As I’ve grown older, I have found the police to be increasingly contemptible. That’s the opposite of what’s supposed to happen. You’re supposed to become more conservative and more respectful of authority as you get older. Perhaps there is something wrong with me or I am immature when it comes to these things. On the other hand, when you see stuff like this, cynicism is the only normal reaction.

Federal ATF agents in cities across the country reportedly used rogue tactics to go after guns on the street — allegedly exploiting the mentally ill, buying up weapons for way more than they’re worth and letting minors smoke pot and drink.

This is incredible:

In Pensacola, the ATF hired a felon to run its pawnshop. The move widened the pool of potential targets, boosting arrest numbers.Even those trying to sell guns legally could be charged if they knowingly sold to a felon. The ATF’s pawnshop partner was later convicted of pointing a loaded gun at someone outside a bar. Instead of a stiff sentence typically handed down to repeat offenders in federal court, he got six months in jail — and a pat on the back from the prosecutor.

The basic tactic seems to be entrapment. They used various methods to get people to commit crimes. In this case, the crime involved guns. This is often a problem with police departments in major cities. There is pressure on cops to make busts and they cut corners. What we are seeing with the ATF is different. This stuff is coming down from the top. You’re not renting out retail space without senior level approval.

Then we have this little gem. A maniac is running around Times Square so the cops start shooting into the crowd, wounding two innocent women. Naturally, they charge the maniac with shooting the women. The argument is the maniac caused the cops to start shooting people. If that’s not enough, the cops are not facing discipline for their reckless disregard for public safety. Why should they?” They are agents of the state which means they are beyond the reach of the law. This is a Soviet level corruption and it is getting worse.