04-19-2012, 11:14 AM
Vllad, I think you're looking at one side of the issue and reacting to it. The thing that makes The Wire realistic is that it shows multiple sides of these issues. The good, the bad and everything in between.
As far as the view of police? There are many good cops on this show. And many shitty ones. And it places them inside a police force that is also both good and bad and forces them to make impossible decisions.
I think it does this with all the issues and social problems it deals with. Back room politics, street culture, race, the drug war, inner city education, journalism, unions, poverty, money in politics, Comstat (crime statistics), testing in schools, drug organizations, etc. What other show is realistic enough to paint a picture of those issues while trying to show both sides of the story? Sure, sometimes it may be lopsided and play favorites, but at least both sides (or many sides) are there.
Was Bunny's Hamsterdam experiment unrealistic? Probably. But does it show what a 30 year vet about to retire might think when he looks back on his career dealing with the failed drug war? I bet you a dollar.
And I can't believe you're trying to deny police corruption isn't real. Here's a story for you:
<!-- m --><a class="postlink" href="http://www.villagevoice.com/2012-03-07/news/the-nypd-tapes-confirmed/">http://www.villagevoice.com/2012-03-07/ ... confirmed/</a><!-- m -->
Does that mean all cops and police departments are corrupt? Nope. But is it a problem? Hell yes!
As far as the view of police? There are many good cops on this show. And many shitty ones. And it places them inside a police force that is also both good and bad and forces them to make impossible decisions.
I think it does this with all the issues and social problems it deals with. Back room politics, street culture, race, the drug war, inner city education, journalism, unions, poverty, money in politics, Comstat (crime statistics), testing in schools, drug organizations, etc. What other show is realistic enough to paint a picture of those issues while trying to show both sides of the story? Sure, sometimes it may be lopsided and play favorites, but at least both sides (or many sides) are there.
Was Bunny's Hamsterdam experiment unrealistic? Probably. But does it show what a 30 year vet about to retire might think when he looks back on his career dealing with the failed drug war? I bet you a dollar.
And I can't believe you're trying to deny police corruption isn't real. Here's a story for you:
<!-- m --><a class="postlink" href="http://www.villagevoice.com/2012-03-07/news/the-nypd-tapes-confirmed/">http://www.villagevoice.com/2012-03-07/ ... confirmed/</a><!-- m -->
Does that mean all cops and police departments are corrupt? Nope. But is it a problem? Hell yes!