The Police are not your friends

[workinclasszero]

They are the protectors of the 1%. The defenders of the racist power structure in place.

If you have a hope of real change in this country, the violent and vicious response of cops to non violent occupy protesters will show you what the defenders of the 1% can do and will do again to stop it.

95% of cops are violent right wingers and the other 5% are keeping their mouths shut and looking the other way when their gang stomps the shit out of your rights.

The police are not your friends.


Blacks and other minorities have always known this of course but the police gangs are getting more and more bold lately so many more people are waking up to reality.

Just remember, the next time you get pulled over for speeding and your talking to an armed cop. He can take your life in an instant and no one can stop him.

[backwoodsbob]

1. exaggerate much?

*Just remember, the next time you get pulled over for speeding and your talking to an armed cop. He can take your life in an instant and no one can stop him. *

And yet how many people have received speeding tickets this year and how many of them were shot?

Can you give a link showing how many people this year were shot for speeding?

[uppityperson]

2. are you disputing the fact that a cop could shoot you, or that it doesn't often happen?

Last edited Sun Dec 28, 2014, 04:26 PM - Edit history (1)

[_Blue_]

3. It DOESNT happen often.

There are over 750,000 law enforcement officers in the country, each having numerous contacts with the public on a daily basis. How many police shootings occur annually? Of those, what small percentage are criminal?

Yes, even one police on civilian murder is too many, but lets not turn this into something it isn't.

[daleanime]

6. Often is not never....

The fact that it doesn't happen too often makes it acceptable?



And how often would you be comfortable with? One in ten thousand? One in a thousand? One in a hundred?


One in ten?

[_Blue_]

7. He said it happens often. It doesn't.

I'm the one who said one time is too many.

[bravenak]

8. Every few days is often to me.

Once a month is often to me. Seems to me that often is relative.

[etherealtruth]

15. Not forgetting all of those that suffer brutality at the hands of the police and survive ...

... no one appears to have stats for that

[bravenak]

17. Yes. Let's not forget them.

Like that baby burned.
I have no time for minimization today.

[daleanime]

9. Fair enough....

I sure the protesters are glad for your support.

[uppityperson]

13. No, I asked if they were saying it doesn't happen often so no need to worry or if they were

disputing it could not happen. The duer I replied to clarified. I apologize for being unclear with my question.

[sulphurdunn]

31. I think the poster

was suggesting that should an officer unjustifiably shoots you during a traffic stop, odds are the officer will get away with it.

[_Blue_]

34. I think the officer will if it is at all bit murky

And maybe even if it is clear cut (see Eric Garner). It's not unheard of for police to get charged as a result of on duty offenses, but there's definitely a pro-police bias when it comes to prosecuting them.

That said, I think most police shootings are justified. But "most" is definitely not good enough.

[sulphurdunn]

42. I agree with you.

[JonLP24]

90. I looked up a well known story and was surprised to learn he is facing charges (very unusual)

when it comes to pulling the trigger it is easier to charge a cop if he is brutally beating someone since there is less leeway there.


Dashcam Video: Officer Shoots Man After Telling Him to Get License

Video has emerged showing a South Carolina state Highway Patrolman shooting an African-American man who reached into his car after being asked to show his license.

The dashcam video shows 31-year-old lance corporal Sean Groubert pull into a Circle K gas station on Broad River Road in Columbia, behind Levar Jones, whom he says was not wearing his seat belt.

Jones, 35, was exiting his vehicle in order to enter the gas station when he was ordered by Groubert to produce his drivers license. As Jones intends to comply and re-enters his still open truck to retrieve his identification, Groubert immediately unholsters his weapon and begins firing.

“Get out of the car, get out of the car,” Groubert yells.

“I just got my license, you said get my license,” Jones replies.

Groubert responds by telling Jones to get on the ground. While on the ground Jones says, “I have my license right here, you said get my license.”

http://policestatedaily.com/dashcam-video-officer-shoots-man-telling-get-license/

He's also apologizing to the cop as he's on the ground with a bullet wound.

