Got My Hookah Confiscated, Say Wtf?

[Rani]

sky i have to argue with you on that one my dad is a cop so i know cops yes it is true some of them dont know the law as well as others, but there are some like my father who know it. you have to go to school to become a cop you get tested over that shit so you have to know it some just keep more up to date than others

Ok, I will agree with you. I botched what I was intending to say in that it would make sense that police officers are taught the laws concerning the situations that they are most likely to encounter -- there are just too many laws on the books to know them all, then some are archaic and/or have subsequent laws that nullify them. Then there are state laws that superceede some federal laws depending on the physical location you are at. blah, blah, blah.

In the end, please know that no offense was meant for you or yours.

Police officers could care less about what law is on the books. Their job is enforcement and nothing else. Their job is to jail the bad guys and who they think is a bad guy often depends on their mood, the part of the city you live in and even your skin color. Everybody needs to remember that. Their purpose, job description, whatever you want to call it, is to subdue and contain. That means tickets in the case of traffic incidents and "do not pass go, proceed immediately to jail" in almost every other case. And having read many police reports to be honest with you..... They will lie in order to do that job. I have friends who are currently cops, used to be cops, etc. Ask them what their job is and they will tell you point blank "my job is to arrest". They do it well. And they work their way up the ranks by doing it with enthusiasm. Sorting out the innocent is up to the courts or God as far as they're concerned. Sound lke I'm not a fan? Nope, definitely not.

This wasn't meant to be a thread hi-jacking, but it's important to remember who law enforcement really are and what they're job is. Rent-a-cops are wanna bes who will usually go even one step further so they can impress the locals with their dedication to "fighting crime". The result is that anything misunderstood pays the price - including hookahs.

'Rani

[Alademuerte]

sky i have to argue with you on that one my dad is a cop so i know cops yes it is true some of them dont know the law as well as others, but there are some like my father who know it. you have to go to school to become a cop you get tested over that shit so you have to know it some just keep more up to date than others

Ok, I will agree with you. I botched what I was intending to say in that it would make sense that police officers are taught the laws concerning the situations that they are most likely to encounter -- there are just too many laws on the books to know them all, then some are archaic and/or have subsequent laws that nullify them. Then there are state laws that superceede some federal laws depending on the physical location you are at. blah, blah, blah.

In the end, please know that no offense was meant for you or yours.

Police officers could care less about what law is on the books. Their job is enforcement and nothing else. Their job is to jail the bad guys and who they think is a bad guy often depends on their mood, the part of the city you live in and even your skin color. Everybody needs to remember that. Their purpose, job description, whatever you want to call it, is to subdue and contain. That means tickets in the case of traffic incidents and "do not pass go, proceed immediately to jail" in almost every other case. And having read many police reports to be honest with you..... They will lie in order to do that job. I have friends who are currently cops, used to be cops, etc. Ask them what their job is and they will tell you point blank "my job is to arrest". They do it well. And they work their way up the ranks by doing it with enthusiasm. Sorting out the innocent is up to the courts or God as far as they're concerned. Sound lke I'm not a fan? Nope, definitely not.

This wasn't meant to be a thread hi-jacking, but it's important to remember who law enforcement really are and what they're job is. Rent-a-cops are wanna bes who will usually go even one step further so they can impress the locals with their dedication to "fighting crime". The result is that anything misunderstood pays the price - including hookahs.

'Rani

Awesome post, you pretty much hit the nail on the head right there.
It's a sad realization, but it's true..


And definitely fight the system, make that security guard look like a fool and get what you paid for back.. That's like a freaking high school teacher taking your iPod or cell phone...

[chrisrbts]

Not to be the prude, but the officer has every right to take your hookah as there is no misconception on what the hookah was designed for, it is just illegal in the US to use it for those reasons. Although you and many people here on the forum do not use it for NHT, it does not change this fact, but for some reason this forum says there is a "misconception" about hookah and NHT when in all actuality it is the truth.

It sucks that you got your hookah confiscated and if you can get them to test it for NHT and it comes up negative you should be able to get it back for because of wrongful accusation, but they might not allow you to smoke it on campus anymore. Edited April 27, 2008 by chrisrbts

[NickReppinThe909]

whats up with all this hatred for law enforcement ??? im a reserve sheriff and i thought you guys were above bashing people that put their lives on the line daily to keep you safe and who are the first people you call when you need help ? US and just because your schools rent-a-cop is all butt hurt because he got rejected from the local agency and takes it out on your or is just plain ignorant is no reason to start running your mouth about law enforcement

[Rani]

whats up with all this hatred for law enforcement ??? im a reserve sheriff and i thought you guys were above bashing people that put their lives on the line daily to keep you safe and who are the first people you call when you need help ? US and just because your schools rent-a-cop is all butt hurt because he got rejected from the local agency and takes it out on your or is just plain ignorant is no reason to start running your mouth about law enforcement

Sorry, thread jack..... I work with gang members who are trying to exit that life as my personal contribution to making the world a better place. As such, I read MANY police reports and no one has yet been able to explain to me why three different officers on the scene all give completely contradictory statements in their reports and still manage to all be "honest". And sorry but you don't come to save any of us. You come for the adrenaline rush and to catch the criminal and get the testosterone high off it. It's not hatred of law enforcement - it's acceptance of who they are and what they're about. And homeland security just made it that much easier for all of them. I grew up in an household where LAPD were in and out all the time as coworkers of my family. I still have cops as friends - but I never EVER forget what their job is. As such I treat them all with suspicious respect and observance of their duties. Never argue with the guy with a loaded gun and coworkers who would cover for him if he accidently used it is my general philosophy in life and my friends on the force would be the first ones to tell you that's a wise attitude on my part.

