Before you just flame me into oblivion for what I'm about to say, take a look at the recent stories in the coverage at NewsChannel5.Com - Nashville, Tennessee. In particular, read the story about THP's Role In the Dog Shooting, and watch the video that accompanies the interview of Cookville Police Officer, Eric Hall.
I am always reluctant to completely buy-in to the conclusion that nation TV media herds me toward... that the single-perspective-with-blinders-on websites "enlighten" me about... that the chip-on-the-shoulder forum-poster mobs bludgeon me into silence over...
I think the consensus on this forum is way off base.
Starting with the incompetant eye-witness report, the real breakdown occurred with the THP dispatcher. Officer Eric Hall should be judged from the context of the information he was given. The whole JBT, police terrorism angle is foolish nonsense at best, and way too much blame is being directed toward the Cookeville Police Department.
Flame away, but I have no family in any way connected with law enforment and I'm not a FReeper, however, I do think of police as human-beings who make mistakes.
And as other human beings they should suffer the consequences of their "mistakes". Aiming and firing a shotgun is not a "mistake". It is a deliberate act which the shooter initiates. The "mistake" may be in judgement, temperment or thought processes of the shooter. For this the shooter should suffer the consequences and they should be severe.
If a passenger in the car had made a "mistake" and shot one of the officers would you be willing to give him the benefit of the doubt? Should he suffer the consequences of his "mistake"?