Here is my advice for those I have seen protesting at the RNC. 1. Take a bath, police officers aren't afraid of smelly prisoners and hippie stink pales in comparison to homeless crackhead stink 3. Crying about your gripes with government only makes you a crybaby, if you have a problem about the way things are run, let your vote be heard on election day 4. Don't tell police officers you pay their salary, we don't care. 5. Police brutality is Rodney King....not mace and plastic cuffs. 6. You can't blame Bush for every problem in your life, take responsibility for your own actions and play the hand that you are dealt. I type these words with no ill will towards any group or organization. I merely think that some people are so fixated on placing blame that they can't see the forest for the trees.
They arent just macing and handcuffing, the cops are slamming the activists into walls and the ground...when most arent resisting arrest and none are harming the police officers. Thats police brutality.
When a leader divides his nation, protests will happen. If you indeed are a police officer I respect your services to this country. But did it ever occur to you that people protest when it is their belief that those who are governing can't see the forest for the trees?
So if we express our freedom of speech we're being crybabies? BTW I don't blame Bush for all my problems, I blame him for being a lousy president who's doing a lousy job running the country.
If I remember correctly, one of the most common "chants" I heard was "Give the police a contract!" Officer, I want you to know that we DO appreciate you protecting us. Please remember, we are not your enemy. We have nothing against you as men and women. What we resent is the "just following orders" mentality that seems, at least officially, to prevent you guys from making any moral judgements against your actions, collectively.
"When a leader divides his nation, protests will happen." I thought the nation was divided from the begining of his term. cc
soulrebel51 "none are harming the police officers" Sunday and Monday 3 cops were injured when a paper dragon was lit on fire on Monday afternoon (by a protestor) 1 cop was hit in the face with a bottle (by a protestor) while sitting on a scooter not taking police action 1 plain clothes detective was knocked from his scooter and beaten unconscious (by a protestor) 3 vehicle accidents occurred as a result of responding to false 911 calls of a cop shot or stabbed (unknown injuries) These are the only Police officer injuries that I know of because I either responded to the scene or heard it over the radio. Does this accomplish any goal?? Doesn't much sound like freedom of speech to me... Bacchus "one of the most common 'chants' I heard was 'Give the police a contract!'" Yes I have heard that as well, and it is sincerely appreciated but chanting isn't gonna do a damn thing......believe me, we've tried. "What we resent is the "just following orders" mentality that seems, at least officially, to prevent you guys from making any moral judgements against your actions, collectively." We're not shooting babies or torturing prisoners at the command of some military leader, we are making mass arrests of people that are breaking the law. These people are aware of the fact that they are breaking the law and it is policy for a Captain or above to issue a prepared statement to the protestors, onlookers, etc. warning them that if they don't comply, they will be arrested. It is not a moral issue whatsoever. I am neither defending the current administration nor attacking the opposing parties. My political views are vague due to both my admitted lack of political interest and the nature of my job. I am not downplaying the freedom of speech and I apologize if it comes across that way. I've got no problems with expressing your beliefs as long as it doesn't infringe upon the rights of others. I appreciate the replies and am thankful to those that are interested in the point of view from one of the guys with the helmet and nightstick on the other side of the barricade. The most important thing to any police officer is to sign out at the end of the tour and safely return to their loved ones.
Unfortunately, I heard one officer was severely beaten. I want you to know, that the majority of us find this appalling. Also, counter-productive to our cause. Officer, if you would, I'd like it if you could take a look at this page..http://www.prisonplanet.com/archive_war_on_terror.html I'd like to have your opinion on this terror fighting record. How well do you think they are doing fighting this crime?
Since when is protesting breaking the law. 1st Amendment is right to peacefully assemble. We're not all "cop-killing, window-bashing" assholes, and I agree, I find behavior like that appaling, and it works against out cause. And Civil Servant, you're the reason I view cops as dicks, look at your attitude towards the whole thing. "Don't be such a crybaby". Shit, just because you work for the government and agree with everything it does dosnt mean we all do. I know, now you're gona come back with "well i dont agree with everyt", and I'll cut you off there and say we'll if you want a change, bitch, are you just gona sit in front of your fucking tv and hope the next asshole in office does it for you? Just because we're all not lazy fucks that get paid to mace and beat people that dosnt want to work for a change, does not give you the right to judge or criticize those that are in the streets sweating their ass off working for a change. BTW, voting powers? Shit, we vote for our representatives that lie anyways, then when they get in office they do shit no one wants them to do. When was the last time you saw some fullfilled campaign promises? Maybe if we had a decent president, we wouldnt have to worry about these protests.
