Police Apologize After Driver of Truck with Graphic Abortion Images Ordered to Leave Town

Life Site News ^

[Coleus]

OLATHE, Kansas, April 10, 2008 (LifeSiteNews.com) - Chief of Police Janet Thiessen of Olathe, Kansas, has issued a personal apology to Ronald Brock, who was ordered to leave town by Sgt. David Haldeman on Tuesday evening or face arrest. Brock was driving a vehicle with photographs of victims of abortion and victims of the Jewish Holocaust of World War II.

Haldeman has been placed on paid administrative leave pending an investigation into the incident. Brock confirmed that he received a personal phone call from Chief Thiessen who apologized to him for the incident.   Operation Rescue President Troy Newman received an e-mail correspondence from Chief Thiessen who informed him that an apology had been made and that her officers would be receiving additional training so incidents like this would not happen again.

Sgt. Haldeman had told Brock in a conversation that Brock recorded that he must, "Leave our city, cover it [the signs] up, or be charged, and if you are charged we are probably going to impound the vehicle. So those are your three choices, but leaving this lot is not going isn't going to be sufficient in the city of Olathe."

Chief Thiessen told Newman, "I have personally expressed my regret to Mr. Brock, and apologized on behalf of the Olathe Police Department. At times, the line between what is protected free speech and what may be considered obscene can be difficult to distinguish, but it is my responsibility to ensure all Olathe officers clearly understand the law as it is written and correctly apply that law. Based on yesterday's incident, we have begun providing additional training to all sworn officers to help avoid future incidents of a similar nature."

"We very much appreciate that Chief Thiessen took immediate action to issue an apology and remedy the problem with her officers," said Operation Rescue President Troy Newman. "Violations of the First Amendment are very serious, because it is one of the strongest protections for a free society. We look forward to returning to Olathe with our Truth Trucks and trust that we will be able to conduct our First Amendment activities without further impediment."

[fishhound]

Great Story.

[F15Eagle]

Guess they saw the lawsuit they’d have to face....

[Eagles6]

BTTP

[Turret Gunner A20]

Keep you truck rolling, guys.

[ConservativeMind]

If we can have large trucks driving around in every major city with turds and vomit on their sides, why not allow this?

[Melas]

No sympathy. If I saw this obscenity torched I wouldn’t breathe a word. Disgusting driving this crap around where children can see it.

This is NOT how to win hearts and minds.

[dayglored]

> If we can have large trucks driving around in every major city with turds and vomit on their sides, why not allow this?

I've lived in the country for 30 years, but before that I lived in Philadelphia. I've never seen trucks with turds and vomit on their sides, in that city or elsewhere. Whatever are you talking about?? Or did you leave off the "/sarc" tag? I'm honestly baffled by your comment.

[dayglored]

> No sympathy. If I saw this obscenity torched I wouldn’t breathe a word. Disgusting driving this crap around where children can see it. This is NOT how to win hearts and minds.

I don't have any problem with them putting up pics like that in a private display, and I don't see anything illegal about the truck, but I gotta admit, they're pushing the First Amendment pretty far with this stuff. It's surely not winning any converts -- it's probably grossing out a lot more people than it's educating.

That said, yesterday I helped a dear friend deliver her second child, a healthy bouncing baby boy. She conceived out of wedlock, and contemplated abortion, but then had a major change of heart and mind, got married to the father, and they now have a family.

Her experience is an inspiration. I can't say the same about the pictures of dead babies parading down the street, protected speech or not. I'd rather argue against abortion with pictures of loving families.

[Melas]

The irony is that I’m absolutely certain that the so-called truth truck would be more effective if it drove around with the picture of that baby’s hand holding the doctors finger while still in utero.

[Mark]

I've seen knee operations on tv. They were gross, yet interesting. If an abortion is a legal medical practice, then why is it not shown? Ex-rays and all.

[stlnative]

No sympathy. If I saw this obscenity torched I wouldn’t breathe a word. Disgusting driving this crap around where children can see it.

