244 Comments
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BillEGoatSmirk's avatar

That sounds just like a question I had on the LSAT 30+ years ago!

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puredog's avatar

My sense of "defund the police" is not that it would cut their budgets, as such, but rather re-allocate the money and re-define what the "police's" mission is. But they probably see it differently.

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Vagenda and Pee-ara's avatar

I'd say it was very COWardly of Bill Barr to try to unmask a clandestine cow account.

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BillEGoatSmirk's avatar

The sleepy time doesn't kick in right away. But later tonight and tomorrow, make sure you've got a bed or a couch handy.

Hooray!

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GH Swell's avatar

The way to fix them would be to rebuild the police force with new extended training, culling of curricular and extracurricular courses that teach improper methods, some standards screening out the racists and the people who are there for the violence. Screen out leaders in the union and in policing who promote the current policies and culture. Realistically it’s a problem years in the fixing, but kneecapping some of the undue freedumbs the union has gotten for its members would be a good idea.

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Seek's avatar

They already are and no one much cares.

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Aline Kuntz's avatar

Late to the party here. Great post ( yet again) SER

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Shartiblartfat's avatar

Here's a thought experiment. Imagine you're out walking and you happen upon a seemingly unconscious cop, proned out on the sidewalk. What do you do? Call it in? Hard to do anonymously if you're on a cell phone. Let's say, in spite of second thoughts, you decide to call it in. When that cop's friends show up, what happens to you? I am guessing you will be sitting in the back of a squad car; unless you're Black, in which case you may be detained...or if you are seriously unlucky, you'll be in custody. Should have walked away then, huh?

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Shartiblartfat's avatar

Our local heat need at least a two-year associate degree, plus cop training, and there are, not amazingly, VERY few complaints.

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Edith Prickly's Clone's avatar

Go, Rep. Demings! Crush that sanctimonious invertebrate with votes.

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Shananigan's avatar

Dok is clearly enjoying not having to say “allegedly” regarding Chauvin anymore.

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DO SOMETHING! Linda's avatar

I'd like to think I'd help anyone in trouble, but it's sad that one should consider the consequence, first.

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Jay Hansen (I.C.E.B.U.R.G.)'s avatar

Ever seen a contingent from the police union march in solidarity with a strike? Me too, neither. When my workplace worked without a contract the company's armed guards were off-duty cops. Police Unions: the antiunion unions.

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Aunt PithyPat's avatar

And make it take more than half a brain.

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Aline Kuntz's avatar

Sadly, I have given up all hope of police reform in my city. This is not solely because of the cops’ abhorrent behavior over the past year, or their long history of racism here, but also because the police union has actively undermined the will of the voters. Last November, a measure was passed by an overwhelming majority that would have at least been a first step toward police reform. The union not only fought it after it was passed but subsequently conducted a disgusting smear campaign against the (Black, female) city council member who championed the measure.Surprise, surprise...

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Desperate Ambrose's avatar

"The standards should've always been higher for law enforcement."

Nuh-uh! Those heroes put their lives on the line for us every day! Do you have any idea how unhealthy doughnuts are?!?!

Levity aside, the military can't unionize; why should cops be able to?

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