Posts Tagged ‘police brutality’

A Seattle police officer is in trouble for beating up a 15 year old girl in a holding cell. He is defending himself against charges by saying, basically, that the teen girl deserved it for provoking him by kicking a shoe at him and calling his wife a whore.

Really? That is your idea of justification to wall-slam a girl, punch and kick her? Gee, I sure hope your wife (whether she is a whore or not) never pisses you off, cause Gods know what you might consider yourself entitled to do in that instance. And man, nobody better play “the dozens” with this dude; he really has a short fuse.

The girl says the officer insulted her first, saying that she was working as a prostitute and that is why she lost it and kicked her shoe at him and returned the insult. It is somewhat the kind of behavior adolescents are infamous for—no impulse control and all that. But a grown man? A trained professional? He can’t control his temper when a teen aged girl insults him?
Wow, how adult is that? I hope he isn’t a parent.

Seattle doesn’t need that kind of cop. He assaulted a child in custody. If a police officer can’t take what a mouthy kid dishes out, how in hell would he act in a truly threatening scenario?

(Hat-tip to the Earthbound Misfit!)

So many of us have been shocked by videos of police doing terrible and illegal things that now several states are legislating to make that impossible. Apparently, they think it is easier to HIDE behind a law making taking pictures of on duty officers ILLEGAL than making their cops behave in law-abiding ways.

Freedom of the press much? Time to use hard to notice little cameras and never let your name be associated, I would say! I want to see how this plays when they arrest a camera man from a major news organization.
Attention to this, folks: Keep up!

I will open with a quote (from the Seattle paper) from a man defending the Seattle Police from protesters who dislike the kicking and stomping of an innocent man:

“Gary, a man at the protest who did not want to give his last name, says it’s acceptable for police to go to extremes.

“The police need to be able to sometimes … if people are uncooperative – force them to cooperate. And sometimes for that, it requires force,” he said. ”

Really, Gary? Did you watch the video? The guy followed EVERY command, he assumed the flat on the ground position and was not talking back. The cops still kicked and stomped him and insulted him to boot. And this is a guy who did nothing, an innocent.

I bet you are white, right, Gary? You aren’t worried about being put on the ground and kicked, or stopped at random every time a crime is committed and the cops are out a-hunting. Must be nice to be you, Gary.

The Seattle Police have not been the same since the WTO affair, when they beat down even white, female SHOPPERS and tear gassed random car occupants. And so, the city and the residents got a bit flinchy and less “Oh, Hi, Officer Friendly” to them. I stopped shopping in Seattle, but for two or three trips a year at that point.

And now? Well, I won’t go to the city at all until someone leashes the dogs.

The video:

I wonder who gives the cops their orders at political gatherings around the country.  The police in Denver were none too tender with various groups in the street, and the police at the GOP convention staged preemptive strikes on people expected to protest.

Recently, at a debate site for Obama and McCain, the police again were very “pro-active” about protesters—this time against uniformed veterans who wanted to present a list of questions to the candidates.  So, today’s post is from a letter of the IVAW (Iraq Veterans Against War).  They are asking for contributions for the legal fund, as they were arrested, and some had injuries from being ridden down by horse-mounted police.

Why does it make me think of Cossacks and pogroms in old Russia?  Maybe the idea of armed men on horses riding against unarmed men on the ground?

From the IVAW:

One hour before the final presidential debate of the 2008 campaign, fourteen members of IVAW marched in formation to Hofstra University to present questions for the candidates concerning the occupation of Iraq and the treatment of returning veterans. IVAW had requested permission from debate moderator Bob Schieffer to ask their questions during the debate but got no response.

The contingent of veterans in dress uniforms and combat uniforms attempted to enter the building where the debate was to be held in order to ask their questions but were turned back by police. The ten IVAW members at the front of the formation were immediately arrested, and others were pushed back into the crowd by police on horseback. Several members were injured, including former Army Sergeant Nick Morgan who suffered a broken cheekbone when he was trampled by police horses before being arrested.

(And the questions)    1.  The invasion and occupation of Iraq is illegal based on criteria in our own Constitution, as well as international law and the Geneva Conventions.  Sen. Obama, is it not the right of service members to refuse deployment and participation in the occupation of Iraq?  As President, will you support the rights of service men and women who refuse participation in this criminal war?

2. Sen. McCain, we currently have thousands of veterans returning from combat in Iraq and Afghanistan, many of them with severe injuries.  The rate of suicide attempts among veterans is at the shocking rate of up to 1,000 per month.  Sen. McCain, you have consistently voted against an increase in VA funding and other legislation that would take care of veterans.  As President, will you be prepared to fully fund and staff the VA system and how will you address your poor voting record on veteran’s issues?

I like asking McCain why he has sold out the veterans of every war.  I think the first question defies military custom.  Illegal war or not, soldiers do not get to pick and choose.  Voters, alas, SHOULD have more to do with that…to guard the precious lives OF the military members.  Wake up, voters!