More Taser Time

[Beta]

Wow.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IMaMYL_shxc&eurl=http://www.sltrib.com/ci_7523456

This is some major BS.

[sohotrightnow]

Can't wait for all the cop apologists to come out of the woodworks. That guy is a disgrace as a human being. Unfortunately, he is normal for a cop. Let me guess, he should have just signed the ticket, right?

What is even more troubling is that anti-war critics are chided for suggesting that U.S. troops are purposely killing or injuring Iraqis for no reason. These cops are trained professionals, most with college degrees, and they still act like thugs under the motto of "to protect and serve." Why is it so far out of the realm of possibilities to suggest that some troops aren't doing the same? Yeah, yeah, I am not a patriot, blahblahblah. Whatever, continue to be sheep.

[Beta]

What is even more troubling is that anti-war critics are chided for suggesting that U.S. troops are purposely killing or injuring Iraqis for no reason.

::cough:: Blackwater, too ::cough::

Can anyone here go through the rights violated in this one?

Other than the man never having his rights read to him before being placed under arrest.

(Note, it is not a crime to not sign a ticket)

[sohotrightnow]

In some states, officers can actually take you to jail for refusing to sign a ticket. However, a taser was not warranted in this instance.

[Beta]

From my understanding yeah, some states the refusal to sign a ticket means that you are taken into custody. The signing of the ticket itself essentially translates to "don't take me in now...because I signed this, saying that I will appear in court on such and such date"

[BB]

I ain't going to apologize for that guy, he should be put in Jail. That kid has a serious lawsuit and some cash coming his way.

[Sonny]

Can't wait for all the cop apologists to come out of the woodworks. That guy is a disgrace as a human being. Unfortunately, he is normal for a cop. Let me guess, he should have just signed the ticket, right?

Ok. I play.

If the cop violated this rules of protocol, then he will be disciplined. It sounds like at a bare minimum, he should have told the guy what he was arresting him for before putting the cuffs on him. He will get what he deserves - especially given the video. However, one bad apple doesn't mean we should throw the baby out with the bath water.

What is even more troubling is that anti-war critics are chided for suggesting that U.S. troops are purposely killing or injuring Iraqis for no reason. These cops are trained professionals, most with college degrees, and they still act like thugs under the motto of "to protect and serve." Why is it so far out of the realm of possibilities to suggest that some troops aren't doing the same? Yeah, yeah, I am not a patriot, blahblahblah. Whatever, continue to be sheep.

I'm not sure how you can make the leap of faith from a bad Utah cop to our military in Iraq. But keep grasping at those straws. The fact of the matter is that the US military is held to a much higher standard then you, me, or the cops in Utah. Anti-war critics that lobby unfounded charges of miltary abuse to build their case is more troubling in my book

[Danny Hogan]

cop is a scumbag, dude should have signed the ticket and given the cop full confidence that he was in control of the situation.

signing a ticket is not admitting to anything, other than a cop gave you a ticket. not signing (i think) you immediatley forfeit your license and are taken into custody similar to refusing a sobriety test.

moronic to try to argue your way out of a ticket (once the ink has hit the paper) on the side of the road.

absolutely no need for a taser to be involved in that chain of events.

[StrykerFSU]

Unfortunately, he is normal for a cop...
...What is even more troubling is that anti-war critics are chided for suggesting that U.S. troops are purposely killing or injuring Iraqis for no reason.

Actually when incidents such as those you suggest do occur, the guilty parties are investigated and prosecuted. Perhaps they just don't occur often enough to justify all of the chest beating. But that's just one guy's opinion.

If ALL cops and ALL soldiers are "normally" so despicable, then I guess we just shouldn't have police or a military since those professions seem to only attract the lowest common denominator of our society (in your opinion). Hooray anarchy!