Hookahs were never designed for illegal substances in any form regardless of what anyone would like to think. The fact that some people attempt to use them as such is no more that the same misuse of spray paint, or a speeding car as a weapon or anthing else. Build anything and someone's going to find a way to abuse it. Do we take away all vehicles because someone misused one? Prohibition didn't work remember when we tried to ban alcohol either.

Personal property under our constitutional rights in not open to confiscation unless it is used in the commission of a crime. You give up some of your rights on someone elses private property like a park or school, but last time I checked our constitutional rights were never part of them. My suggestion is the same as those above..... use the law itself to fight to get your hookah back. They have the right to prevent you smoking it on campus as it's private property but they do not have the right to take it from you.

EDIT: And I am respectfully bowing out of this topic. We all have our personal opinions on this very personal issue and this one is about to explode any time now unless I miss my guess. Anyone who want to continue the discussion personally with me is welcome to go to PM for it.

'Rani

[chrisrbts]

Hookahs were never designed for illegal substances in any form regardless of what anyone would like to think. The fact that some people attempt to use them as such is no more that the same misuse of spray paint, or a speeding car as a weapon or anthing else. Build anything and someone's going to find a way to abuse it. Do we take away all vehicles because someone misused one? Prohibition didn't work remember when we tried to ban alcohol either.
'Rani

I guess you have heard wrong but even Hookah Co acknowledges that hookahs weren't originally designed for tobacco on their website http://www.hookahcompany.com/hookah_history.htm

but w/e, nevertheless you should be able to get your hookah back from being confiscated

[skydivemd]

Not to be the prude, but the officer has every right to take your hookah as there is no misconception on what the hookah was designed for, it is just illegal in the US to use it for those reasons. Although you and many people here on the forum do not use it for NHT, it does not change this fact, but for some reason this forum says there is a "misconception" about hookah and NHT when in all actuality it is the truth.

It sucks that you got your hookah confiscated and if you can get them to test it for NHT and it comes up negative you should be able to get it back for because of wrongful accusation, but they might not allow you to smoke it on campus anymore.

In no uncertain terms I am going to have to disagree here. Dudley Frigging Do-Right doesn't have any "right" to take a man's hookah. He doesn't take peoples' cigars away (could have been refilled with something noxious and illegal), doesn't take away hand-rolled cigs (heavens knows what they might have in them). He was enjoying his power trip. Remember, if he had known the law (and its application) he would have understood that the Hookah is exempt from confiscation as it's intended purposes is to smoke tobacco. I make no concession that the thought of doing anything for the "greater good" ever crossed this guy's mind. He was enjoying his power trip, end of the story. And the misconception is that hookahs were designed for NHT - there are much better delivery devices for such things.

And the chance that they would ever go to the trouble to test the hookah for illicit substances is so far beyond comprehension that it really is laudable. They would never expend the energy or the cost.

Do your best to get your legitamate tobacco pipe back and stash the damn thing so this doesn't happen again.

[iron molly black]

Not going to go into cops here, and what they do and don't do, and whether it's right or not. There are good, reasonable cops, and bad cops high on power. Have met and known both kinds, both in the city, and out in the boonies.

I think though, that you SHOULD get your hookah back, and go in with the attitude that you are going to educate these people about what the hookah is used for. Perhaps you will save others from having theirs confiscated as well.

Case in point. I work ren faires. We have off-duty city cops assigned to work security for our faires. They come in with certain stereotypes of ren folk that are not good, to say the least. The same with site owners (Lions Club, etc.). We have been pretty successful in changing people's perceptions. One person at a time!

[wpw36]

sky i have to argue with you on that one my dad is a cop so i know cops yes it is true some of them dont know the law as well as others, but there are some like my father who know it. you have to go to school to become a cop you get tested over that shit so you have to know it some just keep more up to date than others

Ok, I will agree with you. I botched what I was intending to say in that it would make sense that police officers are taught the laws concerning the situations that they are most likely to encounter -- there are just too many laws on the books to know them all, then some are archaic and/or have subsequent laws that nullify them. Then there are state laws that superceede some federal laws depending on the physical location you are at. blah, blah, blah.

In the end, please know that no offense was meant for you or yours.

