A response to the DU meme against LEOs.

[proteus_lives]

"Hero cops save Jersey City woman from sex attack, police say"

http://www.nj.com/hudson/index.ssf/2008/12/hero_cops_save_jersey_city_wom.html

"Mangano: “Hero” Cops Saved Atlantic Beach Resident’s Life"

http://www.longislandpress.com/2010/02/27/hero-cops-save-atlantic-beach-residents-life/

"Hero cops save 12 from fire in 2 Bronx homes"

http://www.nydailynews.com/news/2007/10/29/2007-10-29_hero_cops_save_12_from_fire_in_2_bronx_h.html

"Hero Cops Honored for Nabbing Heights Hood"

http://brooklynheightsblog.com/archives/509

"State honors NYPD hero cops Russel Timoshenko and Herman Yan"

Read more: http://www.nydailynews.com/news/2009/07/29/2009-07-29_state_honors_nypd_hero_cops.html#ixzz0uXDSPU9R

"Hero cops save lollipop tot from choking; Joseph, two, turned blue."

http://www.thefreelibrary.com/Hero+cops+save+lollipop+tot+from+choking%3B+Joseph,+two,+turned+blue.-a0204981096

"NYPD Officer Wayne Rhatigan just a dad hours after playing hero during Times Square bomb crisis"

Read more: http://www.nydailynews.com/news/ny_crime/2010/05/02/2010-05-02_nypd_officer_wayne_rhatigan_hailed_as_car_bomb_hero_after_he_evacuates_times_squ.html#ixzz0uXERfN2S

"Hero cops crack rape cases"

http://blogs.dispatch.co.za/dispatchnow/2009/10/29/hero-cops-crack-rape-cases-video/

"Brave cop ends armed robbery pattern"

http://www.nypost.com/p/news/local/brooklyn/brave_cop_ends_armed_robbery_pattern_YT4IUvKkX1KRYpQlr29c8K

"Praise For Brave Cop Who Stopped Fort Hood Shooter"

http://gothamist.com/2009/11/07/praise_for_brave_cop_who_stopped_fo.php

"Chicago cops brave fire to evacuate 50 to 75 residents out of building"

http://www.policeone.com/police-heroes/articles/1290736-Chicago-cops-brave-fire-to-evacuate-50-to-75-residents-out-of-building/

"Brave police officers race through wall of fire to save driver"

http://www.ksdk.com/news/local/story.aspx?storyid=197337

"2 Florida officers die after traffic-stop shooting"

http://www.cnn.com/2010/CRIME/06/29/florida.police.shot/index.html

"Police officer Joe Bergeron killed, suspect dead following St. Paul shooting"

http://www.kare11.com/news/news_article.aspx?storyid=849307

"Schaumburg police officer dies in line of duty"

http://www.dailyherald.com/story/?id=247485

"Family grieves for slain Jackson police officer killed in the line of duty"

http://www.mlive.com/news/jackson/index.ssf/2010/03/family_grieves_for_slain_jacks.html


Sorry about interrupting the "All teh Pigs are teh Evil" meme.

[sinkingfeeling]

1. Some police officers are great, some not-so-much. All aren't saints and all aren't devils.

P.S. You were unrec'd as soon as I posted.

[RKP5637]

2. +1, n/t

[proteus_lives]

4. I agree.

But with the amount of bashing on DU and the fact that some posters refuse to stop with the bigotry, these types of posts are needed.

[Warpy]

61. There has just been a barrage of stories today

posted by people with an agenda.

Most cops I've come into contact with are good guys trying to do one of the hardest jobs in the world for remarkably little money.

I've also met a few assholes and I've been through one police riot.

On balance, I've seen more good ones than bad one.

[Common Sense Party]

74. Kind of like teachers. Most are very good people, doing a thankless job

with not a lot of pay or societal appreciation. Most do good work and make the world better.

A ver, very small minority--who tend to get the most attention--are horrible and should not be allowed to work in that profession.

[gateley]

3. Just like any other group of people, there are stars and there are assholes -- the

media only covers the best and the worst.

[proteus_lives]

9. Yep. That's why broad-brush statements are ignorant.

Like, "99% of cops give the 1% a bad name"

The vast majority of LEOs are men and women doing their jobs.

[gateley]

23. Absolutely - I couldn't agree more. nt

[USArmyParatrooper]

115. Mostly only the worst

Bad news is big news and good news is slow news.

[The Magistrate]

5. You Fight A Phantom, Sir

No one says all police officers are evil or vicious or any such thing.

People observe that police officers who do brutalize citizens are rarely punished, in even a token fashion, and that generally their fellow officers and supervisors go to great lengths to cover up for officers who commit crimes of assault and worse.

[proteus_lives]

8. Sorry, Sir but much bigotry exists against LEOs on DU.

I don't agree with broad-brush statements.

