Bully with a different title.

I got in a fight with a cop last night.

This is how it went.


Todd and I are walking into Noodles and Co on S. Michigan. I see a cop harassing a homeless kid with a sign about wanting food. He is writing the kid a ticket for sitting on the street.

Let me paint a picture of the cop-a-roo. Wearing his uniform. He has a bike. He has a mullet-type hair cut. He has a large tattoo that is entirely tasteless on his right fore-arm. He looks like a complete idiot who couldn't do anything else with his life. (as do most cops.... just think about it for a while.. you will come to realize that a lot of stereo-types are in place for a reason and that cops, generally are meat heads that weren't good enough to be in the NFL.. just saying)

SO, instead of taking this kid to the homeless shelter and helping him out. This keeper of the peace decides to cite him. I am a little incensed. I go into noodles and co- come out and ask the kid what he'd like to eat. He says "I can't move I have to deal with this guy." (pointing at the cop). I say, "it's ok... what do you want" "I don't care" "Mac and Cheese ok?" "Thanks." (Big smile)

I go in and buy the mac and cheese bring it out- give the cop a dirty look- hand the food to the kid and say, "I am a lawyer, here's my number- call me if you need any help." (I kind of hope he never calls).

Meanwhile- this has gone on for over 25 minutes. The cop is pretending to write up a ticket and had run into some woman he knows on the street-- he's talking to her and writing up the ticket the whole time-- and not really getting anything done because he is talking to her. The cop says "what did you say?" He is mad that I am giving the kid food, apparently. So, I say, "I am glad to see that my tax dollars are going to you so you can talk to your little friend on the street while you are on duty and you can give homeless kids tickets. Meanwhile you do very little to keep people safe or to help society." "WHAT DID YOU SAY." 'you heard me." "I AM HIS COUSIN" (interjects the woman) "I don't care who you are," I say, "and I am not impressed by your time management. Get to work and quit being a menace to society... try being helpful"

"I better not see you on that bike on the sidewalk or I am going to give you a ticket." (ooooooooh)
We both say a few more things back and forth. My point being that he was doing nothing while on duty except exerting his power over the powerless. His point being that I shoudn't point it out. Because I don't have a right to say rude things to him....


My main point is this: people with any power seem to enjoy inflicting it on the powerless. I see it all the time. At the airport, DCFS, teachers, cops, etc..

In life where their job is to be a peace keeper, teacher, or pastor- they have forgotten that there are people in need, who they should help and not judge. Teach and not punish. Meet needs and not ignore them. They forget that no one respects a bully-- even if they have a different title.

It reminded me of an incident that occurred last spring at the grade school I went to. The same level of anger filled my heart. People love to get on their little pedestal and "do what is right" in the mean time they miss the big picture.


Actually, I take it back, I hope this kid calls me. And the officer is at the hearing. I don't care if I win or lose.. I'd be willing to pay the kid's ticket... just to rattle the cage of this meat-head cop who knows nothing about what is important in life.... and clearly doesn't know how to do his job. If he knew how to do his job, he would have caught the two kids about a 1/2 block down putting graffiti on the wall while he was talking to his cousin-- and looking directly at mr. officer.