4. "A couple"? Wow, just wow.

[Swamp Rat]

9. Don't act surprised or coy.

Though my record is as clean as the Gerber Baby, I have been brutalized by police for:

1. Being the wrong class in the wrong place
2. Being the wrong age in the wrong place
3. Speaking about love and peace in the wrong place
4. Being the wrong color in the wrong place.

Are you really a 'USArmyParatrooper'? If so, you of all people should know we live in a police state... a kinder gentler police state.

[USArmyParatrooper]

12. Are you claiming you've been beat by police FOUR times?

Yes, I'm really a US Army Paratrooper, and no, I don't agree that we live in a police state.

[Swamp Rat]

14. I am claiming the police are generally brutal to those who are not wealthy

and I'll leave it at that. I apologize for my bluntness, and I agree there are police who are good people.

My life experiences have taught me to fear the police as much criminals (I wish it were otherwise). Hurricane Katrina also taught me that the police, the National Guard, and Blackwater will enter your home and disarm you, and/or shoot you.

Do you still believe we have the 2nd amendment right to bear arms in this country? If you do, then you are wrong, because a militarized police can take it away from you in an instant or kill you immediately if you do not comply, even if you are at home and doing nothing wrong.

All it takes is one politician to order Martial Law, and then POOF!! You are at the mercy of tyrannical state.

[USArmyParatrooper]

17. You said....

"I have been brutalized by police for:

1. Being the wrong class in the wrong place
2. Being the wrong age in the wrong place
3. Speaking about love and peace in the wrong place
4. Being the wrong color in the wrong place."

Are you claiming you've been beat by police four times?

[uppityperson]

20. Do you equate "brutalized by the police" to only being beaten?

[USArmyParatrooper]

21. Thats... generally what it means when someone says

"brutalized by the police" How about we let him answer?

[Swamp Rat]

23. "Him?" You assume to much, but here's a free English lesson:

Bru·tal·ize (brōōt'l-īz')
tr.v. bru·tal·ized , bru·tal·iz·ing , bru·tal·iz·es

1. To make cruel, harsh, or unfeeling.
2. To treat cruelly or harshly.
3. To make brutal.
4. To treat (someone) with brutality

[USArmyParatrooper]

27. And what are your four examples

of cops treating you "with brutality"

[H2O Man]

106. I'm not sure

that anyone here owes you a police report and urine sample. More, there are some DUers who, over the years, have proven themselves within this community to be honest and accurate in their statements about their experiences. SW is one of the best; besides that, she's my Sister, and I know that honesty -- sometimes brutal honest, if you will -- is one of her finest characteristics.

I suppose that, among the DU community, I have more good to say about police than almost anyone. Still, to be accurate, I'd say that about 25% of them nationally rank in the top quarter; 50% in the middle half; and 25% in the lower quarter. While it is true that the same general statistics hold true for many, if not most occupations,there is a significant difference .... actually two .... known as the badge and the gun. Hence, while 25% of workers in a McDonald's might forget the sweet & sour sauce, and one in four janitors might not handle a mop well, and a quarter of teachers might not master the subjects they teach, few of these people are likely to target people they dislike and follow them and create legal problems.

People on the Progressive Left have often had experiences with that 1/4th that color their view. This is especially true when they attempt to exercise their Amendment 1 rights in public places.

Again, I could list numerous examples of the good work that the other three-quarters do.

I could, of course, say more. Much more. But I suspect this will do.

[Robeson]

116. That's the kind of post I like...

...I like a post that reminds me that I'm in a community - with a shared history - for those who care. Thanks for that.:thumbsup:

[USArmyParatrooper]

122. A bit redundant don't you think?

"I'd say that about 25% of them nationally rank in the top quarter; 50% in the middle half; and 25% in the lower quarter."

And I'd say (just a guestimate) about 10% are in the top tenth, and about 33.3333333333333% are in the bottom third.

[H2O Man]

135. Well, yes. Of course.

It's an old DU code. A secret code. That's why you don't recognize ot understand it, and mistakenly identify it in the way that you did. Meanwhile, probably 50% of the older half of DUers are having a giggle; 2/3rds a good laugh; and maybe one or two are simply smiling. Maybe.

