Watt's Up, Doc? (Wizbang)

Yesterday, I wrote a piece about some environmental activists getting tasered by the local police in Brattleboro, Vermont. (It was a nice change of pace from the other recent news out of Brattleboro, when they finally passed a "no public nudity" ordinance.) I was rushed for work and suffering a caffeine crash, so it wasn't my best work. The ending kind of trailed off, and my own opinion on the incident didn't come through like I wished. So I thought I'd give it another take.

Here are the key elements of the story: a couple of out-of-town professional pains in the ass decided they didn't like Brattleboro allowing a truck stop to be built on a vacant lot, so they planted a bunch of plants. That wasn't enough, so they bound themselves to a steel barrel in such a way that they could release themselves any time they wanted, but police would have to get through the barrel to release them.

It brings up an interesting point: just what should the police do in such a case?

The unemployed dipshits were clearly breaking the law, so the police had a duty to get them to move on. And they refused the orders from the police, another criminal offense. At that point, the police are justified in using force on them.

First off, the police didn't draw their guns and shoot them. As tempting as it was, it was clearly not justified her. So good for the cops.

They could have called in special equipment to crack open the drum. Not really a good option -- it would have tied them up for far too long, and the kind of equipment needed could have injured the idiots. I don't have too much of a problem with that, but it would have made the situation even more complicated.

They could have ignored them until Nature Called and they were compelled by their own digestive and excretory systems to release themselves. Again, not an option -- some of these nutjobs are so committed, they put on adult diapers for just such a contingency.

They could have used pepper spray on them. Again, not the best option -- it tends to screw with things like coordination, and they might not be able to release themselves. Also, it often leaves a "cloud" of irritants and lingers, meaning that it's not pleasant for the officers around the dirtbags.

My own personal thought would be to send one guy back to the firing range and grab some earphones, then take a tire jack out of the trunk of a cruiser. With my own ears protected, I'd beat the hell out of the steel drum until their ears started bleeding.

But what the police chose to do seems about right to me. They apparently didn't have ear protection and a tire iron at hand, so they used what they did have -- tasers. And they presented the morons with a simple choice: free themselves, or get zapped. When that didn't work, they moved on to Plan B: free themselves, or get zapped some more.

Eventually, the re-volting plan worked. The two imbeciles let themselves go, and were hauled off to the hoosegow.

The whiny gits are describing their experience as "torture." I'm sure it was painful (that is the whole point of Tasers -- to inflict pain without injury to force compliance), but I hardly think it qualifies as torture.

And to those who are upset at the police (and their deputizing Reddy Kilowatt in the service of justice), I'd like to ask you just what the officers should have done.

Comments (34)

Dang, I was trying to comme... (Below threshold)

1. Posted by kim | July 29, 2007 7:11 AM | Score: 0 (2 votes cast)

kim:

Dang, I was trying to comment on both those, but was too slow.
=====================

Posted on July 29, 2007 07:11

Shot both of them and fed t... (Below threshold)

2. Posted by scrapiron | July 29, 2007 7:21 AM | Score: 1 (3 votes cast)

scrapiron

Shot both of them and fed the remains to Vick's Pit Bulls or maybe just fed them alive to the Pit Bulls. Nest time some democrat fool pulls this bring in a hill of red ants and let them chew on them for about, well 30 seconds is all a democrat wimp could stand.

Posted on July 29, 2007 07:21

"First off, the police didn... (Below threshold)

3. Posted by nogo war | July 29, 2007 7:29 AM | Score: -14 (16 votes cast)

nogo war:

"First off, the police didn't draw their guns and shoot them. As tempting as it was,"

Jay are you suggesting that it would be tempting for the police..or tempting for you if you were the police...Why would it be tempting...under these circumstances for an officer(or you) to draw a weapon..
Now if this would have taken place in North Carolina..the police would have done the right thing by the way...google ...carolina flag upside down... for a story..would be interested to read your take on this...
http://www.mountainx.com/news/2007/flagged_down
_activists_arrested_in_row_over_protest_flag_allege_abuse_by_bu

Posted on July 29, 2007 07:29

Typical nogo (by the way, I... (Below threshold)

4. Posted by Jay Tea | July 29, 2007 7:35 AM | Score: 4 (6 votes cast)

Jay Tea:

Typical nogo (by the way, I'm still waiting for that apology and/or thanks for that matter we discussed in e-mail). Latches on to one quick aside, ignores the direct question at the end, and tries to change the subject.

