May 23, 2012 - Riot Gear

[Cyber Wolf]

Originally Posted by xoxoxoBruce

Right, I'm sure they aren't trying to look scary.

About as terrifying as a guy in a welder's mask, but maybe I'm just not scared by the look. I suggest the elbow to elbow, show-of-force march formation is 'scarier' than the outfit itself.

Originally Posted by xoxoxoBruce

TV? Yes, the evening news, several times a week.

That's exactly what I'm saying. When's the last time a policeman (or line of policemen) in riot gear were really touted as the ones to run to and not run from anywhere? I suppose a shopkeeper might welcome the sight if his windows are being broken during a protest but who else?

Originally Posted by xoxoxoBruce

Because when they're dressed that way they're not being heroes, they are being instigators of violence, or tools of the stupid "War on Drugs".

Originally Posted by xoxoxoBruce

I'm sure you're right, I'd even venture it's the majority, but that doesn't stop the Blue Code of Silence.

Not long ago I witnessed a rogue cop being a complete dick, breaking eleventeen laws, and abusing the shit out of a innocent couple. All the while eight other cops stood around shaking their heads, rolling their eyes, face palming, and not doing a god damn thing about it.

No, it doesn't and it won't. And it's not just the police. Just about any fraternity-type group where the idea of watching each others' backs and trusting your brother is deeply ground in will have the same problems. The military, for example. The difference is, it's culturally acceptable and sometimes demanded that we cheer on all military members, even the ones who go AWOL, even the ones who go into civilian homes and murder the whole family with no justifiable threat as a pretext, even the ones who cut off souvenir fingers and piss on the bodies afterwards, even the ones who come home with PTSD issues and haul off and kill someone in cold blood... somehow that's okay, people want to give them a pass, they still aren't scary because they're service members and they voluntarily joined the Greatest Military This World Has Ever Known(tm). However, if people see a line of cops in reinforced welder's masks and body armor that looks like a slimmed down version of a football player's pads, they're terrifying. Perhaps it's because they're doing their scary things in your neighborhood, so to speak, instead of halfway around the world?

[xoxoxoBruce]

Originally Posted by Cyber Wolf

About as terrifying as a guy in a welder's mask, but maybe I'm just not scared by the look. I suggest the elbow to elbow, show-of-force march formation is 'scarier' than the outfit itself.

I would tend to agree, but I've seen a phalanx of police in regular uniforms move a crowd with no trouble. I think the riot gear says I've come to kick ass.

That's exactly what I'm saying. When's the last time a policeman (or line of policemen) in riot gear were really touted as the ones to run to and not run from anywhere?

When they wore regular uniforms and targeted only troublemakers.

I suppose a shopkeeper might welcome the sight if his windows are being broken during a protest but who else??

Anyone near the G-8 "protesters", every time.

[quote]No, it doesn't and it won't. And it's not just the police. Just about any fraternity-type group where the idea of watching each others' backs and trusting your brother is deeply ground in will have the same problems. The military, for example. The difference is, it's culturally acceptable and sometimes demanded that we cheer on all military members, even the ones who go AWOL, even the ones who go into civilian homes and murder the whole family with no justifiable threat as a pretext, even the ones who cut off souvenir fingers and piss on the bodies afterwards, even the ones who come home with PTSD issues and haul off and kill someone in cold blood... somehow that's okay, people want to give them a pass, they still aren't scary because they're service members and they voluntarily joined the Greatest Military This World Has Ever Known(tm).[quote] I don't, if I know about it.

However, if people see a line of cops in reinforced welder's masks and body armor that looks like a slimmed down version of a football player's pads, they're terrifying. Perhaps it's because they're doing their scary things in your neighborhood, so to speak, instead of halfway around the world?

Good point, although they don't do it in my 'hood because we have state police coverage instead of local cops, so they're not bullies for the local politicians.

[Cyber Wolf]

Originally Posted by xoxoxoBruce

When they wore regular uniforms and targeted only troublemakers.

Then they aren't in riot gear, are they? Or you mean when they wear regular uniforms under the riot gear?

[xoxoxoBruce]

Exactly my point, riot gear causes riots.