[uppityperson]

65. She did, yet you seem to be downplaying it. Maybe because she wasn't beaten,

which, according to you, is generally what it means when someone says "brutalized by the police".

[Tsiyu]

22. Are you implying Swamp Rat would lie on this forum?

Newbie,,,just some advice. If you started this thread to be a flamefest, you picked the wrong forum.

1) Cops don't need your assistance. They are badasses enough all on their own.

2) Don't be messin with Swamp Rat

3) See #2

unreccing because this is obvioulsy an attempt to start fights with decent people on DU and we've had enough of that...LEAVE SWAMPRAT ALONE :grr:

[Swamp Rat]

24. Thanks, but I am used to it.

I stand up to bullies and authoritarians... it's the American thing to do. :patriot:

[USArmyParatrooper]

28. Someone asking you to elaborate amounts to "bullying"??

I'm beginning to believe your threshold for being "brutalized" is ridiculously low.

[Swamp Rat]

33. When I was 9 years old I was almost killed by a cop for "playing music too loud"

He stuck a .38 Special to my head, cocked the trigger and said, "I could kill you!"

That was my first lesson in life to never trust the police ever again.

Btw, it was only 8 PM and I was in the bedroom of a friend's house, playing with toys and listening to a small record player with one tiny speaker.

[USArmyParatrooper]

38. Uh... OK

[Swamp Rat]

41. "I COULD KILL YOU!!!" he screamed, with a cocked .38 to my head... 'uh, whatever dude'

What, do you want to see photos of a bruised child's head? Photos of a child shaking uncontrollably for hours? The police report? Evidence of sleepless nights FOR YEARS?

I knew you would respond this way. Now I am glad I unrec'ed your thread.

[USArmyParatrooper]

44. Rec's and Unrec's are completely meaningless to me.

"The police report?"

Why in the world would a police officer put that in the report? Truth be told your story is pretty unbelievable to me, but you know what? I'm in the wrong here, and I'm not being sarcastic. I don't know for a fact your story is BS, and as unlikely as it seems to me IF you are telling the truth I'd be a real shit for doubting you. I should have just kept it to myself.

Either way anecdotes (mine or yours) don't really paint a real picture. As I said before here are 800,000 law enforcement officers do multiple things every single day. MOST cops are generally good. But there are bad cops and I will even say bad departments that lack discipline.

[Swamp Rat]

48. You do not have to believe it, but you might believe stories that make the news,

like citizens being shot in the backs of their heads execution-style and police stealing flat screen TVs during Katrina, for example. Feel free to Google the stories yourself.

peace :hi:

[Raineyb]

50. There are those who while claiming to be liberal always align themselves

with those in power against those with no power. They are best ignored.

"Uh, whatever" is NOT an appropriate response to your story. That story scares the hell out of me and reminds me of why I don't want the cops anywhere near my nephew.

[treestar]

96. But you are not required to condemn all police officers the world

over. That cop was an asshole but that does not make them all assholes.

You're judging an entire group by one person in it. And only the negative, as cops do good things, too.

[USArmyParatrooper]

26. lol oh, boy

"Newbie,,,just some advice."

Is this the part where I'm supposed to feel all intimidated because you made your account before me? How's that crutch working out for you?

1) I never said they need my assistance, nor have I ever implied it. Did I say that somewhere? I'm expressing my own opinion on a forum that's generally made for opinions.

2) I'm not going to walk on egg shells for Swamp Rat or anyone else just because they have some cyber-body guard.

3) See my #2

"unreccing because this is obvioulsy an attempt to start fights with decent people on DU and we've had enough of that"

Well since you "obviously" then it must be the case. So let me get this straight. Posting videos of police doing good work is an attempt to start fights? Really?

[Swamp Rat]

31. How about this: take my response to this thread as an indicator, however small,

of an epidemic of police brutality and violence perpetrated on the poor and defenseless in this nation.

Why did I feel the need to respond to this thread in a negative way? This in itself is the indicator about which I am talking.

You can choose to dismiss it, or you can consider it.

[Tsiyu]

32. Well, BrentWil or whoever you really are

you claim I use a crutch and then you use my fat-fingered word as one for yourself?

