When you encounter a cop, I think it’s a good idea to just start mentally preparing to be arrested. The key always is to not be caught by surprise and scared into doing anything that would compromise your safety or give them any information whatsoever. They’ll just throw shit at you to see what sticks, and it’s going to take a lot of self-discipline on your part, so be prepared. But utlimately, you can’t count on cops to be dispassionate and professional – YOU have to stay calm, YOU have to exercise the better part of wisdom.
Don’t rely on the system to protect you and you’ve already made a significant step on the path to the voluntary society we all want to see.
]]>Is it just a basic desire to believe that authority figures in America are at least reasonable?
]]>Most don’t ever pay it any attention. It’s too hard to think about, and it’s just easier to ignore, especially when the media that they tune in to doesn’t make a big deal out of it.
Those that do reflexively defend it aren’t really “falling for” it. They buy into the macho notion that the police are “warriors” on the “thin blue line”. I think Charles addressed it in the past, but if not, Will Grigg did (note that he is anything but a feminist if you read his stuff) – more than a significant minority of cops today are “juicing”. And that is just the most telling point of the larger problem. The SWAT teams and raids and etc. have all helped to create an environment that brings out the worst in macho, testosterone laden culture. And those that reflexively defend actions such as Charles periodically points are people who think such a culture is a good (and necessary!)thing.
Once you realize that they don’t share basic, fundamental cultural values with you, you’ll begin to understand why they think the way they do. It’s like trying to find common ground with cannibals – if it’s possible, it will only be after one side or the other surrenders a basic value position.
]]>“How comforting would it be to know that any misconduct by General Motors would be handled by the legal department of General Motors?”
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