There is no such thing as a good cop.

I had hoped that there were and they just hadn't spoken up yet. Now, can't deny reality any longer.

2014 proved that to be nothing more than wishful thinking.

I guess it is easier to believe that when you're a Midwestern white woman.

But, this year has proved that if there are decent people among them, they choose to remain silent, which makes them complicit and as guilty of perpetuating the violence against those they are supposed to be serving.

here on DU tonight that might just chill you to the bone.

I hope not from long time DUers. I hope trolls.

April 2013. Retired Army Intelligence Analyst.

Sigh. If hope it wasn't as bad as it probably was

I'm just the one willing to play.

he/she could be real or he/she could be phony, but he/she sure is fun.

He/she has at least one friend on here. That one has been a little more timid so far.

Hey, I'm an old lady. I gotta get my kicks somehow.

PS: the friend has been on here since 2001, has over 10, 000 posts, and and empty profile.

I just got a post hidden for calling one of them out.

Their sick shit still stands.

We all make creative allegations about our past to feel better about who we are today. I think that one is very, very creative-- as Mil. Int. Personnel are more rational and objective than far, far too many of his posts...

That's something to say.

How do you distinguish between "bad cops" and "good cops" when they all seem to prop up the same corruption and injustice, even if simply by keeping quiet?

And who gets to judge them?

honorable republicans.

It's a sad, sad place we are in

I found the one good cop...


Now you have to find the one honorable republican.

- Here' ya go:


https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Susan_Eisenhower

http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/opinion/commentary/ct-shelia-simon-judy-baar-topinka-perspec-1211-20141210-story.html

wearing any police/sheriff uniform. These "cops" are thugs in uniform. This must be stopped and now. Otherwise, we will see American police over-taken by "Gestapo" style policing as a norm.

It's everywhere.

I agree they shouldn't be wearing the uniform. But I am beginning to believe that a person with heart and understanding would never get the job.

... those who fit their profile. And their uniforms should be brown shirts.

And that shirt is totally disgusting. Anyone that would wear it should be placed on an involuntary hold and given medical treatment at once.

... police system today in many places throughout the country.

The system DEMANDS obeisance or there will be consequences to that individual. The system is thoroughly corrupt in many, many places in the U.S.A.

At least at a local level. Didn't realize it had trickled down that far.

They are here on DU.

They're doing and acting exactly as they're told to do and exactly as they're trained to do.

That's the problem.

There really are no good cops and it's a good thing people are starting to realize that.

An odd choice of words seeing as how police departments are entirely socialistic: government owned and government run and taxpayer funded.

But I bet he wouldn't get that.

an openly avowed Democratic Socialist (elected for the party "Socialist Alternative&quot who will have some say-so over said cop's salary and benefits.

"Don't bite the hand that feeds you," comes to mind.

as socialism is not usually a hot button cop topic, is it?

He is a Rushbot participating in his weekly KKK meeting.He wouldn't know what a socialist was if one walked up and bit him on his fat unwashed ugly "union socialist" butt.
I live in Seattle and they really are Pigs.Never talk to them.They will use you to get promoted.Usually by beating you half to death and lying about it.

And he would have as well. Different world

His comment was "that shit would not fly here."

Now I don't live in a big city where the cops have contempt for the the populace, but it is never-the-less telling.

simply because they are actually part of the community they are policing. They know the folks in the community, even the bad ones. That makes a HUGE difference, IMO.

on the mentally ill, on the poor and on anyone at all that demands change.

You forgot that it's against anyone at all who just happens to be in their path.

I just wanted to mention for perspective, these are police in the USA. It does not include many successful peace officers in may other countries where deadly weapons are rare for the officers and deaths are even more rare for the public. The sickness, the madness, is here.... and a few other countries where sociopathic behavior has reigned for many years. The US has has just entered it's period of authoritarian police state control and dishonor in the last decade.

I agree with you but they get in the path of people of color.

We are in a police state. They protect the oligarchy.

Not the country I grew up in

All I've heard publicly so far just makes me think there is a huge problem in the police culture. All I've heard sounds like nothing but thugs and bullies who have each other's backs and consider us all expendable potential enemies. That's not who I want on my streets, and they certainly aren't protecting my freedom that way.

Retired officers are speaking up and even protesting. But I have not heard a single, current officer speak up. And it's too big for whispers to family and friends anymore.

said a few weeks ago that the Ferguson cops were basically bozos in their response to the rioting there. He seemed genuinely apalled.

