What is Digg?419 Comments
- GirthAgain, on 10/11/2007, -18/+355land of the freeish.
- NikoKun, on 10/11/2007, -33/+295These days "I'm going to mace you and taze you" is how they bring fear and control... they know they can scare people and force them to do what they want, by threatening them with that. -_- This is the danger of non-lethal weapons... fear and control...
This cop has a serious control problem... people are allowed to ask cops for specifics on why they are being told not to do something... Seems like cops look for easy targets to harass... More people should fight back...
I think it's extremely horrible that they allow tazers to be used like this... as tools of fear, instead of tools for protection... - doctorfungi, on 10/11/2007, -175/+351I say this for every "OMG UNFAIR TREATMENT" story that comes up on Digg.
You're only hearing one side of the story, and that one side is coming from someone who is pissed off. In some cases, they are pissed off because their pride has been shat on, not because they were treated unfairly.
As for this case, I have no idea what actually happened. He could be telling the truth. I don't know, and neither do any of you. - irvman21, on 10/11/2007, -103/+269If I had to guess, I'd say this guy was probably being a condescending non-conformist prick towards an officer with a napoleon complex. Most likely pushed the cop out of the way, in what he considered to be a non-threatening manner, and the cop who was embarrassed in front of his partner over-reacted, as napoleon complex cops typically do.
Did the guy deserve to be tased? No way. Did he act in the calm and restrained manner that is portrayed in the article? No way. The truth likely lies somewhere between his story and the cop's story. - mikelieman, on 10/11/2007, -14/+180You're thinking of Slaves.
"FREE" people don't need to ask permission from their Masters before doing anything. - mrmacky, on 10/11/2007, -9/+142You *can* see both sides of the stories... on the right side there are links to the photo evidence and POLICE NARRATIVES. How is that biased?
- tobsterius, on 10/11/2007, -13/+146I put it in "Political News" for lack of anything else. Digg needs to expand the News categories...
- godofpumpkins, on 10/11/2007, -8/+110the thing to tell all the "it's biased" people is the following:
the facts sound so bad that by most reasonable expectations, the account _needs_ to be biased. But it seems like the general trend is for our law enforcement agencies to reach ridiculous levels without even needing bias. Airport security restrictions are ridiculous. No-fly lists? Bursting into people's homes without knocking, tasering people calling ambulances, citing "wiretapping laws" when trying to prevent filming of this ridiculous activity. We are witnessing not only an increase in "excessive" force, but even completely unnecessary force, such as in this case. The police officer said he had something more important to do, but had too much of an ego to let the cyclist "win". Tasering and jailing in these circumstances (regardless of the cyclist's reaction) was a power game so that the cyclist (and the new officer) wouldn't forget "who's boss". It's disgusting. - godofpumpkins, on 10/11/2007, -4/+99donkeydrop: so you're supposed to be so afraid of the police (who are supposedly there to protect you) that you don't even want to ask them a question on how to avoid the confusion in future (and even save them some work?)
if asking questions makes you a dick then this country is in a sorry state indeed - mikelieman, on 10/11/2007, -12/+104Nope.
"Poorly Trained and Mentally Unstable Police Officer Loses Control"
Happens all the time. It's why Amadou Diallo is dead.
Essentially, it's a training issue. Goes back to Gates' reformatting LAPD as a military unit, and the adoption of his philosophy nationwide.
Learn to properly Kowtow, because it's not going to get any better. - godofpumpkins, on 10/11/2007, -26/+117it's unamericn to not pollute whenever you move around... and if you're not with us you're against us:
unamerican -> not with us -> against us -> enemy combatant -> get your ass tasered - mikelieman, on 10/11/2007, -8/+84It's less ***** than the "You took a swing at my officer" ***** the Supervisor lead with.
- Vic333, on 10/11/2007, -7/+82Unfortunatley, Once a cop targets you, you're screwed. You have to bow, kneel,and lick his boots wether you're right or wrong.
And besides, even if he was in the wrong, purposefully smashing his glasses and tasing and unarmed man (in a two to one fight) was uncalled for. - inactive, on 10/11/2007, -14/+72***** the police. They're just another criminal gang with badges. I teach my children to avoid them just like any other gang of criminals.
- lonesomewolf, on 10/11/2007, -1/+54A similar incident happened at the Atlanta airport a while back. The officer was directing a women who was picking up her elderly mother at the terminal to move her car. As he ordered her to move, although her mother was approaching the vehicle, he claims she brushed him with the car mirror. He then threw this lady out of the car and slammed her onto the ground. The cameras caught the action. This guy had 13 prior complaints against him. Here is the story.
http://www.11alive.com/news/news_article.aspx?storyid=55260
http://www.usatoday.com/travel/news/2004-12-02-hartsfield-brutality_x.htm - oxdeltaxo, on 10/11/2007, -3/+54@donkeydrop
RTFA, the cop didn't just let him ride off he wanted him to walk his bike. Besides cops are supposed to be level headed protectors of the law, not someone who hurts and intimidates every time they feel pissed off. It was just retarded for the cop to pull him over while they had their hands full with something more pressing, looks like they were just trying to get out of work. - olik, on 10/11/2007, -4/+47Classic unlawful detainer and excessive force. Sue the pants off of them
- The_Wallbanger, on 10/11/2007, -15/+58The guy should start skateboarding, then see what kind of "civil rights" he's denied.
