Reply #43: Actually I agree that the abuses are too frequent...any amount are unacceptable

[DWilliamsamh]

I am just making the point that the generalized hatred and flame throwing at all cops everywhere is not actually justified by the actual numbers of abuse among law enforcement. My ONLY point is that the vast majority of cops do not engage in such abuses and do not cover these things up - no matter what NYPD Blue or Law and Order makes it look like. The sensationalism has fueled an unwarranted level of hatred of the police - in much the same way the sensationalism of military abuses during the Vietnam era fueled an unwarranted hatred of the military that we are still living with to this day.

All that having been said - I AGREE that abuse by cops (especially the escalating unwarranted use of tazers in completely lazy even sadistic ways) has GOT to be addressed and I rail against such abuses as much as the next guy. I just don't generalize my anger to all of law enforcement. I am only urging some reasoned restraint.