[Commie Pinko Dirtbag]

31. "Bigotry"

[Name removed]

37. Deleted message

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

[Commie Pinko Dirtbag]

44. Hey, relax, take a look at the good side;

You didn't kill my father, and you don't need to prepare to die.

[proteus_lives]

46. Ok, I won't sic Andre the Giant on you.

Or if I was really pissed off, Fred Savage.

[EOTE]

71. Anybody want a peanut? NT

[Call Me Wesley]

49. LEOL!

:rofl:

[MajorChode]

121. I use Webster's, YMMV

Main Entry: big·ot
Pronunciation: \ˈbi-gət\
Function: noun
Etymology: French, hypocrite, bigot
Date: 1660

: a person obstinately or intolerantly devoted to his or her own opinions and prejudices; especially : one who regards or treats the members of a group (as a racial or ethnic group) with hatred and intolerance

— big·ot·ed \-gə-təd\ adjective

— big·ot·ed·ly adverb

http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/bigot

[frylock]

68. care to address the substance of the magistrate's post?

"People observe that police officers who do brutalize citizens are rarely punished, in even a token fashion, and that generally their fellow officers and supervisors go to great lengths to cover up for officers who commit crimes of assault and worse."

[proteus_lives]

80. That should be addressed.

Bad cops should be taken down.

But it doesn't justify the broad-brushes I see on DU.

[The Magistrate]

87. Then Address It, Sir, And Leave Off The Pretense Pointing These Things Out Is Bigotry Against Police

[proteus_lives]

90. I never said that it was.

It is what it is on DU.

[The Magistrate]

96. Pointing Out Abuse By Police, Sir, Is Bigotry When Done On Democratic Underground?

But not when it is done elsewhere?

That seems the clearest meaning to emerge from your comment....

[proteus_lives]

98. When did I say that?

"Pointing Out Abuse By Police, Sir, Is Bigotry When Done On Democratic Underground?"

I would love a link to that statement I made.

[Commie Pinko Dirtbag]

94. It's this calling people "bigots" that chafes me most.

Really. It's like calling P2P song downloaders "terrorists".

[proteus_lives]

99. What do you call police who judge a group by the actions of the an individual?

Or small sampling of that group?

What do you call them?

[Commie Pinko Dirtbag]

103. Freudian slip there.

:rofl:

What do you call police who judge a group by the actions of the an individual?
Posted by proteus_lives

Or small sampling of that group?

What do you call them?

[proteus_lives]

Not going to answer the question?

[Commie Pinko Dirtbag]

110. Others have done it better. #105, for example. And others.

Gotta go now. I have a life other than posting in the Internet, you know.

[proteus_lives]

114. Really?

"I have a life other than posting in the Internet, you know."

Today is full of surprises.

[DireStrike]

144. I dunno. Not a bigot though.

Main Entry: big·ot
Pronunciation: \ˈbi-gət\
Function: noun
Etymology: French, hypocrite, bigot
Date: 1660

: a person obstinately or intolerantly devoted to his or her own opinions and prejudices; especially : one who regards or treats the members of a group (as a racial or ethnic group) with hatred and intolerance


Now, the people you criticize may ALSO exhibit this behavior, but judging a group by the actions of an individual has nothing to do with bigotry.

[JerseygirlCT]

11. I agree.

Lots of terrific, dedicated people. Some really awful ones who enjoy the protection of the ranks and their position.

[USArmyParatrooper]

112. Are you freaking kidding me??

Comments like this one:

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=389x8802037#8803621

"So the cops can be free to rape an unconscious woman? I think not." when asked if they should use tranquilizer guns instead of tasers. And are many, many similar examples on DU.

[The Magistrate]

132. Hyperventilation, Sir, is Addressed By Breathing Into A Paper Bag, Deep And Slow

"Nothing falls out of the sky but bird-shit and damn fools...."

[SoCalDem]

6. I was absent that day...what's a LEO?

:rofl:

[NoNothing]

12. LEO = Low Earth Orbit

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Low_Earth_orbit

[Call Me Wesley]

14. If I tell you what it means here in Switzerland,

my post will get deleted. Strangest swear word ever in Zurich dialect. :hi:

[Silent3]

15. Law Enforcement Officer n/t

[Regret My New Name]

17. THAT'S RIDICULOUS!

[Regret My New Name]

16. Leo = Someone born between July 22nd and August 23rd

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Leo_%28astrology%29

[LiberalLoner]

45. That was my first thought until I read it, too, LOL! n/t

[Dawson Leery]

127. Law Enforcement Officer

[rustydog]

7. Thank you! I am tired of people painting with a broad brush

there are great police officers out there. I have seen the handful of nut-jobs who should have their badge ripped off the uniform. they are not representative of all police officers and must be judged alone.

