4 ms·

In my city, you'll sometimes see people riding around with the official cap or bumper sticker of the police union on the back of their car. It's no mystery why.

Spivak 6y ago
Is it really that surprising that ingratiating yourself to someone who has power or resources on average makes you better off? Nothing about this has anything to do with police. You get a "baker's dozen" because the baker likes you.
- jfk13 6y ago
  No, you get it because the baker doesn't want to risk getting caught for selling short weight, if the individual items happen to be slightly undersized. https://www.phrases.org.uk/meanings/Bakers-dozen.html https://www.phrases.org.uk/meanings/Bakers-dozen.html
  - Spivak 6y ago
    Neat! I never knew the actual origin. But since we don’t flog bakers anymore I think my point stands in modern times — I know it’s only time I’ve ever gotten a baker’s dozen.
- ashtonkem 6y ago
  The baker isn’t in charge of enforcing laws. Nor is the baker given a gun by the state with the expectation of using it. There is a big, bright line between “favors for valued customers” and “corruption”.
  - Spivak 6y ago
    But we’re not talking about bright line corruption here. We’re talking about police being nicer and more lenient to their in-groups: veterans, other cops, emts, firefighters, personal friends, family, politicians they like, police union reps, the clerk at the Dunkin’ Donuts that always adds a shot of espresso on the house. The cards are literally corruption and bleh, but being friendly with the cops (or anyone) getting you special treatment sometimes is a human thing.
    - kelnos 6y ago
      > But we’re not talking about bright line corruption here. Yes, we are. A public official doing a law-related favor for someone based on their group affiliation is exactly what corruption is. > being friendly with the cops (or anyone) getting you special treatment sometimes is a human thing. That is not a universe anyone should have to live in. If you miss out on an extra baked good because you're not buddies with the baker, it's no big deal. If a cop treats you more harshly because you're not a friend of the police, that is a big deal. Bakers can't deprive you of your life and freedom. Cops can.
    - ashtonkem 6y ago
      Again, cops are capable of depriving you of life and liberty. There is a big difference between getting favorable treatment by your baker, and by the armed representative of the state.

Spivak 6y ago

Is it really that surprising that ingratiating yourself to someone who has power or resources on average makes you better off? Nothing about this has anything to do with police. You get a "baker's dozen" because the baker likes you.

jfk13 6y ago
No, you get it because the baker doesn't want to risk getting caught for selling short weight, if the individual items happen to be slightly undersized. https://www.phrases.org.uk/meanings/Bakers-dozen.html https://www.phrases.org.uk/meanings/Bakers-dozen.html
- Spivak 6y ago
  Neat! I never knew the actual origin. But since we don’t flog bakers anymore I think my point stands in modern times — I know it’s only time I’ve ever gotten a baker’s dozen.
ashtonkem 6y ago
The baker isn’t in charge of enforcing laws. Nor is the baker given a gun by the state with the expectation of using it. There is a big, bright line between “favors for valued customers” and “corruption”.
- Spivak 6y ago
  But we’re not talking about bright line corruption here. We’re talking about police being nicer and more lenient to their in-groups: veterans, other cops, emts, firefighters, personal friends, family, politicians they like, police union reps, the clerk at the Dunkin’ Donuts that always adds a shot of espresso on the house. The cards are literally corruption and bleh, but being friendly with the cops (or anyone) getting you special treatment sometimes is a human thing.
  - kelnos 6y ago
    > But we’re not talking about bright line corruption here. Yes, we are. A public official doing a law-related favor for someone based on their group affiliation is exactly what corruption is. > being friendly with the cops (or anyone) getting you special treatment sometimes is a human thing. That is not a universe anyone should have to live in. If you miss out on an extra baked good because you're not buddies with the baker, it's no big deal. If a cop treats you more harshly because you're not a friend of the police, that is a big deal. Bakers can't deprive you of your life and freedom. Cops can.
  - ashtonkem 6y ago
    Again, cops are capable of depriving you of life and liberty. There is a big difference between getting favorable treatment by your baker, and by the armed representative of the state.