Take what comfort you can that whichever party is in power, it's the same shined-up jackboot. And as long as it is only stomping cockroaches, who cares? --At least, who cares until they find themselves defined as a cockroach.* But, damn you, don't look me in the eye and tell me that it is in any way how the freely elected government of a free country of free men and women operates, 'cos it ain't.

Roberta X - Tolja 10/7/2011

[I have mixed feelings about the killing of Anwar al-Awlaki.  On the one hand he technically is an enemy combatant.  On the other he's a US citizen and the decision for his death shouldn't exactly occur behind closed doors.  It is a slippery slope that many are willing to look past because we all know he was such a bad guy.  Letting things like this slide establishes a precedent that could be very bad.  Especially with how easily and quickly the government is labeling different groups of individuals as potential terrorists.  Roberta nails it on the head, eventually you're going to be the cockroach.  -B]

When you have the excess man power, facilities, and equipment to do the following.  Your budget is too big.

In a city that hosts its fair share of murders and terror plots, Washington, D.C., police are cracking down on another threat to the nation's capital -- expired vehicle registrations. 

To the frustration of forgetful drivers, Metropolitan Police Department officers are throwing people in jail for letting their tag renewals lapse. The practice provoked somewhat of a backlash last year after a local mother from Maryland was jailed for what in many places would be a routine traffic offense punishable by fine. But the department continues to reserve and exercise the right to throw drivers in the clink for missing the DMV deadline, no matter where they're from. 

Sending people to jail for expired tags is necessary because of what reason?  A fine is reasonable, but what benefit does jail time serve?  It is often touted how over taxed the jail and prison systems are.  Well it's no freaking wonder if they're tossing anyone and everyone under the sun into jail.

Here's a new set of rules:

• If you have the excess man power for something like this
• If you have the excess jail space for something like this
• If you can continue to perform all your other functions as well

If you match those conditions, your budget should be shrunk.  By how much, enough that the first two are completely unsatisfied, and your officers are doing free overtime to keep up on bullet 3.

The statements from the police department and the school say’s it all.

This is by no means the first time for an incident like this, but at least this kid was lucky enough to live.  This was your normal sibling harassment.  My sister and I used to pick on each other all the time like this.  The school officials injected themselves into the situation unnecessarily, including searching his sisters property without consent.  The officer then proceeded to use force after the student asked why he was being suspended.

This is what happens when you put bored police officers in positions of power.  Not to mention the fact that many school administrators claim, wrongfully, that students are exempt from the Bill of Rights, as well as other basic rights.  No they are not, not to mention the fact that those rights are inalienable, and no lien can be placed upon them because of age, gender, sex, creed, or any other reason.  Those rights are non-negotiable and you have violated them.  It was obvious that the school was nervous about the situation, as well they should be, by the fact that they were attempting to destroy and suppress the evidence.

None of my teachers were ever dumb enough to lay a hand on me, ever.  These teachers attempted to unlawfully restrain a student while documenting a interaction with a public official in a public building.  News flash to all involved, those teachers are public employees as well.  While at work I do not think they have a right to privacy when it comes to their employment.  If a student wants to document something they find questionable they have every right to.

This whole incident is just another example of how the educational system is deluding students into sacrificing their rights and providing a method for Officer Roid Rage to get his rocks off.

State Sponsored Criminal Count: 114 Det. Murphy

Because the job of school police officers is to use excessive force against students without care or worry.

h/t Phsstphok

This young man had done nothing wrong.  These officer were out looking for a good time, nothing more.  Not to mention the fact that he quite obviously through his appearance and speech has down syndrome.  He was the perfect victim for these bored officers to abuse.

A bulge could be any of a number of things that do not include a weapon.  I can think of many which are health related.  I have a friend who has a bulge due to an insulin pump.  My dad had a bulge from his pain meds just before he passed away.  This doesn’t even include the idea that maybe clothes got bunched up, or they are concealing something they would just rather not have seen.

The idea that concealing something automatically provides a reason for law-enforcement to stop, detain, and search you is disconcerting on so many levels it’s not even funny.  Especially since a search is not legal unless you are being placed under arrest.

Looking at this from another point of view, what if that had been a legal concealed carrier?  That person could have been easily ventilated on the sidewalk by what appears to be Officer Roid-Rages yet another of cousins.

State Sponsored Criminal Count: 103, 140  Officer John Doe 1*, and Officer John Doe 2*

Because a bulge is the first sign you’re about to have a good time, well at least that’s what she said.

*If you find the names of the officers, please contact me.