[TheeBadOne]

What's the 1st thing that pops into your mind?

[Cal4D4]

How about none of the above? Truthfully, when I see a black and white I do a quick check of speed to make sure not fudging the line. Puts LEO in catagory of minor irritation. If you're zooming around or on foot, I get curious what you are up to. You guys are the second line of defense, right after the citizen involved. Not a bad thing at all, but not primary.

[Monkeyleg]

TheeBadOne, you need to add more options, such as: are my headlights working; is my gun properly cased; do I look like Jeffrey Dahmer today; or, does my car fit the description that's been broadcast as an all-points bulletin?

I think most people get a little tense when a squad is near. It's natural, considering that the laws have made potential criminals out of just about all of us.

[rock jock]

Somewhere in the world is a lonely donut.

[spacemanspiff]

none of the above.

i think there are good cops out there who dont misuse their authority, just as there are bad ones who do misuse it. i just hope i run into the good guys.

but seeing how i havent had anything but a warning in the last 6 years, i dont get all worked up. i take that back. i have been approached twice about 3 years ago while walking or riding my bike. something about matching the description of someone they were looking for.

[4v50 Gary]

Overall, it's good to see them around. I know there's a lot of lazy guys out there (& I can understand why too).

[Atticus]

Glad we have them. Hope they leave me alone. Where the hell did I put that......

[Sindawe]

Can't chose any of the options offered, since none of 'em run through my head when I see a cop. With me, it more along the line of when I see a wasp. Don't mess with it, and it won't mess with you, Usually.

[Blackhawk]

I'm glad we have them.

I sure wouldn't do the job they do or take the crap they do.

Maybe I'm just a weirdo, but every cop I've had anything to do with up close has been just fine, and that includes those writing tickets for me.

[sm]

MY first thought--I Think.

Glad we got 'em
politics and bureacrats made job difficult
some don't need to be
some don't get positive credit they deserve

I base thoughts on officer, not uniform. Yes I have some good LEO friends, also know some I don't want to be anywhere around.

Like former neighbor, drunken parties, all wee hrs of morning, glad the ND went through the others neighbors wall though, she wasn't home--I was!!

[ojibweindian]

I am distrustful of almost everyone with a position of power and authority that can make my life a living hell.

[Don Gwinn]

"What's he shouting about?"

:D

[Preacherman]

While there are certainly some bad apples, I've generally been very impressed with the cops and other LE personnel I've come to know. I think we'd be in a world of hurt if they weren't there! It's a bit like corrections officers - they tend to be the "low dogs on the totem pole" in the LE world, at least as far as respect from their peers goes, but they keep behind bars the animals who would fulfill all our worst nightmares if they weren't confined. To do so, they're subject to greater danger, every day, of assault and grievous bodily harm than almost any other LEO's you can mention. I'm proud to be associated with them - they really do protect and serve!

I think it's very much a case of "as ye sow, so shall ye reap". LEO's are all too often in contact with the very worst in society, and are treated with contempt, hatred and bitterness. As a result, many become cynical, hardened and indifferent to society as a whole. If we treat them with respect, and politeness, and decency, they're often so pleasantly surprised that they have a major (and entirely painless) attitude adjustment! Try it sometime...

[Billll]

Long periods of revenue-raising boredom punctuated by brief moments of crime-fighting action. Gee, I hope he's fighting crime.:uhoh:

[ed dixon]

Might as well ask what you think when you see a priest, a doctor, a mechanic. Has more to do with the person they were beforehand and who they are beyond that description. Doubt the profession ever makes the person, but rather the quality of the individual informs his or her practice of it. Good people can be made better of course and bad worse by their work, but I doubt the role itself turns too many around for good or bad. (Please note I did not include lawyers or politicians. Ego and evil do congregate in certain places. Okay, with some few exceptions.)

[Baba Louie]

I'm biased.

Two of my uncles were cops, my cousin is a state trooper.

I'm VERY glad they're there/here.

Having very limited interaction with the few Depts I've had in my 47 years, I tend to think...

He/She is a Professional, no BS taking kinda warrior. The kind of person I hope my children measure up to. That I measure up to.

But that's just me.

I'm biased.

Adios

[m.i.sanders]

Overall I'm glad we have them. I know I wouldn't want their job. I have ran into a couple before though that I would go out of my way to avoid.

