Forum: Author Hangout

Have you ever seen a person arrested for spitting on the sidewalk?

Actually seen it? No. I have read about it happening though.

The wording in most of the laws, but not all, specifies the circumstances and the types of face coverings involved. Thus it would be simple to identify which is in compliance and which isn't.

But the police aren't necessarily aware of all that.

And while for a defendant, ignorance of the law is no excuse, it's a perfectly good excuse if you are a cop.

The US Supreme Court has held that it's unreasonable to expect a law enforcement officer to know the law.

It's kind of right there in the job title. How the fuck are they supposed to enforce the law if they don't know what the law is?

I wonder what recourse civilians have when the police screw up.

None.

In the US the courts have largely neutered a number of constitutional provisions and federal laws that ought to provide recourse in such cases.

I would be surprised if the situation were any better in the UK.

There's a quote from a top cop in my paper today urging the public to be patient with the police because they haven't been trained to cope with a pandemic.

https://reason.com/2020/04/10/brickbat-comedy-police/

In Liverpool, England, about 20 police officers descended on the Hot Water Comedy Club to close down a show being held in violation of ban on large gatherings. They were surprised to find the club already closed. Paul Blair, one of the club's owners, says someone saw a Facebook video of a show taped two weeks earlier and, despite it being made clear a number of times in the broadcast that the show was taped, that person assumed it was live and reported the club to police.

https://reason.com/2020/04/09/hialeah-cops-haircuts-coronavirus-barbershop/

Citizens of Hialeah, Florida, may have noticed that their police officers are suspiciously well-groomed. Now they know why.

Despite state and local orders to shutter "non-essential" businesses—barbershops included—until the coronavirus pandemic is under control, Hialeah Police Chief Sergio Velazquez arranged for one barber to continue to cut cops' hair.

Velazquez justified the double standard on public safety grounds. According to the Miami Herald:

Velazquez argued that scruffy cops send the wrong message to the public: "Particularly in these unprecedented times of a global health pandemic which has caused tension and anxiety and disruption in our community, it is imperative that our law enforcement Officers project an image of command and authority."

Our fragile civilization hangs by a thread, and the police department's hairstyles are the well-groomed line that separates the public from anarchy.

I like my governor and think he's doing a good job, but he initially had hair salons and nail techs listed as essential and didn't close them down.

The whole idea that they can force some businesses to close because they are "non-essential" and not have it negatively impact the "essential" businesses that are still open is fucking stupid insanity.

Everything in the economy is interconnected.

The whole idea that they can force some businesses to close because they are "non-essential" and not have it negatively impact the "essential" businesses that are still open is fucking stupid insanity.

In my city they closed all smoke shops that only sell tobacco products but you can still buy them at liquor stores and supermarkets. At a higher price of 20-80%.
Good thing is they left the pot stores open.

Liquor stores are considered essential and are open?

In some areas there would be riots if they closed the bars and the liquor stores at the same time.

In some areas there would be riots if they closed the bars and the liquor stores at the same time.

Yes they would. However, it is the government's fault yet again. Liquor stores exist because of government regulations. Those regulations are about taxes pure and simple.

Liquor stores exist because of government regulations. Those regulations are about taxes pure and simple.

Truth.

But some people will scream and holler for more government to fix problems that were caused by government in the first place.

But some people will scream and holler for more government to fix problems that were caused by government in the first place.

Agreed, it's a hell of a racket they have. Stir the shit, wait until the people are scared and asking for more help. Then they ride in on their hypocritical horses to save the day with more regulations that take another chip out of our personal freedoms and finances. Rinse and repeat.

Of course, they couldn't get away with that without a compliant forth estate.

Actual freedom isn't for the weak. Actual freedom involves personal responsibility, the real chance of failure, and taking responsibility for the same. It requires critical thinking, a streak of individualism, and some measure of intelligence. Pretty much everything that is an anathema to everything big government believes we the sheeple should believe.

But what the hell do I know. I'm just one lone old Indian hoping the government doesn't come along and take my little slice of this land...again.

I'm just one lone old Indian hoping the government doesn't come along and take my little slice of this land...again.

Are you really an Indian? Which tribe?

I've mentioned it before. Eastern band Cherokee aka Qualla Boundary. Though as also previously stated, I am what they called a half-breed. My father was full Cherokee while my mother was born German. They met while he was still in the Army post WW2.

Cool.

In the US the courts have largely neutered a number of constitutional provisions and federal laws that ought to provide recourse in such cases.

One of the worse case is where it is illegal to lie to a cop but legal for a cop to lie to you.

Thanks to the courts the 4 Amendment is null and void for the most parts. One of their fav tools now is claiming they smell weed which gives them the right to search your car with no warrant and there's not a damn thing you can do.