- Novagenesis, on 10/11/2007, -3/+46@carsonauto
Guess you have better experience than I do.
I'm an upstanding businessman and I don't look like a punk.
I'm polite and a little shy and quiet. I couldn't come off as intimidating or rebellious if I tried.
I have never had a police officer be the least bit polite to me in any situation. I've had them yell at me and boss me around for no good reason, even threaten me once.
I've never been arrested, of course. I -have- filed complaints. - Skavenblight, on 10/11/2007, -6/+49The reason people are getting indignant is because judging from other cases like this, it's far easier to believe that guy than the police. American policemen are just stupidly brutal and ineffective at protecting you.
- jersey, on 10/11/2007, -2/+40Ok, look at the picture of this guy on his site ... he's 5"6, and about 150lbs. In no way is he physically threatening. If he was not brandishing a weapon, why was one used against him?
For the umpteenth time: Police action such as this will not stop until you stop allowing individuals with only a high-school education (and a superiority complex) become officers. Why are we letting the uneducated enforce the laws, and in some case interpret, the laws? I feel like all officers should be required to have a 4 year liberal arts degree, at minimum, along with an additional 2 years of law enforcement training. Instead out of high-school, and into the police academy for 6 months. It just doesn't cut it any longer. I teach at a college that also houses the local police academy, and every day I have to see these ***** roid-raging ***** talking about how hey took down this an that perp ... not to mention they all have to always carry their guns, so at any given moment there are at least 80 guns in a building on a college campus. Is that necessary? No, but they feel as if they always have to display their superiority. Of course, only about 2 of them can actually spell superiority.
? - directive0, on 10/11/2007, -8/+43RE-*****-DICULUS. Why do the ***** always seem to find themselves behind a badge and a gun?
And as xwagner commented, questioning ABSURD orders issued merely to exercise power and control over a person with no regard for safety of fairness is NOT mouthing off. Its standing up for your ***** rights as a human being, man. Get with the program. - Jonsblckhwk, on 10/11/2007, -5/+37This kind of stuff happens every day.
Its too easy to be corrupt when you have so much power.
Get rid of the war on drugs and you won't have as many power hungry bigots looking to beat up minorities for fun. - Leo55, on 10/11/2007, -0/+32Thanks for allowing Tasers.
Cops use them like toys now. - mrmacky, on 10/11/2007, -4/+35If they were on their way to look for a teenage girly, why did they stop to pull a man over.
Also, since when does a PED-XING sign prohibit a cyclist from crossing? Cyclists are considered vehicles, not pedestrians, which is why they have to obey the laws of traffic.
Seems to me the cop got trippy because he didn't want a call to his supervisor ;) - qsqueeq, on 10/11/2007, -0/+30check this out.
http://www.mspairport.com/Police/patrol/Bike.aspx
The airport's bike patrol. How ironic. - mikesbaker, on 10/11/2007, -8/+35seems like an open and shut case once his lawyer gets his hands on the airport video.
- toomanyhandles, on 10/11/2007, -5/+32In related news, Homeland Security sends Officer Wingate a letter extending an an immediate offer of employment due to his previously-unrecognized yet exemplary investigative skills, which will be very useful to the Right Americans in the coming New Age of Special Democracy being planned for the nation.
- LaughingMan11, on 10/11/2007, -2/+27A bicycle isn't a motor vehicle, perse, since it doesn't have a motor, but in terms of traffic laws, it is a considered a vehicle, and given no exclusions because it is a bicycle in 19 states, including Minnesota, where this occurred.
http://www.massbike.org/bikelaw/vehicle.htm - nytewalker, on 10/11/2007, -5/+30@girthagain
Wait..so merely riding a skateboard damages property? I was not aware of this! I guess four wheels, instead of two, must somehow scratch the sidewalk?
I assume your talking about those that do tricks off of poles and bars and stuff, well yes then you'd be right. But I've seen a guy destroy a car window when doing tricks...on his bike. So just skating, or riding, around town isnt' going to destroy property. - oifish, on 10/11/2007, -2/+25Good thing he doesn't live in LA and he isn't black or he would of been shot to death.
- yakski, on 10/11/2007, -2/+25This reminds me of a personal incident with the police of a similar nature.
As a runner I was looking for a partner to run with and I found someone at work who was of like mind. The very first time we headed out together for a run on my buddies course we get 'pulled' over by the state police. My friend's course included about a 1/2 to 1 mile section of highway and apparently it is illegal in my state to run next to the highway. My friend had run this many times before with no problem and it did not bother me to run on it since it had an extremely wide berm.... I mean it had this rock fall zone that went about 50-100 feet wide next to the highway so in no way were we close to the cars.
