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NH Man Arrested for Videotaping Police
macinrack writes to mention a story about a New Hampshire man who was arrested for videotaping police on his doorstep, using a fairly standard security camera system. He was officially charged with 'two felony counts of violating state eavesdropping and wiretap law by using an electronic device.' From the article: "The security cameras record sound and audio directly to a videocassette recorder inside the house, and the Gannons posted warnings about the system, Janet Gannon said. On Tuesday night, Michael Gannon brought a videocassette to the police department, and asked to speak with someone in 'public relations,' his wife said and police reported. Gannon wanted to lodge a complaint against Karlis, who had come to the family's house while investigating their sons, Janet Gannon said. She said Karlis showed up late at night, was rude, and refused to leave when they asked him."
This is a clear cut violation of First Amendment rights. Not the free speach ones but the free press ones. I wonder if the ACLU will stand up for this man. The police are obviously wrong here.
I'm just waiting for the founders of New Hampshire to rise from their graves and go on a cop killing rampage.
It seems to me like Fascist Country and Police state! That's what happens when you vote for security! You get beaten by the police! I hope more people act like this family and sue police, because they are abusive!
sex is better than war!
those are some serious changes.. particularly that murder charge!
This is what all those liberals get for encouraging big government (the biggest business of them all). Sounds paranoid, but it's true, how are we supposed to control the govt. once they get so big? Bush wire tapping suspected terrorists is, however, an entirely different situation. These things always occur during war, hell it even occurred with the Clinton administration. Lincoln was notoriously tough on those that opposed him during the civil war, and so should Bush regardless of political sides.
He should have posted this to the public domain instead. Now he doesn't even have the tape anymore if I read correctly.
This is a fascist country. Why do people insist on trying to use the system to help *them*? They aren't companies.
You are checking your backups, aren't you?
Now arguably it shouldn't be that way since the cops should be expected to behave professionaly even if the citizen doesn't.
This is what I would expect and I totally agree with you.
The reality, though, is that police are people too and just like we probably would not react perfectly to someone treating us with disresect on the job, police probably don't either. Treating others how you want to be treated is a good way to live life and usually brings the exact results you're looking for.
The reality is that 99% of cops are assholes; these are the people that were bullies in school, and don't have above a 6th grade education (at least here they don't, because the department won't higher people more intelligent, on the belief more educated people would get bored with the job).
Its been my experience that it doesn't matter if you are polite or rude, the cop is an ass.
Now something definitely seems wrong with this police department since the charges are nonsense and it seems like, at that point, they are harassing the citizen.
This is likely true.
But they do mention the guy's kid is being investigated for some crimes
The charges are likely bogus. I was 'investigated' as well. What really was going on was bad police work, since both of my parents said I wasn't even in town at the time I supposedly committed the crime, and had a movie stub to prove it. The reason they thought it was me? Very sloppy police work combined with kids naming people so they'd get a lighter sentence.
the guy hasn't been cooperative in the past, and has been verbally abusive
A perfectly acceptable response given the harrasment the cops have been giving the family.
And my completely inappropriate "judge a book by its cover" sensors tell me that by looking at the guy's picture in the article, he rather looks like an uncooperative, verbally abusive redneck
Rednecks don't usually own houses worth $350,000 though, so I suggest you abandon that particular sensor.
So I suspect that while these charges against him are completely wrong and inappropriate, I get the distinct feeling this isn't some average Joe that's being randomly victimized for no reason by the police. I think there's more to the story here than we know.
Given my past experience with police, I'm willing to bet there isn't anything more than we know.
but I have found that if you respect the police, they will respect you.
You sir, are obviously not a member of a minority group.
LK
"Hi. This is my friend, Jack Shit, and you don't know him." - Lord Kano
Go be a cop for 18 years, then reply. Focus on what I was saying, not distorting it.
Sherm
So what you are saying is that Libertarianism really is a marginal political viewpoint. Why then, are you trying to impose your marginal viewpoint on the state of New Hampshire by all moving there en mass in the hope of subverting the electoral process?
Let me guess though. You were'nt serving them food in your own front yard. I hope someone opens a soup kitchen next to your place right after you buy or sign a long lease.
John McAfee 'It was like that time I hired that Bangkok prostitute; to do my taxes, while I fucked my accountant'
Are you people actually serious? I don't smoke and never have. Breathing a little second hand smoke occasionally when you just happen to be around it doesn't even compare to everything else our lungs and the world face on a daily basis.
Ever hear of RADON???
And do you really think second hand smoke is worse than regular inner-city pollution from cars and factories?
Taking away peoples' rights to do what they please (smoke) will NOT save you from lung cancer or the world from being polluted. So what's the point?? It's just a way for you to point your finger and try to control people; just like the police officers in the article.
what about the cop south of houston in galveston, who RAPED a woman?
The only way to bust a doper--is when you yourself become a smoker!