After living my entire life in Venezuela, I have gone through a lot of things, as you must know after reading my stuff. This time I would like to write about something very important, especially for those fellows living in countries where the LEOs and similar personnel have good salaries, where the sanctions for those who don´t obey the laws are severe, and most importantly, there is an entire punitive system for the infractors.
As we have never enjoyed a true democracy, no matter what some of my Venezuelan mates would say, not like those democracies in most of the anglo-speaking sphere (as far as I know, never been to USA), consequently the morality of many members of police and other uniform institutions are, so to speak, relaxed.
A little bit of Venezuelan history
Perhaps this is occasioned by many years of civil war back in the second half of the 1850s that tanked what was left of the country after the independence wars. The population of the country decreased to ridiculous levels, while warlords were riding their horses from one place to another, free like the wind itself, killing each other, and terrifying and abusing the poor peasants. While in the USA the train rails were being built from coast to coast, with the consequent improvement in the life quality, trade, and all the progress that it brings along, these caudillos, or chieftains, devastated our homeland, while the weakened governors struggled to keep under control the vast amount of land they had to rule. This is one of the explanations of our relative underdevelopment compared to some other countries in the same period, like Argentina, for example.
This said, the government managed itself to elect one of the most acknowledged Venezuelan presidents: Cipriano Castro (not related to the infamous bearded cigar-smoking pimp). He was a really educated ruler, with his eyes on the future. His own buddy Juan Vicente Gomez, the Defense Minister, kicked him out of the chair and ruled my homeland as a huge hacienda.
Back in those years, there was A LOT of prosecution, torture, and imprisonment of everyone who was suspected to oppose his dictatorship. Ignorant, evil officers, who could not even read and write, were given pompous titles and power to put someone in jail just because. They seized farms, land, cattle, and goods as they pleased.
The government protected them, as long as they spread the terror in the population and kept it under control. I believe that in those years people started to accept the fact that it was better not to fight or resist. Fast forward, and until the infamous dictator died, people learned the hard way to obey, if they wanted to live.
I know this is history, and maybe a little bit dense, but please keep reading so you can understand our armed forces personnel’s perspective.
After his natural death in 1935, there were again several years of unstable governments, with the consequent prevailing of the “caudillo” image as a figure of power. Our libertarian warriors’ genetic pool, decimated by decades of war and dictatorship, has been therefore very slow to replenish. I truly hope that those libertarian readers that cannot explain themselves why we have not been capable to adjust the numbers with this criminal organization seizing our government now can understand much better what has been happening in my country. Again fast forward, and a new dictatorship kicks in: Pérez Jiménez. He has in his favor a lot of good stuff, and I will have to be honest acknowledging this.
Creation of large universities, modernization of the country, and jail for corrupt contractors and politicians was something that helped him earn the appreciation of many people. Those years people slept in Caracas with their doors unlocked, and the windows open. They could get out at 3 am, on foot, to take a sick child to the infirmary or get out to buy some medicines, without being robbed or harmed in some way.
Of course, there existed an entire repressive apparatus, but the law infractors were severely punished. Employment was abundant (they received lots of Spanish and Italians running away from Europe). There was no need to get into criminal activities because the economy was strong enough to provide a good living status. If people kept away from political idiocies, like trying to kill some government figure, they could live peacefully and wealthy.
My dad and mom lived those years, and they said it was the best of times in many ways, despite the dictatorship. Camping on the beach for days at a time was common, and no gangs were going to mess with the families.
Fast forward to more recent history
I apologize for extending the introduction this long, but I felt the need to provide an overview about everything the 800,000 population remaining at the beginning of the 20th century had to endure, and how the idea of the idiosyncrasy of a country where schooling was scarce until the second half of the century.
Summarizing, we have a population barely getting out of a country ruled with an iron fist like a huge hacienda, without any schooling, going through a lot of repressive governments, and a second severe dictatorship receiving A LOT of Europeans deeply traumatized by the WWII and consequences. See my point?.
Add then a collective military behavior, attitude, and philosophy mainly developed in order to RULE over the civilian population, more than protect it. In the second half of the 20th century, the things were worst: communist guerrillas were all over the country in the 60s, 70s and early 80s. Military personnel was slowly used to see differently to the civilians.
