[officemonkey]

I start with the assumption that "All Cops Are Bastards." It may be prejudicial, but it makes me think before I do anything that anyone could mistake for criminal activity.

If this makes the "cops who care" uncomfortable, they should put the blame squarely on the "cops who don't care" not on me.

[sarciszewski]

This sort of assumption is prejudicial, but it's the sort of cynicism that leads to erring on the side of caution and making sure your rights are respected. You can't trust most people, cops are no exception. In that regard, it might be viewed as pragmatic.

[thanksgiving]

I am sorry you're getting downvoted but this is absolutely right. Remember to never talk to the police. This sounds a little sarcastic but I promise you that it is not. Never, ever "help" the police, even if you are not a suspect.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6wXkI4t7nuc

The police do not have a duty to protect you [nytimes]. Why do you have a duty to help them?

[nytimes] http://www.nytimes.com/2005/06/28/politics/28scotus.html

(If you intend to downvote, please kindly leave a note as to why I am wrong.)

[npizzolato]

Thank you for posting those links. While the video is long, any US citizen would do well to make the time to watch it.

[sarciszewski]

I don't even know why that one got downvoted to oblivion.

[iwouldwager]

I would wager that it was this bit:

"it's the sort of cynicism that leads to [...] making sure your rights are respected"

[sarciszewski]

Er, okay, what's wrong with that statement?

[iwouldwager]

What you describe is doing everything you can in order to try to avoid a situation in which you might be required to flex your rights. How can you describe it as a strategy for "making sure your rights are respected"? It is on its face an attempt to make the question of whether you have rights or not a no-impact detail.

[npizzolato]

It's a sad day when advice to be pragmatic is downvoted. Sure, I shouldn't have to be extra careful when talking to police officers because they should have a duty to protect innocent citizens. But I only get one life, so I'm going to to, just as I'm going to watch for people running red lights when crossing the street and staying in safe, lit areas when walking home alone at night.