I knew it was bound to happen....sigh

[Bristecom]

Originally Posted by sazu

so all the Harleys in California are silent?

That's exactly what I was thinking. I can't stand the corruption and hypocrisy of police. They'll target imports and ticket them for anything they can find, yet they'll speed around without their lights or siren on, make illegal u-turns, tailgate people, and then go home, ride their obnoxiously loud Harleys to the bar, get drunk, cheat on their wife, then ride home intoxicated and beat their wife and kids. And they never get penalized for it because their police buddies got their back and do the same things.

But we all know they aren't concerned about safety. It's all about making the debt-ridden states and federal government more money and meeting their quotas so they can keep their corrupt jobs and continue to abuse their powers because they would never be able to keep a productive job in the private sector due to their rude and abusive behavior.

[sazu]

Originally Posted by calis5nest

Ex governor

Thanks for the update.

[sazu]

Originally Posted by pcasso87

Damn must really suck being into cars and living in California.....

Try living in Singapore. GT86 costs almost US$160,000 here !!! Now that would be an even bigger SUCK !

[QFry]

Originally Posted by Bristecom

That's exactly what I was thinking. I can't stand the corruption and hypocrisy of police. They'll target imports and ticket them for anything they can find, yet they'll speed around without their lights or siren on, make illegal u-turns, tailgate people, and then go home, ride their obnoxiously loud Harleys to the bar, get drunk, cheat on their wife, then ride home intoxicated and beat their wife and kids. And they never get penalized for it because their police buddies got their back and do the same things.

But we all know they aren't concerned about safety. It's all about making the debt-ridden states and federal government more money and meeting their quotas so they can keep their corrupt jobs and continue to abuse their powers because they would never be able to keep a productive job in the private sector due to their rude and abusive behavior.

How about getting the fix-it ticket for a loud exhaust while diesel quad stack Dodges and straight-piped Mustangs are Idling louder than you at the same stoplights FML cop says "well your an Import"

[track_warrior]

Originally Posted by sazu

Try living in Singapore. GT86 costs almost US$160,000 here !!! Now that would be an even bigger SUCK !

Damn that does suck!! Can believe how locals in singapore get slammed with taxes. But tourists on the other hand get tax free shopping!!

[3141592ab]

Originally Posted by Bristecom

But we all know they aren't concerned about safety. It's all about making the debt-ridden states and federal government more money and meeting their quotas so they can keep their corrupt jobs and continue to abuse their powers because they would never be able to keep a productive job in the private sector due to their rude and abusive behavior.

Look, There are definately some bad apples out there but they are far from the majority. It is a lot easier to see several stories about corrupt and unfair police officers than it is to see the hundreds of stories about perfectly normal officers. I am sure you have driven past many dozens of police officers in your experience. Has every single one pulled you over and issued you a citation? They are out there but you can't let a handful of people taint your image of a group that ultimately is trying to protect you. Too much tint can hinder vision. Improper modifications can lead to catastrophic failures. I am not denying your point of view, I would just like to suggest that you widen your data pool before making such a huge generalization.

[Bristecom]

Originally Posted by 3141592ab

Look, There are definately some bad apples out there but they are far from the majority. It is a lot easier to see several stories about corrupt and unfair police officers than it is to see the hundreds of stories about perfectly normal officers. I am sure you have driven past many dozens of police officers in your experience. Has every single one pulled you over and issued you a citation? They are out there but you can't let a handful of people taint your image of a group that ultimately is trying to protect you. Too much tint can hinder vision. Improper modifications can lead to catastrophic failures. I am not denying your point of view, I would just like to suggest that you widen your data pool before making such a huge generalization.

I've had enough bad experiences with police to make a pretty good assessment I think. Not to mention, my dad and friends used to be cops and even they admit how it is overrun with corruption. I just think the whole system is to blame.

For one, quotas force cops to go ahead and ticket people that aren't particularly dangerous. I remember one day, they put up a no turn on red sign off to the side at a light that had always been OK to turn on red at. Well, there were a couple of cops hiding around the corner that would walk out in the road and signal over every car that turned there. There was a massive line of cars pulled over and he apparently ticketed every single one of them! I told him, "Sir, please give me a break, you guys obviously just put that sign up and I honestly didn't see it." But he didn't care, and he even wrote his ticket on my car, scratching the paint. And when I gave an upset look at the other cop after he gave me the ticket, he lowered his head in shame. They know they're hurting society but they likely had to meet their quotas by a deadline. And to put icing on the cake, I am almost certain I saw the very same cop turn on red there a few days later. I screamed with anger!