Whatever.

I know why you started this thread. everyone with any sense here knows.

Personally, i know a lot of great cops. It goes without saying, but there are way too many brutal ones. If you want to start a thread about great and wonderful cops every time someone posts a story about evil cops here, you are going to stay very busy.

And implying that a well-loved, well-known DUer is lying - when we all know he's got enough shit to deal with right now - is just proof of how low some people will go to get some freaking attention.

I'll be honest, I think you've been here before and you are not a friend of anyone here. My opinion only, take it or shove it.

[USArmyParatrooper]

35. BrentWill? Whoever I really am?

I'm me. I'm not somebody else pretending to be me. But since I know you're not so reckless and irresponsible as to accuse someone of being an impostor without cause, by all means substantiate your claim.

:::: crickets :::::

Let the record show you can't.

I posted this thread because I saw bad police officers continually being the source of focus and I wanted to put things back into perspective. I'm sorry if watching videos of good cops pisses you off. It's not a reaction I expect from normal people.

I asked Swamp to elaborate on her statement. Big whoop, get over it. Stop trying so hard to flex your cyber chivalry.

[Tsiyu]

46. Didn't BrentWil and your other user name

start identical posts on the same day when you introduced the two characters?

Too coincidental for me. Some people think everyone is so easy to fool.

You didn't start this thread to be nice to cops. You started this thread for a flamefest. You should be ashamed of yourself.

And just who are you a paratrooper for? My son is an Iraq and Afghanistan vet from the 3/75th Ranger Battalion. Are you a Ranger? Most of them I've met are more polite than to accuse someone of lying TWICE.

Are you just using that title as a crutch? How does it feel to have someone imply you are lying?

And BTW, you ARE a newbie, right? Or maybe not in the "true" sense of the word......

[USArmyParatrooper]

51. No...

Not identical at all, I saw that post you were talking about. That guy said he was Captain, I'm a Sergeant. And after being accused of being a "Republican" he posted his views.

How about this. Since you're so confident I'm lying let's make a bet. If I PROVE I'm really a US Army Paratrooper you must leave DU for good. If I fail to prove it I will leave never to return.

Since you're confident in what you say you'll take the bet...... right?

[Swamp Rat]

55. No, let's NOT prove you are a "US Army Paratrooper"

That would be unbecoming of your service.

:patriot:

[USArmyParatrooper]

59. Afraid Tsiyu might disappear? :)

[Swamp Rat]

66. Showing your true colors?

:D

[uppityperson]

69. And how would you go about proving something like that to us?

[USArmyParatrooper]

72. When someone accepts the bet we'll go over that

But it won't come to that because that would require those throwing accusations to have a spine.

[uppityperson]

75. You can't prove you are a paratrooper. Gotcha. Bye Z.

[USArmyParatrooper]

78. Then are you taking the bet?

According to you I can't prove it, so it's a sure win. Right?

[treestar]

98. No one can prove anything on the internet

including claims of personal suffering meant to use emotion to shut down a debate - like how dare you question me, because I'm x or y. It reminds me of the right wingers always claiming to be one of the military or related to military and using that to say "how dare you oppose the war in Iraq? My son (husband) is there serving."

I'm against right wingers doing it and so against anyone doing it.

[USArmyParatrooper]

101. I can prove it, easily in fact.

And I'm not using it to invoke any sort of emotion or even as a debate tactic. It was a response to another poster accusing me of lying.

[treestar]

102. But you can't. And neither can Swamp Rat prove that police officer

was so rotten to young Swamp Rat as an excuse for slamming all cops.

And claim to be suffering so much living in a gulf state that we are not allowed to disagree on that matter.

[USArmyParatrooper]

105. I sent you a PM

But I generally agree with what you're saying.

[uppityperson]

120. M ypoint also, "I'll prove it if you bet" is stupid as you can't prove anything on the internets

However, telling someone they weren't "brutalized" by police unless they were beaten is wrong as it is very possible.

[USArmyParatrooper]

121. LOL! Your point of saying, "You're a liar, prove it" is that....

you can't prove something over the internet? Oh boy do you ever contradict yourself.