Similarly, their approach to the civilian was that they were someone to force to obey and treat like potential criminals. Many stories can be told about this. This was not different in the 90s. Oddly, this changed a little once “Uncle Hugo” arrived to the chair. One of his first moves was to increase their salaries, and improve their medical services: dental insurance, maternity, and modernization of their hospitals. When that happened, the general attitude of the uniformed ones to the civilians improved somehow. For a time, it was good. Until as recently as 2009-10, or so, when too much power again was given to them, and their lower ranks were inflating out of their uniforms. That has not stopped, but has gotten worse.
How to stay alive at roadblocks
I write about this, because of this single reason: once the fecal debris bucket gets close to the air pushing device, it is more than likely that the less disciplined, the black sheep, and the rogue personnel are going to organize in some way to mess with the weakened civilian population, and manage to get some extra income from them. This is a failed state. It has been like this for YEARS.
You already know how I know about this.
The focus of some (I don´t mean all the personnel is going to band together and go wild) of the less scrupulous uniforms are going to be, without any supervision, or even under it, getting the most out of the situation. It has happened in South Africa and other countries all over the world. It is universal.
In our instance, it has been a long-lasting trend as you have already learned. Military here have the tendency to look down on civilians, and now it is much worse with everything that has been happening.
I have been stopped in roadblocks. I don´t open my mouth, but give them the car papers, ID, and license, one by one after they give back the document in their hands. Unexpressive face, not threatening but neutral: “glass eyes, dog face” is how their superiors tell them to treat civilians, so I do the same. With a short hair and standing straight up, some seem to have had the impression of being in front of some former military personnel and prefer not to mess with you too much. We Venezuelans are friendly by nature, but I have learned that this is not good, dealing with tired, thirsty and hungry military personnel in the middle of a desert road while traveling alone.
In case an unexpected long-lasting event takes place, and the rule of law gets stranded somehow, a certain amount of uniform personnel is going to go rogue no matter what country you are in. That is my perception.
I have been in enough foreign airports to detect how many of the guards could have that tendency. A bad attitude, worst than the most severe of the guards, a different kind of unpoliteness and hard looks, different than usual, for example.
An unexpressive face, a relaxed body, and a neutral attitude is the best way out. Forget about casual chat, please! I have been asked for some money for soda (very common here by the way), and this is the most common request. I prefer to hand out some cash than being subjected to an exhaustive revision of my car and lugagge. Of course, this is done after the papers are again in the glove box. Like lending some cash to a couple of friends for a coffee. Otherwise it could be a crime.
With the cash scarcity, this has not happened lately…so it is always a good idea to bring along a couple of cookie packages, and perhaps some expandable paper cups and an extra coffee thermos bottle or even better an extra bottle of soda. As I know my people, I have learned that sometimes when there is a group of 3 soldiers or more, offering some coffee or soda, and cookies (I serve myself a little bit before, so it can be seen as a polite offer to share) can relax the guys, and ease any tension, thus improving the general mood. It offers them the possibility that you are not El Chapo’s friend hiding in Venezuela who is going to shoot them at the first suspicious movement, but a chubby dad going someplace who needs to hit the road again as soon as possible to meet his family.
This is an extensive and somehow complex topic, and I promise to elaborate more about it in the next articles.
Be safe, and take care.
PS: I want to thank the donations to those readers who kindly have decided to provide our family, every penny counts in this harsh times, and gives me strength to keep writing to be able to bring them with me.
[Note from Daisy: If you’d like to donate to help Jose get his family out of Venezuela, you can do so here: paypal.me/JoseM151]
Good idea about having a stiff back. I think I’ll use that next time at a road block.
Great info. Something I didn’t think about before.
Considering that some cops are already going rogue now in the U.S., we will need all the help we can get when SHTF.