And then we have a lot of areas where the government purposely keeps the speed limits ridiculously low where nobody complies and they encourage cops to enforce those areas in their meetings so that they can always generate revenue from speeding tickets. While at the same time, they are constantly blowing money on massive government buildings and projects that only benefit a few, which puts them in more and more debt. Meanwhile, the roads stay ridden with potholes and it takes them a year or more to do simple road and bridge repairs.

They also need to have much closer supervision by someone outside of the police department that isn't corrupt, and to have much more severe consequences for bad behavior (i.e. being fired like in the real world). I've been harassed and cursed out by cops even though I always try to be polite to them (as I am with everyone). One guy even had his hand on his gun and was talking in a threatening way, trying to rile me up so that he'd have an excuse to shoot me or something. But that's not half as bad as the hundreds of documented stories that pop up on the internet about cops literally getting away with murder. Not to mention, in some states, they claim it's illegal to film a police officer so you can't even get evidence to protect yourself! Honestly, the only thing that scares me when I go out is crazy cops, because I know they can always make up a story about why they had to use force.

Anyway, I can go on and on with experiences like this. But yes, there are plenty of good reasons to pull people over. And there are certainly many mods that are flat out dangerous. For example, blacked out head/tail lamps and modified diesel trucks that put out so much black smoke that you literally can't see anything behind them! Apparently, it's becoming a popular mod around here and people think it's funny. And yeah, tint can be dangerously dark too. And then you get people who swerve in between traffic and tailgate cars at 75+ mph on the highway, leaving no room for error. Of course, often times, it's the police themselves that do that. They are honestly the biggest offenders around here.

And BTW, I don't even have a modified car, nor have I ever done anything particularly bad or dangerous. But it is red, and Japanese, and sporty. So I do tend to get pulled over by a bored cop about once or twice a year for something trivial. And some seem to immediately make presumptions about me based on my type of car.

[Giccin]

Originally Posted by Skyhound

Here in New York they only bother for tint, loud exhausts, and sometimes HIDs since they can be mistaken for driving with your high beams. All I know is that ANY aftermarket tint is illegal. I had a conversation with a cop and he says they just hate how stupid ricer exhausts sound; he said they usually sound like the car is passing gas down the street. xD They don't mind Muscle Cars, Exotics, or Tuners if their exhaust sounds "decent"; usually the silencer gives it a more appropriate note.

Yea sometimes for HID, but most of the time its people who don't install them properly and they're not leveled. I can't count how many times TRUCKS with HID lights blind both of my side mirrors. -_-

[Giccin]

Originally Posted by Bristecom

I've had enough bad experiences with police to make a pretty good assessment I think. Not to mention, my dad and friends used to be cops and even they admit how it is overrun with corruption. I just think the whole system is to blame.

For one, quotas force cops to go ahead and ticket people that aren't particularly dangerous. I remember one day, they put up a no turn on red sign off to the side at a light that had always been OK to turn on red at. Well, there were a couple of cops hiding around the corner that would walk out in the road and signal over every car that turned there. There was a massive line of cars pulled over and he apparently ticketed every single one of them! I told him, "Sir, please give me a break, you guys obviously just put that sign up and I honestly didn't see it." But he didn't care, and he even wrote his ticket on my car, scratching the paint. And when I gave an upset look at the other cop after he gave me the ticket, he lowered his head in shame. They know they're hurting society but they likely had to meet their quotas by a deadline. And to put icing on the cake, I am almost certain I saw the very same cop turn on red there a few days later. I screamed with anger!

And then we have a lot of areas where the government purposely keeps the speed limits ridiculously low where nobody complies and they encourage cops to enforce those areas in their meetings so that they can always generate revenue from speeding tickets. While at the same time, they are constantly blowing money on massive government buildings and projects that only benefit a few, which puts them in more and more debt. Meanwhile, the roads stay ridden with potholes and it takes them a year or more to do simple road and bridge repairs.

They also need to have much closer supervision by someone outside of the police department that isn't corrupt, and to have much more severe consequences for bad behavior (i.e. being fired like in the real world). I've been harassed and cursed out by cops even though I always try to be polite to them (as I am with everyone). One guy even had his hand on his gun and was talking in a threatening way, trying to rile me up so that he'd have an excuse to shoot me or something. But that's not half as bad as the hundreds of documented stories that pop up on the internet about cops literally getting away with murder. Not to mention, in some states, they claim it's illegal to film a police officer so you can't even get evidence to protect yourself! Honestly, the only thing that scares me when I go out is crazy cops, because I know they can always make up a story about why they had to use force.