Police officers could care less about what law is on the books. Their job is enforcement and nothing else. Their job is to jail the bad guys and who they think is a bad guy often depends on their mood, the part of the city you live in and even your skin color. Everybody needs to remember that. Their purpose, job description, whatever you want to call it, is to subdue and contain. That means tickets in the case of traffic incidents and "do not pass go, proceed immediately to jail" in almost every other case. And having read many police reports to be honest with you..... They will lie in order to do that job. I have friends who are currently cops, used to be cops, etc. Ask them what their job is and they will tell you point blank "my job is to arrest". They do it well. And they work their way up the ranks by doing it with enthusiasm. Sorting out the innocent is up to the courts or God as far as they're concerned. Sound lke I'm not a fan? Nope, definitely not.

This wasn't meant to be a thread hi-jacking, but it's important to remember who law enforcement really are and what they're job is. Rent-a-cops are wanna bes who will usually go even one step further so they can impress the locals with their dedication to "fighting crime". The result is that anything misunderstood pays the price - including hookahs.

'Rani

i too have read many police reports and all of them have been true or at least 95% true lots of officers dont file reports til the end of their shifts so there is time for forgetting. personally i do know a few cops that will lie to bust you but most of them i know are good respectable people like us and won't lie to put someone in jail, that would be putting their reputation and JOB on the line.

[Codename067]

Wow; I'm stabbing any person with a uniform if they get near my KM

I will take a bunch of coals and chuck it on their face and keep smoking while they lay on the floor in immense pain.

That bowl smoked on that day would be be the best bowl ever.

[GiantSquid]

Last time I was at the park (in broad daylight nonetheless), somebody called the cops and as soon as they got there, the officer knew exactly what I was smoking and just told me to have fun and left. I guess it just depends on whether the officer/"authority" is a douche or not.

[r1v3th3ad]

Wow; I'm stabbing any person with a uniform if they get near my KM

I will take a bunch of coals and chuck it on their face and keep smoking while they lay on the floor in immense pain.

That bowl smoked on that day would be be the best bowl ever.

lol
thanks for the idea

[Hookah_Bob3]

Not to be the prude, but the officer has every right to take your hookah as there is no misconception on what the hookah was designed for, it is just illegal in the US to use it for those reasons. Although you and many people here on the forum do not use it for NHT, it does not change this fact, but for some reason this forum says there is a "misconception" about hookah and NHT when in all actuality it is the truth.

What? No, hookah was designed for use of tobacco. Take your own misconceptions and acquaint them with truth

[r1v3th3ad]

so, whats the update with campus?

[bjelder]

More fucking bullshit. I can't get it back until NEXT SEMESTER when my "hearing" is. This is total and complete bullshit..........

[Ralleac]

Speaking of Hrold and Kumar, in the end of the second one when they are in Amsterdamn, there is a wall of hookahs and b**gs all next to each other.

That's usually how it works here in the U.S., as well. I've never seen a smoke shop that sold hookahs without also selling NHT pipes. Online is a slightly different story. Edited April 29, 2008 by Ralleac

[AKammenzind]

More fucking bullshit. I can't get it back until NEXT SEMESTER when my "hearing" is. This is total and complete bullshit..........

Dummdeedummm tossabrick

The one thing I hate more than overzealous police officers upholding unjust laws is bureaucratic bullshit. And it sounds like you've got a fine bit of it right there.

[wpw36]

Speaking of Hrold and Kumar, in the end of the second one when they are in Amsterdamn, there is a wall of hookahs and b**gs all next to each other.

That's usually how it works here in the U.S., as well. I've never seen a smoke shop that sold hookahs without also selling NHT pipes. Online is a slightly different story.

eh the local shop here that i frequent is a hookah shop no nht pipes but they sell arabic coffee snacks and also cigs also

[Sariél]

What? No, hookah was designed for use of tobacco. Take your own misconceptions and acquaint them with truth

Uhhh, I may be wrong, but I think tobacco was originally indiginous to the Americas. It wasn't exported to the rest of the world until about 400 years ago. Do you really think people sat around with empty hookahs for 1000 years waiting for something to put in them?

[Ralleac]

Speaking of Hrold and Kumar, in the end of the second one when they are in Amsterdamn, there is a wall of hookahs and b**gs all next to each other.

That's usually how it works here in the U.S., as well. I've never seen a smoke shop that sold hookahs without also selling NHT pipes. Online is a slightly different story.

eh the local shop here that i frequent is a hookah shop no nht pipes but they sell arabic coffee snacks and also cigs also

I've been to a few arabic shops that only deal in hookahs, but they're usually clearly not your normal smoke smoke shop.

[r1v3th3ad]

take it to the papers man

[mattathayde]

What? No, hookah was designed for use of tobacco. Take your own misconceptions and acquaint them with truth

Uhhh, I may be wrong, but I think tobacco was originally indiginous to the Americas. It wasn't exported to the rest of the world until about 400 years ago. Do you really think people sat around with empty hookahs for 1000 years waiting for something to put in them?

the tobacco here in the US was not of a smokeable variety (from what i understand), it was much stronger and the natives only used it for rituals but, from my understanding, they didnt smoke it. it was not only here in the US.



it sucks but depending on who you deal with they can say it is paraphernalia, the military classifies them that way and if you are caught with one on base you get in trouble because the military thinks people arent smoking shisha out of them

im lucky enough to be in a city where there are enough hookah bars that cops just walk by.

good luck
-matt