[Swamp Rat]

77. Ooo!

:D

[Swamp Rat]

54. Same here - family in Iraq, multiple tours.

Most of the men in my family fought in wars... not a single one EVER advertises this nor their service, and you wouldn't know it if you met them, except for that occasional long stare.

[Tsiyu]

60. Exactly

My son would never identify as a vet or servicemember for a username.

His service is more sacred than that.

I'm going now to see some baby raccoons rescued when their mother abandoned them. They've just opened their eyes. Gonna go hang with friends and try to forget the bullshit.

hope you get some good sleep tonight, I will send hopes for "mama" coming your way, Swamp Rat ;)

Til the Am DU
:hi:

[USArmyParatrooper]

61. Oh, PLEASE

I can show you many, many examples of service members making screen names referencing their service. Hell, some of them are here on DU.

But you know what? You're right. I'm probably lying so you should feel safe to take me up on my bet..... right?

[Swamp Rat]

68. Tough guy, huh?

:D

[USArmyParatrooper]

71. Who said anything about being "tough"?

I'm simply asking people to stand by their accusation, that's all. But for some reason nobody has the backbone to do that.

[Swamp Rat]

73. "But for some reason nobody has the backbone to do that."

Nope. You are acting like some kinda tough guy now.

NOW, this is starting to get fun!! :D

[USArmyParatrooper]

76. Posting pictuers doesn't make your case

Asking someone to have the backbone to stand behind their accusations has nothing to do with "toughness"

[Swamp Rat]

79. So, we're just spineless jellyfish?

But some of us have quite a sting. ;)

[USArmyParatrooper]

82. Making accusations and refusing to stand by them is...

very Jellyfishesque

I know I know, made up word.

[Swamp Rat]

83. Naw, you got what you came for, but frankly, I am already bored.

:hi:

[uppityperson]

85. Z's the master.

I love your art, thanks for posting so much.

[uppityperson]

84. Asking someone to have the backbone to prove their assertions

is what we are doing. All you can do is dance and accuse and insult. Yup, Zandor.

[USArmyParatrooper]

86. When *you* make an accusation it's up to *you* to prove it

I offered proof on the condition of my bet. If you're sure you're right it's an easy win for you, right? Either you stand by your accusation or you don't.

Tell me, what's the harm in taking the bet?

[uppityperson]

87. When *you* make an assertion it's up to *you* to prove it

Come on, you've been here long enough to know that. Enough attention for you. Welcome back to ignore z

[USArmyParatrooper]

88. Yep, throw something out then quickly hide in "ignore"

Nobody here is reasonably expected to prove their occupation.

When being accused of being an impostor I offered proof (something nobody is reasonably *expected* to give) on the condition that they accept the bet.

Why not take the bet?

[Tsiyu]

126. I hate Bathtub Meth

don't you?

it makes you keep going and going and going for hours

The only people I know who would make an inane bet such as yours - on the internets, no less - are either geeking or they are in their mom's basement.

Get a life, Dude.




Seriously.

[USArmyParatrooper]

127. I wouldn't know, I've never done meth

You're making accusations that you yourself don't even believe.

[uppityperson]

67. I'm betting Zandor. eom

[USArmyParatrooper]

70. Did you say "betting"?

Are you actually willing to bet?

[uppityperson]

74. Not with a liar. Prove you are a paratrooper.

[USArmyParatrooper]

80. So let me get this straight.

You won't take the bet BECAUSE you think I'm lying. Nice backwards logic to dodge taking the bet.

You see here's the problem. People post all kinds of things they don't really mean. If you really were sure I was lying you would take the bet. The fact that you're making excuses not to means you're not so sure.

[Swamp Rat]

81. Aw! Now you did it!

:D

[asdjrocky]

93. Right on the nose Swamp Rat.

I'll add, most are paid far more to do it than the average earner they arrest.

[Mz Pip]

3. It's unfortunate that cops

so often get the broad brush treatment whenever some of them cross the line. My experience with the police has always been pretty positve. Even the cop who gave me a ticket a few weeks ago was very polite.

It's a pretty tough job.