This is NOT how to win hearts and minds.

I fully agree with you.

[JLS]

What happened in to or with the Georgia town that threatened them with arrest or something.

[mkjessup]

If we can have large trucks driving around in every major city with turds and vomit on their sides, why not allow this?
I've lived in the country for 30 years, but before that I lived in Philadelphia. I've never seen trucks with turds and vomit on their sides, in that city or elsewhere. Whatever are you talking about?? Or did you leave off the "/sarc" tag? I'm honestly baffled by your comment.

They were referring to the Hiliarly Clinton campaign bus. ;)

[mkjessup]

I've seen knee operations on tv. They were gross, yet interesting. If an abortion is a legal medical practice, then why is it not shown? Ex-rays and all.

I say include pictures of the current rays too!

[j/k FRiend, had to yank your chain just a little, lol]

[CurlyDave]

Actually an apology after-the-fact, and putting the officer on "Paid Leave", read extra vacation doesn't really cut it IMHO.

Whether I agree with the tactic or not, even the dumbest cop in the entire country has to know that this is protected free speech. At the very least, it should be unpaid leave, with the forfeited pay going to Mr. Brock as compensation for his inconvenience.

They may retrain the officer, but they can't increase his intelligence.

[budwiesest]

would be more effective if it drove around with the picture of that baby’s hand holding the doctors finger

Precisely. In marketing you sell the sizzle, not the burger.

These people are unwittingly selling a 'death' message when one of 'life' and the joy that surrounds it might get young women to think, "Dang, she looks so happy with that baby, I want to try it. I want to be happy just like her (the sizzle)."

[dayglored]

> The irony is that I’m absolutely certain that the so-called truth truck would be more effective if it drove around with the picture of that baby’s hand holding the doctors finger while still in utero.

Amen to that.

Although, if the photo you refer to is the one I recall seeing on FR a time or two, I think that one was revealed as a digital photoshopping job (likewise the one with a footprint poking out the side of a pregnant belly). Better IMO to use something provably real, even if somewhat less visually arresting. (Unless you've got a different pic in mind.)

Regardless, any picture of a baby in utero is an awesome image, plain and simple.

[WildcatClan]

I am mixed on this type of approach. On one hand society should know this is not the clean and neat removal of tissue, some would believe. On the other hand, the commercial with the seed, plants and babies was likely the most powerful anti-abortion message I have ever seen.

[dayglored]

>> ... turds and vomit...

> They were referring to the Hiliarly Clinton campaign bus. ;)

What an AWFUL and OFFENSIVE thing to say!!! I want you to apologize immediately to the turds and vomit!!

[mkjessup]

Memo:

To: Turds & Vomit
Fr: MkJessup
Re: Apology

I am sincerely sorry for having thoughtlessly compared you to such a vile and despicable entity (aka Hiliarly Clinton), and please accept this heartfelt apology. I will do everything possible to avoid such insensitive remarks in the future.

[Gondring]

No sympathy. If I saw this obscenity torched I wouldn’t breathe a word. Disgusting driving this crap around where children can see it.

This is NOT how to win hearts and minds

Glad to see there's some sanity around here still. :-)

I think some folks get so caught up in winning the battles that they lose sight of the war.

[fella]

If we can have large trucks driving around in every major city with turds and vomit on their sides, why not allow this?

Are you talking about livestock haulers?

[Octar]

I agree. Stupid stunts like this are very counterproductive and tar pro-life people with an undeserved bad brush. We don’t need this.

[fella]

I agree that it is not about winning the hearts and minds. It’s about the truth and not turning a blind eye to it. Those who support abortion should first witness one or more in person. It is an altering experience.

[Gondring]

I agree. Stupid stunts like this are very counterproductive and tar pro-life people with an undeserved bad brush. We don’t need this.

Look at the other things Operation Rescue has done lately, and we see that they are more interested in self-promotion than actually winning the war. I think they got scared that there were successes and they might actually put themselves out of business--what else could explain how they argued against the positions that were advocated for so long (e.g., pushing against Federal jurisdiction).

