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To: SirTaurus
In this day of public education english is a second language for everyone!

The initial phrase - "Dear policeman" - first of all, most American users would use plural ("policemen" instead of "policeman"), and most people would use slang ("cops" instead of "policeman") - since slang is difficult for foreign speakers to accomodate, I would give high odds that the person who wrote this is not a native-born American, but a recent arrival.

50 posted on 10/10/2002 6:24:26 AM PDT by dirtboy
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To: dirtboy
I posted the same thinking yesterday....

Dear Policeman is just odd phrasing for any American adult to write or say....It would be maybe Dear Policemen (maybe)

Dear Cops, or Hey Cops etc were more likely if you were taunting them.

The only time you would maybe be specific like Dear Mailman (because it's likely to be one specific person)

51 posted on 10/10/2002 6:30:23 AM PDT by SunnyUsa
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To: dirtboy
The exact salutation is "Dear Mr. Policeman";

a google search found the phrase used in this newsgroup thread for, well, sort of fringe constitutionalists (I'm trying to be nice):

"-- Posted by DOC on 7:23 am on June 2, 2001

I've spread it around!
You should see the looks!
Like a Fart in Church!
TOO BAD!
I've said all along 'Dear Mr. Policeman: I know where you live, where your wife shops and where your kids go to school. Have a nice day!'"

Link to thread is here (google cache, so phrase is highlighted):
http://216.239.53.100/search?q=cache:OVqZpREW8wcC:www.sierratimes.com/cgi-bin/ikonboard/printpage.cgi%3Fforum%3D21%26topic%3D23+%22Dear+Mr.+Policeman%22&hl=en&ie=UTF-8
78 posted on 10/10/2002 8:34:44 AM PDT by SarahW
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To: dirtboy
i was thinking terrorist. exactly
103 posted on 10/10/2002 12:51:33 PM PDT by vanbeck
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To: dirtboy
i was thinking terrorist. exactly
104 posted on 10/10/2002 12:52:24 PM PDT by vanbeck
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