[CreekDog]

97. _Blue_ has no response to this

I wonder why?

[workinclasszero]

50. Exactly

And even "cop cams" or a bystanders cell video probably will make no difference to the "fox and friends" juries out there letting cops get away with cold blooded murder, the case of Eric Garner proves.

I can't breathe': Eric Garner put in chokehold by NYPD officer – video

Footage filmed by a bystander shows Eric Garner being wrestled to the ground in a chokehold by an NYPD officer before turning limp. The father, 43, can be heard gasping 'I can't breathe'. He was later pronounced dead at a hospital. Protests have erupted in New York after a grand jury failed to indict the officer responsible


http://www.theguardian.com/us-news/video/2014/dec/04/i-cant-breathe-eric-garner-chokehold-death-video

[Igel]

64. Actually, I was just reading something about body camera research.

It was found that it really reduced the frequency and intensity of police/civilian altercations.

Oddly, while it reduced how often police provoked altercations and escalated tensions, it had a more extreme effect on the civilian. The civilian much less often provoked an altercation and if he did, didn't escalate the conflict nearly as much. They key was the cop's announcement that the incident would be recorded. Being watched made a difference to the policeman involved; but it made a larger, 25-30% larger, difference to the civilian. (I didn't see or don't remember figures that broke out armed versus unarmed civilians.)

In the Garner case the incident was taped but there was no apparently awareness on the part of the policeman or civilian. It's not the videotaping that matters for these results--presumably a placebo-type camera would work as well, announcing that a tape is being made when really all that's working is a little LED. The videotaping itself matters not so much in the prevention, but in a kind of "gotcha" response by lawyers and the public.

Haven't seen many studies on this, don't know what the sample size was or the demographics of the population investigated.

[backwoodsbob]

4. it isn't that it can't happen...it's the overblown exaggeration of the OP

Overstating your case with examples that NEVER happen doesn't help anyone

[uppityperson]

16. Thanks for the clarification. I agree it doesn't often happen and that overstating doesn't help

Having been stopped and harassed by a cop a few yrs ago, I was VERY aware the po'd officer could tase or shoot me. My crime was he said I pulled out to close in front of someone but what pissed him off was I didn't know the name of the street. It was bizarre and quite scary to the point I didn't dare ask if I was under arrest, he was out of control red faced angry that I didn't know the name of the street. So yes, in my life an incident like this has happened only a couple times, but I was very aware I could have been shot.

And like I taught my kid, if ever pulled over for any reason, keep your hands on the steering wheel in plain sight. Never talk back and give them no reason to be afraid. So yes, be aware that you could be shot.

[Dyedinthewoolliberal]

62. It is terrible that it has evolved

Into this. To be afraid of our interactions with the police is the exact opposite of what it could be. I don't know of any way to turn it around....

[socialist_n_TN]

84. Yeah, I've ALWAYS been aware that I could be shot by cops during ......

any interaction. I'm even MORE aware that they'll probably get away with it too. And I've got an even bigger problem. I don't "toady" very well. It's not that I've actively hostile usually, but I'm not subservient either. So I know I'm in danger every moment I'm interacting.

I ALWAYS tell the cop what I'm going to do beforehand even if what I'm doing is complying to his instructions. "My license in in my wallet in my right back pocket officer." "My registration and proof of insurance in in my glove compartment, officer." That kind of thing. And I wait on him to tell me to take it out of my pocket or my glove box.

[truedelphi]

40. Women who are the victims of stalking know how little help they usually get

From the police.

Same with many other crime victims.

And often, the police are "too busy" to deal with civilians who need their help.

About two years back, I called the police to report that my friend's grown son had assaulted me. I wanted him arrested.

The police man who showed up was far more interested in finding out if my friend's fifteen year old dog, who was totally asleep, due to infirmaries and being about to die, if the dog would bite him.

Every time he mentioned the sleeping dog, his hand went to his holster.

He said arresting the man for assault would do no good.

I later found out that it can make it much harder to get a restraining order against someone if they have no prior arrests for their assaults.

