This discussion is actually a proxy for what goes on in the engineering workplace pretty much constantly, and as such should be a relevant discussion topic. To say this discussion is about politics is like any person in authority saying: "I'm stupider than the average 5th grader, so you should entrust me with extraordinary powers to make decisions that affect everybody's lives.". This is not a political problem but a societal one. The original title of this thread said it best: this is actually a global problem which is independent of individual people, or governing structures. It is about how much stupidity we are willing to tolerate. It is also about tolerating it or calling it out. I vote for calling it out -- your mileage may differ.

 

...It is about how much stupidity we are willing to tolerate.

Amongst the perpetually aggrieved, the tolerance is quite high as there is political advantage to be gained from situations like this.

 

Amongst the perpetually aggrieved, the tolerance is quite high as there is political advantage to be gained from situations like this.

And those people succeed when good people remain silent just to get along or avoid threatening their security or livelihood. Anybody here had to kowtow lately? How about all the people that acquiesce to pernicious cant just to avoid giving offense?

 

Amongst the perpetually aggrieved, the tolerance is quite high as there is political advantage to be gained from situations like this.

For example...

 

And those people succeed when good people remain silent just to get along or avoid threatening their security or livelihood. Anybody here had to kowtow lately? How about all the people that acquiesce to pernicious cant just to avoid giving offense?

I concur... silence (I call it apathy, to be more specific) is definitely our biggest threat.
On second thought... maybe complacency is a better word to describe it, instead of just plain apathy

 

For example...

Wow... there are some issues that will never cease to be profitable for those who love to play the "victim" card

 

It's America's new pastime.

 

Wow... there are some issues that will never cease to be profitable for those who love to play the "victim" card

“...I do not apologize for what I did. Once again, this is my art practice. My work directly involves black trauma and non-white suffering. I do not believe that there can be social healing without first coming to terms with and expressing our own pain, rage, and trauma.”

What's funny about that story is the 'artist' was using the 'emotional pain' she caused as proof of black trama, undoubtedly caused by white people (and not by her).

 

For example...

These types of people are not the stupid that rule the masses, they ('the artist') have an agenda that's so minor they need to create a 'event' for anyone to notice it.

 

These types of people are not the stupid that rule the masses, they ('the artist') have an agenda that's so minor they need to create a 'event' for anyone to notice it.

I just posted a photo of Barack Obama to refute you. The post was deleted. I offended someone.

 

No, you went over the line with politics. I've been arguing to keep this thread open, you are making that hard to argue. This is not a hard concept for many people.

It has about run its course, I suspect it will be locked in the near future.

 

I just posted a photo of Barack Obama to refute you. The post was deleted. I offended someone.

Politicians are a special case.

 

The climate change thread has been closed, and this article is pertinent, I believe, to the discussion at hand (i.e. stupidity), so I will post it here.

 

Its the Islamic extremists that have cast this over the people they claim to represent.

With genuine respect I doubt it's that simple -- IIRC Much of the present 'official hysteria' began with 'Columbine' against the backdrop of 'Ok city' --- But then this is to be expected from a law enforcement paradigm wherein LEOs are summoned to escort disruptive fourth graders to the head teacher's office!

In my view such heavy handedness is issue of an 'establishment' bent upon demographic profiling, criminalization of tools/objects - and just anything save focus upon behaviour itself!

The Police have an image problem

Indeed they do, and, I'm sorry to add, -- an (increasingly) well earned one!

Best regards
HP

 

I don't think it is well earned, I do think the bad apples and idiots are tarring the rest with their misbehavior / stupidity. For the most part people join the police force for the right reasons. If they start viewing the public as perps it is time for a new job.

I do think anyone with a smigin of sense can tell a bomb, or a facsimile designed to look like one. If there isn't a place for explosives it is a good start. A count down timer can be used in a bomb, but it can also make a 3 minute egg. It is the accessories that count.

I can add wires to a watch to make a deer feeder. The same exact modification to that watch can make a bomb, but by itself (a watch with wires) it is nothing.

If I am pulled over I will obey the officers instructions, unless it goes over a line. What that line is I don't know, since I don't smoke it won't be that. But I will know it if I see it. I do know I will always answer no to a request to search my car.

 

As happens so many times it is the cover-up and the doubling down in the face of an obvious screw-up that gives the story legs and perpetuates the antagonism. They could not have made the reaction to what they did worse if they had been hell-bent on doing just that. When you find egg on your face, just wipe it off and move on. Why this insane desire to be right all the time and under all conceivable circumstances?

 

The climate change thread has been closed, and this article is pertinent, I believe, to the discussion at hand (i.e. stupidity), so I will post it here.

A glance at history illustrates that (what passes for) "science" has often been as abusive of human rights as "religion" --- IPOF neither discipline is miscible with politics --- Truth does not fear challenge, nor do the truthful...

Sincerely
HP

 

I don't think it is well earned, I do think the bad apples and idiots are tarring the rest with their misbehavior / stupidity.

Absolutely! In fact, this guy makes electrical engineers look bad...

 

...IPOF...

Immediate Postoperative Fitting?

 

I don't think it is well earned, I do think the bad apples and idiots are tarring the rest with their misbehavior / stupidity. For the most part people join the police force for the right reasons.

While, in principle, I concur with the premise of your post -- I feel police are in a unique position of trust and responsibility carrying with it expectation of zero tolerance for 'rouges' or "roguish" behavior --- My $.02

Best regards
HP