[Mike Irwin]

BEFORE ANYONE ASKS WHO VOTED FOR "LAZY WASTE," I did....

For a VERY specific reason.

Saw a cop this evening.

Had dinner with him and his wife.

He's DEFINITELY a lazy waste...

How about it, Mr. James? You know who I'm talking about! :evil:

[Standing Wolf]

My eyes automatically move to my speedometer.

[G-Raptor]

...I wonder if he's on "our" side?

[WonderNine]

I HATE cops.

I don't really want to go into much more detail than that other than to say I voted the third one down.

[Diesle]

Even though they are never there when you need em.... And, there is so much legal crap they have to deal with that once they get to where their needed their hands are tied up but good....

Im still glad to have them.

Though, I get aprehensive around them because I think everybody is a potential/eventual suspect to a cop.

Thanks for your effort anyhow,

Diesle

[David Scott]

"Is my radar detector on?"

[hansolo]

In the 60s & 70s, I was a longhaired Harley-riding "counterculture" type. I had a friend who was a Motor Officer with the CHP, but the LAPD in my rearview was nervous-making. Thirty years later, I am a "Citizen On Patrol" with a local Police Department and graduated from their Citizens' Police Academy. IMHO, most LEOs are brave, hardworking, intelligent , good people. Working closely with some really fine Police Officers has allowed me to see the job from their point of view; I am sure there are some LEOs who abuse their powers, but the ones I come in contact with are more the "role model" type. I am proud to do my small part by their side!

[Drizzt]

"Was I speeding?"

"I wonder if he'll let me play with the siren on the way to the station?"

"Should I mention all the ammo in the trunk?"

"Do they really make uniforms that large?"

:neener:

[Cliff]

I'm glad we have them, my dad was a officer,did 26 years and was out. I remember riding to school in a unmarked car when I was a kid,up to seeing a full police 12 car escort,(wintertime,so no cycles),and burial detail when my dad passed just over a year ago. A LOT of uniforms in the church that day. And even with the bad apples,I am glad there out there.

[Hkmp5sd]

None of the above.

"Is that my step-brother or neighbor? Better slow up so I can see who's driving a little better."

[dave]

"I HATE cops.

I don't really want to go into much more detail than that other than to say I voted the third one down." by wondernine




How are we any different from the "antis" if we think like this?


We all take offense when the antis, usually after some horrorable shooting by someone who's bread isn't quite done, attempt to paint ALL gun owners as crazy. We try to tell them that, just because we own a gun, doesn't mean we are crazy or that we'd do the same type of thing. We tell them that there are all kjnds of people in the world, sane and crazy. We tell them that, just because someone owns a gun, it doesn't make them a "gun nut".

We talk until we are blue in the face, but they don't seem to "get it". They hold all gun owners responsible for the actions of a few. They have their minds made up and nothing we say can change them. Their feelings about "bad gun owners" include all who own a gun, no matter if they've done anything wrong or not. What's their "proof"? Well, the guy that killed all those folks used a gun, therefore, all those who own guns are "bad", right? We tell them that that type of reasoning is incorrect, unfair, narrow minded, and honestly just plain dumb.

But, use the word "badge" instead of "gun" and everythings ok. Huh? Did I miss something? All cops are the same because they all wear a badge, right? Cops come from society in general, therefore they're all supposed to be good, right? Again, huh? Even when a bad cop is noticed, the public (thru unions, laywers, aclu, naacp and plian old "outrage") won't allow the dept to get rid of him/her. Most of the public seems more concerned about how the dept "looks" than how it "acts".

My point? How can we, as gun owners, complain about how we are all lumped into one group by the antis simply because we all own guns.............yet do the same to police officers simply because they all wear badges?



Do some "crazy" people own guns, and use them unlawfully? Yes.

Are all gun owners therefore "crazy"? No.

Do some "bad" police officers wear badges? Yes.

Are all police officers therefore bad? Yes, if you ask some here.

[voilsb]

99.8% of the time I have rather respectful thoughts when I see a cop. glad they're willing to do the job which somebody has to do. most of them are just regular people doing their jobs and what they think is right. they're not always right, they don't always do a good job, but most of them probably are most of the time.

the other 0.2% of the time I'm probably speeding and am simply hoping I don't get in trouble.

