You Really Want a Police State?
August 28th, 2008 at 9:51 am by Preston Taylor HolmesWith the Obamessiah at the helm, you’re going to get it. And not the make-believe police state that the BDS people are always bitching about. I will say that it will be nice to live in a country where only one view is allowed. That will cut down on dissention, methinks.
Police on the scene refused to tell ABC lawyers the charges against the producer, Asa Eslocker, who works with the ABC News investigative unit.
A cigar-smoking Denver police sergeant, accompanied by a team of five other officers, first put his hands on Eslocker’s neck, then twisted the producer’s arm behind him to put on handcuffs.
A police official later told lawyers for ABC News that Eslocker is being charged with trespass, interference, and failure to follow a lawful order. He also said the arrest followed a signed complaint from the Brown Palace Hotel
Eslocker was put in handcuffs and loaded in the back of a police van which headed for a nearby police station.
The real charge? Not bowing down and worshipping the Obamessiah.
Enjoy the video here.
August 28th, 2008 at 10:00 am
Some nut over at HuffPo mentioned that the cigar was a sign that the police officer was a right-winger.
Because that’s our secret sign, right?
August 28th, 2008 at 11:02 am
Cigar? Republicans?
Naaaah, that’s Bill Clinton all the way.
When he’s Obonga’s ambassador to Cuba in a few years, he can put his scent of approval on all of their cigar exports
August 28th, 2008 at 11:39 am
OMG…
How many times have you seen nosy press camped out on some poor schlubs FRONT YARD, and police do NOTHING?
Here’s a TV producer on a PUBLIC STREET…
Hmm. Who gave the directive, Comrade?
August 28th, 2008 at 11:45 am
Well, as a police officer, I can offer a “cop’s eye view” of this vid.
First, let me say that none of us, even those with who are police officers and Supervisors (as I am), can really say what went on here and why. Incomplete video does not tell the entire story. We have to know, among other things, what orders the police on that particular detail were under. Perhaps they had orders to keep that section of sidewalk clear of people? We don’t know either way, so the whole “why did the cop tell him to move” arguement is pointless.
One thing I can say for certain is this – in the first half of the video, when a cop tells you to move, one of many wrong answers is “Alright, hold on.” YOU are not in charge, the COP is. Do what you’re told to do by the officer when told to do so – this is how order is ultimately maintained. If you don’t like it, too bad. The time to contest is NOT then and there.
I can’t say why the arrest took place in the second part of the vid – not enough info. As far as the force used to arrest the guy – looked reasonable to this Supervisor.
Long and short – I bet he and his crew will move next time they are told.
August 28th, 2008 at 12:33 pm
Nice copout cop. The blue wall is intact.
August 28th, 2008 at 1:34 pm
Cop’s Eye View, are police sergeants generally supposed to be smoking gigantic cigars while on duty? It just struck me as odd.
One other observation about the video: That guy would not get off his cell phone, even while being manhandled. I wouldn’t be surprised to find out that that was one of the factors that led to him getting manhandled in the first place. Nothing conveys a lack of respect for authority like saying “Yeah, ok dude, just a second,” with a cell phone stuck in your ear.
August 28th, 2008 at 1:53 pm
I guess if the Brown Palace Hotel had filed a complaint against Jews, the cops would have started arresting anyone walking by who was wearing a Yarmulka.
Hhhmmm…..has a familiar ring to it. Doesn’t it?
August 28th, 2008 at 9:40 pm
I’m having a hard time believing Cop’s Eye is not a troll.
August 29th, 2008 at 12:13 am
While I would 9 times out of 10 agree that when a cop says “Move”, I’m moving…
In this case the cop shoved the guy INTO THE STREET.
Further, the producer, despite his disrespect, was perfectly in his right to be on a public sidewalk.
There were better ways to handle this. I am a HUGE police supporter and know at least two dozen cops. I know a few would have probably been this bullying, but most would not have put their hands on the producer considering that:
1. He was not a threat to the police or anyone around.
2. Clearly he is a member (emphasis on “member”, heh) of the media with cameras around. How dumb do you have to be to manhandle a TV producer with cameras rolling? Media guys might be pricks, but could the cops not figure out their bullying actions would not end up on the national news?