You make some valid points (and unlike SOME people can do so without name calling and smarminess! thanks)
But I disagree on one point- Dao is guilty of several illegal actions, which must come into play.
My thoughts are that you cannot resist arrest and then complain (much) about what happens next.
For Dao to be in jeopardy of being convicted of illegal actions, he is going to have to be charged first. And I say that respectfully, because we all know that. To the best of my knowledge, neither the Federal Government nor the State of Illinois is contemplating criminal charges against Dao.
"My thoughts are that you cannot resist arrest and then complain (much) about what happens next."
I don't argue against that, but focusing on the flash point in this case, did the officers tell Dao "You are under arrest?" Because if they did, there was no statutory authority for them to tell him that since he had broken no law. Remember that we are talking about a civil contract. Law enforcement officers cannot "take sides" in a civil incident and must refer the parties to a judge. Dao, who broke no law, passively resisted being removed from his seat. His resistance was not to being placed under arrest, he resisted to being forced to give up his lawful place on the plane. Neither private security nor sworn police officers had the authority in this incident to use physical force.
The problem with your above statement is that Dr. Dao was NEVER placed under arrest." He was not arrested nor have there been any charges against him.