We are rattling some feathers!

[rearguard]

I disagree. I believe that it is better for them to confront the beast now, so that if they run into trouble "driving", I could be there to help them navigate "Legalland". That way, when they come of age, they will be better prepared to handle BB in a matter befitting a sovereign. The right way!!

Interesting point. The government does not teach how to protect your basic rights in school, so it is up to the parents to do this for themselves. Education should be 100% up to the parents anyway, shame on those who throw their kids minds away to government edcation camps.

Now think of getting arrested at 12 as a field trip, or a lab experiment.

As a child I can remember being taught to fear the cops under the guise of "respecting authority". F#$k 'em. My kid will be taught to respect himself and others around him, his rights as a free man, and to think for himself. He'll be taught that a cop is nothing but a glorified government employee with a gun, and is therefore no more and no less deserving of respect than any other man.

[EnSabahNur]

Originally Posted by rearguard

As a child I can remember being taught to fear the cops under the guise of "respecting authority". F#$k 'em. My kid will be taught to respect himself and others around him, his rights as a free man, and to think for himself. He'll be taught that a cop is nothing but a glorified government employee with a gun, and is therefore no more and no less deserving of respect than any other man.

And that is exactly how we are going to fix our countries.

[seeker]

Interesting .. I remember one particular time I was sitting in the copshop with my son, and we were discussing a particular incident with the sargent who just happened to also be a friend of mine. We had gone there to file a complaint against an officer. My friend, being the 'senior' officer on duty, was responsible for "intervention" I guess. As we sat discussing the incident, my son related that he felt the officer in question had acted inappropriately and had displayed a decided lack of respect for him as an individual, and that after we had discussed it, we agreed that some type of action was warranted, hence our apprearance at the copshop. Officer friend said to my son, "I've know you for most of your life. Have I ever treated you without respect?" My son, a very mature perhaps 12-15 at the time, looked squarely at him and replied, "No, you haven't, and I appreciate that and return that respect to you. However, quite frankly, sir, you are the exception to the rule among your colleagues here."
My point to him was exactly as we have referenced in this thread, I had always been taught and passed on to my children that law enforcement were there to protect us and that they deserved respect and coperation, but that I certainly no longer felt that way and would not be instructing any grandchildren that way. In my opinion, law enforcement officials had deteriorated to the point of bullies; powerhappy, inconsiderate, egotistically, and trigger happy. Not to be unquestionably trusted any longer. The days of Officer Neighbor have long sinced past and the police state is alive and well.

My son pointed out that respect was earned, not commanded and that it should be regarded as a two-way street -- mutual respect is expected, but not mandatory.

JMHO.

Seeker