Conversation with Shane Maxfield, KPD Lt. – Part 5/5

October 25, 2008 by Ian
Filed under: Economic Freedom, Free Talk Live, Obscured Truth Network, Personal Freedom, Police, Video

Sam from the Obscured Truth Network and I did a ride along with Shane Maxfield, one of the lieutenants in the Keene Police. Here’s part five of five where we converse with a couple of drunk college kids on Railroad Sq.:

http://speakoutdanville.org/bbs Curt Springer

Thanks for this series, which was interesting no matter one's ideological bent.

But I wish you could bring yourselves to refer to people by their customary titles, in this case "Lieutenant Maxfield" instead of "Mister Maxfield," as you put it in print captions and the final spoken statement. I think I understand your ideological reason, but it strikes me as disrespectful and, frankly, juvenile.

I reminds me of when I was a college kid working in a NH resort dining room, and the local Catholic priest had breakfast there every Sunday after saying Mass in the hotel ballroom. I actually avoided his table because I knew I would be expected to address him as "Father", and I was not (and still am not) Catholic and he was not my actual father.

Eventually I matured and came to realize that using a customary title was simply a sign of personal respect for the individual, and did not imply that I agreed with that person's organization or belief system.
elkheart

Thanks, Curt. Good story. I'd have called him "You black-robed, idolatrous, hypocritical, genocidal, pedophile, who mocks God's Freedom, by allowing a "pope", who claims to be God's "Vicar", or "Viceroy", ((or whatever weasel-word you choose)), or something like that. What's wrong with *SIR*?…hmmm…why acknowledge a Doctrinal LIE???…GOD BLESS MARTIN LUTHER, and all other PROTESTANT FREEDOM FIGHTERS! DEATH TO PAPIST SCUM! IF YOU'RE STILL NOT LAUGHING AT ME, dude, chill out…you take things ***WAY*** TOO seriously…Semper Fi, SIR!…
http://obscuredtruth.com Samiam

Curt,

I'm not a member of the US armed forces or any police department. I also don't refer to corporate clients by their tile, like Director Scott, or Cheif Executive officer Williams. I call them Mr. Scott and Mr. Williams, and that's common practice in the private sector. Why is it government does this? Why does government attempt to merge a man's title or position with the man?

I appreciate your suggestion to "just play along" and "follow the rules". Of course by the rules you mean the government's rules.

Do you think calling my perspective an "ideological bent", my be construed as equally offensive?

I hope you one day find the courage to free you mind from government bondage. When you do, you will become a powerful agent for change.
http://speakoutdanville.org/bbs Curt Springer

It's not a rule, it's just convention. It's just one little thing that could detract from your message, depending on the listener.

Conventions change over time. I remember reading that it was improper to address a former president as "President", that only the sitting president should be so addressed. But I think Bill Clinton would be taken aback of somebody addressed him these days as "Governor Clinton."

It's all about effective communication. You could bend once in a while.

My mind is not subject to government bondage. It's just that I accept a role for government, and you don't.
http://pshields.net Patrick Shields

I understand your point, Curt, but I don't think it would help to call government people by their official titles. I don't think the way Sam did it detracted from the message.

P.S. There is a role for the government; it is as an organization on the free market providing services on a voluntary basis.
http://obscuredtruth.com Samiam

A great response as usual Curt. If everyone follows the "conventions" and uses the appropriate terms, then how to they ever change?

No one promised the evolution to a voluntary society would be done without offending anyone. In some cases that's the point.

I'm not interested the least bit in bending my message. I constantly look for ways to adapt my message to reach more people. I just got a friend request via youtube from a flag waving military member who is on a tank crew in Iraq. A subtle hint that my message is just beginning to reach into the mainstream. I will continue identifying government entities as they are, private corporations.