An Email from a Cop

I got this a few days ago from a cop in Alabama in response to my " A Run In With The Law " article and thought with the recent shooting of an innocent man in North Alabama now would be a good time to publicly respond.

From JCinAlabama

I seriously doubt your political affiliation had any weight in the matter. I'm a police officer and find your remarks about the police pretty offensive. The "macho-machines" you were referring to are not selected by the officers but the city of Hoover. And all those oppressive tools you mention are also provided for their safety and yours. It's unfortunate someone as ignorant as yourself can't put yourself in their shoes and appreciate their sacrifice. But I do love that you parade your stupidity and don't hide it like most politicians. Thanks for all the help. Oh and the next time you're being assaulted or feel unsafe in any way...call another liberal minded individual like yourself for backup and I'll speak at your Eulogy.

Please note that I am responding publicly because JCinAlabama did not leave his email address for me to respond privately.

We'll start from the top.

JCinALabama said, "I seriously doubt your political affiliation had any weight in the matter."

You'll notice that he does not offer any other possible explanation for the sudden release of me and my comrades. Also, it isn't as though I was the one who announced my political ties it was the police dispatch who pointed it out. So, JC, you being a cop and all, please tell us the reason for the sudden release. We're all real interested.

I'm a police officer and find your remarks about the police pretty offensive.

No big surprise there JC. Any challenge of police authority is strongly frowned upon in today's police state climate. Please remember that this is America and I can make remarks that you find offensive and it is not against the law. So many police officers seem to have conveniently forgotten that bothersome little fact.

I work in drug policy and prison reform so let me give you a little "Why People Don't like Cops 101."

Drug laws breed contempt for law enforcement for a variety of reasons like the following. The laws are not applied equally. They provide incentives for corruption. It is widely known that some who wear the blue uniform take drugs from one dealer and give them to another for a cut of the profits. And if your Byrne grant (or Vaterland grant) amount is based on how many drug arrests you make then all you have to do to meet your quota is grab some stash from the evidence room and plant it on some poor black or hispanic person and Viola' you get a guv-ment check. That means you don't really work for us (the people of your community) but for the feds in Washington D.C. and I, personally, find that pretty damn offensive.

The "macho-machines" you were referring to are not selected by the officers but the city of Hoover.

OK. But do you really need three with 'lights-a-blazin' for a routine traffic stop involving a non-moving violation? Would one or perhaps two not have sufficed for that purpose? And why all the flashing lights? One SUV with lights flashing would have been plenty.

And all those oppressive tools you mention are also provided for their safety and yours.

Now, I gotta laugh at that one. Their safety maybe..but certainly not mine. JC how safe did your oppressive tools keep these American citizens and police officers? No very safe, eh?

It's unfortunate someone as ignorant as yourself can't put yourself in their shoes and appreciate their sacrifice.

Well, I guess I am just not ignorant enough to step into those shoes. Thank (insert deity here). I want you to know JC that I do respect police officers and I know that they have a very difficult job. I find that when I am able to speak with them in person 9 times out of 10 they agree with what I have to say.

Just recently I spoke in Tuskegee at a candidates forum where the incumbent Sheriff and Police Chief AGREED with me on drug policy and prison reform. You might also check out LEAP which stands for Law Enforcement Against Prohibition. I believe that the drug laws put police officers in more danger than is necessary and that scarce resources are wasted fighting a war that can only be waged and not won.

But I do love that you parade your stupidity and don't hide it like most politicians.

What you see as "stupidity" most others see as unvarnished truth. Of course, the truth sounds stupid to you because it threatens your job security.

Thanks for all the help. Oh and the next time you're being assaulted or feel unsafe in any way...call another liberal minded individual like yourself for backup and I'll speak at your Eulogy.

The only time I have felt unsafe since I reached adulthood is when the cops kicked in my door and tried to haul off my kids because I wrote a letter to the editor of the Birmingham News disagreeing with marijuana laws. Quite frankly, JC , the cops are the only ones who make me feel really unsafe and that makes me angry. I do not pay your salary so that I can live in fear of you. Somehow, that is just UNAMERICAN.

Additionally, here is the definition of the word(s) 'liberal' and 'liberalism' for your future reference. It is painfully obvious that you have NO CLUE what they mean. So, don't say I never helped you.

Please remember that some liberals also carry guns and are quite capable of protecting themselves.

Have a nice day officer!

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