Cops in Mass are basically OK, I think. Unfortunately that's not the case in most places.

Don't suppose you have a link?

Thanks for the information. That's important to know

http://wgbhnews.org/post/boston-police-commissioner-we-dont-show-anymore-sticks-and-helmets

I noticed he couldn't not say the people were armed in Ferguson. But everything else was good. First Police Chief I've heard say some of those things.

Thanks for sharing!

Everything needs to be understood knowing that he only got to where he got by being a certain kind of person. But within that context, I think he's quite good, e.g., my clunker of a post: http://www.democraticunderground.com/10025917848

Like Pope Francis.

.... The atmosphere is a bit like a boy's locker room. Thin blue line and all that shit.

How do we change it? How do we exorcise these secret club control mobs? How do we clean out the civilly impaired who have their war machines pointed at the innocent?

Think the protests are a good start

With the legal power to review each and every citizen complaint, hire, discipline and fire any police from the chief down to the rookie.

I think the lawyer count is too high; they tend to dominate. And the job shouldn't be made too easy to perform or it becomes another form of power control thus punitive. Maybe limited serving times like 6 months with a rolling turnover to keep the serving public from voting in cliques. Under such conditions, maybe full control of hiring, firing and discipline would have a chance to work. There could be a dangerous aspect to it though. Count me in.

My 2 cents. The idea is excellent.

A cop told a FL relative that the police are not here to protect you. Strange. I though that they had an oath to preserve and protect. There is heart rending news story about a cop helping a local woman now on DU's Group, GOOD NEWS (Group), in Forums and Groups. Steve mentioned it. Story was just posted Saturday. Highly recommend.~ I think the pervasive right wing media is where many get their ideas, and there isn't much to counter it because it's so huge, dominant. And there's much angst and insecurity now. This is not the country I grew up in for sure.

I will check the out the post in the morning. Have to get to bed.

Interesting that isn't the first time I have heard that line from a cop.

Thanks again

What about black people stating that their lives matter inspires you to reach for your firearm? Is it our unwillingness to be irrelevant? Our want and yearning to be free and heard? Is it our newfound strength in loving ourselves so threatening that your only response is to threaten our lives and our education? Philiip, just the other day you stated that our sisters at Cal Berkeley should not speak up about their right to live like any other American due to possible protests from tax paying cops. I guess when a human is taxed with having our skin complexion, one is only useful to you while we are on some sort of court or field, playing a jester, or singing…our lives are just here for your convenience, is that correct?

Sorry to disappoint you, White, but I for one do not have any desire to live to entertain you. My life does matter, and it is not in contingency with my appeasing you. Or your racist cop friends. The simple fact that tweeting a worldwide threat to those who are fighting for their right to live seemed like a proper response tells me that I might find a few civilian complaints on your record. How many “thugs” have you roughed up in your day? Tell me, was the crime “walking down the street while homeless”, or were there just too many black and brown people together at one time? Believe it or not, I know cops like you. I’ve watched them patrol the streets, kick little kids off of the bus because they felt like it, stand baffled when someone is not afraid of them. We have to pass the attitude test, right? Well, we’re sick of your attitude test. We’re sick of being tried after our murder. We’re sick of our lives being in jeopardy due to your lack of training, sociological stability, and distaste for our complexion.

Only crooked, distasteful and morally robbed police officers feel as if this is a war on cops. Contrary to your guilt ridden beliefs, this is not about revenge. This is about creating a safer environment, where you, Philip, will not be able to continue under the premise of protecting and serving our community while threatening your citizens who pay your salary because you don’t like how they practice their first amendment. And before you bring up looting and rioting, be sure to reflect on the jokes you tweeted about a “disco inferno”; be sure to separate the peaceful protesters who are arrested and the looters who magically have not been arrested. Your comments are distasteful, disgraceful, and a hindrance to your brothers in blue. As naïve as I would like to be, I know there are many in your position who share your sentiments; and they too should not be allowed to protect and serve with prejudice.

Philip White, it stops now. You will be our poster child of all things that we fight to change. Police brutality will stop now. The selection of who to protect and serve and who to demonize will stop now. The revolution will continue. It has not been televised; but as you have learned today, Philip, it will be tweeted.

http://www.siliconvalleydebug.org/articles/2014/12/14/open-letter-san-jose-police-officer-phillip-white-cop-who-threatened-protesters-and-mocked-icantbreathe

Are you quoting it or did you write it? Either way, I appreciate you sharing it.

Thanks for that.