Anyway, I can go on and on with experiences like this. But yes, there are plenty of good reasons to pull people over. And there are certainly many mods that are flat out dangerous. For example, blacked out head/tail lamps and modified diesel trucks that put out so much black smoke that you literally can't see anything behind them! Apparently, it's becoming a popular mod around here and people think it's funny. And yeah, tint can be dangerously dark too. And then you get people who swerve in between traffic and tailgate cars at 75+ mph on the highway, leaving no room for error. Of course, often times, it's the police themselves that do that. They are honestly the biggest offenders around here.

And BTW, I don't even have a modified car, nor have I ever done anything particularly bad or dangerous. But it is red, and Japanese, and sporty. So I do tend to get pulled over by a bored cop about once or twice a year for something trivial. And some seem to immediately make presumptions about me based on my type of car.

Just a food for thought.... You gotta remember a cop's job is not only to give out tickets.

Most of the time they have bad attitudes which is the result of 18 hour shifts, not seeing their family or being in situations that would be traumatizing for many 'normal' human being. I know it shouldn't give them the ability to 'act like an asshat' to most people.

From my cop friends they say their 18 hour shifts lead them to see lots of domestic violence, rape from within the family (forced inbreeding) and I'm not going to list anymore as it starts to get really bad.

As 'polite' as you say you sound the tone of voice and discrepancies in your choice of word or again your tone could be interpreted as being rude to a cop.

Not saying what you experience is a great thing but I hope it gets better for you.

[Tanuki]

why is this in ot? This is car related, even if it is kind of dumb.

[Bristecom]

Originally Posted by Giccin

Just a food for thought.... You gotta remember a cop's job is not only to give out tickets.

Most of the time they have bad attitudes which is the result of 18 hour shifts, not seeing their family or being in situations that would be traumatizing for many 'normal' human being. I know it shouldn't give them the ability to 'act like an asshat' to most people.

From my cop friends they say their 18 hour shifts lead them to see lots of domestic violence, rape from within the family (forced inbreeding) and I'm not going to list anymore as it starts to get really bad.

As 'polite' as you say you sound the tone of voice and discrepancies in your choice of word or again your tone could be interpreted as being rude to a cop.

Not saying what you experience is a great thing but I hope it gets better for you.

Yes, I agree that they should not be putting cops under so much stress. That is also part of the problem. And yes, I sound much more harsh on here because I am not talking to anyone in particular. I would never say these things in front of a cop of course. But I don't act like a suck up around them either. They are just another human being to me, even though cops often like to think their position is extra special. But most jobs help society in one way or another. And if someone is seen in need or in danger, I know I, and many others in society are willing to help out to the best of our abilities.

The cops I respect are the ones that don't just sit around and enforce bad laws but rather spend all their time actually going after the dangerous people and helping those in need.

[OldSkoolToys]

Originally Posted by Mari0

And because California is one of the biggest markets for cars and parts for them. Idk what you guys are talking about, I <3 California (yes, even with all its rules are regulations). To each their own, right?

Battered wife syndrome. I'm under the destinct belief that residents of California are brainwashed, because they only have a fraction of the freedom available to the rest of the country (pertaining to vehicles) and yet, don't mind it.

[Mari0]

Originally Posted by OldSkoolToys

Battered wife syndrome. I'm under the destinct belief that residents of California are brainwashed, because they only have a fraction of the freedom available to the rest of the country (pertaining to vehicles) and yet, don't mind it.

Except your theory fails since I have spent the majority of my life outside of California. No, not even the US where there are certain laws regarding cars, but in Eastern Europe where you can actually do whatever the hell u damn well please to your car and nobody gives a ...

Your claim is about as absurd as saying that everyone from Tennessee is a hillbilly redneck who listens to country music, is fat, and is about as racist as it gets.

And this is getting off topic anyway

[Supermassive]

I left California in January and haven't missed anything but the roads...The ridiculous number of idiot drivers, the overbearing police, stupid laws governing modification, taxes, etc. etc.

Also I'm in the same mindset as OldSkoolToys in that Californians are just blind and or numb to the fact that the only thing good about Cali is the roads and i doubt California will be able to afford to maintain their roads in the coming future. I mean how many cities need to claim bankruptcy before it becomes a statewide epidemic...no wonder cops are ticketing for mods, gotta get you to pay their paychecks somehow..