The NYPD killed a guy in my neighborhood last night.

Ugh, what a mess that whole case is. I've been following it closely because it's very disturbing- it's the same realm of all the people who were arrested under false pretenses during the Republican National Convention back in... what was that, 2004, 2005? The overreach of power, and the violent element of this case and the element of a possible cover-up is very, very disturbing to me.

Police union chief Patrick Lynch urged the public to withhold judgment until all the facts are in. "We have earned the benefit of a doubt with our blood and sacrifice," Lynch said.

Well, no, not really, sorry, not in this case. Maybe I'll give somebody the benefit of the doubt when it's explained in a way that makes sense how the alleged victim managed to internally injure himself.

Maybe I'll give somebody the benefit of the doubt when it's explained in a way that makes sense how the alleged victim managed to internally injure himself.

You know how they're going to spin that one, right? Or have they already?

I am having a moment of major cognative dissonance here.

I mean, what can gay cops in NYC be thinking, now? They have to go with the union, but in this case, the union seems to support some pretty ugly stuff.

As a gay, I find that cognitive dissonance to be quite familiar. It's difficult to balance being out and the acceptance level of others. Much of the time I find it a lot like dealing with pubescent children. Unfortunately, those children are supposed to our advocates and coworkers. It's easy to understand why some men never come out.

Quite truthfully, I hope not to offend anyone here, but I have an inherent mistrust and dislike of cops. I'm sure the vast majority are very nice, normal people. But the ones who stand out are the ones that just fuck with people for their own amusement and to boost their inflated sense of power. Thus, I want nothing to do with them and their ilk.

I was just thinking about the cop who was videotaped stepping out into the street and shoving a cyclist off his bike during a Critical Mass ride in NYC. I think it was sometime earlier this year. Even that infuriates me, because it's just another example of a cop who thinks they're above the fucking law.

I asked a cop once if he was allowed to idle his car -- it was parked and empty, he was nowhere near it, and it was July in Toronto, where there are laws against idling your car due to smog. He screamed at me to mind my own fucking business. I could still hear him screaming at me at the end of the block.

For shorthand I usually just say I hate cops.

Again, I'm sure many of them are lovely people.

Oh, and as for what TPS quoted: you haven't earned SHIT, you assholes.

loiseau, I'm not going to argue with you (and for the record, I'll say that if these allegations are proven true, they are disgraceful and I hope the officers responsible lose their badges and do some time), I'll merely mention that 5 years ago, I was seriously considering joining the NYPD, but then I got my kidney stones and by the time that was sorted out, I was past the cutoff age (34). I'd also recommend reading Blue Blood, written by a Harvard educated, third-generation law enforcement officer.

Joseph Wambaugh is another good writer.

Do some time? They should hang themselves!! They raped a guy with a baton!! WHAT THE FUCK!

They should hang themselves!!

I thought lynch-mob justice was a bad thing, Firas.

Days like today make me so mad at "justice". What has happened to us?

This is also making me feel depressed.

What is happening with the world? Where has common sense gone?

I've said it before and I'll say it again, this quote from Dr. King is making more and more sense as the days roll by.

"Nothing in all the world is more dangerous than sincere ignorance and conscientious stupidity."

I've said it before and I'll say it again, this quote from Dr. King is making more and more sense as the days roll by.

"Nothing in all the world is more dangerous than sincere ignorance and conscientious stupidity."

Palabra.

Indeed.

I've never met a cop who wasn't a strong advocate of gun control - for the rest of us.