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Monday, August 13, 2007

Power to the “Sheeple”

posted by on August 13 at 11:50 AM

Last week, I Slogged about a column in the police union newsletter. The Guardian editor, Detective Ron Smith, wrote that people who were calling for more accountability in the SPD were “the sheeple of Seattle” who “live with their heads imbedded in some dark place.”

On Slog, I voiced some concern that the SPD saw citizens as “sheeple.”

Well, Smith sent an e-mail over the weekend with a clarification. The SPD doesn’t see you all as “sheeple,” he sees you as “sheeple.”

“My writings are my opinion, and not the official position of any organization,” he e-mailed.

So, there you have it. The editor of the Seattle cops union paper thinks you’re “sheeple.”

I’m all for paying officers more money, but this is something the city should keep in mind when contract negotiations come up again.

RSS icon Comments

1

baaaaaaaaaaaad cop.

Posted by infrequent | August 13, 2007 11:57 AM
2

be sure to clarify, by "you" he means sloggers and their sycophants in the comments--a group that seem to fit the "sheeple" definition.

Posted by slog readers | August 13, 2007 11:58 AM
3

The cops were mean to Josh? No raises for them!

Posted by J.R. | August 13, 2007 12:13 PM
4

BAAAAAAA!! BAAAAA!! I am all for paying cops more money based on their individual performance only. NOT an across the board raise.

The cops that are not being written up or shown on the news beating the shit out of someone (nearly always someone black as it turns out) should not get a raise. (Hell, those cops are obviously not going to get fired as we have all learned) The cops who do their job ethically and fairly should get one.

Posted by Cato the Younger Younger | August 13, 2007 12:13 PM
5

Hmmm. Last time I checked we were citizens, not Sheeple.

Maybe he should resign.

Posted by Will in Seattle | August 13, 2007 12:21 PM
6

If he read the comments sections of these entries, he'd see that many of us aren't sheep to your musings at all.

I guess taking such a cheap shot is easier for him than humoring your points.

Posted by Gomez | August 13, 2007 12:31 PM
7

@5: Resign from what? His gig as newsletter editor?

Posted by J.R. | August 13, 2007 12:38 PM
8

And cops think sheeple are disposable. Conforting, isn't it?

Posted by monkey | August 13, 2007 12:39 PM
9

This is exactly the kind of crap you have to expect when you allow workers to unionize.

Posted by You_Gotta_Be_Kidding_Me | August 13, 2007 12:53 PM
10

because The Stranger has NEVER EVER called others in the city funny names before. OF COURSE!

If he was speaking for himself, as he claims, he is no better or worse than anyone at The Stranger.

Posted by matthew fisher wilder | August 13, 2007 1:00 PM
11

I myself find it very odd how many people want to file complaints against cops and see them get these harsh penalties before they are found guilty. Have you ever stopped to think about all those idiotic people who file complaints against the police and lie or fabricate the story to try to get them in trouble or fired…. No, you say, people of this great city would NEVER do that! Think again people, it happens all the time!
What should happen to these people when after the investigation or retraction of their stories, because they have no proof, they find that they complaint isn’t true… let me tell you what I think should happen. They should spend at least 30 days in jail and pay a nice hefty fine. Maybe these “sheeple” will stop fabricating stories to get these good men and women of our city in trouble for doing their jobs.
As for this crazy new accountability board, with their new members… ARE YOU KIDDING ME? How do you think the 2 or 3 people that are on this board that have been “supposedly” treated badly by the police, will ever think in a non-biased opinion? And the other members hate the cops to begin with any ways… This is a joke, plain and simple!

Posted by GocopsGo | August 13, 2007 1:54 PM
12

@10: are you serious? you see no difference betweeen an alternative weekly calling people names versus the police department calling those it supposidely serves and protects names?

Posted by infrequent | August 13, 2007 2:01 PM
13

@11. sure. why not? if it can be proven the story was clearly fabricated then people who file false reports should be held accountable.

but what does that have to do with the actual abuses that take place? or do you content there are none? we are talking about what should be done when there is an actual abuse.

remember that principle, it is better for ten guilty to go free than one innocent to be falsely punished? ben franklin thought it better 100 guilty go free than one innocent be wrongly found guilty. i just think that principle should be applied to police and the sheeple they protect.

Posted by infrequent | August 13, 2007 2:07 PM
14

God, it burns my liberal ass how much I want the Guild busted. My natural hatred of authority combined with my natural sympathies toward unions are really at war right now.

Posted by Gitai | August 13, 2007 3:49 PM
15

Ben Franklin wasn't dealing with this crime rate. Us sheeple or sloggers are more likely to be a victim of a crime by someone that wants our money or possessions to buy drugs than food. bottom line is if you obey the law, pay your taxes and do not resent authority, you will do just fine. I personally love to see the cops beating the hell out of someone that was obviously out of step. It is only the 1% ers that get their ass kicked. Join the 99% club and stay out of harms way.

Posted by thickskin | August 13, 2007 4:34 PM
16

Ben Franklin wasn't dealing with this crime rate. Us sheeple or sloggers are more likely to be a victim of a crime by someone that wants our money or possessions to buy drugs than food. bottom line is if you obey the law, pay your taxes and do not resent authority, you will do just fine. I personally love to see the cops beating the hell out of someone that was obviously out of step. It is only the 1% ers that get their ass kicked. Join the 99% club and stay out of harms way.

Posted by thickskin | August 13, 2007 4:34 PM
17

@15, and @16. woah. i'm not sure you get it.

Posted by infrequent | August 13, 2007 4:57 PM
18

Crime? Like what? Like being hit by billionaires who take over our parks?

Yeah, that's a crime.

Posted by Will in Seattle | August 13, 2007 6:53 PM
19

So Josh, you feel that cops should be paid less if they excercise thier freedom of speech, specifically freedom of the press (in The Guardian)? Bwahahah! Doesn't that go against everything you stand for? I think Russia is looking for some more journalists.

Posted by Zsolt | August 14, 2007 9:43 AM

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