Sunday, May 11, 2008

We're the Only Ones Playing it Safe Enough

That’s right. Jeff Brown was walking his bicycle — across his own front yard — when he was stopped by a police officer. The cop began to cite him for not having a headlight on the bike, then said, “”I smell the presence of alcohol on your breath”. Jeff was stunned — and refused to take a breath test. Result: convicted of drunk driving — with four days in jail, a 6-month driver’s license suspension and a criminal record.
I guess Columbus must be pretty safe these days as far as real crime goes. Either that or this unnamed "Only One" has an authority complex, but finds using it on everyday citizens poses fewer occupational hazards than going after, say, these guys...

[Via Zachary G]

5 comments:

Anonymous said...

OK - I'll bite.

My 18 year old brother was a pedestrian who was killed by a speeding drunken driver. The drunk kept going until he hit so many objects that his car wouldn't run anymore. Then he got out and ran. (Ya think he knew what he'd done?)

He had multiple drunken driving convictions. Incidentally, he didn't serve any time in jail, except for the night in which he was caught. I don't think he even lost his license.

The answer touted by the MADDsters and the typical state legislatures is apparently the same model that is used when a maniac kills a bunch of people with a gun: Punish everyone who DIDN'T COMMIT ANY VIOLENCE AGAINST ANOTHER PERSON.

That's right - punish the innocent. In most jurisdictions, an adult male - the name of "safety" - can't drink two beers and legally drive home.

So punishing the ones who didn't do violence on another person is apparently the answer.

It's simply a control issue. BTW - for anyone who thinks the Constitution has any relevance anymore, I have some beach-front property for sale in Arizona.

Ned

Anonymous said...

another badge heavy bully with water for guts and the backing of mini-tyrants.

That would be the end of my licensure for I would never cooperate again and I would be prepared to stop the next assault on my person by a badge heavy bully or at the least, extract a higher price than they want to pay. Enough is goddamned enough.

Perhaps in the interest of personal safety we should all adopt the behavior of the drug gangs. Isn't that the message they are sending us? "If you are actually dangerous we will leave you alone, while we seek easier victims."

Anonymous said...

That time is obviously coming, Mr. Arrow.
A similar case here of a man who knew he wasn't safe to drive, who was sleeping it off in his truck across the street from the bar. Police rapped on the window and charged him with drunk "driving" because his keys were in the ignition.
I won't have any sympathy for 'em.

Anonymous said...

That's called APC, actual physical control, and most states now have it on the books. In other words the message here is "Don't do the responsible thing and wait until you are capable of driving, you may as well chance it because we are going to fuck you just as badly even if you don't put anyone at danger."

The only way to not put anyone at risk is to hide the keys where they cannot be found by the police. Then they cannot claim you were in control, and you don't place the public at risk by driving while impaired.

I have even seen a man arrested for APC while sleeping in the back seat of his car, because the keys to the vehicle were found in his pocket. He did a year in jail, for protecting the public from himself.

I personally knew him and didn't like him, in fact, I actively disliked him. But, what was done to him was wrong. And if they can do it to him, they can do it to anyone, except,of course, an Only One. I only mention my active dislike of him to show that my opinion of this horrible law is not based on emotion or friendship for somebody victimized by this criminal application of laws providing punishment prior to an act or behavior.

Down that road lie gas chambers.

Anonymous said...

The overall trend in "policing" over the last ten years is that "criminals" are the "customer". Any good growing "sales" organization needs to convert more customers.

We are all potential "customers". Like SA says, they "seek easier victims".

At some point that shot will be fired at the Lexington restraunt and Pandoras box will be open.

The situation is not going to improve over the next 5 years as one of the three pathetic, looser, traitor dwarfs assume power.

Fight islam Now