The police are necessary. And limitations and oversight of them is necessary. Properly managed with limits and oversights and rights and the whole shebang, they can be a force for good. But this in Ottawa is anything but that ideal.
Social contract has been used to wipe Brandeau’s arse with. Have fun with that/irony
Bears repeating
The alternative of no police, no military, no border patrol is unthinkable.
> And limitations and oversight of them is necessary.
There are so many laws on the books now where do you start?
I’d love to see PATRIOT Act repealed completely.
No more “re-authorizations” or whatever just totally repealed.
Civil asset forfeiture is another problem and rife with abuse.
No, they aren't. Not any more than public education is necessary. There are other ways to keep good order and deal with anti-social behavior.
The criminal justice system is a self-serving industry. They have an "us vs. them" mentality and attitude. Given a "monopoly on use of force of violence," they tend to abuse it without consequence, or when there is consequence it is throwing a little fish to "them," well after the system is aware that is has a problem.
-- Properly managed with limits and oversights and rights and the whole shebang, they can be a force for good. --
Yep. And they can be an incredibly powerful force for bad, too. Just like any other tool, all depends on the morality and goals of the people wielding the power. Generally, this sort of job is most attractive to the 4% of the population that is sociopath.
“The police are necessary.”
Not any more. I think that’s why the Founding Fathers included “well armed militia” in the founding documents (inspired by God). In the end, police are human and therefore corruptible. Ultimate responsibility for safety and justice is with the citizen.
Police USED TO BE rightfully venerated.