Posted by Thom_Fowler at pool0291.cvx4-bradley.dialup.earthlink.net on September 18, 2003 at 04:31:24:
In Reply to: I'd let it go. posted by amanda22 on September 18, 2003 at 03:47:16:
I just thinking hypothetically.
I know those guys were just doing their job and I told them so because the officer in the car started to feel really bad that they were giving me such harsh roadside treatment the longer we chatted and I wanted to let him off the hook, emotionally speaking.
But at the same time, I thought, "What can I do with this situation to protect the person who comes after me?"
I don't think I need to press the issue but I wondered what other people think about the idea of turning a blind eye when someone's rights are violated, regardless of the circumstances.
I mean, I know that I got away easy, but the price I had to pay was a temporary suspension of my legal protections. I felt violated afterwards and totally unsafe. I thought that it set a dangerous precedence. What would stop them from stopping anyone, for any reason and doing whatever they want with that person?
I don't think that the two officers, who were younger than me, would go around abusing people like that, but it was demonstrated to me that the potential for that is very real.
It's kinda like Driving While Black ...