My community as a whole found out recently that one of its police officers was a pedophile. The guy was dismissed from the force, but his fancy pants lawyer got the case moved out of the county, and charges were dismissed after a hung jury.

When the wife of one of the higher ups in the San Francisco Police Department tried to report her husband for assault, the DA said that it was time to remove any officers who had ever been charged with domestic violence. Then the DA found out that over 20% of the entire police force would have to be laid off, if those standards were put in place!

[_Blue_]

92. FYI..

Police in most jurisdictions I'm familiar with are prohibited from making an arrest for a misdemeanor that was not committed in their presence. There are usually a select few exceptions to this, such as domestic violence. The officer could have issued a citation in lieu of arrest, or taking a report and filed for a warrant to be issued that could be served at a later date. Perhaps your jurisdiction is different, but that has been my general experience.

[truedelphi]

95. In this case, there were witnesses.

Of course, there were witnesses to the death threats the San Rafael Calif. police force was asked to deal with, years ago, but the police are too busy taking care of themselves by hassling petty dope dealers and stealing their monies than to take down the actual criminals among us.

[_Blue_]

96. That may be

But the existence of a witness doesn't circumvent the warrantless arrest requirements. As far as I know, California allows officers to make warrantless arrests for misdemeanors not committed in their presence for only a select few offenses (DUI, domestic violence, juvenile offenses). So the officer couldn't have made an arrest even if he wanted to.

[CreekDog]

98. why haven't you responded to the story about the South Carolina cop

who shot a man who was complying with his order to give him his license?

[_Blue_]

99. I haven't seen it posted here.

If it's the same one Im thinking of, criminal charges are definitely appropriate for the officer.

[shawn703]

28. I know two people who had guns pulled on them at a speeding stop

And they were producing the license/registration required of them and nothing more. I bet they agreed with the sentiment of the OP at that instant.

[truedelphi]

43. ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^n/t

[FreakinDJ]

88. Pretty Lame responce

Everyone knows the DOJ won't keep those statistics

[DrDan]

5. ANYONE with a gun can "take your life in an instant and no one can stop him" or her

whether pulled over for a speeding ticket or not.

I have friends that are leo's. I do not live in fear of them shooting me. I feel sorry for those that do. Wasted energy imo.

[TheKentuckian]

27. But few are so likely to be able to get away with it while being legally protected from self defense

This feeds some powerfully unfortunate wrongheadedness in certain dangerous elements that are present which sets up a ticking time bomb situation no matter how few (which they are not) we can tolerate to pretend at a given moment.

Your friends apparently and clearly aren't the only cops and it is far from impossible they might be considerably less friendly to folks that aren't their you know...er...friends or even just generally in the street.

Shit, I have known plenty of cops and am related to some. I've seen that complete change of posture and demeanor as recognition kicked in and I've seen myself transform from scumbag to an "he's alright" or maybe better in their mind (I'm not sure better is possible, sometimes it seems the next notch down from "one of us&quot . Night and fucking day though.

[sulphurdunn]

32. But not just anyone can get away with it

under color of law.

[DrDan]

57. but a life has been taken in either case - and with similar ease

the OP seems to suggest that the police can do that without acknowledging that anyone with a gun can do the same.

[treestar]

66. True. And when those things happen

it is the LEO's fault they didn't prevent it (and Obama's).

[951-Riverside]

11. "You're painting with a rather broad brush" ..."Don't call the police next time you need help"

...and all that bullshit

By the way cops and cop wives defending the actions of these criminal cops, the same corporate interests you beat and arrest citizens over to protect are draining your pensions but don't worry when you're medically retired at 50-something and have nothing in the bank, they'll have a new generation of police officers all lined up to kick your asses and you will be painted as disgruntled and dangerous terrorists because of your prior training and knowledge of law enforcement tactics.

Enjoy!

Edit: Oh and I'm sure you badge bunnies will stick around when you find out your husband's pension is completely drained and he's broke.

[WorseBeforeBetter]

19. "Referring to women as badge bunnies is sexist as fuck!"