:thumbsup:

[blueamy66]

27. That's the problem.

They are not "judged". They get away with their misdeeds. It's BS.

[nosmokes]

10. So the fact some cops do their job is supposed to absolve the pigs that beat,

tase, shoot, kick, harass and otherwise generally fuck with innocent people going about their lives or simply exercising their constitutional rights?

Sorry,but I ain't buying the straw man corral carpet that you're trying to sell. BTW, please point me to where anyone said 'all cops are pigs' or 'all cops are bad.' TYVM.

[rustydog]

20. When you read a post oh, let's say about the SF brutallity tape

and ONE police officer throws a woman face down knocking her out.
Now, what the officer did was wrong and I hope prosecutable. That action does not make all police guilty

But then the comments about "pigs", "they all", "they cover for each other", blah, blah blah...
Rather than focus on the actions of the offending officer's illegal ation, some people took the chance to lump all law enforcement officers in ignorant rants about abuse.

Jesus, fox news does this, it is disheartening to see DUers doing it. It is counter-productive and does not lend to productive debate of the story which was this ONE cop using excessive force.

[Raineyb]

25. What makes all cops guilty is when they KNOW their co-workers are doing things that are

illegal but they turn a blind eye to it. When the police start enforcing the laws against their own I can consider respecting them. Until then? Forget it they're persona non grata.

[LostinVA]

33. Exactly -- The Thin Blue Line is unethical and immoral

And, it is the very rare cop who will do the right thing. And the very rarer higher-up who rewards the whistle-blower and punishes the rotten apples.

[The Magistrate]

105. Indeed, Ma'am: That Is The Problem

[Call Me Wesley]

13. I get it.

They're all 'heroes.' And I'm also sure they wanted this job because they really want to serve the people.

What I don't get is, and you may be able to help me - a foreigner - understand better, why are some called 'heroes' and the others just 'brave?' Is that some media bigotry going on right there? Shouldn't someone be tazed over this?

Yes, nice stories. There's a load to counteract them, though. Not saying every cop's a bad apple, but wow, there are a lot of them. And this ain't bigotry except for your approach of it. Sorry to interrupt your chanting.

[proteus_lives]

19. Where did I call them all heroes?

You've obviously ignored the thread, not surprising.

Just reacting against one of DU's most popular broad-brushes.

[Call Me Wesley]

21. I was referring to the link-titles you posted.

You did read them, yes? Hero - hero - hero - brave - brave - brave. So I was wondering why some are called heroes and others just brave and came to the conclusion that it must be media bigotry.

I love you, too.

[proteus_lives]

24. Sorry, but I just met you.

I'm not ready to say I love you yet.

[Call Me Wesley]

36. It's okay.

Don't fret it. I'm just nice this way. ;)

[proteus_lives]

39. Don't worry, it will be a long and eventful courtship.

;-)

[Call Me Wesley]

We'll see.

We'll see. :)

[Dr. Strange]

146. Does this mean Heidi is free?

[MedicalAdmin]

101. Get a room.

Some of us are trying to eat supper here.

[proteus_lives]

111. Maybe someday.

But he's such a tease.

[superduperfarleft]

18. Oh noez, teh bigotry!!! n/t

[Matariki]

22. It's not an either/or thing

meaning that all those good examples don't make the cases of abuse any less bad. nor do the bad examples make those any less good.

One of the biggest problems is the way the police, good or bad, 'protect their own' in a way that hinders justice.

and there's certainly a contingent here of knee-jerk support for cops no matter what they do - a contingent that is always ready to blame the victim.

[rustydog]

30. All I ask is that the issues be looked at case-by-case

And make your judgment based on FACTS. to see this alleged excessive force in San francisco does not automatically make all police officers bad. Neither does the post of all the heroics make all police officers saints. The post was pointing out that there are so many "good" police officers out there along with the "bad".

just like pedophile priests don't mean all catholic priests like to rape children.

Broad brush statements serve only to inflame not enlighten.

[proteus_lives]

35. +1000

[PufPuf23]

142. 'protect their own'

This goes all the way up the justice system food chain.

One that is not willing to follow this cardinal rule is culled from the herd or a scapegoat.

I am sure there are those that enter LE professions with high idealism, to survive is another matter.

[EOTE]

26. Just what is this meme you're referring to?

That far too many cops are drunk with power and abuse the badge? Why, what on earth would give us that impression?

[proteus_lives]

32. So it's fair to stereotype every cop in the country?

[EOTE]

41. No, and I don't see that happening.

I see people complaining about very common and very illegal practices by law enforcement. I see people complaining that the law enforcement system is incredibly racist and disproportionately effects minorities. I see people complaining about officers beating the shit out of innocent people and only being subjected to "disciplinary action" or some such bullshit. What I don't see is people stereotyping every cop in the country.

