[Superman]

I'm sure impressed by Larry's apology. Thanks, Larry, for being a standup guy.

I respect cops too. They're underpaid. Thier job is dangerous. I'm glad they're there, and would not want their jobs. Many of them are extremely professional and well trained.

Unfortunately, they seem to be a bit frustrated by the decisions of thier upper power structures. I think most would prefer to use their training to "serve and protect." Instead, they are often reduced to "citation writers" instead of peace officers. I'd say that applies to the majority. But like all humans, they sometimes embarrass themselves, or worse:

My wife, daughter (about 13 years old) and daughter's friend were travelling through a 30 mph zone on the way to church one day, and got stopped. Wife asks why she was stopped, was she going too fast, didnt think she was going too fast. Cop says (all three occupants heard this) "This must be your lucky day, my radar was not on. I'd estimate you were going about 45."

When he returns to the car with wife's license and registration, he asks here to sign a citation for going 45. We requested and received a copy of the cop's notes, which state in several ways that he used the radar gun and the readout was "45." We go to court pleading Not Guilty. Wife and daughter are dressed sweetly. Prosector meets with us, hears the story, rolls his eyes and asks the judge to dismiss. the judge wants an explanation. Prosector says "You Honor, we believe the prosecution cannot meet the burden of proof in this case." Judge scowls and dismisses.

We're left with one obvious conclusion. That cop is a liar.

I have expressed some grave concerns about certain tactics, and I simpl;y cannot get over my belief that our local "Aggressive Driver Units" (totally unmarked SP cars with darkened glass). These cars tend to have fat tires in addition to the smoky glass. My belief, based on my understanding of human nature, is that these troopers are almost certain to play little games to "bait" motorists. I got nailed by one in March. My fits ticket in about 12 years. I maintained a 72 mph speed entering a 60 mph zone, simply to try to get some distance from this guy who was playing little speed/pacing games with me for the last couple of miles. His lights came on just as I was making a decision to slow way down to let this guy pass. My whole agenda was to get away from him. His driving was making me nervous. This was at 6 am on a Saturday morning with ZERO traffic on an Interstate with three lanes going my direction. Games. Bullship games. If the Washington State Patrol returns to its former agenda of traffic and public safety, then I'll return to being one of its mosty ardent supporters. For the time being, they and the motorists will be playing games. Cat and mouse. And the only loser here is public safety. Sad. Perhaps tragic.