[tyme]

Dave, I think what he's saying is that upon seeing a police officer, WN assumes this is probably a below-80th-percentile city cop, and therefore the cop probably wouldn't know the Constitution and BoR from toilet paper. I'd agree with that assessment when in an urban setting, but that doesn't mean I'm not respectful. The one and only traffic "stop" I've had was a result of me being out of the car with a gps receiver in the middle of nowhere - and this was apparently justification to run my license. If I were to pull the same thing today, who knows, I could get arrested on suspicion of plotting a terrorist attack. Upon leaving, the cop said something like "now that we know you're out here, we won't bother you." As if it's illegal to be in the middle of nowhere without being checked out by police. They claimed it was a suicide spot, but they sure didn't stick around to see if I was planning to impale myself on the car's antenna.

[NewShooter78]

I have to agree with dave on this one. I've had my share of bad run in with cops, but in all honesty it was my fault that they were there in the first place or for my being ticketed. Even though I grew up in a city that is renowned for its crooked cops, I don't hold all of them in contempt. I do however check my speed when a squad car is behind me. Since I have been working security, I have met a lot of great officers at the range/gunstore or equipment outfitters. I think that once you know a few cops personally your perception of them as a whole changes, whether for good or bad depends on the ones you get to know.

[XLMiguel]

General distrust of 'Authority Figures' aside, all in all, I'm glad they're out there. It's a tough, tough job, and I have a ton of respect and appreciation for those who do it well.

As for the 'bad ones', they should be dealt with harshly, as they betray the public trust.

[Monte Harrison]

I have all the respect in the world for police, the ones worthy of respect at least.
My guess is TheeBadOne does not share that sentiment.

[2nd Amendment]

Should have been an "All of the Above". I've met cops that have left me thinking each at one time or another.

[Tamara]

"Hey, he owes me five bucks!"

"I wonder if he remembered to pick up that ammo for me?"

"Good thing I rarely do much more than 10 over, these days."

"It gets them so frustrated when you set the cruise right on the limit when they're right behind you that sometimes they'll gnaw the steering wheel with frustration."

"If ol' ______ pulls me over as a joke again, I will positively kill him."

[KMKeller]

My response would probably mirror Tamara's. I know most of the local PD and Sheriff's Deputies, have shot and trained with more than a handful. All good eggs.

[Coronach]

I have been known to reflexively hit my brakes and check my speed a good 10 mph while driving my cruiser as I roll up on someone working a traffic enforcement spot. My partner thinks thats just hysterical.

Its a holdover from my days of setting the cruise at 80.

Mike

[10-Ring]

I'm glad to see them.

[Carlos Cabeza]

Mostly they are deeply appreciated by me. I know a couple of LEO's personally and would give them the keys to my house, car, wife and would feel absolutely safe. I have only had bad experiences through my own actions and/or choice of language. That being said, them batons really hurt like hell !!!!
God Bless them and give them peace of mind at the end of the day !

[Oatka]

Luckily, in all these years, I've only been busted for minor traffic violations.

Perhaps it should be broken down - some like State Police/Highway Patrol and City Cops.

When I'm on foot, I look upon the police as peace officers. When driving I look upon them as uniformed tax collectors for the State and automatically check my speedometer.

I don't hit the brakes or act hinky - some of the highway boys play "Sharks and Minnows" - waiting for someone to panic and do something stupid when they see a prowl car. Sometimes I think they do this knowingly just to make people nervous.

[PATH]

A great many friends and relatives are LEO's. I think highly of all of them.

[glockten]

....I wonder what his/her duty weapon is?

Unless I'm close enough to see for myself. :)

[Don Gwinn]

"It gets them so frustrated when you set the cruise right on the limit when they're right behind you that sometimes they'll gnaw the steering wheel with frustration."

Now, I have some good friends here (on THR) who are cops, but I have to admit I do this every single time I get the chance. It really does seem to drive them nuts. However, having been pulled over for two mph over, I have little sympathy.