But at this point, I don't know how much of one.

work was being appropriated by police (or others). Hemingway was not glorifying the hunting --or killing --of man. Like so much today--the quote is taken out of context.



..........They are wearing tshirts with horrible slogans, including a particularly disgusting Hemingway quote: .

But the way they are using it, disgusting is all that came to mind. The quote is correct. But I agree, Hemingway would be pissed.

after the Feds jumped down their throats. The news continues to report it and give them high praise for doing so, reinforcing it, which is OK by me. I would rather see them get high praise for doing their jobs correctly than have the carnage continue.

Then again, scuttlebutt has it that a cop with a nervous trigger finger "misfired" into the floor in an apartment complex here last night, hitting a man in the downstairs apartment. This was just a few blocks away from me, not a nice area but jeez Louise.

Cops are trying to hush it up. One news station (CBS) isn't complying.

I'm hoping this city is a test case and that the Feds will start taking on other PDs that are way out of control, like St. Louis, LA and NYC. Yes, it's a little better now, one cop fired for convenient lapses in lapel cam footage.

However, last night's incident is really, really troubling. Guns should only be drawn as a last resort.

I hope that the person hit is okay.

I agree we should celebrate brave actions by police. Unfortunately, it doesn't seem to happen like it used to. And the bad happens so much more often.

Chicago is horrible. I hope that they are looked at by the DOJ. Needs complete overhaul. I will say as bad as it is, it was worse.

Small, very violent city in flyover country, great test case.

Before the DOJ stepped in, the number of notches on the .38 handles was getting really alarming.

Not just for the sake of the citizens facing the abuse, but for the officers themselves. Why? Well...

If the police really can just murder us indiscriminately, and there is no civil recourse within the system... well, someone's going to seek recourse outside the system. It's inevitable. If this continues, someday sooner rather than later, a cop is going to get their head blown off. Then more, and more.

Placing the police outside the system of the law they are supposed to uphold endangers them as much as it endangers the rest of us, eventually.

I think that amazing restraint has been shown in many cases by protesters. If cops that kill unarmed citizens continue to get off, some people are going to blow. I don't want that to happen but I just think some people feel they have nothing left to lose.

was getting even. Turns out I was probably wrong but it will happen and sooner rather than later. You can't go around shooting children or other innocent people without eventually killing the son or brother or father, or even just a friend of someone that will not take no justice for an answer. They will be judge, jury, and executioner on the cop, just like the cop acted when they killed the relative or friend.

Cops and citizens alike.

Too early for me. Appreciate the clarification. And I agree.

But looking at your profile, I see that would be pointless.

Welcome to DU

There's another saying among police nowadays -

"Here to Protect and Serve Your Ass, Not Kiss It".

I see, so expecting you to perform your tax-paid duty to your citizenry you swore to protect within the compliance of the law and to police your . . . er . . . "bad apples" = "Kissing our Ass"??

That's a canyon leap in logic for sure.

I bet he can't wait to interpret something as a "threat" so he can show off his "masculinity."

What does that mean? Further, what does

"God given and law appointed" mean? It was my understanding the law and religion (in the U.S.) were separate, the First Amendment and all.

So he figured he could say whatever he wants.

Wondered if someone would mention that part of his statement. Thank you

http://ngordsatire.wordpress.com/introduction-to-satire-anthology/on-the-blue-water/

I hadn't read the essay prior to seeing the shirt. I was surprised it was a quote from Hemingway and had to find out how that was possible. I should have noted in the OP that it was a quote from his work and not something he said in conversation.

The word "certainly" gives the quote a more hyperbolic thrust. Deleting it makes the quote seem more straightforward.

Thanks for pointing it out.

I really do appreciate it.

http://rense.com/general37/char.htm

Fourteen Defining
Characteristics Of Fascism
By Dr. Lawrence Britt
Source Free Inquiry.co
5-28-3


Dr. Lawrence Britt has examined the fascist regimes of Hitler (Germany), Mussolini (Italy), Franco (Spain), Suharto (Indonesia) and several Latin American regimes. Britt found 14 defining characteristics common to each:

1. Powerful and Continuing Nationalism - Fascist regimes tend to make constant use of patriotic mottos, slogans, symbols, songs, and other paraphernalia. Flags are seen everywhere, as are flag symbols on clothing and in public displays.

2. Disdain for the Recognition of Human Rights - Because of fear of enemies and the need for security, the people in fascist regimes are persuaded that human rights can be ignored in certain cases because of "need." The people tend to look the other way or even approve of torture, summary executions, assassinations, long incarcerations of prisoners, etc.