[proteus_lives]

43. We must view different threads.

"99% of cops give the 1% a bad name, etc, etc."

Ad nauseam.

[EOTE]

57. Even that's not stereotyping every cop.

What you're quoting is certainly an exaggeration, but it's due to the extreme frustration people are experiencing because police officers all around the country are committing these offenses and it's extremely rare that they're ever held to account. You list a number of links, but most of them are from years ago. I could spend 5 minutes and give you a dozen or so links with officers abusing their power just from the first half of 2010. Many believe that these abuses are systemic and arise from standard operating procedure for law enforcement across the country. Everyone here knows that there are good cops. But the broad brush comes from it being in our very best interest to assume that when approached by a cop, that said cop is dirty. I've lived life far too long to assume that an approaching officer has my best interests in mind.

[proteus_lives]

62. What other broad-brushes to do you use?

"But the broad brush comes from it being in our very best interest to assume that when approached by a cop, that said cop is dirty"

When approached by a young black male, do you assume he's going to rob you? I could probably dig a study or news article that says most felonies are committed by YBMs.

[EOTE]

69. "When approached by a young black male, do you assume he's going to rob you"?

Absolutely not. Why? Because I've never been robbed by a young black male. Anyone, in fact. I have, however, been beaten up by a cop when I had complied with everything that he said. I've also had cops assist a store with planting evidence that ended up ruining an entire year of my life. I've also had cops ignore evidence that my attorney and I had obtained that proved my innocence. This caused me many more months of misery before my trial was dismissed. I've had a number of horrific incidences with cops. I've had a few good experiences with cops too. It still makes far, far more sense for me to assume that a cop is bad when dealing with him. There's no way in hell I'm going to relive the mistakes I've made in the past by assuming an officer has my best interests in mind.

[proteus_lives]

72. So.

Several negative encounters with several members of a certain group have led you to believe that all members of that group have negative intentions toward you.

What is that called again?

[EOTE]

75. Once again, I'm not stereotyping them.

I've told you that I've had positive encounters with police officers. What I've said is that it is in my best self interest to ASSUME that a police officer doesn't have my best interests in mind when dealing with them. I've failed to use that philosophy in the past and it's bit me in my ass. Just about ANY lawyer will tell you to do the same thing. I guess all lawyers are just bigoted assholes, huh?

[proteus_lives]

82. Yeah, you are.

"What I've said is that it is in my best self interest to ASSUME that a police officer doesn't have my best interests in mind when dealing with them."

Too many possible situations to assume that.

[Nay]

150. Uh, any decent lawyer will tell you to "assume that a police officer doesn't

have your best interests in mind" when said police officer approaches you. Go look at any of the ACLU "what to do when stopped by cops" videos. This doesn't mean that we think all cops are bad; it means that we have no way of telling whether the one approaching us is good or bad. And it acknowledges that contact with certain categories of people (cops, groups of men in a dark alley, etc.) can very easily turn deadly and/or horrific. Ask any of the poor innocent bastards saved from Death Row by the Innocence Project.

[Call Me Wesley]

48. Exactly.

:thumbsup:

[Raineyb]

28. Specious argument.

K&U

:thumbsdown:

Posting a bunch of links to cops doing their damn jobs doesn't mitigate the number of criminal cops who get away with their crimes because their co-workers turn a deliberate blind eye to it.

[proteus_lives]

34. Ok.

What does posting a bunch of links to corrupt cops prove?

[Call Me Wesley]

40. I guess it proves the same like your OP?

That there are corrupt cops? I'm just guessing, of course.

[proteus_lives]

42. I guess I got what I expected from this thread.

Asking DU to judge by a case-by-case basis is bridge too far for some.

[Call Me Wesley]

47. Yeah, DU truly sucks.

We're all a bunch of nutty bigot treehuggers and don't share the love of tazers.

But, on a more serious note, do you appreciate judging case-by-case for the opposite case, too? Or would you automatically side with LEOs, because they sure were right to begin with?

On edit: Best way to avoid unpleasant replies is to not post threads.

[proteus_lives]

50. Nope, I don't want to automatically side with anyone.

If they break the codes and ethics of their profession, they deserve to be punished. If they break the law, they deserve to go to jail.

I don't think DU sucks, I just consider this one of it's blind-spots.

[Call Me Wesley]

53. The other blind spot is the Grammar nazis on here.

I hate them. Because they would tell you it's 'its blind spot,' not 'it's blind spot.'

And there's the problem: Some who break the law, the 'ethics' (not sure if cop training includes philosophy lessons?) get protected by their 'code' and never have to face trial.

[proteus_lives]

55. I agree, that's a problem.

"get protected by their 'code' and never have to face trial."

