Posted on 10/20/2002 7:48:19 AM PDT by SamAdams76
The photos above currently on the Drudge site concern me. I followed the link and the article clearly stated that nobody was arrested last night.
Why then, do we have drivers of white vans, innocent civilians, evidently being pulled out vans at gunpoint and treated like dangerous criminals? One photo shows a man on the ground, evidently in handcuffs, with police officers standing over him as though they have just captured Whitey Bulger. When I first saw the photo, I figured the man was obviously a wanted criminal that police just so happened to come across during their search. But since there were no arrests last night, this man was obviously released and was no criminal after all.
The other photo shows a man by another white van with his hands in the air and a police officer has a gun drawn on him. Again, this was evidently just another innocent civilian who had the misfortune to be driving a white van on I-95 last night.
Now I understand the need for these roadblocks and for the police to be very thorough in their search for the sniper(s). But I cannot see the point of innocent people dragged out of their vehicles at gunpoint with no pretext other than the fact that they happen to be driving a white van.
Now maybe somebody here has an explanation why these two individuals were treated like criminals. Maybe they tried to evade the police or maybe they were driving stolen vans. But again, there were no arrests made last night. So what is the deal with our citizens being treated like Jesse James just for driving a white van?
"WHAT?!!! Someone's shooting people??? Set up more speed traps and write some tickets!!!"
Make that: "hysterical female Americans"!
Men know enough to stand up for freedom, and let ploice know politely but firmly that this is a chinese-fire-drill abuse of police discretion.
(PS. BY "female", I mean female in archtype characteristic, as opposed to actual sex. The female archtype has many characteristics, some good, some bad. "Female hysteria" is one oldie but goodie. The male archtype has a different set of yet equal number of negative characteristics.
And by "Men who stand up" I include both men and women who stand up for their self-respect, rights and God-granted freedoms.)
While I belive you meant definite, it's more true this way! Today a citizen is defiant for driving a whote van with a ladder rack. What will it be tomorrow?
LOL!!!!....you took that one out of the Democrat's version...didn't ya.
redrock
That's all I'm trying to say. Well, that, and that for that reason, it should be used sparingly. Yes, it does enhance the safety of police officers, but as important as that is, the safety of the public is paramount, and too broad an application of felony stop procedures would compromise the latter goal, in favor of the former.
Now, as it turns out, the white van thing might be irrelevant after all, as it seems the sniper may be bicycling to his getaway vehicle.
I remember reading about a case in Australia, where police were asking all men in one part of town to voluntarily provide a dna sample, to help police solve a murder.
In other words, "would you like to prove yourself innocent?"
I think you ignore the fact that the sniper suspect(s) are alledged to be driving a white van. So the statement "with no pretext other than the fact that they happen to be driving a white van" is not right.
I think the law enforcement agencies should stand along the side of the road with a sign that reads
IF YOU ARE THE SNIPER, PLEASE PULL OVER HERE ---->
I think that will work much better. Along with Moose asking them to call back, this place will be safe again in no time! Nice conclusion, nunya.
ALL legal gunowners would be treated as criminals.
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