I just got stopped by a cop....

LogansRun - you were stopped for your own good, to protect us from terrorists.  Don't forget, we have to be willing to give up our freedoms in order to protect them.

Larry

Its totally legal for them to do checkpoints.  They legally perform drunk driving checkpoints.  If there is a crime in the area they can check id's in order to increase the chances of catching the suspect. 

Its not like they were doing a search of your private residence - or even your car -  you were on a public road (well, I assume you were).  When using public areas you dont have the privacy laws protecting you that you do at home.

Perhaps it would be easier for you to get behind the cops here if you knew someone had just abducted a child from your daughters school - perhaps their efforts would be more appreciated?  Lots of scenarios that could justify simply asking for your id - without any search of private property

Logan,

I would be p****d off too. Would love to know what they were looking for.

We had a situation about a month ago that made me and hour late for work where every major intersection and several minor ones were blocked by every form of law enforcement - later that morning the news described a fugitive who had raped a young girl and was chased from the house in the area and was being hunted down. They got him later that morning.

During the process, folks were made to open trunks, etc but no one was asked for ID as far as I know. After I learned the details, I was OK with the police presence, but it is definately a fine line.

If there was nothing in particular that was causing the police to stop folks in your case, it is not right. I hope you later today learn why it happened and are OK with it if still a bit purturbed. If not, I would love to hear what your lawyer says and where this goes for you.

I would have done the same thing you did.

BS! We get looted. 105 Repos. Our dollar devalues - and the law checks drivers licenses. 

I'll never get behind the cops when they have NO reason to intrude on my privacy.  Yes, it was a public road but unless they have a valid reason for stopping me it shouldn't happen.  Now, if the police officer had said "there's been an abduction of a small child and we're checking for info" then I'd be MUCH MORE understanding.  But in this case, it was "we're checking ID's".  

Rickets, sounds like you're going to be the perfect citizen while they're checking your "Papers", scanning your wrist (chip) or scanning your retina to see if you've taken your vaccine yet.  It actually makes me just as angry to read your post and position on this matter as it did to answer the cop.  

I concur with Ready, there are some exceptional circumstances where checkpoints are justified IMO.  However from the description of this case, if they were just looking at ID's (not looking for something or someone in particular... abducted child, escaped prisoner, murder suspect, etc.) then it sounds more like an exercise with no purpose other than training and practice.  Or possibly to 'acclimate' the local residents to such things, as LR alludes to in the original post (sounds like it might be working too).  I'm of the mind that LE has to present a valid, direct reason for random traffic stops and checkpoints, not just "we're just checking ID's".  Rickets has a good point that sometimes they do have legitimate reasons for doing so, but to be honest some of the time LE does it just because they can, and when they do that we should call them on that BS.  In the past I've had several encounters with police asking me for ID or making other demands without good reason, and when I (respectfully) question the reason or legal justification for doing so I'd say about half would get very irritated.  Authority and power can definitely be a drug for some people, and turns them into the worst kind of bullies.  I'm not so sure I could get away with that so easily anymore... questioning authority in general seems to involve a lot more risk and/or personal inconvenience nowadays.

- Nickbert

You should of asked him for his ID and papers.  

Logan - I respect the fact my post made you just as angry as the cop.  I also know that there is some small % of government employees who abuse powers just like private ones do.

I write the following post as a wake up call to you, and to many others on this site - not because I know anything about you nor could possible know if you need a wake up call - - -but rather I was going down a death doom negative glass half empty world is ending path for a long time and wish someone would have given me a slap and said lighten up!  So, I write this just in case you might be finding yourself depressed or sad and constantly research end times, nwo...etc like I was! 

Now, I know I might be wrong thinking their is nothing wrong with what the cops did, but my downside is still being fully prepared for the worst, while remaining happy and not angry at the little things that are around me - rather grateful and positive.

While I learn a ton from this site and the forums, I find it a burden to comment and read as well.  Why?  Because I like to surround myself with both impressive people who I can learn and absorb from - - -AND optimistic/positive people.  The CM community, while extremely intelligent, forward looking, rational...etc - is about the most negative glass half empty group I have ever been around.  Makes me want to slit my wrists hanging out here!  Seriously folks, the cops likely had dang good reason to ask for ID in order to help the greater good.   Sure, there is a 5% chance (likely less) that it was something other than an effort to keep the community safe.  But, man, dont we want to give them the benefit of the doubt when talking about something as small as this?   Its like me meeting you Logan, and saying Hi, whats your name....and you responding "none of your business."  Why sweat the small stuff when there is strong probability that it had good intent (ID check), when there are so many more important things to both worry about and also to be grateful for?  Do you get mad if you walk in a bar and they ask for ID?  Why would you right?  Why get mad if you have no idea why a cop is asking - perhaps there was a serious crime or they were training how to handle a situation.  Why get so angry about people training or attempting to help you when there was no search, no pat down, no harm done other than a couple minute delay.  Gotta relax my man....gotta relax.  They are not out to get us.

Lighten up end of world dooomsdayers!  I was one of you....but -   those cops didnt know the Rothschild family nor are they secret Obama new world order vacine producing killers.  They are our friends out to make a living for their families by serving the community.  Sure, their bloated union salaries are too high, but comon....lets stay positive and rational...this is totally absurd.  Really, take a deep breath....

Logan -

Not to pick a fight but rickets made a very good point.  There may have been a good reason for the ID check.  Why do think you are entitled to an explanation?  How much time would be lost if the police had to explain the reason for the stop to every person that drove up - just to make you feel good.  Enough time for a suspect to get farther away with someone's child.

I suspect the real reason you are still shaking with anger is because you are pissed off at yourself for complying instead of making the stand you advocate so loudly in these kinds of threads.

Your statement "the rest of the sheeple" is self-inclusive and pretty telling.

A long time ago I did a piece on optimism, pessimism, realism delusionalism & Dennis Kneale who professes to be an optimist. I'd differ with your assessment of the CM gang - I'd peg most everyone I encounter here as a realist.

Just to clarify:

1. I'm optimistic some new energy will come out that will help us bridge peak oil - but if they created a Manhattan project and gave 13 trillion and promised another 15 trillion to the project I'd be more optimistic. But they didn't. Did they? No the same inept morons who blew up the economy with @ssinine financial weapons of mass destruction are now propping up Zombie banks.
2. I'm optimistic the crash that is ensuing and is about as unavoidable as the housing bubble/credit bubble will normalize things - but I think it is going to be a Katrina road.

I'll try to dig up that piece. My wish is people would be more realistic. Optimism isn't pretending everything is okay when a $hit storm is coming at us. Delusional thinkers rarely fare well and they sure as heck don't promote change for the better. It is one reason I simply despise Dennis Kneale and CNBS.