[Rick Lee]

I look at dealing with cops the way I deal with servers in a restaurant. They have to deal with so many a$sholes every day for bum pay and I want to be the guy who either makes their day easier or at least not be the one who pisses them off. I've been pulled over twice in the last three weeks, both times while carrying a gun. Both times the cops were totally cool about it and the first time the cop didn't ask to see my permit or drivers license. When I got a DUI many yrs. ago, I was very nice and cooperative with the cops and it paid off huge. Not only did they not tow my car (told me to go get it the next day), they even drove me home when they were done with me. When I got to court, the DA offered me the sweetest sweetheart deal one could ever get.....because the cops had written in their report that I was very polite and cooperative with them. If a cop wants to give you a ticket, there's not much you can do other than show up in court. But sometimes you can make the cop like you and you can certainly not make it any worse than it has to be. I am not a shy or self-effacing guy and I don't take $hit from no one. But I keep the 'tude down when dealing with cops. In fact, when I go to court to fight my latest ticket (loud exhaust), I will specifically ask the cop in front of the judge if he would agree that I was polite and cooperative.