But the Truth Trucks have been successful in boosting Pro-Choice fundraising, so I guess they're happy.

[Salvation]

Free Speech wins!

[Salvation]

What part of legalized murder don’t you understand?

[fishhound]

I think people should be shown a calander showing healthy in vitro development by the week, in photos. Heck it could be done by the day if they wanted. We are in the information age so... this is information. The abortionists do not have to do that and from what I hear they do not. It is ironic to be in the info era and have people urging women to act without a full compliment of info to make a decision. (Kinda what every politician does come election time). I took this picture and in the hope that it might be used by Pro-Life people, I have posted it recently on FR. Can you give me your opinion on if you think this might be more a effective way. Thanks in Advance.

[BJungNan]

Sgt. David Haldeman can hardly be faulted for telling the guy to get the truck out of town. It is so over-the-top and in your face, his seems a normal reaction.

I don’t care if you are against abortion, this is not the way to go showing gorry pictures.

[BJungNan]

That’s right, the picture you describe would be much more effective. The blood and gore is horrible media.

[Gondring]

Can you give me your opinion on if you think this might be more a effective way.

No. That approach is not nearly as effective at mobilizing the Pro-Choicers and giving them ammunition to use for their fundraising drives.

If you truly want to help keep abortion legal, you should get a truck and plaster offensive pictures on it and drive it into neighborhoods where innocent people must be subjected to it. That way, you can directly illustrate that you have no respect for others, neutralizing one of the moral high ground arguments of "Pro-Life" vs. "Pro-Choice."

Hope that helps!

[fishhound]

Well said.

[Gondring]

Whether I agree with the tactic or not, even the dumbest cop in the entire country has to know that this is protected free speech.

How are the protests at military funerals going these days?

I'm sure you'd love this one parked outside your house, protected free speech and all...

[[[HOMOSEXUAL KISS PIC DELETED HERE]]]*

Some of us believe that even if these aren't "obscenity," they are beyond the standards of decency, and with truck signage--unlike TV broadcast hours--there's no "Safe Harbor." We cannot change the channel on a truck sign, and I don't like opening the door to being forced to endure filth on the roadways.

*guess the deletion of the post makes the point that the use of offensive signs is not something we want to promote!

[BJungNan]

Here is a sample pic he might have used if we are looking for one. I sparred everyone the gore of the other pictures I found on a image search.

The website says it is a real aborted baby. The image is sufficiently shocking yet not repulsive while making the point - actually allowing the point to be made.

As a matter of inquiry, does anyone think it would be helpful to the discussion to post the horrifically graphic pics I found?

[fishhound]

I see happy illegal aliens driving trucks to work into my niegborhood all the time. I even see them packed into vans on all our roads. They look happy. But it doesn’t seem to do anything for the illegal alien problem.

[Philo-Junius]

Everyone should see those photos once, to understand the judgment America faces, but they do not need to be posted here as well.

[Gondring]

Although, if the photo you refer to is the one I recall seeing on FR a time or two, I think that one was revealed as a digital photoshopping job [...]

Actually, it was not a photoshop job. Even the Mikkelsons of the left-leaning Snopes site admit that. :-) See also truthorfiction.com and the website of the photographer (Michael Clancy).

The part that was not real was the description that the fetus reached out and grasped the finger. The fact was that the mother and child were both under anesthesia so it couldn't have done that (despite what the photographer might have claimed). :-)

Little Sam Armas would be 8 years old now... how about this picture next to a picture of him now? (Of course, that's assuming his parents would give permission.)

[dayglored]

> Here is a sample pic he might have used if we are looking for one. I sparred everyone the gore of the other pictures I found on a image search... The website says it is a real aborted baby. The image is sufficiently shocking yet not repulsive while making the point - actually allowing the point to be made.

Good lord. "Shocking" doesn't cover it...

