That's right, I think police officers, in general, rock. I'm very glad they are here!
Now, obviously, this post is made with an inflammatory headline meant to garner responses. However, that does not mean it is a subject to be handled lightly.
Often here on ICMag, reports of law enforcement activity are met with a knee-jerk reaction of "cops suck". This is understandable, considering our diametrically opposed views. However, I don't think many think that phrase all the way through.
Police officers, in general, are just trying to do their jobs as bestt they know how. We can all disagree about the methods and laws themselves, but the police officer is no different than other wage slaves.
Let's clarify this early: I do not defend or support cops that abuse their powers. Cops that are merely thugs hiding behind a badge are no more than that - thugs, no matter their costume.
However, the vast majority of cops I've met are not like that. To be fair, I've probably had a much greater number and depth of cop encounters than your average IC magger. This gives me a broader spectrum to make that judgment than most.
That being said, the simple fact is that most cops are no different than me. I choose to grow pot to help the sick and needy in the community I can reach. Most police officers are merely trying to do their job - enforcing the laws the community has chosen.
In other words, the majority of cops I have met are genuinely concerned about protecting and helping people. Obviously, there are some that cast a poor shadow on the others. That's no different than any other job on this planet, however.
Next point - Many here on IC have such a virulent hatred of the "drug warrior" that they extend that perception to everyone wearing a badge. This is wrong. Justify it however you want, but the simple fact is that most references to police on this site bring such an overwhelming and virulent hatred and violence that it is nigh overwhelming.
That is not outside of reason, given the wildly drastic positions each side has. What is outside of reason is the violence engendered by this atmosphere of "supported hate". Pot supporters, by and large, present an attitude of tolerance and acceptance in most aspects of their lives. However, the viciousness of those they turn on is frightening.
All pot smokers are violent criminals preying on schoolkids.
All cops are violent Nazi pigs intent on killing anyone that dares oppose them.
Both those statements are both wrong, not only factually, but in spirit as well. Generalizations are meant to engender hate and dismissal. Hate is one thing - it can be fought with knowledge. Dismissal is a purposeful ignorance - an active desire to perpetuate division.
This cuts both ways.
By labeling any section of the population, you devalue them. Devaluation is the first step to dehumanizing. Dehumanizing a group makes it okay to treat them as animals. Before you know it, that group is lined up in gas showers.
It's an excuse. You want someone to hate, you want someone to blame. You can't blame yourselves, since that would hit too close to home. So you have to avail yourself of the easiest target you can find. And where is the easiest target? The one who enforces.
People whine and bitch incessantly about the abuses of cops, but no one points out their value. I, for one, can see beyond my own horizons.
I'm very glad that cops are out doing their jobs. They keep idiots in check, and provide a modicum of stability in our day to day lives. The people willing to attack me, for whatever reason, are at least somewhat discouraged by the fact that armed, trained men are willing and ready to defend me with nothing more than a phone call.
Hell, there are more than a few people I'd have scrubbed off the face of this earth if it weren't for the threat of swift a decisive punishment.
In short, I challenge you cop haters. You're no better than the stoner haters. You hate someone merely by association and prejudice. That makes you no better than a KKK member. And yet you choose to trumpet this fact as a badge of honor.
Those 'general haters' need to fucking grow up. An intelligent human being attempts to look outside their own narrow viewpoint. The ignorant, and deliberately stupid work to perpetuate their own excuse for hatred.
Which are you?
More importantly, why?
I ask you not to use this thread as a vent for your unmitigated hatred. Instead, I ask you to justify it. Challenge yourself, and find compassion and understanding.
Discuss.
[Full disclosure] - I've worked on both sides of the badge, both training cops and circumventing them. I've experienced both sides of the handcuffs. You cannot hide behind bullshit from me, I'll spot it immediately, and make you feel like the stupidest motherfucker that ever logged onto the internet.
Now, obviously, this post is made with an inflammatory headline meant to garner responses. However, that does not mean it is a subject to be handled lightly.
Often here on ICMag, reports of law enforcement activity are met with a knee-jerk reaction of "cops suck". This is understandable, considering our diametrically opposed views. However, I don't think many think that phrase all the way through.
Police officers, in general, are just trying to do their jobs as bestt they know how. We can all disagree about the methods and laws themselves, but the police officer is no different than other wage slaves.
Let's clarify this early: I do not defend or support cops that abuse their powers. Cops that are merely thugs hiding behind a badge are no more than that - thugs, no matter their costume.
However, the vast majority of cops I've met are not like that. To be fair, I've probably had a much greater number and depth of cop encounters than your average IC magger. This gives me a broader spectrum to make that judgment than most.
That being said, the simple fact is that most cops are no different than me. I choose to grow pot to help the sick and needy in the community I can reach. Most police officers are merely trying to do their job - enforcing the laws the community has chosen.
In other words, the majority of cops I have met are genuinely concerned about protecting and helping people. Obviously, there are some that cast a poor shadow on the others. That's no different than any other job on this planet, however.
Next point - Many here on IC have such a virulent hatred of the "drug warrior" that they extend that perception to everyone wearing a badge. This is wrong. Justify it however you want, but the simple fact is that most references to police on this site bring such an overwhelming and virulent hatred and violence that it is nigh overwhelming.
That is not outside of reason, given the wildly drastic positions each side has. What is outside of reason is the violence engendered by this atmosphere of "supported hate". Pot supporters, by and large, present an attitude of tolerance and acceptance in most aspects of their lives. However, the viciousness of those they turn on is frightening.
All pot smokers are violent criminals preying on schoolkids.
All cops are violent Nazi pigs intent on killing anyone that dares oppose them.
Both those statements are both wrong, not only factually, but in spirit as well. Generalizations are meant to engender hate and dismissal. Hate is one thing - it can be fought with knowledge. Dismissal is a purposeful ignorance - an active desire to perpetuate division.
This cuts both ways.
By labeling any section of the population, you devalue them. Devaluation is the first step to dehumanizing. Dehumanizing a group makes it okay to treat them as animals. Before you know it, that group is lined up in gas showers.
It's an excuse. You want someone to hate, you want someone to blame. You can't blame yourselves, since that would hit too close to home. So you have to avail yourself of the easiest target you can find. And where is the easiest target? The one who enforces.
People whine and bitch incessantly about the abuses of cops, but no one points out their value. I, for one, can see beyond my own horizons.
I'm very glad that cops are out doing their jobs. They keep idiots in check, and provide a modicum of stability in our day to day lives. The people willing to attack me, for whatever reason, are at least somewhat discouraged by the fact that armed, trained men are willing and ready to defend me with nothing more than a phone call.
Hell, there are more than a few people I'd have scrubbed off the face of this earth if it weren't for the threat of swift a decisive punishment.
In short, I challenge you cop haters. You're no better than the stoner haters. You hate someone merely by association and prejudice. That makes you no better than a KKK member. And yet you choose to trumpet this fact as a badge of honor.
Those 'general haters' need to fucking grow up. An intelligent human being attempts to look outside their own narrow viewpoint. The ignorant, and deliberately stupid work to perpetuate their own excuse for hatred.
Which are you?
More importantly, why?
I ask you not to use this thread as a vent for your unmitigated hatred. Instead, I ask you to justify it. Challenge yourself, and find compassion and understanding.
Discuss.
[Full disclosure] - I've worked on both sides of the badge, both training cops and circumventing them. I've experienced both sides of the handcuffs. You cannot hide behind bullshit from me, I'll spot it immediately, and make you feel like the stupidest motherfucker that ever logged onto the internet.