On Sun Dec 28, 2014, 03:23 PM an alert was sent on the following post:

"You're painting with a rather broad brush" ..."Don't call the police next time you need help"
http://www.democraticunderground.com/?com=view_post&forum=1002&pid=6014220

REASON FOR ALERT

This post is disruptive, hurtful, rude, insensitive, over-the-top, or otherwise inappropriate.

ALERTER'S COMMENTS

Referring to women as badge bunnies is sexist as fuck!

You served on a randomly-selected Jury of DU members which reviewed this post. The review was completed at Sun Dec 28, 2014, 03:29 PM, and the Jury voted 1-6 to LEAVE IT.

Juror #1 voted to HIDE IT
Explanation: No explanation given
Juror #2 voted to LEAVE IT ALONE
Explanation: Oh good grief. The alerter is upset at the use of the phrase "badge bunnies"? SMH. I have no problem with the post. Let it stand. And let's alert on posts with substantive reasons, OK?
Juror #3 voted to LEAVE IT ALONE
Explanation: No explanation given
Juror #4 voted to LEAVE IT ALONE
Explanation: No explanation given
Juror #5 voted to LEAVE IT ALONE
Explanation: No explanation given
Juror #6 voted to LEAVE IT ALONE
Explanation: I could, but won't make nasty comments about the poster. This stupid dialogue should work itself out, or go over the top, which it's bordering now.
Juror #7 voted to LEAVE IT ALONE
Explanation: How about "dependents?"

Thank you very much for participating in our Jury system, and we hope you will be able to participate again in the future.

[951-Riverside]

24. ...

Save your fauxrage for when you find out your pension is worthless.

Roger that?

[F4lconF16]

36. 1 vote to hide

And people wonder why other posters think that sexism on DU is out of hand. Disgusting. Directly insinuating that women are incapable of providing for themselves while using a dismissive and insulting term, and not being hid? Just wonderful.

[benz380]

56. Looks like misogyny's not the Flavor Of The Day. Maybe tomorrow. nt

[kiva]

68. Mostly because, despite protests to the contrary,

a substantial number of posters can only deal with one issue at a time. When bashing the police, sexism is allowed.

[Calista241]

12. Roughly 400 people are killed every year by a cop

And approximately 120 cops are killed in the line of duty every year.

Now, there are just over 850,000 cops nationwide. Now lets assume that each of those cops had 5 police interactions with civilians each day. That takes us to 4,250,000 traffic stops, domestic calls, welfare checks, etc each year by our cops. Just 520 of those 4.25 million police interactions resulted in someone losing their life, and 1/4 of the time, the person losing their life is a cop.

[heaven05]

20. No one knows

how many shooting and killings by police happen every year. Those type of records are not keep accurately, never have been. What wikipedia? okay..............The Washington Post ran a story on that very subject, Aug 8 this year.

[heaven05]

22. the most recent statistic of cops killed

the last year recorded 2012-48-44 killed by firearms, according to thee FBI data. your 120 seemed a little high.

[sulphurdunn]

41. About 50 cops are killed in violent

confrontations with the public on average each year. More die in the line of duty from traffic accidents and heart attacks. From what I've been able to glean, talking to police officers, many of them think they go to work everyday in a combat zone, and that they have a right to shoot first and ask questions later. I think such attitudes are dangerous and delusional.

[PumpkinAle]

85. You are spot on I believe.

So far this year there have been 125 officer deaths - includes heart attacks, RTAs and guns (which account for 50 deaths).
http://www.nleomf.org/facts/officer-fatalities-data/

[ThoughtCriminal]

61. Compare to other western countires

Germany - police used 85 bullets last year
http://gawker.com/5909283/german-police-really-dont-like-shooting-at-people-used-only-85-bullets-last-year

England/Wales - zero fatal shootings in two years
http://fivethirtyeight.com/datalab/police-in-england-and-wales-went-two-years-without-fatally-shooting-someone/

[Hutzpa]

14. Correction

The police are protectors of organised crime personnel.

There is a reason behind there level of boldness.