Maybe we should hold all professions to this kind of standard...a doctor's negligence results in a patient's death? All doctors are negligent! (John Edwards would be happy, cha-ching!) What's that, a teacher slept with a student? Close the schools! Ridiculous, no? Instead, how about we just prosecute those that break laws without denigrating an entire profession, especially those professions that combine huge personal risk with low pay and high stress. It has nothing to do with patriotism or politics, just simple human decency and respect for your fellow American. I am confident that this officer will lose his job and likely face both criminal and civil prosecution.

As Charlie Brown would say, "Good grief". Personally, I'm thankful this holiday season for all of the members of the American military who are risking their lives around the world.

PS: Blackwater is a private security consulting company and is not a part of the US Armed Forces and those that broke the law and/or rules of engagement are being investigated.

[sohotrightnow]

Ok, let me pose a question. Soldiers and cops pursue these careers for what reason? According to you, it's not because they get paid well. I know it's patriotic to say that you become a soldier to serve your country, but what % of people become a soldier because there aren't any other options given their skill set?

If a cop was truly doing his job to protect and serve, why is this type of tasering incident becoming far too commonplace? What did he stand to gain from doing such an act? He certainly wasn't going to get a raise. Did you watch the video? He lied to the second officer and said the victim was acting hysterically so he had to use the taser, and the second officer says "good for you!" The profession attracts a lot of individuals who want to take their anger out on people.

[ineedmorecowbell]

utah highway patrol men are ridiculous. especially in the area where this happened. i hope this cop gets sued until he's on welfare.

[BucLax13]

He should have shot him... did you see that ugly glare he gave that cop!

Andy Taylor: Well, Barney, you know we always give the truck drivers an extra five miles an hour so they can make it up Turner's Grade.
Barney Fife: Now Andy, if you let them take thirty, they'll take thirty-five. If you let them take thirty-five, they'll take forty. If you let them take forty, they'll take forty-five. If you...
Andy Taylor: Uh, Barn.

Being a cop is dangerous and hard... when you are catching bad guys and protecting citizens...lol... that guy isn't a cop, he is a meter maid with a gun.

If his actions were "in line" why did he have to exaggerate the actions of the suspect?

I get your abuse of power argument but lets not overarch broad generalizations to soliders... I believe war and traffic stops are different situations!

I wonder what would have happened if the cop did not have a taser or pepper spray...

[StrykerFSU]

Soldiers and cops pursue these careers for what reason? According to you, it's not because they get paid well.

Not everyone makes career decisions based on money. Except for me of course, obviously I went into science because I knew that's where the big bucks were.

I don't know why you insist on making gross generalizations but from my friends who have chosen to pursue the military or law enforcement I can say that they do so out of a sense of duty and service. Why is it so hard to believe that someone would want to serve their country or protect their community? Have we really become that cynical?

[theweasel]

Actually, some people do join the military for financial reasons. The GI Bill paid my way through college so I could become an aerospace engineer, after serving 6 years active duty. Patriotism and duty were still the primary reasons, but help through college afterwards was a big help.

[Dan Wishengrad]

PS: Blackwater is a private security consulting company and is not a part of the US Armed Forces and those that broke the law and/or rules of engagement are being investigated.

Cliff, if only this were true I'd be in agreement with you here. Blackwater, which is owned by one of the GOP's biggest contributors, Erik Prince, received a no-bid contract for security in Iraq, and has grossed over $1 billion of our tax dollars so far from this contract. The cost to us all has been over $400,000 per yer per Blackwater mercenary, a ridiculously over-inflated number, which suggests war profiteeering at it's "finest".

The "investigation" you cite is a complete sham. The acting AG immediately granted all the Blackwater mercs immunity from prosecution, without any reasonable rationale for doing so but to protect the White House and Mr. Prince for this cozy deal they had arranged. Then the Justice Dept. assigned an "investigator" who's own brother sits on the Blackwater Advisory Board (and is paid by that firm) to look into the whole sordid affair, with the obvious aim to make sure it went nowhere. Mr. Krongrad testified under oath that he didn't know that his brother had that relationship with Blackwater, then changed his testimony fifteen minutes later and recused himself from the investigation. Documents show he had to be aware all along.