Which is a issue in all professions. But I rarely see the same level of venom or stereotyping against lawyers, doctors, nurses, teachers, etc on DU.

[Call Me Wesley]

56. Lawyers, doctors, nurses and teachers

can't really beat you up, arrest you because you look suspicious to them or have the wrong skin color when driving a nice car, taze you to death or shoot you for no reason. There might be a slight difference you want to grasp one day. Or not.

I can tell you a lawyer joke if you like. :shrug:

[proteus_lives]

59. Well.

A lawyer can ruin your life with fraudulent law-suits.

A doctor can kill with mis-diagnosis, botching the surgery while drunk, not caring.

Same with nurses.

Teachers can mis-educate, rape, hit or ignore your kids, impacting their lives.

Know a good lawyer joke? Shoot.

[Call Me Wesley]

64. You're precious. Really, you are.

A driver can run over you. A chainsaw-juggler can cut your head off if you stand to close. Monty Python can drop 16 tons on you.

And you're talking about bigotry?


Here's the joke:

A cop walks into a bar.
"Ouch," says the lawyer and hands him his business card.

[proteus_lives]

65. Sorry, that's not really funny.

I think you need to work on the delivery.

Stand-up isn't for everyone.

[Call Me Wesley]

67. Darn.

Thanks for telling me. I won't use it on my next show. On the other hand, I'm only doing sit-downs, so it might work there. I'm not in for the laughs at all. I just want to get people to think, like: "What if there was a rainbow in the room just now and you've missed it?"

Next to: "Is there a doctor in the room? Have you killed a cop lately?"

Nah, doesn't work either. Like DU, I suck. I'm going to hug a tree right now.

[proteus_lives]

70. Still on that?

Who is claiming that DU sucks?

[Call Me Wesley]

76. Well, you seemed to be dissapointed in the beginning,

since you broadly stated that "Asking DU to judge by a case-by-case basis is bridge too far for some." Technically, it's a call out of the DU members who don't agree with your viewpoints or don't stand on the bridge you mentioned. Between you and me, if there's a nice river beneath it, they sure miss the nice sight, don't they? Nothing as nice as to look upon a river's surface, seeing yourself reflected there, shapes all twisted, breathing fresh air, counting the fishes.

But I'm over it.

[proteus_lives]

85. Wow, a lot of projecting in that post.

:rofl:

[Call Me Wesley]

86. Oh, c'mon.

Didn't work the first time.

But hey, I'm gonna :rofl: with you. Interpret as you like.

[proteus_lives]

91. What is there to interpret?

Besides, the lulz that is.

[Call Me Wesley]

95. You laughing at me?

That hurts a little. Don't tase me, bro.

[proteus_lives]

104. It hurts?

One would think you'd be used to it by now.

[Call Me Wesley]

117. Since you replied to your own post,

I can't reply to you. Sorry.

[rustydog]

66. I have some nursing stories involving beating that may make you

think of retracting that statement.

The issue is: no matter what profession> teacher (who rapes pupils) Priests (who rapes members of his flock)The "criminal" element, doctors who assault anesthetized patients, the bernie madoff's who rip off people to the tune of millions. the police officer who uses excessive force...

Each belong to a professional group. the INDIVIDUAL's actions should not be used to taint the entire group!

[Call Me Wesley]

73. Read my replies.

Individual action should be held responsible. In any professional group. And I haven't seen one reply on this thread where someone tainted the whole group but pointed out a few points that make it easier for cops to go along with it.

Still, it's pretty different with nurses, teachers, doctors, priests, construction workers, et al. Abuse happens everywhere, no joke. If you have a side arm and a shiny badge and believe that the law's always on your side, it might happen a bit more given this reason of being enforced.

[Raineyb]

52. Posting a bunch of links to stories about corrupt cops serve to point out

that there's a problem.

You seem to have a problem with people pointing out the problem. I have no idea what planet one would have to live on where one can pretend there is no problem in order to solve it. So either you don't think there's a problem or you have no desire whatsoever to remedy it.

[proteus_lives]

54. I don't.

"You seem to have a problem with people pointing out the problem."

Corrupt cops should be punished.

I have a problem with broad-brushes and bigotry. Which you don't seem to have a problem with, selectively.

[Raineyb]

58. My problem is your asinine need to equate bigotry with dislike of members of a profession.

The two are NOT equal.

[Name removed]

60. Deleted message

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

[Name removed]

63. Deleted sub-thread

Sub-thread removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[USArmyParatrooper]

120. I guess those who dislike members of the profession

will forgo their option to dial 9-11 when their life is in danger? Or to report an incident of rape?

[Raineyb]

151. Why? Their taxes PAID for them. It's called a public service. It's also part of the reason

why people get pissed off when the public servants treat the public as hostiles that they need subdue rather than citizens.

