Bookman
Campaign Veteran
You know, I've been following the recent stories of LEO misbehavior, mostly having to do with just a few incidents, and I've been thinking.
In the comments on each story, and in various threads on various forums, discussing these incidents many people have pointed out the option of asking "Am I being detained?" and leaving if the opportunity presents itself.
My question is "Why should I leave before I'm good and ready?"
If I'm sitting there enjoying my meal, coffee, whatever and I'm approached by a LEO who demands to see my ID, once it's been established that he/she has no RAS and I am not being detained, why can't I continue doing what I was doing until I'm finished? To leave before I'm ready means that I'm giving up my right to be in a place where I'm entitled and welcome to be, and to give in to the trampling of my basic right to the pursuit of happiness.
If an officer has no right to ask me for ID and the owner/manager hasn't asked me to leave I have every right to stay right where I am... don't I?
In the comments on each story, and in various threads on various forums, discussing these incidents many people have pointed out the option of asking "Am I being detained?" and leaving if the opportunity presents itself.
My question is "Why should I leave before I'm good and ready?"
If I'm sitting there enjoying my meal, coffee, whatever and I'm approached by a LEO who demands to see my ID, once it's been established that he/she has no RAS and I am not being detained, why can't I continue doing what I was doing until I'm finished? To leave before I'm ready means that I'm giving up my right to be in a place where I'm entitled and welcome to be, and to give in to the trampling of my basic right to the pursuit of happiness.
If an officer has no right to ask me for ID and the owner/manager hasn't asked me to leave I have every right to stay right where I am... don't I?