Short answer, nogo: the upside-down flag is a recognized sign of distress. The police OUGHT to respond to that -- and then arrest the dumbasses under the same law for bogus 911 calls, fake maydays, and unnecessary SOS signals.

I played your game, nogo. I answered one of your questions, even though you ignored mine. Will you answer it now? What should the cops have done?

Posted on July 29, 2007 07:35

JT, I am angry with you. I ... (Below threshold)

5. Posted by WildWillie | July 29, 2007 8:10 AM | Score: 3 (5 votes cast)

WildWillie:

JT, I am angry with you. I read the re-volting line and spit on my monitor laughing. Loved it.

Also, "hoosegow"? That was a blast from my past.

The coppers did exactly the right thing. They excercised much more patients then I could muster for the boneheads. ww

Posted on July 29, 2007 08:10

Doesnt the left always clai... (Below threshold)

6. Posted by Gianni | July 29, 2007 8:41 AM | Score: 2 (4 votes cast)

Gianni:

Doesnt the left always claim it is 'pro choice'?

Most time, others suffer as a result of libs 'choice'. Seems to me they had a choice, release themselves, or, suffer the consequences. They suffered. GOOD!

Posted on July 29, 2007 08:41

I'm still puzzling over the... (Below threshold)

7. Posted by pennywit | July 29, 2007 8:57 AM | Score: 2 (2 votes cast)

pennywit:

I'm still puzzling over the proper response here, though I'm not sure what it was.

As an aside, I would be tempted to deploy Parking Enforcement to dispense tickets to the individuals on an hourly basis.

--|PW|--

Posted on July 29, 2007 08:57

nogo war:Jay a... (Below threshold)

8. Posted by marc | July 29, 2007 9:02 AM | Score: 3 (3 votes cast)

marc:

Jay are you suggesting that it would be tempting for the police..or tempting for you if you were the police...

No I believe JT put out the bait waiting for another misdirection comment by you.

Congrats you bit at the bait HARD... good luck spitting out the hook.

JT the police acted in the exact proper manner. If these asshats want to protest fine, but when they become a public safety issue or distraction tough... taser their ass and haul'em off to the Iron Bar Hotel.

Posted on July 29, 2007 09:02

I'd have brought in a crane... (Below threshold)

9. Posted by hlust | July 29, 2007 9:14 AM | Score: 2 (2 votes cast)

hlust:

I'd have brought in a crane, hoisted the barrel off the ground in such a way as to turn these morons upside down, then Tasered them, or at least invited all the kids in the neighborhood to come over for a piñata party with a whiffle-ball bat

Posted on July 29, 2007 09:14

I like Pennywit's idea of i... (Below threshold)

10. Posted by Henry | July 29, 2007 9:27 AM | Score: 2 (2 votes cast)

Henry:

I like Pennywit's idea of issuing tickets on an hourly basis, except these people are probably jobless leeches on society so they probably have no money to pay such fines...

Maybe they should go to "Steel Barrel" Sensitivity training due to their actions, they traumatized said barrel.

Posted on July 29, 2007 09:27

In-as-much as I like the th... (Below threshold)

11. Posted by Eric Forhan | July 29, 2007 9:27 AM | Score: 1 (1 votes cast)

Eric Forhan:

In-as-much as I like the thought of a public-spectator sport of shocking these kinds of people, I understand that tasers sometimes can lead to death.

I guess tear gas was out of the question because of the outdoor public venue? Or are the effects to much like your description of pepper spray?

Tough decision for the cops, and hard question posed. We clearly need the Vulcan Nerve Pinch.

How about putting a plastic... (Below threshold)

12. Posted by Semanticleo | July 29, 2007 9:58 AM | Score: -7 (7 votes cast)

Semanticleo:

How about putting a plastic bag over their heads, then slowly filling it with water until they have the sensation of drowning?

No physical harm, no torture foul.

Posted on July 29, 2007 09:58

Too difficult to conduct in... (Below threshold)

13. Posted by Jay Tea | July 29, 2007 10:07 AM | Score: 3 (3 votes cast)

Too difficult to conduct in a vacant lot, Cleo. Requires too much setup to conduct properly. Toss in that the dipshits have their arms stuck in a big steel drum, and it just isn't that viable.