Thankfully I haven't had cause to call the police. But you seem to miss the point. The police are paid to protect and serve. The problem is that the police are under the impression that protect and serve means to protect and serve themselves, the public be damned. THAT is not acceptable and as long as the police continue to act in that manner, they will get very little respect and a lot of suspicion by the very same public that they're hired to serve.

[TexasObserver]

158. Do you realize how inane such suggestions are?

Of all the arguments made by those who worship authority and cannot fathom why citizens are worried that officers are brutalizing citizens, the "well then don't call them when you're in trouble" meme is the most illogical.



Those of us who swore to defend the constitution and MEAN IT have a problem with police excess. Those who only give lip service to that vow routinely excuse the police who violate the constitution. You do know the purpose of the Bill of Rights is to protect us against government excess, don't you? And you do know that police are the government, right?

Our Bill of Rights is designed to keep in line politicians, police and soldiers, and to let them know that they do not run this country, they work for its citizens.

[blueamy66]

161. That makes no sense.

They are paid to protect and serve...with my tax dollars.....

[dtexdem]

29. Why doesn't DU like low earth orbits?

[Dogtown]

38. "Oath Keepers"

[chrisa]

51. Thank you.

+ 1 Rec

[MrScorpio]

77. Posting stories of the police doing their jobs properly is fine and all

But isn't that the job that they're supposed to be doing anyway?

[Call Me Wesley]

78. You and your reasoning.

You just killed such a fun thread! :rofl:

:hi:

[proteus_lives]

79. Yeah, it is.

But like I've said many times, I'm responding to the common DU broad-brush on LEOs.

[asdjrocky]

81. Cops doing what they are paid to do.

Wow.

I'm more interested in the stuff they do that they don't get paid for. Lying, cheating, stealing, falsifying evidence, brutality, murder, rape, abuse of power... I could easily go on and on.

Cops and soldiers get patted on the back for just doing their job more than any other profession in America. Except maybe actors. We do love our movie stars and our bad asses here, you put the two together and we cream our collective jeans.

I can show you a list twice as long that shows cops all over the country doing what they don't get paid for.

[proteus_lives]

83. "I can show you a list twice as long....."

So that justifies stereotyping?

[asdjrocky]

93. No, it doesn't.

All the justification required is the fact that they cover for each other.

You don't have to beat the bystander, you just have to look the other way when your partner does.

[proteus_lives]

100. "All the justification required is the fact that they cover for each other."

So every police officer in the United States of America covers for every other officer?

Do you have proof about this massive conspiracy that contains hundreds of thousands of individuals?

That would be justification.

[asdjrocky]

106. I give up.

You have fun with your brave hero worship. You're asking me to prove a massive nationwide conspiracy to show that cops cover for each other?

Did you grow up in Mayberry?

[proteus_lives]

109. What hero worship?

:rofl:

All I'm talking about is the broad-brush!

Why are you so defensive?

And no, I didn't grow-up in Mayberry.

[asdjrocky]

116. You obviously don't read your own posts. nt

[USArmyParatrooper]

118. "Hero Warship" = ignorant buz phrase

Acknowledging that police officers are human, and as such most are generally good and some are bad is not "hero warship"

[asdjrocky]

119. Then nearly every headline in the op was writen by an ignorant person.

[USArmyParatrooper]

122. If they subscribe to the validity of the term

in the context of people who are generally supportive of the profession, YES.

[LostinVA]

138. Yeah, pretty much -- the Thin Blue Line is insidious and immoral

Closing ranks isn't a good thing if you do it to hide something. That isn't loyalty, it's thuggery.

[proteus_lives]

145. I agree.

Now please provide prove that all or the majority of police officers hide other officers bad behavior.

[LostinVA]

137. +1

[LostinVA]

136. +1

[Tsiyu]

84. There is no meme against LEOs on DU

There are, however, members on DU (the OP is one perhaps) who get extremely defensive about posts that portray LEO's in a bad light - for brutality, violating civil rights, corruption - for whatever reason.

These DUers do not like any light shed on law enforcement wrongdoing.

But DU operates like your local newspaper. My local paper posts arrest reports, grand jury indictments, convictions of people in the community. When people do something against the law and get caught, their names are published in the newspaper. If their crimes are particularly heinous, there is a lengthy story describing the criminal activity.

DU posts stories of cops crossing the legal line. When a cop acts in an extremely heinous way, his or her actions are discussed here - and usually condemned as they should be.


This in no way indicates a bias against cops at large any more than my local rag (owned by Dems) has a bias against the citizens at large.

And if you want to get really technical, you could say that every news organization linked for the stories "hates cops." No, they are doing their duty to report what tax-funded employees are doing on the clock. Sorry that bothers you soooooo much.

