Pulled over for flashing lights? POLICE STATE!

[TackleTheWorld]

Many things about Mike Barskey's recent pullover prove the existence of a police state. 
1.   If there weren't so many police, there would be none to see Mike flash his lights.  He ended up signaling the presence of a cop to another cop.
2.   If the laws and/or enforcers were not so micromanaging, a law against flashing your lights would not exist.  Driving for a fraction of a second without lights is not dangerous. 
3.   If police were our heroes and protectors, Mike would not be warning people of their presence.  There would not be warning signals for police at all, they would shine their soothing blue light (not the jarring strobes they have now) continuously, like a taxi, ready to be flagged down by people who need help. 
4.   If the police cared about safety, he would ask if Mike's headlights were flickering randomly. If the driver says, "No, I turned them off on purpose", the policeman would sigh in relief glad no unfortunate traveler was burdened with a dangerous malfunction.  If the driver says yes, he would guide him to his destination. 
5.   If police wanted to help people, they would act as taxi drivers, paramedics, or mechanics, not a sadistic big brother taking your lunch money and free time and screwing with your brain. 

[Toadstool]

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[Pat McCotter]

Encounters 1 & 2 were not acceptable. Encounter 3 meets Tackle's definition of what police should be like.

[Mike Barskey]

Many things about Mike Barskey's recent pullover prove the existence of a police state.  
1.   If there weren't so many police, there would be none to see Mike flash his lights.  He ended up signaling the presence of a cop to another cop.
2.   If the laws and/or enforcers were not so micromanaging, a law against flashing your lights would not exist.  Driving for a fraction of a second without lights is not dangerous.  
3.   If police were our heroes and protectors, Mike would not be warning people of their presence.  There would not be warning signals for police at all, they would shine their soothing blue light (not the jarring strobes they have now) continuously, like a taxi, ready to be flagged down by people who need help.  
4.   If the police cared about safety, he would ask if Mike's headlights were flickering randomly. If the driver says, "No, I turned them off on purpose", the policeman would sigh in relief glad no unfortunate traveler was burdened with a dangerous malfunction.  If the driver says yes, he would guide him to his destination.  
5.   If police wanted to help people, they would act as taxi drivers, paramedics, or mechanics, not a sadistic big brother taking your lunch money and free time and screwing with your brain.  

1. True. And sad.
2. True.
3. Good insight, especially about the jarring nature of their current existence and the soothing possibilities.
4. Brilliant.
5. Good point. Good evidence that they almost never want to help - just interfere enough to demand some money for the govt.

Great post and good points, Tackle.


[/list]

[Ogre]

Indeed, excellent points. They were hammered home just a short time ago.

I was driving to Wally World to pick up a few things. On the way, I saw where a State Trooper had pulled someone over. It was in a turn where I had to drive slow, so I got a good look at the solo Trooper, sitting in his car, looking at his computer and the young-looking fellow in the lowered pickup truck. Sadly, my very first thought was, "Maybe I should stop and help this guy." (Meaning the fellow pulled over, of course).

My very next thought was, "How in the world could I help him?" What could I do, ask if he needs help, and if he says yes, who do I call? I could picture walking up to the open window and saying, "Hey, I see that guy with a gun has stopped you, you need any help?" I might or might not get the whole statement out before the State Trooper would be on me, gun drawn. And how in the world could I help the guy?

That's when I realized the best way I can help is to do what I've been wanting to for awhile -- charge up the camera batteries and keep my mini digi-cam with me simply everywhere I go. The only way I could have helped would be to sit back a respective distance and start filming. If there was nothing dangerous going on, I would likely be left alone. I'm sure some cops would not like me doing that, but its the only thing I can think of as a way to help people in this, yes, police state where we now live.

[EthanLeeVita]

While I agree overall, I think three is a bit of circular reasoning. We believe cops(the system) is unaccountable, inefficient, unethical, tyrannical, and easily subject to abuse and corruption(hence, not protectors and saviors). Therefore, we warn others when cops are around. Because we warn people, cops are not our protectors and saviors.

[Russell Kanning]

good snap back to reality

paramedics are controlled by the state too and often do stuff to you that you didn't want

[AntonLee]

what do you mean by controlled?  Do they work for the state or are you referencing their licensing system and training and the like?

I know in MA, there's a lot of ambulance paramedics that don't work for the state.  There are plenty who are firefighters as well, so they're double bureaucrats.  I don't mind paramedics as much.  Still paid by the state = bad deal, however.

[Lloyd Danforth]

Encounters 1 & 2 were not acceptable. Encounter 3 meets Tackle's definition of what police should be like.

Except for the part where he is a parasite, paid with stolen money, patrolling the roads looking for victims.

[Kat Kanning]

My mom likes to argue with me that we need police to protect us from bad guys.  I asked her if she feels comforted or scared when they pull up behind her on the highway.  I didn't exactly convince her, but she said I had a point.

[Lloyd Danforth]

Yeah!  You may feel uncomfortable around....say...a dentist but, dentists down pull you over when you are driving.

[Kat Kanning]

Or do this

[Tim L]

I'm a little slow.Is it against the law to flash lights to warn others? I've done it for years.

[jeremy2141]

I believe the supreme court answered this question a few years ago.  Flashing your lights is constitutionaly protected free speech.  I can't quote the source or case. 
Turning your lights off while driving at night isn't.