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?
Actually, both sides have helped this thread devolve into a flamefest. Some good arguments here, though. I like lively discussion; they tend to bring the best arguments to the front on both sides.
In fact after I watched McBride debate I was surprised that he beat Reno. McBride makes Reno look like the belle of the ball.
To: Howlin; NittanyLion
Bring me ANY Virginia resident who believes his or her Constitutional rights were violated as a result of an illegal stop and search resulting from these dragnets and I will be happy to evaluate it free of charge. And if there is any argument that those rights have been violated, I will file the appropriate action on the individuals behalf either in Virginia State of Federal Court -- which ever is appropriate based on the violation.
520 posted on 10/20/02 7:22 PM Eastern by Iron Eagle
Ah, where? Man, you ARE paranoid.
You're griping about how policemen are doing their job in trying to capture a serial sniper.
You feel like it violates individual rights.
If anyone of those people who were shot by the sniper could trade places with the guy on the ground rather than being shot, they would do it in a heartbeat!
I doubt he/they are currently in a white van. ...and that has nothing to do with "libertarian bs analogies." It has to do with common sense which has escaped every aspect of your ****** being. We are desperately seeking sniper/s who kill the innocent as we go about our daily lives. Nothing funny here...all analogies aside.
Ewwwww! Bad visual!
And, a useful change of subject.
No, because you don't know what probable cause is. As I said about six million posts ago, bring me one driver of a white van stopped by police in a dragnet following a shooting who believes his or her Constitutional rights were violated, and I will evaluate the case for free. If it has ANY merit, I will file an action on behalf of the party -- for free.
Now that all these folks have representation, maybe we can push on.
I beg to differ, you're one of the funniest guys I've come across here in some time. Limited language skills but good for a laugh none the less.
Perhaps you would like to drop it.
To: SamAdams76
How do the police know the drivers are innocent? How do they know that the driver isn't the sniper? What would you have them do? You know, I would cooperate with the police totally. If that is a problem for you, so be it.
16 posted on 10/20/02 11:06 AM Eastern by ladyinred
Now that is what SHE said.
But you said
The statement made was that white van owners should have to prove their innocence.
I ask you again, where?
LOL! Nice description... I got a bit of exposure to the race back in September. I was in the Keys for a week on vacation, right after the primary fiasco. My sense was that McBride's momentum was seriously hurt. Hopefully if his campaign ebbed, it'll flow (floe?) in a couple weeks...Regards.
I'm sure they would.
Is that supposed to be an argument that probable cause exists? I mean, it's a nice emotional appeal, but that's about it.
We were discussing 520.
I don't think probable cause exists to search every white van, that's true. It's analogous to searching every guy in a blue shirt when the sniper was seen with a blue shirt. The description is too general to mean anything.
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