Most big monsters start out as little monsters; it's the getting away with minor abuses that give them the confidence to escalate up to the major ones.
That guy washing his eyes wth the water running off the awning obviously doesn't realize that the water is filtered through tons of piled up pigeon shit before fallIng down on his face.
For what it's worth, I was there around 9 last night. Officer Jokela was one of the friendlier cops. Meaning he'd at least respond to questions from protestors, rather than stick to a stony glare. He even explained to another protestor what a dangly bauble on his bike was all about.
They take our crap all day. And they know there is a core of "Hate the Police" Bandana Face Brigade that will push the issue until pepper spray is necessary. AT Chase folks were asked to move (I was there). They then attempted to use there bikes as barriers. If you are in the vicinity of #occupy folks locking arms and refusing PD demands, there's a real good chance you will be spayed. The human chain, no car in or out was a stupid action on our part.
Some cops are thugs, but most were cool. Joked with several guys in front of Sheraton. One took a 99% button. But they have a job. If we start breaking crap and holding up traffic, they will do their job.
We are here to change the system, let the Chase guy know we're pissed. We're not here to fight with cops.
All big city police departments need one of those powerful water cannons or one of those new crowd lasers that make protesters feel like they're on fire. The police are being way too tolerant in places like Seattle and Oakland. They better put the hammer down before this Marxist crap gets out of hand.
its disgusting. this is not a regular job. they fucking have lawful use of force. they should be more professional, every one of them, and held to a higher standard or fired. their very presence at a peaceful protest escalates violence.
"The human chain, no car in or out was a stupid action on our part."
Yeah, it really fucking was. The people are turning against you pretty quickly. I'd say you need to get your house in order concerning these 'radical' types.
I support your right protest, but if you continue fucking up our neighborhood, screwing with our lives, and basically making a goddamned mess of our peace, then we are going to get mad at YOU, not 'the system.' We aren't going to ragefuck 'the banks' because you have a 20 something poly-sci hair up your ass and start breaking shit. We live here. Please don't shit on the rug.
Speaking of showing open disrespect to the people they serve, can we start putting some pressure on SPD to do something tangible about their narcotics detective and his recurring DUI issues?
Seattle OWS reminds me of Fresh Prince song "Parents Just Dont Understand", when you steal dads car and take it for a joy ride, man those parents get all upset, what up with that yo!?
When protesters attempt to ransack the lobby of a bank and hotel, relentlessly provoking and taunting the cops, man they really dont like that and mace us when we continue to taunt them, those cops just dont understand what were trying to do here, what up with that yo!?
No. I apologized for wishing physical harm on someone in lieu of reasoned debate.
If a person stands in front of a train, I wouldn't apologize for noting that the Sounder in the back might not feel very good and he ought to move. If a person commits crimes I don't apologize for wishing the police to enforce the law using non-lethal but forceful means.
Patrick.net is running a great thread about replacing our current tax system with a 2% Asset Tax:
2% Asset Tax Can Eliminate All Other Taxes
If the total value of all US assets is about $200 trillion, and the total tax revenue in the US (federal, state, and local combined) is about $4 trillion per year, then if follows that a simple tax of 2% on all US assets would pay all taxes.
@32: So it's stupid for a person who has never seen a riot control rifle before to ask the officer holding it to confirm whether it shoots rubber bullets? It was dark. Maybe it shot pepper spray. Or tear gas canisters. Or real bullets. I assumed rubber bullets, but it's stupid of me to confirm, huh?
Honestly, I politely asked an officer of the peace a straightforward question. And three times he gives me a stupid, bullshit response. But I guess that's my fault.
@ 36, yes. It was not only stupid, but it was lazy if you not to research riot control methods before you went to cover the fucking riot.
Jesus, just when I think I couldn't be less impressed with Slog's resident politics expert, you come up with something that underwhelms further. Can't be bothered to think that the Secy of State race matters. Can't be bothered to figure out which gun shoots bullets and which one launches canisters. Thinks police might be packing live ammo for riot control. Jesus fuck...
@36: Goldy, it's a great question. However, just because you are the media doesn't mean people are constitutionally obligated to give you a straight answer. Or even morally obligated.
Also, these cops handed you fascinating story, which you sort of blew. The actions of the cops you mentioned are pretty unique as far as I know, and possibly point to some formal media-relations strategies adopted by the department? Humor as a deescalation tactic? Or possibly this is just a coping mechanism for being in a tense situation with your every move captured by dozens of cameras.
Either way, that's a fucking interesting story. Whining that they made your job difficult? Not so much.
I have never seen such a hands off approach but police to such blatant assaults upon them. So what if they laugh or joke to blow off tension/steam. Get over it.
Goldy, You need to tell the cops you are working press and show your press I.D. As far as Officer Jokela it looks like he is making fun of the guy in the camo. Cops can be jerks but you have to sometimes think that cops are people too. I know you must know a a-hole at your work. Same as with cops I would think that if you was a cop in the cold and rain you would not like to be at home and not in the rain.
P.S. I just seen the video and I know your not that guy but you do sound like that Richard Lee ( Kurt was murdered) guy maybe the cop thought ot was you? Just sayin.
Seattleblues @39: Wishing physical violence on me, huh? I guess nothing takes the sting out of the constant intellectual ass kicking you get here in the comment threads.