[heaven05]

18. true

to the point.... the police are not MY friend, never have been, never will be.

[MrScorpio]

21. Damn skippy! nt

[cantbeserious]

23. + 1,000 - No Dispute - To Protect And Serve The 1% - The 99% Be Damned

eom

[kentuck]

25. They may be your friend but...

but you had better keep your eye on them and always remind them that they work for the people, not some political Party or special interest.

[AnotherMother4Peace]

26. What a hateful accusation against group of people - smacks of prejudice

I hear similar smears against teachers when I listen to right wing union busters. And I heard it a great deal against airport screeners and homeland security when they were trying to unionize (except the unionizing part never came up, just the broad brush of hate). My right wing family members are stirring the shit, not for any reason to "get in there and break up that union" hummmm

[pipi_k]

29. You're right...

the police are NOT your friends.


Having gotten that point out of the way, though, you know who's most likely to injure or kill you?


Yeah.. your own family member.


They can shoot, stab, smother, poison, or push you over a cliff and there's not a damned thing you can do about it.

Or, in some cases, they can hire someone to do it.


I'd be more afraid of disgruntled/mentally ill family members than a random cop any day.

[Thinkingabout]

30. Are you profiling? Sounds like it, you are putting cops in a category of which is judged as bad

People. Profiling is not a good thing.

[zentricity]

33. Another (Much Higher) Count Of Homicides By Police

http://fivethirtyeight.com/datalab/another-much-higher-count-of-police-homicides/

[Malraiders]

35. Indeed:

[tblue37]

74. That video shows a terrifying propensity on the part of the cops to

pile on, even when a person is already subdued, unresisting, and even handcuffed, and to rain multiple punches onto the head and face of a subdued and even handcuffed victim. But I am especially freaked out by the way they so often use batons or even flashlights to repeatedly slam the people in the head and face with what is obviously the most force they can muster, and by the way they like to run up to someone already on the ground and not resisting, even when the person is handcuffed, and kick the victim repeatedly, as hard as they can, not just in the torso, but even more often in the head and face.

Sure, their adrenaline rises during a chase or a takedown, but they are so obviously delighting in the extreme brutality that it strikes me as evidence that a lot of the ones we see on such videos are violent, dangerous sociopaths who should never be allowed near a badge or a gun.

[riqster]

37. OPs like this one do not help us create a just society.

For example:
95% of cops are violent right wingers and the other 5% are keeping their mouths shut and looking the other way when their gang stomps the shit out of your rights. "

I'd ask you to provide some factual basis or a citation proving that statement, but it is too nonsensical a claim to bother with.

Calm down and write something you can back up with a fact.

[951-Riverside]

44. cOPs like Pantaleo, Wilson and Mehserle do not help us create a just society. n/t

[riqster]

53. True.

[truedelphi]

45. Exactly. Far better that we as a society relax, watch some inane reality show,

And let the bullies and thugs in blue continue to terrorize us!

[riqster]

54. Bollocks. We need to create real change, not just rant with bogus numbers.

[Hutzpa]

46. I'm not sure what you're looking for here

are the killings of black men not enough for you or do you need more blood to understand that this has gotten out of hand?

[riqster]

51. I am looking for someone to make a persuasive case.

As opposed to making shit up.

[Hutzpa]

55. Whats more persuasive

than all the statistics (which I'm sure you've seen) which shows police brutality has risen sharply since 9/11.

[riqster]

60. THIS is persuasive:

http://www.goodreads.com/author/quotes/17435.Malcolm_X

That man could make a case. Love Malcolm X.

[Flatulo]

38. Not only are they not your friend, they think you're an asshole as well.

As a group, cops are the most arrogant of public servants. Ever hear cops shooting the shit among themselves? It's this asshole and that asshole, non-stop.

I came upon a minor traffic accident one dark night. A cop was directing traffic around the incident. He held up at a high-powered flashlight, and shined it right into my eyes, which of course blinded me. He was gesturing with his hands, but I could not see what he was doing because he had a fucking spotlight pointed in my eyes. So I did what I thought was the sensible thing, which was to stop. Well, he just flew into an unbelievable rage. He gestured even more wildly, but I still couldn't see him because he still had that fucking spotlight in my eyes.

