Ricki Yasha TarrSep 17, 2024

I'm going to say something unpopular, and if you really don't like it, that's fine, you can block me. I understand.

Just because someone is a cop or served in the military doesn't make them a bad guy. It is illogical to assume that just because someone ends up working in a corrupt system that they are corrupt. There are a million reasons people can work a job. This is akin to telling someone who works in a retail store that they are a responsible for Unregulated Capitalism. Believe me, we want decent people in these places. Police and military aren't going to disappear just because we don't like it. Creating enemies of people, because of circumstances is not only a shit thing to do, it polarizes people against our goals. We remember the people are kind to us. Yes, the system is broken and corrupt, but so are most systems, treating people poorly isn't the answer.

Show threadThomas Franklin William ArnoldSep 17, 2024
@RickiTarr I don't automatically assume all cops are bad, but I do keep in mind that they absolutely *might* be, until I can gauge them. And this is coming from a straight white guy, so I completely understand why people who might be victimized by police are immediately suspicious. But I agree, there are good people who become cops, and we need that.
Show threadRicki Yasha TarrSep 17, 2024
@Tom Oh definitely, I try to judge on a person by person basis, but I certainly am wary.
Show threadThomas Franklin William ArnoldSep 17, 2024

@RickiTarr And you know who I blame for that? The police unions. They're the ones who won't let bad cops get fired.

And so they stay on the force, with no accountability, no consequences, and gravitate towards other people who have no business being cops.

And when they realize they can do whatever they want to whomever they want, they *do it*. If bad cops could simply be fired, things would be a million times better. Those people would still be asshole abusers, but they wouldn't have power.

Show threadKarin!Sep 17, 2024
@Tom @RickiTarr in my town the good cops are systematically being pushed out. Anyone that exposes any kind of bad behavior by cops is let go shortly after
Show threadThomas Franklin William ArnoldSep 17, 2024
@nirak @RickiTarr Ah yes, the fabled Thin Blue Line. Worried more about protecting even the worst cops than the citizens they take an oath to "protect and serve".
Show threadKaren StrickholmSep 17, 2024
@Tom @nirak @RickiTarr That can be a problem in a m7ltitude of organizations. The same problem can be found in certain schools, hospitals etc.
Show threadProfessor_StevensSep 17, 2024

@KarenStrickholm @Tom @nirak @RickiTarr

That may be, but you can't be arrested, jailed, or subjected to "necessary" force with a club by a nurse or a teacher.

Show threadKaren Strickholm
@Professor_Stevens @Tom @nirak @RickiTarr You can be neglected. Verbally and emotionally abused. The point is that strained organizations are poorly functioning organizations. Surely you can see that.
Sep 17, 2024 at 10:54pmWeb
Show threadProfessor_StevensSep 18, 2024

@KarenStrickholm @Tom @nirak @RickiTarr

Please don't talk down to me.

Characterizing police corruption as a result of "strain" to the inability of schools and hospitals to meet the needs of students and patients is a way of making that corruption excusable. It is not excusable.

Show threadKaren StrickholmSep 18, 2024

@Professor_Stevens @Tom @nirak @RickiTarr

You are warping my words and meaning intentionally. Further, instead of engaging in productive exploratory conversation about the problem of police brutality, you have chosen instead to be argumentative and obnoxious. You have earned the indubitable honor of being the first person I am blocking here. There is a place called X, calling your name. Ta-ta.

Show threadProfessor_StevensSep 18, 2024

@[email protected] @Tom @nirak @RickiTarr

Wow. What a touchy person.