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NH Man Arrested For Videotaping Police.. Again
OhPlz writes "Back in 2006, a resident of New Hampshire's second largest city was arrested while at the police station attempting to file a complaint against officers. His crime? He had video tape evidence of the officers' wrongdoings. According to the police, that's wiretapping. After world wide attention, the police dropped the charges. His complaint was found to be valid, but the evidence never saw the light of day. Well, guess what? Round two. There are differing reports, but again the police arrested Mr. Gannon and again, they seized his video camera. This time it's 'falsifying evidence' because he tried to hand off the camera, most likely to protect its contents. If there's the potential of police wrongdoing, how is it that the law permits the police to seize the evidence?"
Given the way you unfairly linked these state thugs with Republicans, it's a pretty safe assumption that you are a liberal. Does this incident not shake your faith in the beneficence of the state just a smidgen?
And, the moron clearly ignores the fact that the police are union members, and they typically support and vote DemocRat.
If people, especially authorities can't be recorded when in public, then there is nothing to prevent them from abusing their authority, doing anything they wish, and lying about it.
Truly. I'm pretty sure the Right To Bear Cameras was written into the constitution for exactly this purpose. It's only in the last few decades that the government has started trying to take this Fundamental Right away from God Fearing Americans!
The public has the same right, no matter what laws they try to create or enforce to prevent you from taping them. When they're in public, you have the right to record their actions.
One video shot by a bystander can lead to massive riots, cops thrown in jail for trying to do their jobs, and a serial-offender being given $3 million for resisting arrest.
It's a question of balance. Cameras lie, all the time, and people overreact all the time. I don't mind being shot at, spit on, verbally and physically assaulted, and exposed to various other risks as a part of my daily job - but the moment you give random assholes the ability to ruin my career and get me locked up for trying to do my job to the best of my ability is the moment I find something less dangerous to do. I'm all for holding cops accountable for their actions, but the response has to be reasonable, it has to based on common sense, and it has to be carried out by the system. Punishing them in a trial-by-media based on some blurry footage, followed by a political decision to lock them up or dismiss them ..... that's wrong. Period.
I'm pretty sure the Right To Bear Cameras was written into the constitution for exactly this purpose
as a non-american (of your own admitting) AND as an ex rental cop, I will speak for everyone where in saying.
STFU
and if I had mod points, I'd mod you to negative oblivion.
YOU are part of the problem. I hope you have a lot of pain in your life, 'friend', as a karma payback.
and, don't try to teach us about constitutional matters. you come off looking like an ass when you open your mouth.
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"It is now safe to switch off your computer."
Don't want a gun? Don't get one.. wait.. right? Oh, it only works on things you like. Sorry.