Sign was a joke -- but jail wasn't ( Is this guy a Freeper?)

Sacramento Bee ^ | June 26, 2003 | Dorothy Korber and Terri Hardy

[knews_hound]

Paul Choate says he is "a pretty normal guy," a 40-something state worker who enjoys an occasional lark. So how did he find himself under arrest, riding in a police van with a woman smeared with mud and seeds, heading for a remote jail somewhere in the night?

[knews_hound]

This is the difference between the professional protesters at these events and the mere amatures like us.

The pros have classes to make sure that they dont get caught up like this.

Regardless, it is a shame that he is being punished like a common criminal when he was merely trying to poke fun.

A sad day for Sactown.

Cheers,

knews hound

[banjo joe]

What this means is that you cannot exercise your 1st Amendment rights without consulting an attorney or researching local and state codes.

Stalin's laughing his ass off, wherever he is.

[Hodar]

"My buddy and I thought it would be fun to make some parody signs and go out and march with protesters. Mine was about freeing Naboo from the Imperial Federation. He was protesting the incorrect spelling of vegetables, like KORN."

"Die, Rebel Scum"
-- StormTrooper #7, second row, third from the right.

[showme_the_Glory]

From this point forward, you cannot say "that idiot needs a 2 x 4 upside the head" 2 X 2 is permissable......

Do they mean 2 inch actual size or is it actually only 1 1/2 as in lumber?

[mvpel]

I still do not understand what I did wrong, why I was arrested, or how I was supposed to know that peacefully carrying a sign in jest was illegal.

"Did you really think we want those laws observed?" said Dr. Ferris. "We WANT them to be broken. You'd better get it straight that it's not a bunch of boy scouts you're up against... We're after power and we mean it... There's no way to rule innocent men. The only power any government has is the power to crack down on criminals. Well, when there aren't enough criminals one makes them. One declares so many things to be a crime that it becomes impossible for men to live without breaking laws. Who wants a nation of law-abiding citizens? What's there in that for anyone? But just pass the kind of laws that can neither be observed nor enforced or objectively interpreted -- and you create a nation of law-breakers -- and then you cash in on guilt. Now that's the system Mr. Reardon, that's the game, and once you understand it, you'll be much easier to deal with."
-- Ayn Rand, Atlas Shrugged

[A_perfect_lady]

...you create a nation of law-breakers -- and then you cash in on guilt.

Even collectivists understand the control value of Original Sin, don't they?

[FReepaholic]

>>...One declares so many things to be a crime that it becomes impossible for men to live without breaking laws...<<

Had a diesel truck once. Was told it would be wise to leave it running for quick stops to the post office, etc. because of the wear and tear on the starter. (starter cost over $300)

I had a spare door key made so I could lock the thing and it running.

One day, I was in the post office and came out to find a police officer beside my truck. He told me that it was a misdemeanor to leave a vehicle running and it unoccuppied.

I'd never heard of such a thing. He didn't cite me but I was outraged nevertheless.

How are we supposed to know ALL the minute statutes that our lawmakers spit out?

Perhaps they don't want us to know.

[Darksheare]

Tee Shirt from "Tales of the Empire" comic book.
"Rebel Scum Kiss Their Sisters."

[ppaul]

Stupidity.

[Freebird Forever]

Do they mean 2 inch actual size or is it actually only 1 1/2 as in lumber?

I'd go with the letter of the law, until it is interpreted otherwise.

2" X 2" - the average hickory ax handle will work just fine.

[knews_hound]

He reminded me of the Protest Warrior (AKA Belly Girls Boyfriend) and his antics in San Francisco.

What irritates me the most I guess, is that this was obviously a joke, and that he was obviously harmless.

It is a sad day when a jokester is lumped in with the rabble that passes as protestors.

Cheers,

knews hound

[thegreatbeast]

The problem is that you are expecting the police to make the distinction of what is silly and what is not. That is an ill-advised notion; you don't want police making that distinction for themselves.

'"This was not a run-of-the-mill demonstration," Somers said. "We were getting reports that some people wanted to shut down the capital, to make this Seattle times 10," a reference to the rioting that shook that city in 1999 during a World Trade Organization meeting.'
I am much more concerned with "reports" like this than I am about the quality of intelligence about WMD in Iraq. First, this is happening in America. Secondly, WMD was simply one MORE thing to rationalize the move on Iraq. Somers appears too dim-witted to be a leader in a big city police force.

[hellinahandcart]

Hey, we're not even allowed to use sticks in NY.

The only damage we can inflict with our signs are paper cuts.

[knews_hound]

Sacto Ping

[farmfriend]

Sacramento area ping.

Let me know if you wish to be added or removed from this list.

[knews_hound]

The local cops have been on edge all week for this Ag Conference that has been threated by the "Black Flag" crowd.

THEY are the real focus of the cops attention.

It just seems so obvious to me that this was a JOKE and should have been treated as such.

With thousands of unwashed, black clad professional "protestors" here in SacTown, I just think the cop should have used better judgement.

Cheers,

knews hound

[lilylangtree]

Good grief! We've fast becoming a police state.

[E Rocc]

-- Ayn Rand, Atlas Shrugged

Should be required reading in the schools....but with the people running them now it's more likely to be proscribed than anything else.

-Eric

[E Rocc]

How are we supposed to know ALL the minute statutes that our lawmakers spit out?

Perhaps they don't want us to know.

"Ignorance of the law is no excuse" is a standard line for the statists. Personally, I'd support a law (it would probably have to be a constitutional amendment) that says if any agency of government fails to ensure general and common awareness of a law or regulation, it shall be null and void.

-Eric

[FourPeas]

So all one needs to do is start rumors that the people protesting are trying to shut down the city, and then the police start enforcing the laws? Surely you can see the logical flaw here. We can't expect police to understand silliness, but we do expect them to understand the value of intelligence "reports" and validity of the potential intentions of the protestors?