Well said.
In response to Jeff Head and others who have said that the result was inevitable because of:1) the LEO training; and 2) Mr. Finicum’s actions, I agree.
But the unfortunate fact is that the term “armed and dangerous” keeps getting tossed around without being properly challenged. The only people at the scene who war both armed and dangerous were operating under color of authority. Saying that because Finicum left the first stop, or that he nearly hit someone who jumped in front of the truck at a roadblock set up at the exit of a turn on a highway, he is somehow “dangerous” is playing into the military mindset of the guys who use it to justify their obvious overreaction to the situation.
As for being armed, there is nothing wrong with possessing a firearm. The fact that only the LEOs actually grasped and pointed firearms at anyone show how specious the whole argument is. If you or I dare to EVER point a firearm at another human, we would be charged with deadly assault, whether or not it was ever fired. Point one at an LEO and it is an automatic death sentence, courtesy of any LEOs within sight.
So, again, exactly who was “armed and dangerous”?
” is playing into the military mindset of the guys who use it to justify their obvious overreaction to the situation.”
EXACTLY! And bear in mind that such overreaction on foreign soil might be considered a war crime. The LE response in that light has to be considered gross overreaction.
No Excuse, SIR, a real trooper or public servant would admit. Let’s see if any of them does, and not holding our breaths.
In addition as you say, the alleged “perps” who were subject to a military assault, rather than a mere Constitutional LE arrest and apprehension, were not guilty of murder and mayhem, but merely peaceful occupation which has been in the American tradition long before the ‘60s but especially since then. Alcatraz occupation 19 months under Reagan and Nixon, HEY what is the hurry here, O’ and Lynch? etc, Gov of Oregon and her State Police? What is the hurry, to ambush and kill protesters, the likes of which Reagan and Nixon had the patience to wait out? Where does your blood-lust come from? You, the TOLERANT? HA! Give us all a break.