Topic: Speeder has gun pulled on him.

[ornj]

That kind of manipulation of the law by those who are charged with upholding the letter of the law makes me feel like I'm living in "1984". 

way off topic, but how does "1984" compare to "Fahrenheit 451" and "a brave new world". the fact that i haven't read "1984" kinda bugs me

It's my personal opinion, of course, but Orwell wrote in a much more close-to-reality style than Huxley and Bradbury.  While they all wrote about possible outcomes of the way things were currently going in society, Orwell's version has always seemed much more like a prediction/warning based on history rather than fiction based on fear of worst-case scenarios. 

I don't even know you, but I'm surprised to find out you haven't read "1984".  Not only is it an amazing piece of literature, but it's a frighteningly accurate diagram of the way things have been going for the past several decades. 

Continuing the off topic literary discussion... I would say many of Huxley's predictions have also come true. Some examples: People have such an unparalleled access to information that they either don't care any more or they can't be bothered to recognize when they are being lied to. Many people do not understand how to have fun without buying something. You can masturbate to Internet porn whenever you want, wherever you want.

[Gordon]

Very true.  I'm a fan of all three of these authors, but Orwell's stories and writing style have just always seemed more real to me, and because of that, more frightening. 

[ofreen]

... The judge ruled that Maryland's wire tap law allows recording of both voice and sound in areas where privacy cannot be expected. He ruled that a police officer on a traffic stop has no expectation of privacy.

"Those of us who are public officials and are entrusted with the power of the state are ultimately accountable to the public," the judge wrote. "When we exercise that power in public fora, we should not expect our actions to be shielded from public observation."

I'd like to shake that judge's hand.  Beautiful.

[BobbyR]

Hi gang.This topic sure has suffered from a broken rev limiter.I have no time for squids,they give all motorbikers a bad name.I also fear greatly encountering a bad copper.Having watched many a "Cops" episode though,it seems to me that when you are finally stopped,out come the guns until the runner is under control.It must be normal procedure,no?I had a gun pulled on me in a traffic stop once and it scared the hell out of me;I wasn't running and he was in uniform.I was speeding on I-5 in rural Oregon in the middle of the night.At home here in Ontario when pulled over I would always get out of my car and go back to meet the officer.I always felt this show of respect along with some generous ass kissing might buy me a break!Quite often it worked!Anyway,on this desolate stretch of Oregon road,in the middle of the night,as I opened the door and started to get out,I was met with a gun pointed at me.I just about had a heart attack on the spot.After things calmed down,the officer told me how "things are different down here,we get shot all the time."I completely understood his actions.We had a nice chat for a few minutes,he gave me the invoice,and I was on my way.This topic just brought back some memories for me and really adds nothing to the previous discourse.May I just sign off with this however;we should hope and demand that those entrusted to carry a gun to enforce the law be well trained and level headed,but they are human and if we antagonize them with our mouth or our actions,don't expect a pleasant encounter.        Rock On

The two most dangerous calls a cop can have is s domestic dispute and traffic stops. While I was trying to find my way back into civilian life, I was a highway patrolman hired as a Pilot, but they were too cheap to run the copter very often. Anyway, you do not let the driver exit the vehicle, you approach the vehicle in way the driver will have to turn all the way around to take a shot at you which takes time. When you speak to the driver you keep your body behind the door crease so they can't whack you with the door. It is nerve racking to stop cars at night on lonely roads and I can understand guys getting jumpy. Interestily enough rural cops are injured and killed more often then in a City like NY.

I tell my kid and my friends the best thing to do on a night stop is roll down the window, shut off the car, turn on the flashers and interior lights and have both hands on the wheel. This relaxes the cop and you may have an easier time getting a break.

It was not the most dangerous job I ever had. After 2 years it was sort of like groundhog day, so I went into private industry. Since I was certified, I worked part time for a local PD and it helped me make the mortgage payments. Yes, I did pull a gun on a few people, and no shots were fired.