[Warpy]

29. I'd have to echo that

because as a nurse I had contact with a lot of cops. Most of them were on the jumpy side since their job forces them to deal with most people at their absolute worst. It's a tough, rotten job.

Having said that, I've run into a few beauts, too. They've been an astonishing minority, though.

[tammywammy]

58. I agree. n/t

[Yuugal]

5. K&R

[USArmyParatrooper]

7. If you rec'd it...

At least one person felt showing cops doing good is somehow worthy of an Unrec.

I think Recs and Unrecs should be shown by name, just like on Dailykos.

[Name removed]

13. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[Swamp Rat]

15. I changed my mind

Due to this insensitive responses I received, I am glad I unrec'ed this thread.

[EmeraldCityGrl]

6. They are generously paid to do primarily "good things."

Five YouTube videos hardly stand-up to the thousands of brutality stories
documented every year.

[USArmyParatrooper]

8. And negative police threads do no more to make your case

There are 800,000 law enforcement officers in the US, each one with multiple interactions with the public every single day.

Sure, it may be fashionable in certain circles to broad brush and hate on the very people you will call if your life is on the line, but I don't think it's justified.

[MyNameGoesHere]

91. To Protect and Serve.

When one accepts this almost saintly attribute, even one act perpetrated to the contrary is one too many. In this case, when so much is on the line, matters of life and death, one bad apple does spoil the whole barrel.

[USArmyParatrooper]

95. I don't think you're being realistic

"even one is too many"

Well sure, it would be ideal of there were no bad cops and no cops that ever crossed the line. But that would defy all logic and it would defy the nature of mankind in general.

[MyNameGoesHere]

139. No I am being realistic

it is the police that are not. They are the ones that have the slogan not me. If you entrust the public with such a lofty ideal, when it COULD BE A LIFE OR DEATH SITUATION then you better back it up. Just like your imaginary bet.

[USArmyParatrooper]

140. So expecting zero bad cops is a realistic expecation?

You don't honestly believe that do you? There aren't zero bad anything in the real world.

[MyNameGoesHere]

141. I can expect anything I damn well please

just because there are people that cannot meet that expectation, does not make it wrong. And it damn sure doesn't mean I will change my expectations.

[Political Tiger]

19. They are hardly "generously paid"

And maybe the reason you hate the police so much is because you haven't stopped to think that the millions of good things they do every year don't get "documented" like the "thousands of brutality stories documented every year."

[EmeraldCityGrl]

89. Cops in my area are making close to $100,000

a year. For that kind of money I expect a degree of professionalism. This might not be generous in your book, but it is in mine.

I never said I hate the police, those are your words. I certainly don't respect the profession any longer.



http://www.seattle.gov/police/jobs/benefits/salary.htm

[USArmyParatrooper]

90. Edit: Nevermind, missed the link

[Political Tiger]

117. Since you don't respect them, I guess it's safe to assume

if your car is stolen or your house is burglarized or if a loved one of yours is murdered you won't bother these overpaid 'unprofessional' cops?

And I can't help but notice that you completely ignored the point of my post, this part: "...you haven't stopped to think that the millions of good things they do every year don't get "documented" like the "thousands of brutality stories documented every year.""

It's easy to concentrate on the negative especially when that's what's force-fed to you by the media but it's a little harder to take a look at the whole picture and not just one side of it, isn't it?

And frankly, I don't think paying people "close to $100,000" to risk their lives for us is especially "generous," nor do I think cops "making close to $100,000" is the norm in this country. In fact, according to this website (http://swz.salary.com/salarywizard/layouthtmls/swzl_compresult_national_lg12000003.html#readon), "The median expected salary for a typical Police Patrol Officer in the United States is $49,991."

Furthermore, I once had a very bad experience with two cops who over stepped their bounds with me....it's a long story and it happened a long time ago so I won't go into details, but maturity has taught me not to judge an entire group on the actions of a few.

[blueamy66]

136. Yes they are.

Add in the bennies....

Nobody is forced to join the police dept, ya know?

Maybe they could seek other employment if the pay is so minimal.....It's all about the power.....

[moriah]

30. And how many interactions with cops occur daily in the US?

A lot more than a couple of thousand.