Got a SERIOUS answer, or just want to pull your usual baiting bullshit?

Posted on July 29, 2007 10:07

Yeah two outsider eco-wacko... (Below threshold)

14. Posted by spurwing plover | July 29, 2007 10:14 AM | Score: 0 (2 votes cast)

spurwing plover:

Yeah two outsider eco-wackos decide to stop something they dont want and as usial do realy stupid things i mean its like those jerks who climb up trees kind of like that rediclous JULIA(BUTTERFLY)stitting in that tree for two years these eco-wackos are idiots SCREW CAPTIAN PLANET

Posted on July 29, 2007 10:14

Jay;You were SERIO... (Below threshold)

15. Posted by Semanticleo | July 29, 2007 10:31 AM | Score: -7 (7 votes cast)

Jay;

You were SERIOUS........?

Posted on July 29, 2007 10:31

Yes, I was, Cleo. You posed... (Below threshold)

16. Posted by Jay Tea | July 29, 2007 11:02 AM | Score: 3 (3 votes cast)

Yes, I was, Cleo. You posed a question, presumably seriously, and I answered it seriously. I also put forth my solution -- it involved a tire iron.

Still waiting for yours... but then, you don't like to actually answer questions and put forth solutions. You're much happier sniping and taking cheap shots.

If you don't have an answer, Cleo, run back to your little enclave over at Oliver's. He seems to enjoy you and the rest of his lickspittles...

Posted on July 29, 2007 11:02

You say it's not practical ... (Below threshold)

17. Posted by Semanticleo | July 29, 2007 11:21 AM | Score: -6 (6 votes cast)

You say it's not practical to bag-n-gag the
perps? Think of the money saved by municipalities.........................

cost of Taser-$350

cost of water, bag-$.09

Surely, even with the one-time cost of devising
an efficient delivery system, the taxpayer will find a bonanza.

Posted on July 29, 2007 11:21

Get some chain link fencing... (Below threshold)

18. Posted by C-C-G | July 29, 2007 11:24 AM | Score: 3 (3 votes cast)

C-C-G

Get some chain link fencing and some barbed wire and set up a temporary jail around the perps.

Hey, they wanted to be stuck there, I'm just suggesting ways to help them stay there.

Posted on July 29, 2007 11:24

Hey cleo PrepH helps extrac... (Below threshold)

19. Posted by jhow66 | July 29, 2007 11:26 AM | Score: 2 (2 votes cast)

jhow66:

Hey cleo PrepH helps extracting a foot from the rear of one's autonomy.

Posted on July 29, 2007 11:26

So, Cleo, may we assume fro... (Below threshold)

20. Posted by C-C-G | July 29, 2007 11:53 AM | Score: 2 (2 votes cast)

So, Cleo, may we assume from your statement--which you keep defending and backing up--that you support water-bagging as a method of ensuring compliance?

I just want you on record for the next time a "torture" debate comes up.

Posted on July 29, 2007 11:53

"Get some chain link fencin... (Below threshold)

21. Posted by hlust | July 29, 2007 12:02 PM | Score: 2 (2 votes cast)

"Get some chain link fencing and some barbed wire and set up temporary jail around the perps."

I like it! Add some cameras and make it a reality TV show - "Who Wants To Be A Moron?"

Posted on July 29, 2007 12:02

Grab a front end loader, sc... (Below threshold)

22. Posted by Gmac | July 29, 2007 12:22 PM | Score: 2 (2 votes cast)

Gmac:

Grab a front end loader, scoop up the id10t's and deposit them at the local dump. Then tell them the barrel's about to be recycled by burying it and watch them pop loose.

Posted on July 29, 2007 12:22

I would suggest that the po... (Below threshold)

23. Posted by kevin | July 29, 2007 1:00 PM | Score: 3 (3 votes cast)

kevin:

I would suggest that the police set up some sort of barrier (sound proof, if possible) so that no one can see or acknowledge the protestors. If they up and relocate, relocate the barrier. Repeat as necessary until smelly hippies go home.

These people are just attention whores, so take away the value in doing this (attention garnered from passers-by) and they'll quit.

No tasers, nothing giving them the opportunity to claim being persecuted by the fascists, etc.

Posted on July 29, 2007 13:00

I'm pretty sure plastic bag... (Below threshold)

24. Posted by Eric Forhan | July 29, 2007 1:36 PM | Score: 1 (1 votes cast)

I'm pretty sure plastic bags over heads don't need water to get the point across ...

