Walsingham

Cool. Keep it coming.

Sorry, Orogun. Bit tired here. Didn't follow you. Say again?

I love how Volo's trying his damndest to paint a picture of cops like these drug crazed fiends loosing shots off willy nilly, stealing our donkeys and sleeping with the milkjugs. If anyone actually is getting a kick out of that notion, read The Choirboys, by Joseph Wambaugh. Should keep you frotting merrily for a few hours.

I read this bit and imagined the constitution with "like" buttons by the amendments. The problem is this is the same line of thinking that causes cops to protect other bad cops. That tarnishing one of them tarnishes them all. No, being open and honest about your dealings with the public, investigating and - if necessary - taking action against cops who go too far will only tarnish the image of the police in the eyes of those who'll never trust the police. They're not all brutes; but the system shouldn't protect those that are, either. I didn't say it did. But if we can zero in on that aspect, I was taught it's art of ingroup/outgroup dynamics. The more distinct a group is, the more loyalty it feels to itself, and the more it norms on its own behaviours rather than those of general society. To an extent you want this to happen in any organisation deisgned to sacrifice life and limb - military, police, fire service. But when it goes too far it becomes toxic. One way in which to over-egg the ingroup/outgroup dynamics is to treat them like a uniform with a pig inside it. Although of course it depends on the context, and if they are being slack or over the top when you encounter them. Plus as I've already said, militarising the police doesn't help.

I've got about one hate PM as long as I've been here and I'm a huge jerk. I got a declaration of love once, though. Guess which kind I just sent you.

Today's misread headline: "Egypt swears at new interim leader."

Feeling like some kind of gullible fool I have paid my mate's rent arrears as a gift. This is in pursuit of trying to reverse a trend towards doing the right thing on paper and behaving like a ****. Going to miss the money, but miss it less than the thought of a friend on the street (presumably ) ~~ Word of caution to everyone but Guard Dog on the ex front: 1) exes became exes for a reason. Often the reason hasn't gone away. 2) Why not try something new? 3) The hard part is letting go.

Hurlshot makes another good point about different departments. Anyone willing to say that the New Orleans PD are as bad/good as the NYPD?

What in the name of the Capital Wasteland are those beauties?

Or just skip straight to aluminium foil. Foil is so nineties, tho.

I accept that there's no indication in the article that there was shooting going on. But the nature of US law enforcement is that they have to assume firearms are in the equation all the time. My real question is what is the point of this discussion? To sow fear of the police? Or to galvanise effective action to improve them? Can you not see that many of the problems with cops are exacerbated by treating them as brutes? You'll laugh but it really does hurt their feelings. That in turn poisons the respect they have to try and give the public, despite them knowing how many members of the public are thieves, rapists, dealers etc etc.

Cops can't think of a plan B ? Interesting reaction from you, expected as much. Look, man. I expect a lot from the cops. But I also acknowledge that they take some heavy ****ing risks. When was the last time you risked for life to help someone else? And if you had, don't you think you'd get annoyed if someone wanted you to run a higher risk just because they were worried their dog would get upset? Listening to you people I swear you'd be happier with automated drones.

Careful, Malc. I know quite a few banks who go heavy with surveillance on their techies. You should avoid sharing anything here which you don't want HR throwing at you.

I've had stop and search done on me four times. I'm always very polite and have a chat with them. I like to think I help counterbalance you mentalists being instantly lairy. Of course complaints go somewhere. If they didn't then we'd have the same police services we had in the 1950s and if you think things haven't improved then I'm sorry but you're just a c***.

Joke about low energy states. The Emperor of Ice-Cream Call the roller of big cigars, The muscular one, and bid him whip In kitchen cups concupiscent curds. Let the wenches dawdle in such dress As they are used to wear, and let the boys Bring flowers in last month's newspapers. Let be be finale of seem. The only emperor is the emperor of ice-cream. Take from the dresser of deal, Lacking the three glass knobs, that sheet On which she embroidered fantails once And spread it so as to cover her face. If her horny feet protrude, they come To show how cold she is, and dumb. Let the lamp affix its beam. The only emperor is the emperor of ice-cream.

I'm a little alarmed by the feeling I'm in a time warp. Is this 1967? If it is how are you using the internet? What is so appealing about having an us and them attitude about cops? If you don't take that attitude surely it's just common sense to accept that they are government employees like any other. They misbehave, they break the law. The point is what happens when they do. Part of that is down to you. And guess what? Treating the whole profession as evil doesn't help it actively makes things worse. Imagine if I started a 'teenagers are s***' thread? You'd say I was mental.

I can't believe I'm agreeing with this. Given that Volo disagrees with everything it's literally impossible not to find yourself standing next to him occasionally. If you suck an aniseed ball it helps mask the smell.

What about the emperor of ice cream?

So much for trying to be nice.

Surely you could don a massive foam tricorne hat? That would block the noise and be patriotic. You could strut smugly around shops knocking things off shelves with the ends and just smiling at anyone who tries to remonstrate with you.

More like "It's time for enjo-kosai". I knew I shouldn't have looked up that term even before I started. Japanese culture is very weird.

Not very reassured that you like my itching, Volo. Hurlshot has already said that these cops probably got it wrong and normal procedures will see they get nailed. Just not on the third amendment. On a less grand personal note, what kind of bastard would refuse to help the cops stop a case of serious domestic abuse? By the sound of this rather one sided article the police wanted to get (quote) "a tactical advantage." In other words they either wanted his house so they could catch the suspect unawares, and or not get shot by him in the process. So we have a plaintiff who doesn't give a **** about either the victim or the people trying to help them. So, I in turn don't really give a **** about their feelings. Or their pet dog.

Not that I expect you to halt your magnificent and entirely faked outrage... Police have the right (in most countries) to use lethal force to protect themselves and to protect members of the public. The nature of use depends on local law and custom. In the UK for example, every single time firearms are used , irrespective of the circumstance, there is a full enquiry by a special body. It's a big deal. But it makes perfectly good sense. What else are the cops supposed to do? Pass a SPEECH roll? Further, it's entirely possible for a normal citizen to use lethal force if they feel they have no alternative in defence of their own life. Happens quite often enough for you to know this already.

If you look at my Steam profile you'll see a bunch I have subscribed. Mostly smithing and cooking. A few story ones. Most subtle, but important is the one where you can avoid swearing allegiance to a 'certain' Daedra and still continue a cool mission. Deals with it well, too. ("Less Eternal Nocturnal Oath")

So YOU'RE the reason I have this weird itching?