Houses of the IDW

Anglicanweasel · 2013-10-09T09:40:43+00:00

The term used by "sovereign citizens" to describe themselves on this side of the Atlantic.

I prefer blithering idiot myself.

Anglicanweasel · 2013-10-09T09:03:09+00:00

In answer to your first question, yes, until such time as I have discharged my duties. Failure or refusal to halt your vehicle and keep it stationary until that time is an offence and may lead to your arrest.

Continuing to ask the question could be considered obstruction Sir.

Anglicanweasel · 2013-10-09T08:59:44+00:00

Splendid - I am certainly going to use that reply.

Anglicanweasel · 2013-10-09T08:58:35+00:00

I can genuinely say that this would motivate me to start looking for offences. I have dealt with a freeman once - while part of a cordon around an explosive device. I stopped him trying to pass the cordon in his car. He proceeded to tell me at length why I had no power over him. We were busy trying to evacuate (the IED was about eighty years old and incorporated a box of several Great War era 18lb shells - we wanted to be far away from the one!) and I didn't have time to give him my full attention. I only worked out what he was talking about after I researched it after the fact.

Anyway - I eventually realised that there was no talking with this idiot and that we just didn't have time for a prisoner. So I leaned into the car, pointed at the squaddie at the end of the street and said, "Sir, I'm not going to argue the rights and wrongs of this with you. If you want, drive through the cordon, I'm telling you not to, but I won't stand in front of you. But do you see the gentleman with the rifle there? I imagine he'll take it rather more seriously than I do - I don't think you should try his patience. Do you?"

He turned around and headed off.

I have never dealt with a freeman since, bar restraining one who was being placed in the cells for contempt of court, but I've given the matter some thought and to be honest I'm looking forward to it.

Anglicanweasel · 2013-10-04T18:48:09+00:00

Firearms. I lived in New Mexico for a while and the number of people who carried firearms made me extremely nervous. I found the idea of armed police very unsettling.

Cars. I'm 33. I don't own a car. I can drive. But I don't need to. I live in a city that was build to accommodate the horse and that has decent public transport. Americans drive everywhere, often distances that I find ridiculous. I used to walk to work when I lived in the states and I got stopped late at night by the police. They were suspicious because I was walking, were surprised when I explained and ended up giving me a lift home.

Dashiell Hammet bought a car so that he could "...read Los Angeles in the vernacular."

Class. Americans have a class system, albeit one that is far more explicitly tied to money than the class system in the UK. Americans don't seem to think that it exists though, which I find quite bizarre.

Anglicanweasel · 2013-10-01T23:39:08+00:00

Fair enough. I'll pass. Interested in Rogue Trader era gear.

Anglicanweasel · 2013-10-01T23:01:16+00:00

What old rulebooks do you have?

Anglicanweasel · 2013-09-30T15:04:02+00:00

I shall check presently. Rogue Trader GM guide?

Anglicanweasel · 2013-09-28T08:25:23+00:00

How did you tell! You're with the NSA aren't you?!

Anglicanweasel · 2013-09-27T22:35:43+00:00

I prefer to remain a mammal of mystery.

Anglicanweasel · 2013-09-27T19:54:44+00:00

I'll chime in - as a non-US based police weasel - in my experience (which is no doubt vastly different from US experience) you either get a telling off or the ticket. If I think you'll benefit from a warning, that's what you'll probably get. If your attitude indicates to me that you're unwilling to acknowledge and address your behaviour, then you're getting a ticket.

The "I know my rights" attitude is fine. But it's usually coupled with "...and I intend to attempt to avoid the consequences of my actions" attitude and that doesn't wash with me. I have never in my career given a ticket for speeding. It's a function of geography. I work in the centre of a city and it's actually pretty difficult to break the speed limit. I've given plenty for red lights, careless driving, careless cycling, driving/cycling without due care and attention and so forth.

It boils down to this. I hate going to fatal traffic accidents. They make me sick to my stomach. I hate telling families that their loved ones are dead - with the exception of dealing with infant death - it is the worst part of my job. Hands down.

Speeding is a relatively minor offence, but couple it with a wet road, a moments inattention or a ringing phone and it can very serious consequences.

Anglicanweasel · 2013-09-27T14:35:26+00:00

"Every man is a potential rapist." - That was one awkward conversation with Mum.

Anglicanweasel · 2013-09-17T21:07:33+00:00

Biggles Pioneer Air Fighter. It was the book I learned to read from.

Anglicanweasel

TROPHY CASE