Truth is that police are paid to do good things -- so when they do, it's not news. It's only news when they are bad.

[Raineyb]

37. Of course it's not news when they do their job without abusing people.

As I tell my nephew, I'm not going to pat you on the head for behaving the way you're supposed to. That's what's expected, what gets the pat on the head is the stuff that goes above and beyond, or as is usually the case with the police, the spotlight is shone on them when they act the ass because THAT is the behavior that needs to be stopped.

[proteus_lives]

40. "thousands of brutality stories"

Which hardly stand-up to millions of good conduct stories that don't make the news.

[LiberalFighter]

11. They need to weed out the bad cops

[Mariana]

52. Unfortunately, we need the help of their colleagues to do that.

Good luck getting it. The "good cops" choose to tolerate and cover for the bad cops in their midst, for the most part.

Here's a story you never see: A cop observes another cop committing a crime (like, say, pounding on a suspect for fun) and ARRESTS him for it on the spot. You know, like cops do whenever they see anyone who isn't a cop committing a crime. I've NEVER heard of that happening.

You DO see stories of cops conspiring to lie and cover up the crimes of other cops.

[moriah]

16. Sadly, 'one bad apple"

... really does spoil the rest, at least in the court of public opinion.

Cops are *supposed* to be good -- them doing good things is rarely newsworthy. So we only hear about the "bad apples".

[USArmyParatrooper]

18. Nail, meet Head -nt-

[kurtzapril4]

25. I lived in Chicago for 20+ years.

You wouldn't believe all the bad stuff I saw cops doing. Taking bribes from drug dealers(telephoto lenses are nice), kicking the crap out of homeless people who were not resisting, parking in handicapped spots(digital cameras are nice), being gang members(shakespeare district cops), and on and on. For a while there, the major newspapers ran full page ads on how not to get killed by the po-po in a traffic stop. They had itchy trigger fingers that summer, as I recall.

Yes, most of them are ethical, moral, normal people. But do I trust them? No. Not at all, and I never will.

[gateley]

34. K&R! So many cops do so many good things! We never hear about that! Thank you! nt

[HipChick]

39. Lets face it..there are good and bad in all professions..

..

[blueamy66]

137. Yeah, but if I'm "bad" in my profession....

in Sales and Mktg., nobody gets killed....????

[superduperfarleft]

42. Thanks, but I'd prefer to see them testifying openly about the conduct of their scumbag buddies.

If cops don't like the mean things that are said about them as a profession, maybe they need to start doing a better job of policing their own.

[USArmyParatrooper]

45. Actually that's fair

The problem with that isn't institutional in my opinion, it's human nature. I would imagine the police departments are a lot like the military where the guys you work with are like extended family. I would even say more so because you move around a lot in the military, vs the police where you can work with some guys for 10, 20 or even 30 years.

[Nuclear Unicorn]

62. I'm gonna side with you on this one.

If for no other reason than some of the horrendous stuff I've seen on DU itself.

In one thread you can see people hyper-ventilating over the Tea Party being violent.

In another thread people are wishing violent deaths on people in the news they don't like.

We're told bigotry is bad...

...unless the target is a Christian or in the military or Israeli.




My point?

I'm not going to be sorry for being a peace-loving progressive just because there are some real pieces of work claiming to be on my side.

Just like you said, it's not the job its the humans.

And if someone thinks the police are too brutal they should join the police force and show us what good cops look like. Maybe if enough of these courageous caterwaulers joined then there wouldn't be enough job openings for the knuckle-draggers and then the bad stories would be a thing of the past.

BTW - someone made a crack about us living in a police state. I've never been in the military but I've been privileged to be friends with a number of soldiers.

Not one of them would ever support a police state.

[USArmyParatrooper]

64. Thank you, I appreciate that

And I also appreciate the level headed way in which you approach the issues, which IMO makes you a real asset to progressive values. People tend to be more open to other viewpoints when they're not reactionary or overly dramatic.

[Raineyb]

53. +1 That thin blue line does more damage than anything else.

Having "honest" cops turn a blind eye to the dishonest, brutal, and just plain crooked has a bigger impression than any news story about some cop doing his job without abusing people; which he is supposed to do in the damn first place.