He approached my car in full meltdown mode and fucking kicked it in the grill! As he was screaming at me, I rolled down my window and told him that I couldn't see his gestures because of the bright light which was STILL in my eyes.

About this time I thought he was just going to kill me. He ordered me off the road and had me wait there for 30 minutes. After the accident was cleared up he came over and proceeded to lecture me about the penalties for failing to obey an officer. I pointed out that I would be delighted to obey his instructions if only I could see them. He completely ignored what I said and bawled me out for another 10 minutes before sending me only way.

I knew who this cop was, but I couldn't do anything about it, because it's a small town, and if you fuck with the police, they can really ruin your life.

[truedelphi]

47. What you are expressing shows that the men and women in blue don't have the least bit of necessary

Training.

Homeland Security and the IDF is too busy teaching the "officers" to throw citizens to the ground, stomp on their inert bodies and scream "Resisting arrest" to train them on proper use of flashlights etc.

[the_sly_pig]

39. *Yawn*

You're absolutely right. The police are not your friends. They are the people responsible for enforcing the law in our great land. Are there bad cops? You betcha. Just like there are bad janitors, bad accountants, bad legislators and bad everything else. I make no excuses for them.

Do you think cops are responsible for income disparity? Have you asked yourself why does crime exist? Would you support legislation that limits their powers? The ultimate question is do people care enough to get involved? The answer is a resounding 'no'. You just witnessed complete apathy in the mid-term election.

If you want to pass blame, everyone needs to take a moment to look in the mirror. If the argument was strong and unified, the 1% would have two years to hide their money. But it's more likely that only 40% of the people will turn out to vote for the next president.

And for all you cops out there, the next time you do a traffic stop or show up to a domestic, or break up a bar fight, or be first on scene to a medical, just remember anyone you come in contact with can take your life in an instant and no one an stop him.

[truedelphi]

48. Your sentiment expressed in your last pargraph is why the cops are

Shooting us dead, for absolutely no damn reason.

Ask the family of the man who had gone out one night to water his neighbor's yard. The people next door, who had just moved into their home, didn't recognize him. They called the cops. The cops came, and apparently (so they say) ordered him to put down his gun.

He didn't have a gun. What he had was a water nozzle of a hose, and he apparently didn't hear the cops. So they fired off six kill shorts with a shotgun, and the guy was dead before he knew what hit him.

As a woman who while in her mid fifties had a cop express wanting to kill her, for driving 57 in a 55 mph zone, I realize that far too many of the people in blue are sociopaths whose tours of duty in Iraq and Afghanistan have left them very little normal in the way of normal and needed judgment and evaluation.

[the_sly_pig]

76. And your surety guarantees serious problems will remain unresolved.

It is your absolute right, however, to focus on a symtom rather than the disease.

[sulphurdunn]

49. It's not likely.

Law enforcement doesn't even rank among the 10 deadliest occupations in this country. The mind set that cops go to work in combat zones everyday is a self-serving myth.

[the_sly_pig]

78. Agreed.

Officers generally get hurt when they don't follow response protocols. But I never addressed that issue. I would argue there are areas in the country that are like combat zones. Certainly very few areas considering, but they do exist none-the-less.

[sulphurdunn]

94. That is a good point.

There is not a single monolithic police department in this country. Nor is there a single model for how a department operates. Despite the obvious racial and socioeconomic injustices in need of redress, there are strategic and tactical police doctrines that should be examined and compared.

[alarimer]

79. Cops are assholes.

they are our very own Gestapo, given half a chance. They are mostly authoritarian pieces of shit, who would be crmininals if they weren't cops. Fuck them. I do not respect the police.
None of them.

[the_sly_pig]

80. Another opinion provided... *sigh*

[JEB]

82. And another...*sigh*

[COLGATE4]

101. Brilliant, incisive analysis

[George II]

52. "95% of cops are violent right wingers and the other 5% are keeping their mouths shut"

I searched Google for 2 hours and couldn't find that statistic. Do you have it?