Reporting LEO corruption, malfeasance and brutality is important to a civilized society.

Anyone who believes that law enforcement should have their crimes overlooked or ignored has absolutely zero care for his or her fellow citizens.

It won't matter until YOUR civil rights are violated, will it?

So I will hope that something happens to make you rethink how important civil liberties are to our society.

Broad brush attacks on DU such as this are pathetic, as well. Unreccing

[proteus_lives]

89. And who has a problem with those?

Lots of defensive folks on this topic, I can guess why.

Saying it again, I'm responding to the broad-brush, not the exposing of bad cops.

[Call Me Wesley]

92. There's nothing about exposing bad cops in your OP.

Just a buncha links to praise them in general. You didn't balance it this well I suppose.

And hey, I'm still :rofl: Hurts my back a little, but it's okay.

[proteus_lives]

97. In general?

The OP looks to me to be a bunch of article praising individual police officers for their actions.

You know, the individual?

Think about it, my little friend.

[Call Me Wesley]

108. Dude, it's late here.

Otherwise I'll post some links praising doctors, lawyers, nurses, teachers, that will individually outweigh your links. It'll be the ultimate link battle!

Awwww, thanks for the 'little friend' reference. That's so sweet! We should have some badges that say 'little friends,' with a cool graphic on them. It makes me feel all squishy inside.

[proteus_lives]

113. Then make yourself a cup of Swiss-Miss.

And we'll make those badges together.

Arts and crafts are fun.

[Tsiyu]

102. You are doing what you condemn

cherry -picking a few statements from some DUers to post bigoted comments about DU in this thread.

Link to all these posts "attacking cops," please. That would prove your point better than a three-year-old news item about a nice cop.

But there aren't so many posts like that, are there. Strawman Deluxe!

Some Duers hate the cops. Their right. Free society.

Most Duers have never opined on the subject one way or the other and the rest are like those on this thread agreeing that broad-brushing cops is bad.

So your own thread disproves your own bigotry. Which is why you haven't got any recs.

[USArmyParatrooper]

123. Want to try again?

Here's bobbolink saying the police shouldn't use tranquilizer guns instead of tasers because they would be tranquilizing women and raping them.

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=389x8802037#8803621

Is that not a meme against LEOs? You want more examples?

[Tsiyu]

124. It would surprise bobbolink to know

she is the author of DU's "memes"

So you broad brush an entire website over a few posts because you say that website broadbrushes cops over a few bad LEOs


M'kay.

[USArmyParatrooper]

125. You're putting words in my mouth

I'm not broad brushing DU at all. Never once did I say "this website" broad brushes cops. But some of its members certainly do.

[Tsiyu]

128. So there is NOT a meme against LEOs on DU

As the OP posits.

merely SOME duers who dislike cops.

Could you please tell that to the OP's author?

[USArmyParatrooper]

130. No, because he's right

Take note, threads criticizing police offers are routinely met with high Rec counts and a plethora if inflammatory remarks that type-cast LEOs, referring to cops as "pigs", etc.

But threads like this one, which simply provides balance by showing good cops going good work is met with a more Unrecs than Recs.

There. Is. A. Meme. Against. LEOs.

[Tsiyu]

133. Make up your mind

You seem unable to do that here, playing both sides of the fence.

[USArmyParatrooper]

134. I've been totally consistent

Many (but obviously not all) on DU bash police officers. Nothing I've said contradicts that. I'm going to dinner so you have the benefit of the last word. Have at it.

[LostinVA]

139. lol

[MajorChode]

129. If you don't think there is a common meme against LEOs on DU, you have been living under a rock

There's nothing wrong with someone posting a story about law enforcement wrongdoing, but it's another thing entirely when scores of people try to suggest that all or most LEO's are cut from the same mold. Pointing out that reality is not a "broad brush attack" it's condemning a broad brush attack. Tolerance doesn't mean we have to be tolerant of someone else's intolerance.

Here's just a few examples I found after a few seconds of searching. There are plenty more where these came from.

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=102&topic_id=4421660&mesg_id=4421932

http://demopedia.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=389x3788447

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=102&topic_id=4463959&mesg_id=4467002

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=389&topic_id=8768752&mesg_id=8771973

http://demopedia.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=389&topic_id=8767122&mesg_id=8771329

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=389&topic_id=8768752&mesg_id=8769862

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=102&topic_id=4463516&mesg_id=4463884

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=389&topic_id=8696399&mesg_id=8697473

[Tsiyu]

131. So those examples can be used to broad-brush attack DU?

Then you are saying that a few examples set a pattern.

That pattern can be assumed to be prevalent.

So this means the dozens of bad cops we read about set a pattern.

So when the OP says we shouldn't be biased based on a few examples, you are now saying this is wrong?

