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BigV · 01-07-2014, 08:02 PM

Well played. Very well played.

In Seattle, our police department is operating under a consent decree from the Justice Department. Long story short, numerous reports of excessive force, unequal treatment, etc. reached the federal level and then the result of the ensuing court battle was that we have a civilian monitor that oversees the police department and the changes to the policies they operate under. I'm a white male, and as such, largely invisible to the cops. Maybe that's not really true, but I'm glad I don't attract their attention, unlike lots of other citizens.

I appreciate what cops do in my community, and I'm glad they're there. I, myself, am not cut out to be a cop; I'm not nearly naturally suspicious enough, not by a mile. But that suspicion needs to be balanced by a respect for our (all of us) right to be safe from unlawful searches, unjustified arrest or punishment, etc. Those rights? Like any other freedom, or privilege, or ability, it must be exercised to be used, it must be exercised to remain strong. And by saying "No, you may not search my car." you exercised your right, you kept your right strong. You did not sacrifice it, yield it, by waiving it (and "I've nothing to hide" be damned.)

Well played.

01-07-2014, 08:02 PM	#3
BigV Goon Squad Leader Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Seattle Posts: 27,063	Well played. Very well played. In Seattle, our police department is operating under a consent decree from the Justice Department. Long story short, numerous reports of excessive force, unequal treatment, etc. reached the federal level and then the result of the ensuing court battle was that we have a civilian monitor that oversees the police department and the changes to the policies they operate under. I'm a white male, and as such, largely invisible to the cops. Maybe that's not really true, but I'm glad I don't attract their attention, unlike lots of other citizens. I appreciate what cops do in my community, and I'm glad they're there. I, myself, am not cut out to be a cop; I'm not nearly naturally suspicious enough, not by a mile. But that suspicion needs to be balanced by a respect for our (all of us) right to be safe from unlawful searches, unjustified arrest or punishment, etc. Those rights? Like any other freedom, or privilege, or ability, it must be exercised to be used, it must be exercised to remain strong. And by saying "No, you may not search my car." you exercised your right, you kept your right strong. You did not sacrifice it, yield it, by waiving it (and "I've nothing to hide" be damned.) Well played. __________________ Be Just and Fear Not.