[Skittles]

75. it's pure bullshit is what it is

it's what happens when you pull statistics out of your ass

[workinclasszero]

63. "To protect and serve"

http://www.thesaudavoice.com/.a/6a00e55291ee8488330153929cd2fb970b-800wi

[Stellar]

105. Anybody dressed in that manner should be sent to the front. Let them deal with ISIS!

[workinclasszero]

106. I think the front moved to the streets of the USA when no one was looking /nt

[treestar]

65. If they only protect the 1%

Why do they come when you call them?

[RiverLover]

67. +1

I have alot of tolerance, but not for ignorance. I really don't like this OP.

[Union Scribe]

69. You assume they do.

In Detroit, they often don't come. Cops don't serve all communities equally. I know that will come as a shock to you.

[treestar]

70. I've seen lawsuits against them

If they didn't come when called you think they would get away with that?

There are lawyers who specialize in suing cops. On contingency. The government is responsible and it's a deep pocket.

[Union Scribe]

71. How does that help citizens

that the cops don't bother to help? We're not talking about people with power and money to hire lawyers, and even if they were the fact their calls are so regularly ignored puts paid to your original claim.

[treestar]

72. They can go and get compensation

That's the legal system. Geez, people sometimes seem to want to be victims. If the police are doing wrong, you don't have to just sit there and be victimized, you can do something about it in this country!

Anyone can get a lawyer who works on contingency. They get a percentage but nothing if they recover nothing. The poorest of the poor can hire them for these purposes.

[wildbilln864]

73. k & fucking r! n/t

[marym625]

77. K&R!

It's interesting to me that with all the 1000s of people on DU, it's pretty much the same few people that rec certain threads.

What is so sad to me about that is, even with the daily horrors perpetrated on US citizens, more specifically, black men, by law enforcement and prosecutors, looks like no one is changing their minds.

Shame. Just a shame.

[JEB]

81. If you want less crime,

cut the fat fucking cop budgets and spend the savings on Public education and a real jobs program.

[easychoice]

83. Never talk to the police.I never call them they are no help they can read about it in the paper.

They are all criminal conspirators and they interfere with prosecutions.THEY ALL ARE HOMICIDAL FELONS covering up each others criminal acts.

[socialist_n_TN]

86. I agree. I also see a lot of apologists in this thread......

talking about how ANYBODY can kill you at any time, like the cops doing it is just part of life. Of course, they're missing the obvious difference, in that the cop can kill you and probably will get away with it. Another average Joe GunNut will probably AT LEAST, have to go to trial for it.

As to my interactions with police, I will avoid calling them except in the most dire of circumstances. And when I do call them, I understand that they probably won't get there until it's over and already been decided. And even then, I will fear for my safety until the interaction with the cops is over and done with.

[Lint Head]

87. One day a mesmerized generation will wake up in a country

whose power structure has oppressed it's people in totality.

[workinclasszero]

89. And it will be way too late to stop it then

First they came for the Socialists, and I did not speak out—
Because I was not a Socialist.

Then they came for the Trade Unionists, and I did not speak out—
Because I was not a Trade Unionist.

Then they came for the Jews, and I did not speak out—
Because I was not a Jew.

Then they came for me—and there was no one left to speak for me.

Martin Niemöller (1892–1984) was a prominent Protestant pastor who emerged as an outspoken public foe of Adolf Hitler and spent the last seven years of Nazi rule in concentration camps.

http://www.ushmm.org/wlc/en/article.php?ModuleId=10007392

[Lint Head]

91. I want a tee shirt with his name on it.

[COLGATE4]

102. Dear God, not the Martin Niemoller quote.

[applegrove]

93. Good gosh!

[hifiguy]

100. Kick and Rec.

Truth!

[maced666]

103. LOL

[NaturalHigh]

104. Hmmm...funny that I have so many friends who are police officers.

I'm certainly not in the 1%.

[Zorra]

107. The majority of cops are RW republican thugs. nt