i'm glad you made this second post because frankly the first one was insulting, even with the disclaimer at the end. maybe by chance you heard my chant to the cops as i passed the garden "BUSH DOESN'T LOVE YOU....BLOOMBERG DOESN'T LOVE YOU...WE LOVE YOU, WE ARE YOUR BROTHERS...YOU ARE ON THE WRONG SIDE" you have to admit that there is a lot of anger, fear and adreniline on BOTH sides. the majority of this from the protesters is controlled because they are confronted with an aggressive cop with a club. i am not talking about a riot here, just a protest. if you look at the numbers, during a protest like sunday, it is a extreemly small fraction of the protesters who are violent, mostly kids or "wanna be" anarchists who have no business calling themselves such things. the percentage of violence in the police force is drastically higher, lets face it this was a peace protest, we are protesting war and death. most arrests are not due to violence, they are because passionate people are following their heart instead of unjust and unexceptable "direction" or restriction from police. i know it is hard for a cop to seperate from his duty and oath and ask "what is the law?" "what is the crime?" and "who is the real criminal?" but they can at least understand that some are "resisting your athority not to bring anyone harm, but simply being true to themselves and to a personal oath to stand up for their fellow man. its a matter of understanding that in fact there is a higher law than the laws police officers uphold. when were faced with the disregaurd for life that we are seeing from this administration (IMO)...from the government...then laws passed down from that government are overruled. a higher/simpler law of balance and justice takes effect. history shows us that if the government is allowed to get too unbalanced and currupt, it will be brought down, there is no question of that. the people are too strong and too many and the armed forces are made up of the people. we protest to counter that very inbalance...nothing more. no crying or blaming our problems on others. i value your participation on this site, we could learn from each other. maybe you will continue to share your experience and veiw with us for we can certainly learn from it. i would like to present an example of the mentality we are up against that i'm sure you see among your peers. when the paper dragon was lit on fire and the police ran out baricades, i moved back as was ordered. i then stood four feet back behind the temp barrier and photoed the fire. another officer came along and started pushing me back with his club, shouting get back! there was no confusion or lack of cooperation, or situation getting out of control, in fact other officers were standing next to me with no riot gear and calm as can be. when i said "alright! calm down i'm just taking pictures" he raised his club and snarled at me like he was just itching to crack my head open. he shook his head as to gain control but his face and curled lips showed he wanted to hurt someone. maybe you know him...if not, maybe you can check him out to understand why cops have such a bad rap. his badge number is 15670. i will be reporting him. he has no business weilding a weapon. i do not like or respect his kind. we are opposites and i think he smelled this. hats off to the rest of you. you have my deepest respect. the dynamics and choices you must face must be incredibly difficult. for this you are appreciated.
Magic Medicine Try to overlook your teenage angst against "the man" and gain some life experience before you spit back other people's words and your view on political issues from what you've read on the internet. I never said that protesting = breaking the law. Oh and regarding, "if you want a change, bitch, are you just gona sit in front of your fucking tv and hope the next asshole in office does it for you? Just because we're all not lazy fucks that get paid to mace and beat people that dosnt want to work for a change, does not give you the right to judge or criticize those that are in the streets sweating their ass off working for a change." I guess you haven't seen all the press coverage about how the Patrolmen's Benevolent Association (PBA) with the help of numerous other unions have been petitioning, picketing, etc. for a new contract for the last two years. Try a spell check and stop trying to flame me, kid.... 7river "it is a extreemly small fraction of the protesters who are violent, mostly kids or 'wanna be' anarchists who have no business calling themselves such things." I absolutely agree with you. See above. As far as my comment, "6. You can't blame Bush for every problem in your life, take responsibility for your own actions and play the hand that you are dealt." This was based on a few posters that I saw and I paraphrase, "Bush is responsible for my cancer". As far as I know, cancer takes a long time to develop and he hasn't been president for that long. As far as the rest of your post, all I can say is I hear you but your typical street cop does not have the time/freedom/inclination/ability etc. to ponder or internally debate the philisophical issues that you pose in the split second that things go from peaceable protest to mayhem. Regarding your issue with that particular officer; there are approx. 35,000 police officers, with that many people your gonna get some jerks. My advice to you is suck it up and walk away. I'm going to sum up why people are being arrested at the RNC. (i'm paraphrasing the laws) 1. Disorderly Conduct (violation) -this is a catch all law in the NYS Penal Law containing different subsections including obscene language/gestures in public, blocking pedestrian or vehicular traffic (the most common), fighting, creating an unsafe/annoying condition or public alarm 2. Resisting Arrest (misdemeanor) -attempting to prevent arrest by various means; attempting to prevent from being cuffed, fleeing, fighting with arresting officers, etc. 3. Obstructing Governmental Administration (misdemeanor) -Trying to prevent a police officer from performing their duties (also applies to other govt. employees i.e. fireman, EMT, traffic agent, etc.) 4. Inciting To Riot (misdemeanor and I think one of the counts is a felony) -Not as common Cops wear riot helmets, carry batons, mace etc. for their safety and the safety of fellow officers/the public. Of course there are times when the tools of our trade are abused. But there is a time and place when they are effective and necessary. P.S. if you get arrested, you will not have your rights read to you (by a NYC police officer) unless you are being questioned regarding a crime (i.e. a murder, etc.) Stop watching "NYPD Blue" and "Law & Order" for info about the criminal justice system. Here's a tip: Custody (handcuffs) + Interrogation = Miranda Warnings. Bacchus I have not had a chance to check out that link...I will do my best and let you know my thoughts if you wish. p.s. they got the guy that beat that cop...... C.S.
