I'm trying to pass the buck? Really? You think I would continue to attempt to defend any actions and be subjected to the idiocy that is rampant in this thread if I thought I was passing the buck?
There are two sides to this coin. You either ignore the greater problem (the politicians) and continue the ignorance of blaming LE on everything wrong. Or you see the greater problem is the fact the powers that LE have are derived from politicians. And by proxy, the people in the end. And if the people aren't demanding answers or reform from the politicians, what will change?
Exactly nothing. So you think I'm passing the buck onto the politicians? The buck stops right at the people my friend. The people that continue to elect those same politicians and judges that reduce their Constitutional Rights. The people allow their elected officials that in turn allow the local LE to get away with some of the things they do. You think I'm passing the buck? You're just as guilty as you think I am in the end. I'm a child? You're also a child that allows it to happen in the first place by continuing to elect officials and judges that perpetuate the problem.
Next you'll say I'm complicit with the behavior since I must agree with it. And like it or not, LE are duty bound to enforce the law. And the vast majority do so justly and without incident. Does that make me agree with a vast many things that go on? No. I really don't like a lot of the laws on the books today. Unfortunately, when I signed up I took the good with the bad. And as each situation was different, my response to each situation was different. And I do know an illegal order or law and when not to enforce it. Sadly the perception around here is all LE are little more than jack booted thugs waiting to stomp on the necks of the citizen and tear away their Rights. And nothing could be further from the truth.
So you just sit there and blame the sword for the hand that wields it and continue to be blind to the greater problem. Sure LE has the discretion to warn for minor violations of the law as you pointed out. Minor violations only. The way you make it sound is LE can just let someone go if they have ten kilos of coke in their trunk. Because "they probably won't do anyone harm here." And you know what that kind of attitude gets them? A pink slip as a minimum. Jail time if someone wanted to press the matter. They cannot pick and choose what laws they want to enforce even as archaic as some truly are. If the public demands they enforce the right of way for a horse and buggy, LE has no choice in the matter. Now for the most part the laws that are still on the books that are overtaken by modern events are not enforced. Mainly because it's ignorant to do so. When you were an officer, you had no control over violations of the UCMJ you could let slip if someone wanted to press the matter. Dereliction of duty for example. Like it or not, archaic or not, it was still the law and you were duty bound to correct instances if brought to your attention. Now you could use your own authority to warn or correct the behavior. But you also had the authority and duty to bring it to a higher level if the instance was severe enough.
And this made you different from LE how?
