Apparently they don’t like Stephen Harper or his government. Given how demonstrably terrible the Harper government’s been, I don’t understand why there aren’t more people protesting.
The megaphone was a nice touch.
Tag: Protests
A Good, Long Essay About Police Militarization In The United States That Every Cop, Lawyer, Journalist And Participating Citizen Should Read
Actually, it’s not an essay, it’s an excerpt from journalist Radley Balko’s book Rise of the Warrior Cop: The Militarization of America’s Police Forces. Anyway, it’s a compelling read that covers massive, widespread overuse of force by U.S. police against casual small-time gamblers, underage drinkers, protesters, chihuahuas and other dangerous dogs, college students and people who had the misfortune of living at residences SWAT teams mistakenly think house child pornography watchers. Includes a guest appearance by Shaquille O’Neal. Here’s a short excerpt.
The fact that the Postal Service offers such training and most police departments don’t lends some credence to the theory that dog shootings are part of the larger problem of a battlefield mentality that lets police use lethal force in response to the slightest threat—usually with few consequences. “It’s an evolving phenomenon,” says Norm Stamper, the former Seattle police chief. “It started when drug dealers began to recruit pit bulls to guard their supply. These dogs weren’t meant to attack cops. They were meant to attack other drug dealers who came to rob them. But of course they did attack cops. And yes, that’s awfully scary if one of those things latches on to your leg.”
But Stamper says that like many aspects of modern policing, dog shootings may have had a legitimate origin, but the practice has since become a symptom of the mind-set behind a militarized police culture. “Among other things, it really shows a lack of imagination. These guys think that the only solution to a dog that’s yapping or charging is shooting and killing it. That’s all they know. It goes with this notion that police officers have to control every situation, to control all the variables. That’s an awesome responsibility, and if you take it on, you’re caving to delusion. You no longer exercise discrimination or discretion. You have to control, and the way you control is with authority, power, and force. With a dog, the easiest way to take control is to simply kill it. I mean, especially if there are no consequences for doing so.”
This is a great piece of writing and you guys should head over to Salon and read it. And maybe even buy the damn book.
Egyptian Army Suspends Egypt’s Constitution
From Al Jazeera:
The Egyptian army has overthrown President Mohamed Morsi, announcing a roadmap for the country’s political future that will be implemented by a national reconciliation committee. The head of Egypt’s armed forces issued a declaration on Wednesday evening suspending the constitution and appointing the head of the constitutional court as interim head of state. Morsi’s presidential Facebook page quoted the disposed president as saying he rejected the army statement as a military coup. In a televised broadcast, flanked by military leaders, religious authorities and political figures, General Abdel Fattah al-Sisi effectively declared the removal of Morsi.
Sounds like a reasonably benevolent military coup, as military coups go. People seem happy (hopefully women won’t get raped in the excitement). As for that suspended constitution; I’m no expert but wasn’t it an Islamic constitution? Good riddance. Religion and politics are a toxic mix whether it’s in Egypt, Israel or the United States.
Here’s more from the Guardian, BBC, the Washington Post and the CBC.