Now that I have seen the post about the Costie. You Officer Jokela is acting like a Juggalo sporadic,disorganized, individualistic and an asshole you fucking clown!
WILL EVERYONE PLEASE START GETTING THESE JERKWADS NAMES AND BADGE NUMBERS AND START REPORTING THIS GARBAGE TO OPA, FOR CHRISTSAKE: https://www.seattle.gov/police/OPA/compl…
How the heck are ya, old buddy? Hope the wife and kiddies are doing well. Job going good for you pal? Get the gutters cleaned out for the winter?
Well good to talk to you. Take care now.
@57
Please do. OPA needs more stories of good cops doing their jobs. The SPD was a model of restraint and courtesy in the face of a mob, and should be recognized for it.
@53
I have no need to wish violence on someone so earnestly seeking that it be directed to him.
If ever I recieve an intellectual ass kicking here, I'll get back to you on whether it stings or not.
Just a bored civil servant trying to get through the day. What a monster.
@1, Isn't John Curely dead, or homophobic or racist? There's something about him that sticks out in my mind...none of it good.
The cops so far have been pretty damn patient, all things considered.
That guy washing his eyes wth the water running off the awning obviously doesn't realize that the water is filtered through tons of piled up pigeon shit before fallIng down on his face.
Some cops are thugs, but most were cool. Joked with several guys in front of Sheraton. One took a 99% button. But they have a job. If we start breaking crap and holding up traffic, they will do their job.
We are here to change the system, let the Chase guy know we're pissed. We're not here to fight with cops.
Yeah, it really fucking was. The people are turning against you pretty quickly. I'd say you need to get your house in order concerning these 'radical' types.
I support your right protest, but if you continue fucking up our neighborhood, screwing with our lives, and basically making a goddamned mess of our peace, then we are going to get mad at YOU, not 'the system.' We aren't going to ragefuck 'the banks' because you have a 20 something poly-sci hair up your ass and start breaking shit. We live here. Please don't shit on the rug.
Thanks.
http://community.seattletimes.nwsource.c…
yeah not so much.
If you really are, then GO TO HIS HOUSE.
and take all the fucking red OWS 'radicals' with you.
OWS stays.
"We've got arguments and they've got guns."
When protesters attempt to ransack the lobby of a bank and hotel, relentlessly provoking and taunting the cops, man they really dont like that and mace us when we continue to taunt them, those cops just dont understand what were trying to do here, what up with that yo!?
Blocking access to private businesses is a crime.
And Goldstein, lying to the police is a crime. You're not a reporter, you're a\propagandist hack.
Too bad the police didn't start using those flowers to sweep the streets of the trash.
Don't bother apologizing unless you mean it.
@ Goldy, I said this on the other thread where the "flowers" comment was first reported, and I'll say it here again - Ask a stupid question...
If a person stands in front of a train, I wouldn't apologize for noting that the Sounder in the back might not feel very good and he ought to move. If a person commits crimes I don't apologize for wishing the police to enforce the law using non-lethal but forceful means.
Here's another positive thing SLOG could feature.
Patrick.net is running a great thread about replacing our current tax system with a 2% Asset Tax:
2% Asset Tax Can Eliminate All Other Taxes
http://patrick.net/forum/?p=1133205
Honestly, I politely asked an officer of the peace a straightforward question. And three times he gives me a stupid, bullshit response. But I guess that's my fault.
Well to be fair to the cop you are really ugly and stupid-looking, and your high wimpy voice is incredibly annoying.
He is probably just another of the thousands of seattleites who hate your fucking guts.
Police are a huge waste of tax money.
That's okay! I hope you get firsthand experience of what one of these looks like in action soon!
(Hint- Maalox won't take the sting out of a rubber bullet.)
Cheers.
Jesus, just when I think I couldn't be less impressed with Slog's resident politics expert, you come up with something that underwhelms further. Can't be bothered to think that the Secy of State race matters. Can't be bothered to figure out which gun shoots bullets and which one launches canisters. Thinks police might be packing live ammo for riot control. Jesus fuck...
Also, these cops handed you fascinating story, which you sort of blew. The actions of the cops you mentioned are pretty unique as far as I know, and possibly point to some formal media-relations strategies adopted by the department? Humor as a deescalation tactic? Or possibly this is just a coping mechanism for being in a tense situation with your every move captured by dozens of cameras.
Either way, that's a fucking interesting story. Whining that they made your job difficult? Not so much.
Goldy, we get it. In you're mind, you're a rebel fighting the good fight. In reality, you're just as slanted and myopic as a Fox News contributor.
So that you don't give the rest of us more reasoned, analytical liberals a bad name, would you mind toning down the anger a little? I mean holy sh*t.
BIGOT YOU.
How the heck are ya, old buddy? Hope the wife and kiddies are doing well. Job going good for you pal? Get the gutters cleaned out for the winter?
Well good to talk to you. Take care now.
@57
Please do. OPA needs more stories of good cops doing their jobs. The SPD was a model of restraint and courtesy in the face of a mob, and should be recognized for it.
@53
I have no need to wish violence on someone so earnestly seeking that it be directed to him.
If ever I recieve an intellectual ass kicking here, I'll get back to you on whether it stings or not.
BIGOT YOU.
http://www.crimethinc.com/texts/atoz/fuc…