MovieChat Forums > Wanted (2005) Discussion > Have these people ever heard of The Cons...

Have these people ever heard of The Constitution?


I've watched a couple of shows, and I'm amazed that it apparently condones highly illegal police tactics. Sort of doing the wrong thing for the right reason mentality.

For example, in last night's show (9/18/05) a suspect asked for an attorney, and they continued to "question" him. He eventually told them things that led to the bad guy's arrest. Or later, they’re searching a residence (presumably with a warrant), and one cop asks the other what he's looking for. The reply was "I'll know it when I see it". I didn't know that judges signed off on "I'll know it when I see it" warrants.

I hope they realize that even the dumbest, laziest lawyer could get the whole case thrown out because of that. Of course, their self-righteous group think would blame liberal judges for being soft on crime, when in fact there is no leeway that even the harshest judge could take.

I may watch an occasional episode, just to irritate my liberal sensibilities, but I won't make any effort to follow this show. I hope the dropping ratings indicates that the cop show watching sector of the American public does not agree with the "ends justifies the means" approach that Wanted seems to subscribe to.

reply

IT'S A TELEVISION SHOW...IT'S NOT REAL LIFE!!!

reply

I agree it's "just a TV show". But when a show like this depicts illegal police activity in a favorable light, and achieving positive results, it resonates with people who feel that police powers should be expanded beyond the public's constitutional rights.

The Patriot Act is an excellent real life example of this. The fear of terrorism resulted in an abridgement of everybody's rights. Even the neocon's acknowledge that parts are so egregious, that they'll have to be stricken. The provision that forces libraries and bookstores to turn over any information on any person, without a warrant, and without notifying that person, is so undefendable, it's amazing that it ever became a law. But it did, and in real life too.

Although I've never been one to think that TV shows will brainwash people to change their views, they certainly can reinforce their attitudes if they're already leaning that way. Many people feel it's wrong that the police have to play by the rules and the bad guys don't. This show says that if it weren't so, there'd be a lot less bad guys. And anyone who disagrees, wants the bad guys to win.

I hate to think of the kinds of laws that this kind of thinking will produce. In real life.

reply

the whole point of the show is that the team works outside the boundaries of the law....they do what ever it takes to get the bad guys. that's why you see the DA lady on their asses all the time.

as for that warrant, eddie and jimmy could have said they were searching for anything...like drugs or weapons. they just needed an in to the witch's house. all they wanted was to find something that would lead them to karsh. so, while looking for 'guns' or 'drugs' they happen upon her cell phone. it may not be usable in court as evidence...but it would tell them where the bad guy is. this is an action/thriller cop show....not 'law and order'.

i love the show, because it's entertaining...not because it's law enforcement 101.

reply

Thank you. Besides, who exactly would they each report to if they weren't that type of team? That could kill the whole thing. It was actually kind of nice to see the cops come down on another cop instead of covering it up.

Alandra
-------------------------------------

"Which part of 'walking dead woman' don't you understand?" -Evening Blackmoor

reply

Wait, what you're saying is not accurate. I specifically remember two of the characters making comments about "facists with badges" and how they're even worse than the crimanls (that they arrest).

reply

The whole point of the show is to be "The Shield", with half the writing/acting talent.

reply

This issue will never see a favorable solution because the sad fact is that playing by the rules all the time is not completely effective. Sure it abides by the Constitution and morally we should obey the law and give everyone equal rights, but I believe that the negative repercussions of this way of thinking leads to more crime. I'm not saying going outside the law is ALWAYS the right way to work, but if it's effective, the ends DO justify the means. Lives saved means more, in my opinion, than making sure every "i" is dotted and every criminal is treated fairly. However, I do understand the damage that this way of thinking also poses as people can go too far. I think Connie said it best that the "Cop's truth" is that "They'll never win." Crime will always occur but I feel that the job of "law" enforcement is to try to prevent crimes instead of always being on the tail of a criminal.

Then again there is the whole argument of the legal institution itself. If someone is so adamant about law abiding and treating people equal -according to the Constitution- What happens when the laws change? What happens if criminals are given less rights than law enforcement and discriminatory laws are passed? Then these same people must subscribe to these new laws as well? If they don't, they they are surely being hypocritical.

The point is that everyone has their own view of what is "just" and fair. Everyone has a set of "laws" in their own mind of what people should and shouldn't be able to do. Most of the time, these overlap with legislative laws, but sometimes they might contradict them. No one can really say they have the "right" view, but I think the goal is to try to please as many people as possible; and more people respond to results rather than the methods.

reply

Playing by the rules is not completely effective.
Well, hmmm..

Didn't they expect US to?

Something to consider.

reply

I hope they realize that even the dumbest, laziest lawyer could get the whole case thrown out because of that.
Except that part? Totally doesn't matter. They're finding fugitives, so just because the team stomped all over the criminals' rights doesn't mean that their original conviction would be overturned. The criminals could probably sue the team, but they're not going to get out of jail.

"Eddie, sometimes you're funny. And then there's now."

reply

this man speaks the truth...

some people analyze tv shows to much to the dot.

reply

The guy asked for the attorney...then they continued to ask questions without affording him one...therefore any information they solicit from him will not be admissable in court as evidence against him. That's correct. But they weren't looking to put that guy away or use that information against him...they were trying to find the other bad guy. Which they did.

Also..."I'll know it when I see it" is a piece of dialogue. Not a signed affidavit. Searching for a big-name, dirtbag fugitive is reason enough for a judge to issue a search warrant for a residence where said fugitive is rumored to be or rumored to have been.

Third, you don't need another reason to arrest a fugitive of justice. They're fugitives. That's plenty of reason.

So....First, before you pontificate about civil rights and spew this meaningless conjecture about the law...learn something about it. Second, you're going to see what ever you want to see in the show. If you want to see this is an allegory for the Bush Administration, you will. If you want to see it as an allegory for the Spanish Inquisition, you will. If you want to see this as an allegory for the life of Mother Theresa.....get the picture? You're projecting yourself and your ideas into something that doesn't warrant it.

Wake up and stop being a jackass.

reply


Hoooooray!

Best comment ever, specially, the "wake up and..." part.
But, will he? (and all the look-alike bunch). Don't think so.

reply

Apparently not. Neither has the President of the United States.

We Came, We Saw, We Kicked it's ASS!

reply

Hey tarowner-1, if you think the team denying a suspect his lawyer or not telling a person what they are looking for in a warrent is bad, you should have seen the episode where the team leader shoots and kills a suspect in cold blood.

reply