Quote Originally Posted by Idaho
It's something I have heard reports of and seen footage of a few times with regard to US officials of any sort.

It seems like once you give someone a uniform in the US they see themselves as masters rather than servants and demand deference. I recall the story about the academic crossing the road and being assaulted by the plain clothes policeman who he refused to give his ID to. I also recall a story about a British journalist being interrogated at immigration control for hours because he forgot to call the official 'sir'.

Perhaps this is also connected to the abuses that american soldiers inflict on civillians in Iraq and Afghanistan. Something to do with the protection and status offered by a uniform gives them rights over others? Perhaps a throwback to the slave-overseer culture that the US was founded upon. I'd be interested in others ideas and experiences.
I think this is the most nonsensical thing that you have ever posted here.