I'd say that's quite likely real. It's from Thailand, not the USA, but the point is still well-made.

The other pics on the photographer's "Life After Death" gallery page are likewise pretty disturbing. Geez, Louise...

[dayglored]

> Actually, it was not a photoshop job.

Thank you for the correction.

> Little Sam Armas would be 8 years old now...

Ah, then the photo was not of an abortion, but of a live birth, presumably a C-section? If so, wonderful!

[dayglored]

> ...the photo was not of an abortion, but of a live birth, presumably a C-section?

Correction to self -- it was an in-utero operation. Sorry for not reading the Snopes page before replying.

[Gondring]

Correction to self -- it was an in-utero operation. Sorry for not reading the Snopes page before replying.

:-)

I think that the idea of an in-utero operation is, itself, a very anti-abortion point.

Agree?

[dayglored]

> I think that the idea of an in-utero operation is, itself, a very anti-abortion point. Agree?

Yep.

My friend who delivered yesterday had many medical problems, including some that threatened her pregnancy -- the doctors advised her early on that she had at best a 50/50 chance of carrying to term. And that even if she did, the medication that she was taking for her conditions (Grave's disease, trigeminal neuralgia, hyper-thyroid, etc.) could adversely affect her baby.

She opted to cut her own medication, change her diet and habits, and suffer the severe pain, rather than risk the health of her baby. She had a very rough 2nd and 3rd trimester. I was very proud of her strength and forbearance.

When I saw that her newborn son was perfect in all respects, I cried for happiness.

The idea of an in-utero operation is fabulous, and a terrific point in the argument against abortion.

[Walkingfeather]

“At times, the line between what is protected free speech and what may be considered obscene can be difficult to distinguish, ...”

So if murder was in private that would be okay......

[Republic_of_Secession.]

This is the reason for the first Amendment.

[Gondring]

This is the reason for the first Amendment.

Uh, nope.

[endthematrix]

Transcript of recorded conversation with Olathe Police and Truth Truck driver Ron Brock

7:36 pm Tuesday, April 8, 2008

Sergeant David Haldeman Badge # 751: … Leave our city, cover it up, or be charged, and if you are charged we are probably going to impound the vehicle. So those are your three choices, but leaving this lot is not going isn’t going to be sufficient in the city of Olathe.

Brock: Ok.

Sergeant David Haldeman Badge # 751: If I catch you driving up and down Santa Fe twenty minutes from now you are going to be charged.

Brock: OK, I just got through leaving the courthouse and I didn’t have any trouble with the police there. They found it to be completely legal.

Sergeant David Haldeman Badge # 751: Well, now you do. The county has different ordinances than we do. I am just simply telling you…

Brock: I’ll be charged with…

Sergeant David Haldeman Badge # 751: Promoting obscenity

Brock: Promoting obscenity?

Sergeant David Haldeman Badge # 751: Yup? Ok? Got that one clear?

Brock: Yes. I am talking with Sergeant?

Sergeant David Haldeman Badge # 751: You are talking with Sergeant Haldeman. You understand where we are at now?

Brock: OK, now, I’ve got to leave the city or I’ll be charged with obscenity because of the pictures of abortion on here…

Sergeant David Haldeman Badge # 751: Yes.

Brock: OK, you consider pictures of aborted babies…

Sergeant David Haldeman Badge # 751: I told you, I told you once that I am not going to debate this issue.

Brock: OK

Sergeant David Haldeman Badge # 751: Those are your choices. You make them; you live with the results, OK?

Brock: OK.

Sergeant David Haldeman Badge # 751: Good enough.
End of call.

[endthematrix]

Being able to speak freely without censorship?

[Gondring]

That is such great news about the woman who delivered yesterday! Congratulations to her for enduring the struggles and delivering!

You know, another thing comes to mind. I have an in-law who has passed out at even the mention of blood. Many municipalities have rules against distracting signs, to prevent accidents. I guess Troy Newman doesn’t care about creating unsafe conditions, but I can imagine the police might.