Let me also reiterate something I've mentioned before. There is not one single police officer on my town's force I trust. Not one. That's not anti-cop bias. I don't trust any of the ones I know, so I don't trust the ones I don't, either. There are two officers on the neighboring village's force I would probably trust, but there's a third whom I strongly suspect (without proof, mind you) of having sold decent amounts of cocaine and pot before he became an officer. I don't really care about that, but I don't think he should be an officer of the law.

The point is, I don't trust these people, and I try not to be alone with them or give them an excuse or an opportunity to screw me. What I don't do is extend this to a general hatred of police.

[TheeBadOne]

http://www.copsonline.com/police%20harrassement.htm

Recently, Californian ran an e-mail forum (question and answer exchange) with the topic being "Community Policing." One of the civilian email participants posed the following question: "I would like to know how it is possible for police officers to continually harass people and get away with it?"

From the "other side" (the law enforcement side) a cool cop with a sense of humor replied:

"It is not easy. In California we average one cop for every 2000 people. About 60% of those cops are on patrol, where we do most of the harassing. One-fifth of that 60% are on duty at any moment and available for harassing people. So, one cop is responsible for harassing about 10,000 residents. When you toss in the commercial, business, and tourist locations that attract people from other areas, sometimes you have a situation where a single cop is responsible for harassing 20,000 or more people a day. A ten-hour shift runs 36,000 seconds. This gives a cop one second to harass a person, and three-fourths of a second to eat a donut AND then find a new person to harass. This is not an easy task. Most cops are not up to it day in and day out. It is just too tiring. What we do is utilize some tools to help us narrow down those, which we harass. They are as follows:

PHONE: People will call us up and point out things that cause us to focus on a person for special harassment. "My neighbor is beating his wife" is a code phrase we use. Then we come out and give special harassment. Another popular one on a weeknight is, "The kids next door are having a party."

CARS: We have special cops assigned to harass people who drive. They like to harass the drivers of fast cars, cars blasting music, cars with expired registration stickers and the like. It is lots of fun when you pick them out of traffic for nothing more obvious than running a red light. Sometimes you get to really heap the harassment on when you find they have drugs in the car, are drunk, or have a warrant.

RUNNERS: Some people take off running just at the sight of a police officer. Nothing is quite as satisfying as running after them like a beagle on the scent of a bunny. When you catch them you can harass them for hours.

CODES: When you can think of nothing else to do, there are books that give ideas for reasons to harass folks. They are called "Codes"; Penal, Vehicle, Health and Safety, Business and Professions... They all spell out all sorts of things for which you can really mess with people. After you read the code, you can just drive around for a while until you find someone violating one of these listed offenses and harass them. Just last week I saw a guy smash a car window. Well, the code says that is not allowed. That meant I got permission to harass this guy. It is a pretty cool system that we have set up, and it works pretty well. I seem to have a never-ending supply of folks to harass. And we get away with it. Why? Because the good citizens who pay the tab like that we keep the streets safe for them. Next time you are in my town, give me a single finger wave. That is a signal that you wish for me to take a little closer look at you, and maybe I'll find a reason to harass YOU.

[Frohickey]

When I see cops...

I think, what a waste of talent and tax revenue. Here are people, some of who took the job in order to help people, and others who took the job in order to have authority over people, who could be doing something else more productive.

But they are a necessity because there are bad guys out there as well. Some of which are very difficult to catch.

I also see cops as the implement of citizen harrassment, because of the petty and stupid laws passed by petty and stupid politicians. If only we had an automatic phaseout of laws unless they are specifically re-instated by legislature. Cops have so much of a morass of laws to watch out for and enforce that they can pretty much get any citizen out there, for pretty much anything.

I also see cops as the solution to a problem that did not have to exist. Disarming of law-abiding citizens created the problem.

[Poodleshooter]

First reaction on seeing a cop? "Yikes!" followed by a quick perusal of my immediate surroundings and behavior to ensure that I am in compliance with all of the laws I know about.
Basically the same feeling I get when the boss peeps over my shoulder. I get this cringing feeling whether I'm guilty or not. For that reason, I'm generally not too comfortable around the men and women in blue. While I realize they need to exist for society's sake, I am uncomfortable with the idea that a certain group of others has power over me, and is observing me to see if I screw up in any way.
I've never even been pulled over for speeding,BTW.

[benewton]

Took three, although I was being nice...

I usually wonder, after I check the speedo and so forth, if the department's made it's monthly quota.