[lumberjack_jeff]

63. My best friend is a cop, and he would agree with this.

"the brotherhood" is his biggest frustration.

In my experience, most cops are good guys. I wish they were a little better so they would weed out the infrequent scumbags in their midst.

We're all products of our environment. Clearly different people have different experiences.

[Scuba]

43. My recent experience with police was pretty good, but then I'm an old white guy.

[proteus_lives]

47. Thank you for this list.

I hope people give it a shot but anti-LEO bigotry is one of DU's acceptable hatreds.

[Dawson Leery]

49. Why we don't trust police/law enforcement

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=102x4442496

http://www.guardian.co.uk/uk/2010/jun/25/peace-campaigner-classified-domestic-extremist

Yet, the right wing reactionaries are given a free pass.

[USArmyParatrooper]

57. I can post a gazillion examples of teachers sexing students

But are you going to "not trust teachers"?

[Richard Steele]

125. How many is a 'gazillion'?

:eyes:

[USArmyParatrooper]

129. Let me help you out here

http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/gazillion

–noun Informal .
an extremely large, indeterminate number.


followed by...
Hyperbole (pronounced /haɪˈpɜrbəli/,<1> from ancient Greek ὑπερβολή 'exaggeration'), is a rhetorical device in which statements are exaggerated. It may be used to evoke strong feelings or to create a strong impression, but is not meant to be taken literally.

Hyperboles are figures of speech that are exaggerated in order to create emphasis or effect. Hyperbole is a literary device often used in poetry, and is frequently encountered in casual speech. An example of hyperbole is: "The bag weighed a ton".<2> Hyperbole helps to make the point that the bag was very heavy although it is not probable that it would actually weigh a ton. On occasion, newspapers and other media use hyperbole when speaking of an accident, to increase the impact of the story. This is more often found in tabloid newspapers, which often exaggerate accounts of events to appeal to a wider audience.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hyperbole

[Richard Steele]

131. BWAHAHA!!!! You think you are gonna tell me something about HYPERBOLE?

You are clearly unfamiliar with my work, and thus appear FOOLISH.
:rofl::rofl::rofl::rofl::rofl::rofl::rofl::rofl:

In addition to my familiarity with HYPERBOLE,
I've also got some experience with paratroopers....
started with my grandfather, John Steele, and his WWII buddies,
and continued on to the many Fort Bragg Service Members
I met during the years I lived in NC.

You don't remind me of ANY of those people. Not even a little bit.

[USArmyParatrooper]

132. You're so familiar, yet, you needed a "gazillion" explained to you

I "don't remind" you of anyone you knew at Bragg. And you're telling me this because....?

[Obamanaut]

92. Rec. nt

[asdjrocky]

94. They get paid, a good deal of money by the way, to do good things.

This is like getting excited because your spouse doesn't get drunk and beat you.

[USArmyParatrooper]

99. A good deal of money in some places, not most

And regardless of the fact that they get paid, they have a tough and dangerous job that is paramount to a functioning society. Their suicide rate is much higher than the national average due to the stresses involved in their jobs. Day in and day out they see and deal with the worst of society.

Just because they get paid doesn't mean they can't be appreciated.

[asdjrocky]

103. You've cited what, 5 or 6 exsamples of good cops?

My life has hundreds of eye witness accounts of bad cops. It does depend on where you live, and how you grew up. You know what I mean, poor, not poor, black, white, all of that comes into it. People that I know who grew up in upper middle class neighborhoods love cops and for good reason, the cops are there to protect the upper middle class and wealthy. Not the poor.

As far as what they get paid? In my town, a mid sized city with the worse crime solving rate unimaginably low, of the top paid 143 city employees, more than half are cops, with number 4, at 243k, a police Sargent. Really? A quarter of a million dollars to be a cop? Really?

The people that they police live in a town with 18% unemployment. The people they police make a fraction of the people policing them. The cops in this town know who they work for, the property owners.

[laughingliberal]

108. Woo Hoo, huh? eom

[treestar]

100. Their lives are at risk

More so than most jobs.

