Liberty Maven

Dude! Two wrongs do not make a right.

by Jake, the Champion of the Constitution

Originally published April 21, 2009 at http://www.nolanchart.com/article6305.html

EL PASO, TEXAS – On Tuesday KVIA reporter Darren Hunt and a cameraman were arrested, then quickly released by an El Paso policeman. The facts appear that they stopped to film a flipped tractor-trailer, and did not immediately obey the policeman’s order to vacate the scene. They were partially blocking traffic on the other side, and the officer may have been worried about the safety of the scene. At any rate, they eventually did offer to leave but the police officer had had enough and manhandled them, pushing them around, and basically acting like a schoolyard bully. They were released after about an hour, and in regards to the safety concern, the officer did not seek to move them away from the scene after handcuffing them. The full video released to the public is here, and the excerpt from the KVIA news show is here, so you can decide for yourself, but please recognize that likely neither you or I have the “whole story” so try not to judge too harshly.

Assuming that the reporters did not obey a pretty reasonable request to leave by the officer, this unfortunately does not excuse his shoving, lack of manners, and physical assault on the non-violent reporter. “To Serve and Protect” was certainly not followed – this was not a video of a community servant protecting the peace, it was an aggressive attack on passive human beings. This episode failed to accomplish nothing for both the citizens involved (except publicity!) and the officer himself. What a greater shame is that this discredits police everywhere in the USA, and the fact of the matter is that it is the members of the community who pay local police officers to do their valuable and sometimes very stressful jobs. When I recently returned home from China, I stopped by my local police station to introduce myself, and the officer I spoke to was quite polite and respectful to me, so hopefully this behavior will be recognized by many as aberrant. I suppose the moral is, if you yourself or your community or individuals do not receive respectful treatment, speak up for others or get beat up!

Any thoughts? The KVIA comment page is here.

I also want to take a chance to share a link to CopperCards.com, which is a site that may be of interest to you. They have a neat (and free!) little Arraignment card based on the Constitution and common law in case you happen to be arrested.

Peace!

Jake, the Champion of the Constitution

[Reach the Author Here!] www.CampaignForLiberty.com www.EndTheFED.us