'cause, if not, and I'm not on my home turf, I'm gonna get "charged" with something!

[80fl]

Well, I voted the third one down. Don't start flaming, thinking I'm a cop hater; I'm not. I do believe, however, that typically the type of person who is attracted to cop work is on a power trip.
I said TYPICALLY! I'm actually very good friends with a local chief, I'm on good terms with the majority of cops in my small home town as well.
I run into allot of people that I vehemently disagree with. Libs, small town bureaucrats, some cops, etc.
You just have to take each person on a case by case basis and be courteous and friendly to all, until they prove they aren't worthy.

[igor]

"Gotta love my cruise control!" :neener:

[Mastrogiacomo]

Glad we have them. Whether I'm glad to see them though depends on how fast I was driving, and what they have to say about upgrading my gun permit. :neener:

[matis]

An American cop who speaks German, likes Heinlein and appreciates good poetry? :confused:

Pisses me off! I mean... I mean... how'm I gonna keep my stereotypes intact, you pull s--t like that on me!!

Way back when I had the beard and the long hair... I didn't like 'em. 'Course way back then I was an anti-, too.

Today, mainly, I look at my speedometer, as already mentioned.

Thing that bothers me is all the unconstitutional laws we allow the politicians to shove us into the corner with. The cops get to enforce them ... and alienate us.

Unless you sing in the "...Give peace a chance...kumbaya... " chorus, you know that some humans are vermin. Without the cops (and the soldiers) where would we be?

"We sleep peacefully in our beds only because rough men stand ready to do violence in our behalf."

They don't call it the thin blue line for nothing, do they?

And anyhow I had Christmas dinner in a cop's house -- fantastic cheesecake! (My girlfriend's brother-in-law).

Matis

:D

[Lord Grey Boots]

Actually, the cop I saw at McDonalds a few hours ago had me thinking "She's CUTE!"...

[Daniel T]

Mostly I don't really pay any attention to cops unless they're on the road. Then, they just mostly piss me off. I think "revenue generators" at that point. When I'm told that I was pulled over at 2AM in the morning because the cops were "looking for drunk drivers" and then I'm given a speeding ticket, I have to wonder why I wasn't let go so the cop could look for real drunk drivers instead of wasting time with sober 'ole me.

I also don't get real happy when I'm pulled over and harrassed because my sister is in the car with me. "Huh?" you may say. That's what I said too. Apparently, since an old ex-girlfriend got a ticket in my car and never paid it, the cops can pull me over any time they feel like it when there is a woman in my car. The Supreme Court even said so! At least, that's what the cop told me as he winked at the cute girl he had with him for a ride-along.

Or when I'm yanked out of my car and cuffed and stuck in the back seat of a cop car because some dispatcher made a mistake and said I had a warrant without confirming it first. That was sure fun.

All that being said, I have several friends who are police officers and who I would trust my life with. Hell, I even had a Sheriff's deputy as a roommate for a while. I tend to distrust the job, not the person.

[rock jock]

I also see cops as the solution to a problem that did not have to exist. Disarming of law-abiding citizens created the problem.
I don't understand this at all. How is self-defense a substitute for law enforcement? Or maybe you think that you as an individual citizen should be able to flag someone down when they are driving recklessly and give them a stern warning?

[cratz2]

Lots of bad cops, lots of good cops making bad decisions, lots of cops that shouldn't be cops and definately lots of cops that shouldn't be allowed to be cops. But I wouldn't trade places with any major city cop for any amount of money and I'm plenty glad that we have 'em. And I'd gladly vote to raise my city taxes $25 or $50 a month to hire a few more.

[JohnBT]

When I see a police person I think, "How fast am I going?"

I don't care if I'm standing in 7-11 or walking down the street.

Other than that I've rather have a cop around than a crack addict.
That didn't come out quite right I don't think, but I meant well.

John

[ezoeni]

I think of my grand dad that stood in a bank closet for a few weeks with a shot gun or a Thompson (cant remember) waiting for John Dillinger to show up to shoot him dead.

And I also ease up on the pedal a bit.

[roscoe]

on foot - I feel comfortable with them around
in car - I reckon they are just looking for an excuse

maybe thats just my personal experience talking

A lot of the time I think the types of people who want to drive around in big, fast cars with a lot of firepower at their disposal ought to be disqualified from applying, and the people who don't want to be cops should be drafted in.