[TheKentuckian]

112. There is no draft. Protect and serve or find another occupation.

[blueamy66]

138. Amen.

you took the words right outta my mouth

[rustydog]

97. Police Officers do good things every single day...

I have worked in the security field since 1979 and have assisted and been saved by police countless times.
As a whole, the law Enforcement community are a selfeless group who answer a call to protect the general public.

Like any other occupation, you have lazy asses, bullies, and out-right ass-holes who wear a badge.

Unless there is video of the heroic deed, we do not hear of the good that police officers do daily. It doesn't sell.

Cops are my heroes. Always will be.

[TK421]

104. I thought the OP should be in LBN n/t

[USArmyParatrooper]

107. What's LBN?

[TK421]

109. Latest Breaking News

[treestar]

110. Wow, that cat really wanted attention!

Brave guys going to the burning car.

[USArmyParatrooper]

111. The Cat vid was hilarious!

[TheKentuckian]

113. They do shitty stuff every day too. My best experience has been getting a ticket

General abuse of authority is rampant. The police are a gang not officers of the peace unless it is to protect the property of the wealthy.

Even most of "the good ones" have some duzy stories when they weren't so good and about to the last they will cover for anything the worst of them do.

No fucking thanks, they've never come in need in time and failed to help even coming late. Save my taxes and the aggravation. Just had a young pissant at my door making threats and busting balls the other night.

A fucking gang whopping it up or shaking folks down. I used to fundraise for the dirty dicks back in the day to get the money for their PR do gooding.

Sheeeit! Fuckin cops. They think they are our betters, servant is the furthest thing from 90% of their minds to be generous. Most of them are figuring out how to get fucked up and get some pussy without pissing off their wife today and counting down to retirement.

I've had too many encounters, known way too many active and retired, and worked for too many departments to give any of this "have you hugged your authoritarian today" happy bullshit.

I don't appreciate their service. I'd appreciate if they'd disband and we have officers of the peace to serve our communities. We are poorly served by a street gang that sees it's self as above the law and the populations as perps and numbnuts.

[USArmyParatrooper]

114. After this wonderful thoughtful post I should join

the Louisville Police Department, so I can join this gang of thugs!

[TheKentuckian]

118. You can aim high...Cincinatti, LA, and good ole Sheriff Joe are always looking for talent

But if you can't make it in the big time this is a top mid-major at least.

[Raineyb]

128. Isn't that what most apologists for authoritarianism do? You act as though

you're fooling anyone here. Your posts show your true colors all too well.

[USArmyParatrooper]

130. Saying apologist implies there's something to apologize for

I make no apologies for cops (or anyone of any profession) who do bad things. Those that don't require no apology. But only Republicans and narrow minded simpletons broad brush people or type-cast them.

[citizen snips]

115. recommend.

[KansasVoter]

119. Show some priests doing good things also! The point is that they are paid to do good things!

[USArmyParatrooper]

123. Yes because being paid exempts someone

from receiving gratitude when they pull someone out of a roaring fire, or do other things to risk their lives for the public. Because as we all know they don't really care about helping people, they're just doing it for the money.

[entanglement]

124. For starters, the Jackboots could try not to taser grannies more than 50 times.

That should be an easy enough start on the long road to "doing good", shouldn't it?

[Skip Intro]

133. I've come to really appreciate cops.

At one time, I used to hate cops and all the stupid laws. I still hate stupid laws, but during this time, stupid laws meant laws that prevented me from doing what I desired to do. Why do I have to answer to anyone? I had a real problem with authority in general though. Getting busted for having a few beers in a parkinglot. Or the car. Handcuffs? Me? How dare they. Many times. I was driving fine. They used to be an enemy I wished would just go away.

At a different time, I thought someone had broken into my house, with me there. I called 911, and a few minutes later two cops come to my house and check it out for me, no idea if someone might jump out at them from the shadows.

I've come to think they have a hard, thankless job - keep crime away from be but don't tread on me. They aren't supermen and wonderwomen. "Only arrest the guilty!" It's an unrealistic standard. Cops do a good job, by and large. And I am very thankful that there are people who would chose to do such a needed and unappreciated job.

[Obamanaut]

134. Kick for cops doing good. nt