Gawker
Internet first amendment rights were threatened yesterday when RateMyCop.com was shut down. As the name implies, the site allows users to rate local uniformed cops. The host, GoDaddy.com, told the owner that it was taken offline for "suspicious activity." The site is back up, but Rate My Cop's inevitable failure is a good reminder that the internet is still a playground for rich kids.
The site is based on a Wikipedia model, with users adding and editing information about their local cops. The only problem is that people who are interested in wasting their time on online directories don't really notice their local cops. Until they're mugged and need help (A+ cop would call again) or they're unexpectedly harassed by the pigs for smoking on a train platform (abuse of power!). There's a reason this model works best for rating the hotness and lax grading policies of college professors.
The people who might actually benefit from a site like this are likely poor, and since they're poor, they can't contribute via iPhone or BlackBerry. In fact, they might not even have an internet connection in their home. (I don't know how they survive either.) Gawker jailbird Sheila is the exception. The internet has democratized knowledge, sure, but only for the people who can afford a DSL connection.
Comments
Oh, come on, a lot of people who regularly get hassled by the cops have the internets. I imagine Sean Bell and his friends all had sidekicks, high speed connections, etc. This sounds like a really good service.
Stuff white people like! I saw it on VSL!
So your argument is that only poor people know cops? Is this a chapter of Freakonomics or something?
@ADismalScience: "The only problem is that people who are interested in wasting their time on online directories don't really notice their local cops."
Also, all squares are rectangles but not all rectangles are squares.
No, it could be useful. Like the inverse about the old Steven Wright joke about the worst doctor. Some where out there is -- well, may be -- an actual good cop.
@ADismalScience: Here, have some LemonJello, Shithead.
Someone needs to be the first to mention that the site is actually still down or is, once again, down.
My pants are rating that cop in the photo a solid 8 right now.
@Furious George: Only an 8? Is it because of the '80s hair?
I'd seriously consider investing some money in a ratemyproctologist.com.
But it would definitely need to include a search function for terms like "bodybuilder," "hairy," "muscular," "horny," -- you know, that kind of thing.
Well this just helps to explain how it is that the constabulary always seems to break through my supposed "DoNotCall" telephone barrier in order to solicit me for donations.
At which point, I always (Is It a?) lie: "Sorry Officer -- I'm unemployed."
@fiveinchtaint:
It took some googling before the lols could begin, but bravo
@ADismalScience: Haha - oh man. Thanks for following up - I feared I had offended you. Calling someone shithead usually does that, but if you know the reference then it's cool.
@fiveinchtaint:
If you hadn't capitalized properly I would have assumed you were just insulting me in some bizarre way. Today's lesson kids: PUNCTUATION, SYNTAX, AND GRAMMAR MATTER!!!
@fiveinchtaint: It was a penis joke!
And for the record, I have a huge 80s-girl fetish. I love '80s hair, '80s thongs, '80s tan lines, hoop earrings, etc.
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