I believe you have just been thoroughly intoduced to a Bostonian point of view. Bellingham has much in common with the uber liberal Boston area, hence it is consistent.

How well the whole thing is accepted elsewhere is, I'm sure, regionally specific.

Personally.....cops tell a million people to do anything.....to me is a police state takeover, and doesn't fly with me. I didn't get as old as I am because of the caring cops provide......perhaps some have.