You need look no further than a mirror for evidence.
I think I pretty much agree with you....frightening- I'd better light up!
It might have been better if this "unfortunate situation" had happened to a drug dealer and user, particularly one who had not been arrested yet fot his past offences. Know anyone like that?
Most people aren't happy this happened we are furious over the militancy of Federal, (and local) police forces. The sad fact is this agent was probably trained to do just what he did. In other words (for their own safety) to point his gun at everybody and his brother that might be a danger to him.
I have a friend who is a retired Colonel and extraordinary pilot. He was driving with his wife, (he is in his 70,s) when he was stopped by duputies with guns drawn and pointed at him. They ordered them out of the vehicle and treated them roughly until they determined the elderly couple were not who they were after.
Pointing a gun at someone is a far more serious offense than cops seem to realize. It could rightfully cause people to think they were about to be murdered and respond appropriately. Especially when the cops are in plain clothes.
The fact that cops are routinely not even given a slap on the wrist after murdering a civilian naturally causes anger.
What does this mean? Is it political to criticize the FBI? Is talking about that innocent man from Boston, who was allowed to rot in prison all those years for something he didn't do, political? Even though he was sent there by the FBI, who knew from the beginning that he was innocent.
"This unfortunate situation" is just a little bit too common. Officers in these situations often seem to be looking for their chance to try out their shooting skills.
It's not a question of perfect, Dane. It's a question of basic competence.
Most federal law enforcement agencies will suffer from corruption and incompetence, but that won't stop people from defending them for their own political points and do an eleanor clift like (boot?) licking to try to spin what is merely just the latest of a long and continuing history of major screw ups.
You're right law enforcement isn't perfect - no human is. However, when an unarmed civillian is shot in the face trying to comply with law enforcement orders, this is a problem. I agree that it was a mistake and mistakes happen, and I personally wouldn't try to put the FBI officer in jail. BUT, he sure wouldn't be working for the FBI anymore if I were in charge. Bye-bye trigger happy.
Ah yes, an "unfortunate situation". ROFL - who's acting Clintonesque here? That sounds like something I'd hear out of the mouth of Paul Begala. You know very well the difference between condemning the actions of THESE agents and condemning the entire FBI. People here on FR are understandably disgusted with how THIS INCIDENT was handled, but that won't stop you from trying to spin it as unwarranted criticism of all cops.
We do not, however, need Columbian-style death squads, judge-jury-executioners all rolled up into one. (Whooping it up? While some young man lays dying on the ground?) If we do not prosecute this murderous agent (and his fun-loving partner) we invite more of the same. And when the fear and loathing of federal agents becomes endemic, our society could come apart like a cheap suit. Do you want that? People busting caps at law enforcement wherever they see them? I certainly don't.
Give me (decent) law and order, any day. I was taught to "respect the police, they are your friends." And most of them are, but it doesn't take too many awful incidents like this to make people distrustful and afraid of them. Know what I mean? I hope so.
Regards,
That's really a shame.
Dane, the ones doing the LITERAL BLOOD DANCE were the FBI agents laughing and whooping it up over Schultz' bleeding body while they withheld medical attention.
Dane, how about you let my swat team practice their "arrest techniques" on your children.
"Joseph Charles Schultz, the Anne Arundel County man shot Friday after being mistaken for a bank robbery suspect, was reaching to unfasten his seat belt to comply with an FBI agent's order when the agent opened fire, an attorney for Schultz's family said yesterday...
"FBI officials have acknowledged that Schultz had no connection to the crime or to the suspect...
"Schultz, an Eagle Scout, graduated from Northeast High School in Pasadena in 2000...
"As a result of Friday's shooting, Schultz had a shattered right cheekbone and jaw, as well as damage to his nasal passages, the attorney said. The bullet had lodged in his left cheek, and it was unclear whether or when doctors would try to remove it.
""There's certainly going to be some extensive reconstructive surgery that's needed," Asensio said."
Dane responds...
No law emforcement agency will ever be perfect, but that won't stop people pushing their own political points and do a clinton like blood dance over this unfortunate situation.
This is the opposite of perfect. It was total incompetence and all Dane is concerned about is that people will accurately identify it for what it is -- a police officer nearly killed an innocent citizen for complying with the cop's order. The cop was probably high on drugs, right Dane?