All The Romance Of A Home Invasion

Police Officers in Baltimore staged a raid on a boat to help a man propose marriage to his girlfriend. What type person hatches a scheme like this and what type of woman says yes to this sort of proposal, maybe one that is afraid of being shot.

I hope the officers have to pay for their stupidity. Not with their jobs but the cost should be severe and high. Sphere: Related Content

Boston Cop Sues City, Says His Racism Was Misinterpreted As Racism

Suspended Boston cop, Justin Barrett, is suing the city of Boston, the Mayor and the police commissioner claiming his civil rights were violated. A statement from his lawyer states:

"'The choice of words were poor; but they weren't meant to characterize Professor Gates as a banana-eating jungle monkey,' attorney Peter Marano said. 'They were meant in a response to behavior and characterizing the behavior. Not the person as a whole." Marano conceded that a police officer, because of the nature of his job, is held to a higher standard of conduct than the ordinary citizen, but added: 'Being held to a higher standard shouldn't eradicate his right under the First Amendment for free speech. That is part and parcel of the lawsuit."

How do you write an email calling someone a jungle bunny and not mean it as racist? Can I call Barrett an idiot but intend to not characterize his intelligence.

I also can't believe a lawyer would make a first amendment argument in this case. How exactly does the first amendment protect an employee from professional discipline. Being fired for making the statements is not the same as the government restricting his right to say horrible things.

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We Should Talking About "The Right To Criticize Armed Agents Of The Government"

Radley Balko at Reason agrees with Harvey Silvergate that the first amendment and "police arrest powers" should be the topic of discussion regarding the arrest of Henry Louis Gates.

Balko writes:

"By any account of what happened—Gates', Crowleys', or some version in between—Gates should never have been arrested. 'Contempt of cop,' as it's sometimes called, isn't a crime. Or at least it shouldn't be. It may be impolite, but mouthing off to police is protected speech, all the more so if your anger and insults are related to a perceived violation of your rights. The 'disorderly conduct' charge for which Gates was arrested was intended to prevent riots, not to prevent cops from enduring insults. Crowley is owed an apology for being portrayed as a racist, but he ought to be disciplined for making a wrongful arrest."

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