http://www.prisonplanet.com/archive_war_on_terror.html No sweat. Just peek at the site when you get a chance. Very good compilation of news articles. I wonder, have you been warned against people who quote the constitution or bill of rights? Also, as far as you know, are there undercover cops in the protest? Can you comment on the rumor of provacateurs in black ski masks (what they call anarchists) walking unattended behind the police barricades?
"And do a spell check?" Nice comeback. Anyways, I got pissed off at your attitude towards those trying to protest. And it dosnt matter what you say about proests being legal, there are still innocent people being arrested for the simple fact that they're there. And don't try to tell me it dosn't happen. And I liked the one where they brought the fence through the middle of the crowd and rode cars or whatever through the middle. That's when people get pissed, when cops do stupid shit like that, hurting people and trying to break up something that they don't want to break up. But you know what gets me? Is that in your eyes, citizens protesting in the streets is crybabyish, wrong, and shouldnt ever happen because "we vote on election day and that's the end of it", BUT it's now suddenly "ok" that there's patrolmen picketing and whatnot, but wait, wouldn't that be "crybabyish" material. Yep, according to your post, I believe so. If you didn't post your first post, I wounld'nt have a problem with you. Take responsibility for your actions. But when you come to a protest fourm, and post things like "Police brutality isnt mace and handcuffs", when you know damn well brutality is going on (maybe not by you, but give people power and they'll abuse it). Then "Crying about your gripes with government only makes you a crybaby, if you have a problem about the way things are run, let your vote be heard on election day". That's not the way for change, public outcry, and protesting is the way to try and show your government what you think. I believe even you agreed with that, Mr. PBA. Nice contradiction. Then "You can't blame Bush..", sure but I can blame him for the shit he's caused. Excersing their right to protest IS playing what they're dealt. And calling me kid? Buddy, I have just as much right to say what I need to as you do. 18 or 97, we still vote. Just because we havn't had that "in the field cop experience" dosnt mean I don't know whats happening. Sure, cops are great and I'm grateful to have them, but think before you post such a ridiculous thread. Take responsibility for YOUR actions. And stop being so ignorant about protests, instead of looking at thousands of "smelly hippies", check out what they're actually protesting against, those people in that crowd are your citizens afterall. They are the ones you patrol streets for, and they are the ones who you respond to calls for. Stop trying to think you're better than them, because you are them.
BOO FUCKING HOO!! Is that all you got? crybabies? The people protest because its the only thing you can do when the country has gone this far into ruin. Voteing sure isn't gonna help. The right to protest is ours and goes all the way back to the foundation of this once great nation and all of you bitches that have a problem with it are showing that it is indeed you that are anti-american. Putting a cap on public protests also puts a cap on free speech (which has been done already many times) and all of this limits the rights of Americans and makes me wonder why they still try to preach about what a great country this is suppoesed to be. If we take away these rights and FREEDOMS then what are we supposedly fighting for (we all know the war on terror is bullshit but that is the excuse they use). .....and about the police getting hurt. Theres you're crybabies right there. What about all the folk that beaten by police everyday? What about that haitien guy that got sodomized by the cops in NYC? What about the 16 year old KID who got punched in the face while in handcuffs? Or the guy who got kicked in the head while he was on the ground? What punishment do these cops get for these crimes? Suspension with pay? That sounds to me like a paid vacation. I hear ya have to work all year just to get a few days of paid vacation normally, I bet its alot better just to beat some guy on camera. Fuck working all year. Quit being such a fucking crybaby!
please tell me who I'm gonna vote for. John Kerry? right.... we all saw what voting did in the last election didn't we? It doesn't mean that people shouldn't vote or that I won't vote but we CAN'T rely on that shit and if you think we can then you aren't very serious about this whole thing obviously. Protesting shows that people are unhappy with the current state of things and that can spur change if enough people come together and thats what all the hate/war mongers are afraid of.
Average NYC police officers overtime rate: $45.00/hour Cost of a pair of flex cuffs: $ .85 Thousands of liberals and wanna-be anarchists shutting the hell up: Priceless NYPD makes over 1800 arrests... NYC ACLU breaks out the Kleenex
is that all you got? the truth makes you bitches run for the hills EVERY TIME! People like you come and go through here and the result is always the same. You spout your bullshit and run like the wind when your bullshit is exposed as lies! ha!