[DeltaElite]

I label myself as the above.
I mean well, but the legal system won't let me do the right things.
I am a schmoe. :neener:

[spacemanspiff]

Actually, the cop I saw at McDonalds a few hours ago had me thinking "She's CUTE!"...

lemme tell you something, every single female officer i have ever seen up here in anchorage, has been very attractive. i have not seen a local PD female officer that i wouldnt want to cuff me.
*did i just say that outloud?*

[DeltaElite]

quote:
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Actually, the cop I saw at McDonalds a few hours ago had me thinking "She's CUTE!"...
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------


Yanno, I have a few lady officers I work with that I definitely wanna play "strip search" with. :evil:

[Preacherman]

i have not seen a local PD female officer that i wouldnt want to cuff me.Spiffikins, I think you've just plumbed new depths of desperation!!! :D :D :D How long has it been, you poor fellow...???

[Randy63]

I distrust police and I feel I'm more likely to be hassled or abused by LEO's than I am by any criminal element.

I was raised to believe that cops are there to help citizens. I was misled.

Protect and serve.....I don't think so.

I have a two year old. I won't mislead him.

K22

[Hal]

better them than me.
Some jobs,,like "honey dipper",,window washer--'specially in the winter where high rises are involved,,,,Janet Reno's OB/GYN,, don't pay enough.

[xjer]

Tough job buddy, better you than me.

I have issues with them but I still voted glad to have them.


Mike

[Tamara]

Without the cops, could you imagine the freeways?

Easily. Have you never driven in Atlanta?

[matis]

We can criticize cops 'till the cows come home and I can probably outdo you at that game.

Among those the police (it wasn't just the Werhmacht and the SS, you know) rounded up throughout Hitler's Europe were my grandparents, uncles, aunts and cousins. For a long time I lumped cops in with the SS. I'll never forget and I won't forgive.

But truth is nevertheless truth. We need cops for the same reason we need our guns Guns equalize, yes, but why is that necessary? When you answer that question, you'll know why we need cops -- same reason.

We have far too many laws and this in itself constitutes a tyranny. The law like anything else, can be and IS abused. But to comtemplate a civil, just society without ANY laws is quite absurd, because it misunderstands our nature.

Whoever wrote the Torah, G-d or the Jews (that "discussion" is truly endless), the commandments are there for a reason. We are exhorted not to steal because we would, otherwise. We are enjoined from committing MURDER (yes, that is what the commandment says in Hebrew -- there is NO commandment that says DO not KILL) because we would, otherwise and too many of us do, anyway.

To say that you or I wouldn't transgress these commandments, or in secular government, the laws, is to overlook the values already inculcated into us -- values based on the commandments and the laws. The United States was once a nation based on the rule of law and not of men. Without our guns and without laws we are back to the jungle it took us so long to climb out of. And without cops, who would enforce (even the few) laws?

It's no use, IMO, demonizing cops or thinking we don't need them. What we need is to control the law-making process and weed out bad cops.

Are some cops on a power trip? No doubt. But you can't have your cake and eat it, too. Would the non LEOs here like to be cops? Risk your life daily dealing with the scum of our society? And then be 2nd guessed by the bliss-ninnies (what a great term!) and the other 57 varieties of cop haters, who do their Monday morning quarterbacking from the safety of their living rooms?

It just ain't that simple.

Matis

[CZ-75]

Is my dog still alive and do I still have all my fingers?:neener:

[standingbear]

kinda depends on what they are doing when i see them.hiding in a driveway with their radar on,makes me think they are wasting time and the town must need more revenues.when i see them helping someone out or trying to fit in -in plain clothes at a range or shooting the bull at the gunshop,(ive heard the best jokes from off duty cops)its ok.if i look in my mirror and one is following me and running my plates(im reminded of this by friends asking me why my tags were run later)i question their reasoning.seems one hicktown barney fife thought i was some dope grower cause i had hay wrapped around my undercarriage of my car.irratating when people jump to conclusions and act without facts.

