How to deal effectively with the Police.

It seems as of late that there seems to be some problems between policemen and the public. I may be mistaken but I believe that it is not so much a race problem of profiling as it is with communicating effectively and to do exactly what you are told when you are told.

All that one needs to do is to watch a couple of series of COPS on television to see how things can go down hill quick. You can sit with a tablet and make a check mark for how the perpetrator or citizen in question gets there self into trouble. Soon you are setting with a tablet full of check marks.

Here are a couple of suggestions that can help you in the future.

1. When you hear a siren behind you and see flashing lights in your mirror, PULL OVER! Nine times out of ten, it's NOT you that they're looking for. They will just pass you by. If you are the one that they are looking for here is the next suggestion to follow.
2. Sit quietly in your car and wait for instructions!
3. Do exactly what they say, when they say it! If they say Roll Down your window. Do it. If they say put your hands on the wheel or outside your window, Do IT, NOW!
4. If they say to unlock your door, Do it, NOW!
5. You do have a Civil right to know: Why they pulled you over. If you are being charged with a crime. 
6. If you are being handcuffed you ARE being arrested. If not then they are needing more information.
7. If they ask for your drivers license, give it to them. You should NEVER be without your License! If you don't have your drivers license then it is illegal to be driving!
8. If they DO arrest you, They MUST read you your Miranda Rights, which we all have seen in every Police Series or Movie. "You have the right to remain silent, anything that you do or say will be held against you in a court of law. If you do not have an Attorney then one will be provide for you. Do you understand your rights as this has been read to you?" You must say, Yes.
9. Even if you have NOT participated in a crime it is my personal opinion that you still say, exactly nothing until your attorney is present with you!
10. One thing to be cognizant of is if they come upon you and they are plain clothes police officers and they show you a badge, you need to tell them that you will be driving to the nearest police station to insure that they truly are police officers. There have been many who have been murdered by murderers posing as police with lights in or on their cars and a fake badge.
11. When they cuff you, do exactly what they say. If they say to step outside of the car and kneel facing away from them then do it. If they say to put your arms behind your back do it to the best of your ability. Do NOT resist them.
12. Your ability to defend yourself as to your innocence will not be judged on the side of the road. 
13. You will be given a chance to call your attorney or someone that you know once that you get to the confinement area or jail. This will be a short call. Tell them your name. What Jail that you are in and that it is important that they defend you in the court of law.
14. Do NOT talk to anyone about your case unless your attorney is present!

When speaking to the Police you should be addressing them as Officer or Yes Sir or No Sir or if it is a female officer, Yes Mame or No Mame. Do NOT be rude with them. Do NOT yell at them or be disrespectful.
When in Doubt, Comply. You do NOT have to talk with them other then your name, address, telephone number. You have the right to be silent.
If you have any other tips or advise please share with us.

To Venice and On to Greece!

In May of this year we took. Trip to Europe, which consisted of flying to JFK then on to Venice, Italy.  We made it to Venice and what a beautiful city! We were picked up by Limo and whisked to the water taxi port. We took a leisurely ride on a water taxi to the Molino Stuckey Hilton. I loved being in the back of that taxi! It was like in the "Tourist" with Johnny Depp and Angolie Jolie! Cruising down the canals and under bridges seeing the sights and watching the boats and people going by was so exciting. We got to the Hotel and upgraded for 125 Euros to the 6th floor overlooking the canal! This also upgraded us to the Executive Lounge where there were free snacks, bread, meats, fruits and wine! We totally took advantage of this perk! The Vino was so amazing.

The next morning I woke and looked outside to see our ship, the Norwegian Sky passing by! I grabbed the camera and started taking pictures. I waved at the people who were viewing from their balconies and they waved back! My wife, Sonia looked at me while shaking her head and said, "You know you are in your under wear right?" I smiled back and said, "But we are in Venice!"

We went down to the executive lounge and enjoyed breakfast and an Italian Cappuccino, which was so delicious! Afterward we gathered our things an a contact from Norwegian helped us get our transfer on a water taxi going to the ship. We unfortunately had to ride with another family. It was a Mother, her Son and his girl friend. The Son and girl friend were fine it was the Mother! She was what I like to call the "Ugly American!" Oh my God! She complained about everything! The airplane ride, the water taxi, the hotel everything was terrible! I could tell that her Son and Girl friend were not comfortable with this as they sat there in silence smiling nervously. So for the length of that short trip, she raped my ear with her complaints! I was so glad to be rid of her once we got to the port and checked in.
We finally were on board and got settled in so grabbed a bite to eat and returned to our cabin. We shoved off and Sonia turned on her smart phone to play Italian music while we slipped down the canal. We met our neighbors and introduced ourselves. The people to our right were from Australia and the people to our left was from Iceland. That was delightful since Sonia's Mother is from there. We learned that about fifty people were on board that was from there. We totally enjoyed this cruise! We  went to Corfu, Mykonos, Santorini, and Olympia. It was so wonderful to enjoy the history, the culture, the food and music!