I agree that Jones can do messed up and stupid things sometimes, but he's not lucky that anything. The biggest problem in this country is that people think cops have a right to escalate situations further. By law I can curse a cop's mother until I'm blue in the face. It doesn't give them the right to do anything. A cop is just a fellow citizen with a badge charged with upholding the law. We have no obligation to be servile to them and no reason to listen to anything they have to say outside of what we're being charged with and how we proceed in court except in cases of flight from or being in the midst of an active crime scene. Even if you have priors, you can say whatever you like according to the Constitution.
This belief that every cop deserves to be treated like he's your dad actually makes policing more difficult. It reinforces an us/them mentality both on cops and citizens when really everyone should be in it together to make communities better and safer. Authoritarianism isn't the answer. Ever.
There is nothing wrong with the show of respect, even in the face of injustice. Ecpasially as a martial artist, a role model, and public figure. Jones is allowed those mistakes he's made in the past, but they will follow him into his next confrontation until he learns from them. Until then, problems will follow him.
There is a system in place to fight a ticket without having to resort to an uncontrolled emotional back and forth with a police officer. Like you said, the police officer is merely someone upholding the law, arguing that law can be done woith the judge, and that is what he is now doing.
When dealing with cops, know your rights, but always stay calm and collected. That way at least YOU are not a part of the problem, but solely the officer in question is. Use your brains, it doesn't mean you're a push over.
But yes, you can legally and constitutionally be an asshole to anyone, that is your right.
@BaneBreaksBacks, no fighter bashing please.
