You misunderstand, perhaps intentionally. I don't have any problem with guns nor bulletproof vests, not even when police have them. But I strongly resent the fact that many officers happily enforce laws against us, prohibiting we mere peasants from owning or carrying the same sort of things for ourselves as they do on a daily basis, and that they act so violently against us when we do. Even more so when considering they swore an oath to uphold the Constitution, and that Constitution prohibits the sorts of gun control laws that gives them the reasons to act against us.
I happened to see two people stage a nonviolent protest of Denver's open-carry ban, which incidentally violates both the federal and Colorado state Constitutions. The two participants informed police that they would do this, and expected to be arrested for it. Despite the fact that they both peacefully strapped holsters on their persons (after reading some apparent trash written by dead white guys - the Bill of Rights, I think) they were jumped by multiple officers and VIOLENTLY wrestled to the ground and handcuffed. Perhaps you can tell me why the people you speak so highly of found it necessary to do this when a simple "You are under arrest" would have sufficed.
You may also recall the police seizing guns from victims of Katrina.
and the right to speed to crime scenes
I dislike hypocrisy. If it's unsafe to drive fast, which is ostensibly why they ticket us when we do so, why do they do it? Police officers are made of the same stuff we are, and have the same human failings as we do. (At least, that's what I believe; apparently you disagree.)
This is the difference between being a sheepdog and a sheep. You sir are a sheep.
You might think so, but you are mistaken. Considering the relative risks posed by governments vs. criminals in the last hundred years, you should reflect on whether your allegiance is actually more with the wolves or with the sheepdogs.
> You misunderstand, perhaps intentionally. I don’t have any problem with guns nor bulletproof vests, not even when police have them. But I strongly resent the fact that many officers happily enforce laws against us, prohibiting we mere peasants from owning or carrying the same sort of things for ourselves as they do on a daily basis, and that they act so violently against us when we do. Even more so when considering they swore an oath to uphold the Constitution, and that Constitution prohibits the sorts of gun control laws that gives them the reasons to act against us
You are an enfranchised Citizen. Fix the problem with your vote. If enough of you believe the same way, the problem will be fixed. Beyond that you have a Constitutional remedy thru the Courts. And ultimately you do have a Second Amendment.
(lucky you — in NZ we don’t have a Second Amendment)
> Perhaps you can tell me why the people you speak so highly of found it necessary to do this when a simple “You are under arrest” would have sufficed.
Perhaps the cops had been sucker-punched once too often before by other “peaceful” folk doing protest? Much safer to have them on the pavement before cuffing ‘em — then they can say what they like once they are safely configured and en-route to the cop shop.
> You may also recall the police seizing guns from victims of Katrina.
New Orleans after the Hurricane was a regular whore’s nest of lawlessness and bedlam. Dangerous enough without folk running around armed and blazing away at each other. Of *course* the cops took weapons off people: it was a sensible thing for them to do. What do you expect them to do? Allow a bunch of you lot blasting away at everything and everyone that moved during a major Civil emergency? Great idea.../s
Full marks for them taking away weapons from Katrina folk. Katrina would have been a cop’s worst nitemare.
> I dislike hypocrisy. If it’s unsafe to drive fast, which is ostensibly why they ticket us when we do so, why do they do it?
Perhaps they do it so that they can respond in a timely fashion to crimes that we report?
I’ve been present during one attempted robbery and two home invasions, and when I called the cops I wanted them right effing NOW. Every second seemed like an eternity. They came full-speed and in force, armed and with dogs, and even that wasn’t fast enough. (And yes, for the second home invasion I was armed to the teeth — even so, the cops couldn’t arrive fast enough.)
This is our expectation that they try to deliver against. So do I mind them breaking a few speed limits? No sir I do not: providing they have lites and sirens going and show up in force. If they do so when I’m in traffic I can play dodge’em if necessary with my car: that is what brakes and steering wheels and horns and signals are for. I want the cops to cane ass when going to every crime scene: the faster the better. And they better go well-armed because I’m not going to risk going into the ditch dodging them if they don’t arrive at the party prepared to do Business.
> Considering the relative risks posed by governments vs. criminals in the last hundred years, you should reflect on whether your allegiance is actually more with the wolves or with the sheepdogs.
Mate, over the past hundred years Criminals have been by far the biggest risk. The problem has been that many of them have also been in Government. World Wars and atrocities and the Killing Fields have resulted and millions have died. Wolves in control.
Your average beat cop has always been there for you, and I strongly believe he’d stop a bullet for you if need be — tho’ he’d probably prefer to call for backup first and try to save you in a way that also allowed him to clock out at the end of his shift and go home safe to his family.
We’re all human, and cops are no different to the rest of us in that respect.
As to me, I would not want to be a cop for all the tea in China: that is a dangerous and thankless way to make a living. But I am a Sheepdog and proud to be one. I know the wolves when I see ‘em, I enjoy hunting them down and fighting them and bringing them to jolly Justice and making them walk in fear of sheepdogs.
I do this for a hobby: some folk have model railways, others go surfing or play The Rugby or go to the gym or do yoga or basketweaving. I do the Guardian Angels thing, and I love it.
My wife and kids and most of my friends and acquaintences and social circle are sheep, and that’s OK. This is something that I can do for them.
*DieHard the Hunter*