Going rogue NOW? This is nothing new. When I was a kid, I was distantly acquainted with a retired small town police chief. He actually worked for a living but was called out when police were needed, as the town was too tiny to even have a cop on paid duty. Once when we were chatting about the good old days, he told about his predecessor. The guy didn’t know how to drive and was an alcoholic – in those days, he was referred to as a drunk . He would wander in his uniform along the one sort-of main street of the town when he was sober and thirsty, wait for an expensive looking car to pass through, preferably one he didn’t recognize as local. He’d then flag it down, write a ticket for speeding, threaten the driver if there was any objection, and then tell the guy that he could pay the ticket on the spot and avoid all the hassle of court. The hint was obvious. They all paid. And the cop would then head off to buy some booze and resume his true calling.
Nothing’s changed in a hundred years. Probably not in a thousand.
The only bad thing about rogue cops, is that it’s a good possibility they might be wearing body armor, so you have to go for a head shot, which is a more difficult target than center of mass.
not with a weatherby .340
@As usual, very good article. In the aftermath of the most recent shooting…before things have even settled they now have a bill on the docket over 100 pages long to get rid of the ownership of AR-15s. and anything THEY deem to resemble an assault weapon.
There are over 52 laws on the books right now limiting these things in FL and these laws as well as the FBI did not stop it….again. Do people honestly think that MORE laws will solve this? They will just get the weapons they need on the black market, and if they think they will remove the millions of armed Americans they might want to think on that one again. People will not give up their guns. We are the most well armed nation on the planet, that can say NO to a tyrannical govt action. Try that in any other country where there are now …NO guns….you can forget it. The founding fathers wrote that in for a reason. It is up to our laws and our leaders enforcing the ones already there to do something about this….The FBI has dropped the ball on numerous occasions….as well as local law enforcement . When that stops…..this might help to slow it down.Just my two cents worth. You can look at all the oddities about this shooting and see that more and more students are coming forward and ALL saying the same thing, that there were up to three shooters.. one even told a reporter in and interview that her phone did not work…NO reception, and texted her sister to call 911!! how can she NOT be able to call 911 in a residential area ??? and why are they now tearing that school down too…? and NOT allowing any forensic teams in there? One would have to have their head in the sand to not see the inconsistencies in the whole story , and more are coming to light every day . Such as , why was the military there, and why do the students keep referring to a drill going on? When they dont get the desired result from this …….you know what they have said….dont let a decent disaster go to waste….well, you can expect something even worse for them to dream up. Once again, just my 2 cents worth. .
R.
” Do people honestly think that MORE laws will solve this? They will just get the weapons they need on the black market…”
During times of Domestic Civil War, guns and ammo will always be available. This presumption is shown to be true by examining the Middle East, and all the “anti-government freedom fighters” the USA supplies weapons to. However, it would be a foreign country like Russia or China who would supply black market guns and ammo to American anti-government freedom fighters.
It has been the static Communist MO used to overthrow Democratic Governments for centuries. Civil Wars weaken both the Government and its people, making it far easier for a foreign power to conquer both. Of course when the USA uses this tactic to overthrow a foreign power such as Libya, we excuse our actions as being liberators of down-trodden people from tyranny and spreading democracy. But when you count the millions of civilians killed during our Middle East invasions, you know that our Government’s excuse is a crock of shit, covering up their hidden Imperialist ambitions, and killing Israel’s enemies.
You have so much right, then botch your conclusion. Imperialist ambitions? Nah. Capitalist ambitions. Profit uber alles. And killing Israel’s enemies? Libya was no threat to Israel. Get real. We support Israel’s enemies, even as we also support Israel in some ways. Look at the huge blessings Iran is experiencing. They really are an enemy of Israel and of the US and even of other populations in the region. You over-simplify (“centuries of communist government..”?), and are egregiously wrong in your conclusions, to boot.
I’m not anti cop by any stretch of the imagination. But in a true shtf situation, if it calls for it, and the opportunity presents itself, I’m shooting my way out of most problems, cops or not.
YOU GUYS AREN’T LISTENING TO OUR LORD,he says ALL your cops are dirty,and ROTTEN to the core,top to bottom ,inside and out,IF you want to trust them ,be my guest,but you may learn what the LORD said the hard way if you do……..