Well anyway, this police officer while reasonably polite in explaining the problem but then came the ***** authority crap. We were a little more than halfway along the route so going back meant MORE danger not less danger... but the jerk insisted we turn around. It would have been both safer and more intelligent to let us proceed to the exit but this guy just had to show who was in charge by insisting the less safe longer route. It was completely done so he could spread his authoritarian wings and abuse his power.
We proceeded to turn around so as not to cause trouble but it really was all about him abusing his power instead of using his brain. - VelvetHammer, on 10/11/2007, -0/+23Looks like the woman in the Atlanta Airport incident ended up getting a $350,000 settlement. Of course she had video evidence of the brutality that she suffered.
- toomanyhandles, on 10/11/2007, -18/+39Since many won't read the article, there is one sane comment that I'll plop in here. The cop is a nut, but this guy seems to be biking where you don't want to be bicycling:
----
As a fellow cyclist, musician, and former Minneapolis resident, I have little sympathy.
You ride a Brompton, a bicycle designed to be folded into a size to make it easy to carry on a train. Minneapolis now has a wonderful light rail train that goes from the Lindberg terminal over to Fort Snelling, where you were headed anyway. Even if you wanted to extend your trip and get more exercise, you could have simply gone to the HHH terminal and rode away on a normal street with relatively minor traffic.
Instead, the path you chose to take was equivalent to riding a bicycle onto a freeway on-ramp. A very busy freeway on-ramp at that. When the police stopped you, because you were acting like a nut - you responded by acting like more of a nut.
[...]
Rather than successfully making life easier for cyclists, you've already gotten cycling totally banned anywhere around the Lindburg terminal, and now cyclists at the airport are going to be the target of more harrassment. Thanks, *****!
------ - inactive, on 10/11/2007, -1/+22I can't second this enough. Atlanta airport cops are the WORST I have ever encountered anywhere.
- GirthAgain, on 10/11/2007, -4/+24The Atlanta airport cops are douchebags.
- Vic333, on 10/11/2007, -10/+29What if they girl those cops were called to find had been abducted while they were dicking around with a cyclist?
- inactive, on 10/11/2007, -16/+35How many times do you Americans have to be tasered before you realize your living in Nazi Germany now? I mean come on.
- joethedouchebag, on 10/11/2007, -4/+22I tried to exercise my right to bear arms, but the taxidermist refused to attach them no matter how much money I offered.
- Battleloser, on 10/11/2007, -3/+20It is fair, because even if there are a few good cops out there, they're not doing anything to stop the majority of the bad ones.
- dondara, on 10/11/2007, -4/+19I hope Officer Pencil-Dick meets up with a real threat and gets his ass beat. I've met a few cops who weren't complete ***** but only a few. I guess if I had to deal with tweekers and scumbags all day I'd be a ***** too.
- compujunkie, on 10/11/2007, -12/+27I hope he sues the hell out of those pigs, and they lose their jobs. Gotta love how the Patriot Act is turning this f-ing country into a police state.
- elsJake, on 10/11/2007, -4/+19he said the picture was from another place , RTFA
- noahhoward, on 10/11/2007, -3/+18Better than being shot. But point taken.
- Novagenesis, on 10/11/2007, -0/+15Why didn't the cop offer one?
The guy thought he wasn't doing anything wrong. Why would he try to find a way to weasel out of his not doing something wrong? - chowdah, on 10/11/2007, -1/+15Shoot him and sprinkle some crack on him! Another job well done.
- daonlyfreez, on 10/11/2007, -4/+18They shout at you... Obey!
They taser you... Obey!
They jail you... Obey!
They torture you... Obey!
Then if all is over, file a complaint...
Oh, wait, you might not be able to, you know, them _terrerist_ issue, them _Patriot_ (sic) Act issue
You'll serves... - onyxrev, on 10/11/2007, -0/+13This is a duplicate...
http://www.digg.com/offbeat_news/Cyclist_accosted_by_police_at_the_Minneapolis_airport
There's a Twin Cities LJ thread going on about this...
http://community.livejournal.com/twin_cities/1788905.html
I can confirm that very few of the police here in the Twin Cities have ANY idea what the bike laws are.
Bikes are given full rights as vehicles...
http://www.revisor.leg.state.mn.us/bin/getpub.php?type=s&year=current&num=169.222
Cars and other vehicles must give bikes no less than three feet clearance when passing...
http://www.revisor.leg.state.mn.us/bin/getpub.php?type=s&year=current&num=169.18
Do what I do and carry printed copies of these laws, ready to be handed out to any motorist or officer who is ignorant of them! - spudnic, on 10/11/2007, -0/+11@slapded (#7280334)
Are you the jock from an 80s teen movie or what? - Novagenesis, on 10/11/2007, -0/+11Of course there's no evidence. Apparently this high security airport doesn't have one camera pointed in the direction of that road. Talk about an oddity.
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