We SHOULD be biased against cops based on the bad examples?

[MajorChode]

135. As I said, tolerance does NOT require tolerating intolerance

If you don't understand that concept, think about it for a while.

[BakedAtAMileHigh]

88. Your Premise is Faulty and Oversimplified

Do you believe the members of DU to be so unintelligent they cannot discern the difference between a sustained, reasoned and well-cited critique of the current national standards of justice and officer conduct and blind prejudice? Do you truly think the members here will fall for your 'criticising the police is equal to racism' nonsense?

There may be a few here and there who fall in line with this reduction to absurdity to I think most will see right through the jibbedy-jabber.

[USArmyParatrooper]

107. Rec'd but apparently people UNrec when cops do good things

Obviously they don't like police officers risking their lives doing good for the community, otherwise why would the unrec it?

Ahhh yes. It doesn't fit neatly into their broad brush narrative.

No doubt many will say, "It's their job!"

Yes, it's their JOB to risk their own saving others. Are YOU willing to do it? I didn't think so.

[LostinVA]

140. You see what you want to see, because you're wrong

Cop saves kitten, Cop saves drowning dog, off-duty Cop saves woman, female cop in G20 Bubble video is cool, etc.

[asdjrocky]

152. LOL!

That bubble video was just too much.

[Raineyb]

154. Unrec because the cops did something good? That's not why people are unreccing

this garbage! They're unreccing the bloody broad brush being painted by someone hypocritically complaining about broad brushes!

When cops do good they are doing their fucking job. That's what they get paid for! We're supposed to give them a bloody cookie on top of it? Jeezus! Cops must be the biggest bunch of babies that they need to be validated every day for NOT doing anything illegal, unethical, immoral, or brutal while doing their job.

You don't see people constantly posting things about doctors who saved lives under ordinary circumstances even though it happens every day. Why? Because that's their god damned job! You DO hear about doctors who kill their patients because they were drunk, or amputated the wrong limb or other things like that because that is a problem. Does that make people anti-doctor? No it doesn't any more than pointing out problem police behavior makes anyone anti-cop.

We have a huge cop problem. The problem is cops who do bad things while on (and often off) duty and the other cops turn a bloody blind eye and pretend they don't know what the hell is going on. It taints the entire profession. You have a problem with that tell your cop buddies to get rid of that fucking blue wall of silence. Tell them that it's not acceptable for brutal cops to quit one force and get immediately rehired in another so they can continue to brutalize the citizenry! Until then you're beating your chest and screaming over arguments no one made. I could give you the benefit of the doubt but you've already shown your true colors so I'm inclined to believe that you're making these idiotic arguments because you're an authoritarian suck up who always backs the side who has power because fighting for the right thing is too much trouble.

[RedCappedBandit]

126. And I bet all of them look the other way when their peers abuse their power. nt

[proteus_lives]

143. Evidence?

[RedCappedBandit]

155. Quickly search "blue code of silence"...

on your favorite search engine.

Of course, I'm sure your just being argumentative, as nobody would really claim that police do not frequently look the other way when their peers break the law.

[proteus_lives]

156. You said "all"

Does you link prove that all police officers look the other way?

[RedCappedBandit]

164. I said "I bet"

[PumpUpTheVolumeDance]

141. You're posting about people properly doing their jobs.

What's your point, given there are other posts about other professions where people do improper and immoral things? And I can see just as much outrage at them as I see toward LEOs, at first blush just looking around.

[Bonobo]

147. Cops doing their job does nothing to change the problem of police brutality

and fear/distrust among the citizenry.

[KansasVoter]

148. Lol....

Wow, stories of cops doing good! Now post stories of fireman stopping fires and doctors saving lifes!
You don't get it do you?

[proteus_lives]

149. You certainly don't.

But given my experience with you, I'm not knocked over by surprise.

[ensho]

153. from watching the reality cop shows I seem to like Traffic and Homicide

cops the best.


doesn't mean I dislike the others.

[TexasObserver]

157. It's not their good deeds anyone complains about.

If an officer saves a kitten at 5 pm and beats a man senseless at 10 pm, they don't cancel each other out. The beating of the man is still a crime and it's still police being brutal with citizens.

[proteus_lives]

160. That officer deserves to be punished.

But would you lump all other officers in with him?

That's all I'm saying.

[TexasObserver]

163. And so do all of those who cover up misdeeds by cops.

Which is just about everyone on the force, if not everyone.

[Roon]

159. We need cops

but when they single me out and hassle me when I am minding my own business, i get pissed. I have been cuffed three times, been to jail once for an hour. Leave me alone.

[eridani]

162. You know what? If Joe Blow beats you up you can always call the cops

If Joe Blow IS a cop, this is an exremely serious problem, even though percentagewiae it doesn't happen all that often.