Another Taser Freak

I hope this SOB cop goes to jail.



Taser gets litigious over suggestions the device causes deaths
VANCOUVER - Anyone who launches a lawsuit against Taser International Inc. or suggests a Taser electronic device was involved in a death are liable to get another shock when the company brings down the full force of its legal team.

Taser International is currently named as a defendant in at least 39 wrongful death or personal injury lawsuits where a Taser was used.

The company is aggressive in defending itself in such lawsuits and has entered into agreements to prevent its own insurance provider from settling out of court,

It has even filed a lawsuit demanding an Ohio coroner change her conclusion that a Taser was a contributing factor in the deaths of two men.

Taser also sent out legal demand letters to 60 organizations after its latest public relations black eye where a Polish man was jolted with a Taser by RCMP at the Vancouver International Airport and died minutes later.

"We are taken aback by the number of media outlets that have irresponsibly published conclusive headlines blaming the Taser device...as the cause of death before completion of the investigation," Taser Chairman Tom Smith said in a news release.

The amateur video showed RCMP officers zapping Robert Dziekanski with a Taser while he screamed and writhed on the floor at the arrivals area in the international terminal.

The footage was seen around the world on TV and Internet and provoked an outcry against the use of the stun guns by police.

Oh, for Heaven's Sake

Can anyone say "security theater"?

Holiday airline travelers urged to chuck carry-on clutter

WASHINGTON — Airline passengers, who already are required at airport checkpoints to remove their shoes, take off their coats and carry only small bottles of liquids, now have a new task: Pack neatly.
In anticipation of the most popular holiday for travel in the USA, the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) today launches a campaign urging travelers to eliminate clutter in carry-on bags. Pack in layers. Keep items neat.

Messy travelers could spend more time in line if their carry-ons are cluttered because such bags are more likely to be pulled aside and searched by hand, TSA spokeswoman Ellen Howe says.

Brian Williams

Good. This Was a Terrible Idea

Muslim Mapping Plan Shelved

LOS ANGELES (AP) - A police plan to map out Muslim communities, a proposal that civil rights groups sharply criticized as racial and religious profiling, has been shelved, a police spokeswoman said Wednesday.

The LAPD planned to have its counterterrorism bureau identify Muslim enclaves to determine which might be likely to become isolated and susceptible to "violent, ideologically based extremism."

Several Muslim groups and the American Civil Liberties Union of Southern California criticized the plan and sent a letter to Deputy Chief Michael P. Downing expressing their concerns.

"There was a clear message from the Muslim community that they were not comfortable with it. So we listened," said Mary Grady, spokeswoman for the Los Angeles Police Department. She couldn't immediately say when the plan might resume.

Grady said the remaining part of the initiative, which includes outreach efforts to strengthen ties with Muslim communities, would continue, and police planned to meet with Muslim leaders Thursday

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Crack Dealers' Bad Deal

From TED (Technology,Entertainment,Design), Steven Levitt of Freakonomics talks about drug dealing.

Long Mouth of the Law

Killed by Alligator
SWEETWATER, Fla. — A man was killed by an alligator on the Miccosukee Indian Reservation in Miami-Dade County, Local10.com reported.

The man, who has not been identified, was running from Miccosukee police when he dove into a retention pond, Local10.com reported. There, he was reportedly attacked by the gator and bitten several times.


The man was suspected of breaking into cars with another suspect on the Miccosukee Indian Reservation, Local6.com reported. One was quickly captured.


The man's body was found at the bottom of the pond Friday. The man was bitten on the head several times, Local10.com reported. The gator was later trapped.

Line of Duty

I am sorry to hear about the increase in police deaths around the country this year. It doesn't do us any good and is a terribly tragedy for the families.

So far this year across the country, 63 officers have died from gunshots, according to the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Fund, a total up 40 percent over the same time last year.

I do wonder whether police are being more aggressive--ever see how rough those guys are on the MSNBC Predator series, even after the guys have surrendered? Are we encouraging cops to be too aggressive? I don't know but am curious to hear more from real experts.

Mayor as Bad Landlord

This is the same character who appointed a 21-year-old intern as safety/service director just before he lost the election.

Our View: Lorain's interim mayor must get his houses in order before making law

It's not surprising that John Romoser, Lorain's interim mayor, is pushing for a ''slum tenant'' ordinance to crack down on renters who leave their landlords with damaged properties and unpaid utility bills.


After all, Romoser is a landlord in Lorain, and said he was cleaning up after one such bad tenant last week.


But before Romoser goes after tenants with a new law, he needs to get in full compliance with Lorain's ordinance requiring landlords to have their rental properties inspected by the building department.

Records show the building department tried to contact Romoser in April to have inspections done, but Romoser said he never received the message.

In July, this newspaper carried a front-page story noting that eight of Romoser's rental units had not been inspected. He said he didn't know the inspections were needed, but added that he would take care of it. Now, it's the middle of November and, so far, only two of the eight units have been inspected. Once again, Romoser said he would take care of the problem. Excuses, promises and half-way measures are not good enough for a person who carries the title of mayor in Lorain.

Romoser said he planned to speak this week with the Lake Erie Landlords Association to work out details on his proposed ''slum tenant'' ordinance. He should postpone that meeting and use the time to get his own houses in order.