But then, I'm not as smart as them-thur lib'rals.

Posted on July 29, 2007 13:36

Sounds to me as though the ... (Below threshold)

25. Posted by Glenn M. Cassel,AMH1(AW), USN, RET | July 29, 2007 1:39 PM | Score: 3 (3 votes cast)

Glenn M. Cassel,AMH1(AW), USN, RET:

Sounds to me as though the officers used the ladder of force correctly. I spent 2 and 1/2 years in Navy Law Enforcement and the basic rule is to use the force necessary to end the situation. To the two individuals who were tasered, Tango-Sierra.

Posted on July 29, 2007 13:39

The Police should be applau... (Below threshold)

26. Posted by buckhunter | July 29, 2007 1:43 PM | Score: 1 (1 votes cast)

buckhunter:

The Police should be applauded for the "eco-friendly" solution to dealing with this problem. Instead of bringing in a jackhammer with a big diesel guzzling truck, and all the gas the jackhammer compressor would have generated, they solved the problem with a zero carbon footprint.

Posted on July 29, 2007 13:43

"don't need water to get th... (Below threshold)

27. Posted by Semanticleo | July 29, 2007 1:56 PM | Score: -2 (2 votes cast)

"don't need water to get the point across ..."

More savings for the taxpayer..

Posted on July 29, 2007 13:56

I just read the original ar... (Below threshold)

28. Posted by Scott in CA | July 29, 2007 2:15 PM | Score: 1 (1 votes cast)

Scott in CA:

I just read the original article from the Boston Globe. These "activists" were indeed unemployed, and from New Jersey. They say they now plan to incorporate their experience into "political street theater".

Wow. I am so impressed.

Look, this is the usual tactic of the fring left; breaking any law they don't like, and then whining like stuck pigs when they suffer the consequences.

I have a suggestion: the next time a town gets fools like this, where they lock themselves in to pipes, barrels, or whatever: leave them there. Cordon them off, let no one near them, and let them sit there without food or water until they give up. It'll all be over in a day or two.

Posted on July 29, 2007 14:15

The Taser seems a bit too b... (Below threshold)

29. Posted by Mac Lorry | July 29, 2007 3:56 PM | Score: 1 (1 votes cast)

Mac Lorry

The Taser seems a bit too brutish if there's a more natural solution at hand. If available scoop up some fire ants and plop them down near the protesters and walk away. It wouldn't be too long and the self-release mechanism would be used. Don't have fire ants, well red ants might do the job, and if not you can always use the Taser.

Posted on July 29, 2007 15:56

I like the idea of dropping... (Below threshold)

30. Posted by hlust | July 29, 2007 4:22 PM | Score: 1 (1 votes cast)

I like the idea of dropping them in a land fill for "recycling" and the ants motif. OF course, a piñata party would be more fun for the locals' kids.

Alternatively, since they want to live "close to nature", cut off their clothes, and let them sit "au natural" in the heat.

Then bring out the ants

Posted on July 29, 2007 16:22

Why not closely surround th... (Below threshold)

31. Posted by Gianni | July 29, 2007 4:42 PM | Score: 1 (1 votes cast)

Why not closely surround them with a fence ringed with barbed wire. Ask them if they want to unchain themselevs and leave?

No, Ok fine, see ya tomorrow. After almost a full soaking in their own excrement(well, 2-3 days since they ARE from NJ) Im sure they'll be ready to go,err, leave.

Posted on July 29, 2007 16:42

I like the fire ants idea.<... (Below threshold)

32. Posted by C-C-G | July 29, 2007 5:45 PM | Score: 1 (1 votes cast)

I like the fire ants idea.

Let's see how our nature lovers love nature after that.

Posted on July 29, 2007 17:45

Tasering proves itself once... (Below threshold)

33. Posted by The Listkeeper | July 29, 2007 9:21 PM | Score: 1 (1 votes cast)

The Listkeeper:

Tasering proves itself once again to be a quick, effective means of dealing with miscreants!

Posted on July 29, 2007 21:21

Never mind the tasers use p... (Below threshold)

34. Posted by spurwing plover | July 30, 2007 10:27 AM | Score: 0 (0 votes cast)

Never mind the tasers use pahsers set on DISINAGRATE

Posted on July 30, 2007 10:27

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