In the land of the free...
May. 24th, 2004 06:31 am![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
drcuriosityRight. This is a somewhat long-winded post that contains political/legal system/law enforcement commentary. But it's 6:20am, and I've got too much thinking in my head. Read away, or scroll down past it if you'd rather. Comments, flames, etc...
New Zealand has some crime issues, and some issues within its police force. There have been a number of high profile cases recently where police officers have been seen to be doing Bad Things by some of the public and especially by the media. Said cases are important, and we should indeed strive to reduce the amount of Bad Things happening both in law enforcement and in the wider community. I think you'd find that most cops would agree with you there, believe it or not.
However.
While we concern ourselves in New Zealand with a police officer shooting a man approaching him with deadly weapons who may or may not have been trying to kill him, or an Armed Offenders Squad member hitting an elderly jaywalking pedestrian at midnight when rushing to a call... there are far, far worse things that could be happening in our law enforcement, and in our legal systems. Here's an interesting tale from a Canadian who was resident in the good ol' Benighted States of America. [Link courtesy of![[livejournal.com profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/external/lj-userinfo.gif)
nnnslogan.] The guy did a bad thing, certainly, but that kind of systematic abuse of power... it's sickening. And in no way am I implying that this is what happens every time - but to my eyes, it's enough. More than enough.
Our little backwater here in the South Pacific may have its Issues™ from time to time, but there are other places in the world that have Subscriptions™ - new Issues™ seem to turn up on a monthly or even weekly basis. While I like the concepts that America nominally stands for, and I've liked most of the Americans who I've met personally (even some of the homeless people panhandling at me in San Francisco) - I suspect any plans I may have previously had for emigrating there are something of a memory, and one that's receding more and more quickly as the months pass, nowadays.
I may still want to visit you guys again some day. As long as my love of truth, liberty and freedom doesn't get me branded as a dangerous subversive and denied entry. Best of luck for getting something healthy and sensible out of the next elections. I fear you may need it.
New Zealand has some crime issues, and some issues within its police force. There have been a number of high profile cases recently where police officers have been seen to be doing Bad Things by some of the public and especially by the media. Said cases are important, and we should indeed strive to reduce the amount of Bad Things happening both in law enforcement and in the wider community. I think you'd find that most cops would agree with you there, believe it or not.
However.
While we concern ourselves in New Zealand with a police officer shooting a man approaching him with deadly weapons who may or may not have been trying to kill him, or an Armed Offenders Squad member hitting an elderly jaywalking pedestrian at midnight when rushing to a call... there are far, far worse things that could be happening in our law enforcement, and in our legal systems. Here's an interesting tale from a Canadian who was resident in the good ol' Benighted States of America. [Link courtesy of
nnnslogan.] The guy did a bad thing, certainly, but that kind of systematic abuse of power... it's sickening. And in no way am I implying that this is what happens every time - but to my eyes, it's enough. More than enough.Our little backwater here in the South Pacific may have its Issues™ from time to time, but there are other places in the world that have Subscriptions™ - new Issues™ seem to turn up on a monthly or even weekly basis. While I like the concepts that America nominally stands for, and I've liked most of the Americans who I've met personally (even some of the homeless people panhandling at me in San Francisco) - I suspect any plans I may have previously had for emigrating there are something of a memory, and one that's receding more and more quickly as the months pass, nowadays.
I may still want to visit you guys again some day. As long as my love of truth, liberty and freedom doesn't get me branded as a dangerous subversive and denied entry. Best of luck for getting something healthy and sensible out of the next elections. I fear you may need it.
no subject
Date: 2004-05-25 01:39 am (UTC)While the fact that we're knee-deep in shit rather than neck-deep is a small comfort, I'd still far rather we had no shit at all. Worrying about the "little" things is important, because it lessens that chance of having "big" things to worry about later. Nothing is trivial.