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we believe the only reason the observationalist extend theories is to get their name in print, the old publish or perish concept.
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For sure, I think the "publish or perish" pressure exists...but that doesn't excuse any ol' crackpot theory appearing in some journal. The peer-group thing that exists is very conservative & stringent, very rigid editorialship. I think you need theoretical models to make human sense out of the plethora of observational data. And if one tiny piece of data is proved to be contradictory to that theoretical model, the model collapses. It is definitely not frantically kept together with chewing gum. For example, the orbit of Mercury contradicted Newtonian mechanics, so a new theory (relativity) had to be devised (or, rather, the old theory had to be extended) - and relativity seems to work & be irrefutable & a be a REAL portrayal of things. But even relativity has a thorn in its side - quantum mechanics. They both need to be reconciled. Doesn't necessarily mean they're both false representations of reality...just not complete.
In summary, I believe science moves forward. I think in this aspect we are lucky to be alive at this time in history. (In most other aspects, we are extremely unfortunate!
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I wouldnt make broad claims to say that the police community are all prejudice and they all deal drugs to further their own incomes as i know most of them to be honest caring people.
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Well I just watched "Serpico" on TV and I'm convinced that corruption infests the corridors of power right to the very top of the pyramid! ^_^