3. Identification of Enemies/Scapegoats as a Unifying Cause - The people are rallied into a unifying patriotic frenzy over the need to eliminate a perceived common threat or foe: racial , ethnic or religious minorities; liberals; communists; socialists, terrorists, etc.

4. Supremacy of the Military - Even when there are widespread
domestic problems, the military is given a disproportionate amount of government funding, and the domestic agenda is neglected. Soldiers and military service are glamorized.

5. Rampant Sexism - The governments of fascist nations tend to be almost exclusively male-dominated. Under fascist regimes, traditional gender roles are made more rigid. Divorce, abortion and homosexuality are suppressed and the state is represented as the ultimate guardian of the family institution.

6. Controlled Mass Media - Sometimes to media is directly controlled by the government, but in other cases, the media is indirectly controlled by government regulation, or sympathetic media spokespeople and executives. Censorship, especially in war time, is very common.

7. Obsession with National Security - Fear is used as a motivational tool by the government over the masses.

8. Religion and Government are Intertwined - Governments in fascist nations tend to use the most common religion in the nation as a tool to manipulate public opinion. Religious rhetoric and terminology is common from government leaders, even when the major tenets of the religion are diametrically opposed to the government's policies or actions.

9. Corporate Power is Protected - The industrial and business aristocracy of a fascist nation often are the ones who put the government leaders into power, creating a mutually beneficial business/government relationship and power elite.

10. Labor Power is Suppressed - Because the organizing power of labor is the only real threat to a fascist government, labor unions are either eliminated entirely, or are severely suppressed.

11. Disdain for Intellectuals and the Arts - Fascist nations tend to promote and tolerate open hostility to higher education, and academia. It is not uncommon for professors and other academics to be censored or even arrested. Free expression in the arts and letters is openly attacked.

12. Obsession with Crime and Punishment - Under fascist regimes, the police are given almost limitless power to enforce laws. The people are often willing to overlook police abuses and even forego civil liberties in the name of patriotism. There is often a national police force with virtually unlimited power in fascist nations.

13. Rampant Cronyism and Corruption - Fascist regimes almost always are governed by groups of friends and associates who appoint each other to government positions and use governmental power and authority to protect their friends from accountability. It is not uncommon in fascist regimes for national resources and even treasures to be appropriated or even outright stolen by government leaders.

14. Fraudulent Elections - Sometimes elections in fascist nations are a complete sham. Other times elections are manipulated by smear campaigns against or even assassination of opposition candidates, use of legislation to control voting numbers or political district boundaries, and manipulation of the media. Fascist nations also typically use their judiciaries to manipulate or control elections.

It was almost 30 years ago that I started noticing these things becoming more commonplace. The ebb and tide of each changing through the years. Until dubya. Then each grew stronger daily. Remember when we talked about the RWNJs stealing the flag? That was just a small symptom.

And now, with the systematic killings and jailing of people of color and the mentally ill, along with the need to ignore the reality of our torturous past, pretending it is all in the past, we are there. We are at the other side of the mountain beginning our fall.

Thanks for posting this. Everyone should read it.

It is the plan. How much worse can things get? IMHO, much worse.

I made the decision not to bring children into this world. I can't fathom what is going to happen but I know it can be beyond my worst nightmare

Twin grand babies not quite 1 year old. So much joy and so much worry. Especially now.

Though, in the general population they'll be ignored. I've been sharing them for years, but most people are far more concerned about the rampant "Socialism" in America. Their views guided by the ever-present corporate media agenda.

none (or at least some) of it is not happening, and "the fact that you are posting here PROVES we are not in a fascist state"

the moment. My point is that enough of them are true enough to be of concern. At what point would Hitler's actions have become a concern? Only when he fully exhibited every single aspect of his heinousness?

I believe we need to be concerned with the fact that so much of that list describes this country and the direction we seem to be heading.

White out conditions.

With a meathook.

Goons, bullies, psychopaths and worse. That is what makes up modern police department.

If there is a department in the country that exists totally free from all of those. Beginning to doubt it. No more Sheriff Taylors that is for sure

But appreciative of their tactics!


Do I need the sarcasm thing?

next----

EVEN IF YOU ARE CALM AS A CORPSE.

in this country. If they are gonna hide behind laws to protect themselves it is soon going to be changed.

Love it!

had been posted by a black private citizen.

But only after arrest. That's someone they would want to beat.