Skateboarder arrest . . . comments

[FastCat]

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It's not about the uniform or even that most public officials deserve respect. My point is that some people have difficult jobs that don't need to be made more difficult. I've seen plenty of people, like that kid, who thought it was acceptable to piss all over people just because they were they were having a bad day and that other person just happened to be there, and that's bullshit.

So that whole bit in the beginning when the cop was rambling about "Anyone got an excedrin? Looks like your boy's got a headache."

That was him, being his professional best, earning respect, doing his tough job, bullying 14 year-olds, right?

I have not had a great many run-in's with LEO's but I have had my share over my years. I cannot think of any one *single* instance where the arrival of LEO personnel ever improved anything. I can think of a few instances where their arrival made things just that much crappier.

Maybe things used to be different. Maybe there really is a basis-in-fact for the "officer-friendly" myth that I was taught as a kid. It just seems to me that there are far too many officers who view anyone and everyone they come in contact with as "enemy combatants".

It'd be a lot easier to have some respect for any public official if I actually ever saw them as an active part of the community in which I live. ..but I don't think that's gonna happen until/unless I get a better-paying job and can afford to live in a better neighborhood, or maybe the public-officials will volunteer to take pay-cuts?

[Bigshankhank]

Aside from loking like Nicholas Cage I don't see where the officer was so wrong in arresting the kid. He responded to a complaint, the kid was a smart-mouthed little douche and deserves to get cited for being such.
As to the citizen getting involved, well that is our right so long as we do not antagonize the people involved. Frankly the officer should have let her have her say and not given her statements any weight by responding to them, but at the the same time I understand that he is trying to explain his situation in the vain hope that she might begin using the part of her brain that does more than just keep her breathing to appreciate the lack of dangerous criminals that wander the streets, or the open manholes and grates that vandals remove to use as skate ramps and rails.
Officers are working people just like you and I, some a good at what they do and some are dicks, just like you and I. Good days and bad days for all, I've met with officers in most situations and have come away with generally good relations because I grant them, and everyone for the most part, an assumed respect until they cease to deserve it. And that's where this kid went wrong, and too many parents allow their kids to grow up with a chip on their shoulder against authority stemming from a reluctance to accept responsibility for their own wrongdoing. It extends to the classroom as well. Poor bastard won't learn it this late, though, unless he really fucks up and spends 18 months or so in juvi.
Frankly, this entire discussion is retarded because none of us were there, the video was clearly edited from the perspective of the skaters and therefore biased (not that police video wouldn't be) and this kind of armchair jury-duty is pointless. Yet here I am getting in the middle of it on an early Sunday morning. My fuckin' coffee is going cold.

[ninemileskid]

treating a public official with any level of disrespect is just a bonehead thing to do.

I agree.
I'm not saying public officials deserve respect, I'm saying it'll get you into trouble becuase they think they deserve respect.
Respect needs to be earned, you don't automatically get it because you put on a uniform.

It's not about the uniform or even that most public officials deserve respect. My point is that some people have difficult jobs that don't need to be made more difficult. I've seen plenty of people, like that kid, who thought it was acceptable to piss all over people just because they were they were having a bad day and that other person just happened to be there, and that's bullshit.

The cop's job is difficult. Being called a name does not make your job more difficult, unless of course you're the one having a bad day.
Bottom line, the cop should have written the citations and gone on his way.

[Metalredneck]

It's not even a matter of respect, it's a matter of knowing the consequences of pissing off a needle-dick with a badge. You are at a disadvantage. Choose your battles. Or post 'em on Youtube.

[tumbler]

this is really nothing compaired to the bullshit they pulled at the g20. they were using "less than lethal" weapons in pittsburgh. usually the people weren't doing much to deserve it. fucking hell.
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[dozer]

I have not had a great many run-in's with LEO's but I have had my share over my years. I cannot think of any one *single* instance where the arrival of LEO personnel ever improved anything. I can think of a few instances where their arrival made things just that much crappier.

I've been around plenty of times where police presence has made a situation much better...But, I see that those that have never had their life threatened and had police there ready to put their lives on the line for their shitty 40k salary are pretty fast to criticize...

[The Shifty Jesus]

I stick by my usual response:

Cops have guns and are humans. Don't fuck with them or they might shoot you. Right or wrong you may still end up with more holes. You really want to prove a point, hire a lawyer. Lawyers are really good at embarrassing people if the need arises, particularly in a public forum.

[Zer0]

I am in complete agreement with ninemileskid.

[Zer0]

he is trying to explain his situation in the vain hope that she might begin using the part of her brain that does more than just keep her breathing .

Parenting/marriage lesson I've learned: Choose your battles

He needs to learn not to debate with emotional people in a heightened situation. At that point, people simply

will

not

listen.

Seriously, this whole video is a great documentary on how many different ways we humans can be so dumb. Common sense was nowhere to be found here--with anyone. Every person in this video put in a great performance. Comedy.

[Zim]

I've been thinking about this. Also had a few (pissy-cheap) beers, so I can't guarantee any coherence.

I really don't understand this whole respect thing with law enforcement. Sure, courtesy as with any person, but why the absolute, unwavering respect when the officer starts shit like "Does anyone have any, um, Excedrin or anything? Your boy looks like he has a headache." My first response might have been the same as the junior Tony Hawk. What, you're being detained by the guy with the shiny badge, uniform, and fancy radio, and because of that, you are required to take any shit given to you?

Of course I don't know what happened beforehand, but Officer Got-A-Badge pulled out a little "Respect my Author-it-tay" bullshit there. He doesn't deserve respect at that point. Let's say a waiter made a snide little comment while you and "your boy" ordered nachos and a bottle of Lafite Rothschild 1982. Since he is serving you, do you let the comment slide, or do you tell him his tip is in stall No. 2 of the bathroom?

And then the "When I'm here to cut you a break, you need to keep your mouth shut and you need to listen" thing. I don't know what to make of the whole Gray Area when it comes to law enforcement. I think it gives the police a bit of a big head. They go beyond thinking of themselves as "Law Enforcement", to the point of being society's parent. Like Law Interpreters, or Law If I Feel Like It And You Don't Make Me Mad. I almost want them to be black and white about it. Either you were in the wrong and this is the penalty, or you were not in the wrong, sorry 'bout that, and you may go. Not: you were in the wrong, but since you blew sunshine up my asshole, I will cut you a break.

I've only had traffic-related run ins with the 'law'. One night I went for a drive. I love driving. Doesn't matter if it's a sunny day, or tornayders are buzzing 'round. This night was rainy and foggy. I was pulled over and the officer asked me what I was doing out driving. I honestly told him that I liked driving in the rain. "Yeah, right. License, registration."

A friend, a hot girl (oh I tell you!), and I were going to see Elvis Costello (with Crash Test Dummies... we all make bad decisions), but passed by a Metallica concert (again, we all make bad decisions). Got pulled over for speeding.
Barney Fife: "Where are you going?"
We, the occupants: "Great Woods, to see Elvis Costello"
Barney Fife: "Yeah, right. License, registration, may we search your car?"