By “OUR LORD …says,” I assume you are referring to the Bible. I have read that book through several times, and I do not recall any anti-cop statement. Traditionally, Jews and Christians have always prayed for government leaders, have believed that G-d installs the government, and that it is usually righteous to cooperate with authorities, because they protect people from freelance criminals. Of course, that cooperation does not apply when the guv agent is being a thug or breaking the law, etc.
And there have been times, like Jezebel, when the civil government was fighting G-d, and the prophets criticized with strong language.
Jose, we do have U.S. cops stealing from U.S. citizens, and they don’t even pretend to be asking for soda money. This thievery is called “civil asset forfeiture” and has the blessing of the U.S. Attorney General. Basically any U.S. cop can steal anything he wants from you by saying he “thinks” it’s the fruit of a crime. No proof necessary. No arrest, trial or conviction necessary. Most typically, cops stop drivers, accuse them (with no evidence) of being drug dealers, steal all the cash in their wallet, remotely empty out their bank accounts, and sometimes steal their car. As long as the thieving cops share the loot with their chain of command, they get away with it. U.S citizens already have plenty of experience with predatory cops, and I have no problem believing they will become even more predatory after a societal collapse.
Maggie, this is why I detest the AG with a fiery passion. Anyone who believes that this is “just” has no place in the Department of Justice.
I have actually had friends warn me not to drive on Interstate 40 in Arizona and New Mexico because this stretch of highway is apparently now notorious for cops stopping innocent drivers to steal all the cash in their wallets via civil asset forfeiture. Crooked cops used to content themselves with issuing undeserved speeding tickets to any out-of-towner.
What’s even more scary is that the courts have held that this gross miscarriage of justice is Constitutional. They must have been on drugs when they ruled that.
Dear Fellows,
I could have never imagined that in the U.S. with such a long tradition of honor and dignity could suffer that disease.
But the means to fight against that are: taking a picture of every single bill you have. Don´t use your wallet, just leave a couple of bucks there. Use your pockets. After some event like this happen, report the bills as STOLEN, and give the LEO name, plate number and patrol car number. This is what I am suggesting to do, and a small recording camera in your review mirror would be a great idea as well.
Stay safe my dear fellows, wherever you are, and may God bless you all!
I carry all the time. When I see a cop, on foot or in a car, I go to yellow alert. If the dren hits the fan and I see a cop I will go to red alert. Cops cannot be trusted, they think only of themselves. If I am stopped at a road block, they had better have a real good reason and tell me what law I have broken before I will deal with them.
So you gave us a graduate course in the history of your country to prepare us for ‘dont make eye contact, speak when spoken to, give them whatever they ask for.’? I recommend you don’t come to America. We like our advice columists more succinct and the advice less fool hardy.
How rude, Andrew. Perhaps this is the wrong website for you.
Best wishes,
Daisy
Really,
Been doing this for twenty three years now. Ninety percent of full time law enforcement will remain true blue. Remain honest and dedicated to just remaining a true Police Officer. Helping people is what cops are. The other ten percent, i cannot answer for. We put our lives on the line every day. We are under staffed , high stress and under paid. Most of the public , do not even like the Police. Then there is no respect for Police Officers any more. Police Officers going rogue after the SHTF. Not this one nor the other ninety percent. till you walk in our shoes, don’t judge us.
Signed:
Will not betray the Badge!
I have always wondered why humans behave badly. In the Stanford Prison Experiment, the students in the test de-evolved to tyrants.
Perhaps it can be explained by the work of Dr. Martha Stout (The Sociopath Next Door) that any given population that 4% are latent sociopaths. Is so, 1 in 20 are bad and feel justified in taking your goods without any feelings of shame or remorse.
I believe that Karl Jung in “The Undiscovered Self” put the percentage at 10% of any given population.
Didn’t read the article, just the headline.
SOME officers go rogue? How about EVERYONE will go rogue? If SHTF, as in The Walking Dead SHTF, EOTWAWKI level stuff, everyone will be rogue sooner or later.
Really, when your preps run out, drought prevents harvest, meds run out…what wouldn’t you do for your family? What wouldn’t you do when 6 year old Billy says “Daddy, can I eat today?” If we truly have an end of the world type event, it will be a Mad Max 2: The Road Warrior world.