[TheeBadOne]

i had hay wrapped around my undercarriage

No shortage of that around here during hunting season :)

[spacemanspiff]

Is my dog still alive and do I still have all my fingers?

dont forget to check on gramma. you know her dementias been acting up lately. :what:

[spacemanspiff]

Spiffikins, I think you've just plumbed new depths of desperation!!! How long has it been, you poor fellow...???

even though i'm not of your brand of faith, can i confess to you instead? *its been, umm, what day is today? tuesday? 72 hours.* :evil:

[Khornet]

"Lord, don't let him get hurt."

[Mr. James]

Mike Irwin wrote:

BEFORE ANYONE ASKS WHO VOTED FOR "LAZY WASTE," I did....

For a VERY specific reason.

Saw a cop this evening.

Had dinner with him and his wife.

He's DEFINITELY a lazy waste...

How about it, Mr. James? You know who I'm talking about!

A late reply - yes, in fact, I just spent two hours with him in a pub downtown - on the Federal teat, no less. :D

Khornet: Amen, my friend, amen.

[Edward429451]

When I see a cop I think...

"I hope we can be friends." Or at least thats what I thought today when he pulled me over. He gave me a 4 point ticket for my front wheels being in front of the line at the light. (Where is my victim?) <sigh> indeed.

Anyhoo, he was very professional and nice about it. He didn't even freak out on me for exiting my vehicle and approaching him (to ask for a warning). He didn't tread on me, I didn't try to staple the Constitution to his forehead, no dogs killed, no fingers cut off, no weapons charges and no casulties except my families wallet.:(

(Hey NewLeaf, I didnt get away with it. You'd be proud!:D )

<sigh>

[geekWithA.45]

When I see a cop, I think he's got a crappy, thankless job.

I next wonder what sort of cop he is, whether his or her job has eaten into his soul, whether dealing with the slime of humanity makes him see the worst in everyone.

I wonder if he'll bust anybody, for anything, no matter how outrageous, because he wants to rack up the points, or because he thinks he has to, or because he doesn't like XYZ.

I wonder and hope that he still remembers his noble purpose.

That's what I think

[TheeBadOne]

Wow, awesome post. (great screen name too :D )

[Beer for my Horses]

Good example of a "push poll."

[TheeBadOne]

http://www.wordspy.com/words/pushpoll.asp

push poll

n. A series of calls, masquerading as a public-opinion poll, in which people who support a particular candidate offer negative information about a rival candidate.

Example Citation:

A legitimate public-opinion poll seeks to tally the views of the respondents, while a push poll gets its name from its intention to push voters away from an opponent and toward the candidate who paid for the calls.
—Mike Allen, "Candidate Is Assailed for Using 'Poll' to Get Support," The New York Times, September 13, 1998

Earliest Citation:

Mike Bird and Dick Sargent held their third debate with Bruce Benson Thursday. No blows were struck.

That normally wouldn't be news, but when Bird threatened to punch Benson in the nose earlier this week, it looked as though the Republican governor's race was headed for a Miller Lite TV commercial. . . .

Bird also continues to be outraged by a ''push poll'' conducted by Benson last week in Colorado Springs that was designed to alert voters to Bird's alleged political failures. Actually, Bird should be flattered that Benson is worried enough to conduct one.
—Peter Blake, "Bird still boiling over chicken attack," Denver Rocky Mountain News, July 29, 1994

[Beer for my Horses]

ThreeBadOne, your definition of a "push poll" is far too narrow. A push poll can be used anytime the creator of the poll wants to steer the results of the poll by choosing loaded questions and/or loaded choices. The choices in this thread's poll have in fact framed the scope of the debate among the posters to this thread.

A push poll could be as simple as: "Do you support (a) gun control or (b) no regulations on the ownership of firearms. Though many here might choose (b), the majority of the population would be forced to choose (a). Repeated polls using the following language, however, come up with a heavy majority of "yes" responses: "Do you think law abiding citizens should have the right to own firearms?"

[TheeBadOne]

So in that regard every poll is a push poll.

[Bob R]

Didn't vote,

I usually think..I wonder if I have seen him in the ER lately.

And then hope that I don't see him at the same time.

I have seen to many already this year....as patients.

bob

[Mike Irwin]

Mr. James, you are a pig.

How come I NEVER hear about the downtown pub runs until AFTER they happen?

Wankers!