The Scariest Case yet of Police Abuse of Power

Checkout the video of this story prior to reading my post; http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_ezku75v6LU&feature=youtube_gdata

Ladies and Gentlemen, it is now getting almost comical that, if I really searched hard enough, I would be able to post at least one story a day about some sort of police misconduct! "The Young Turks" (as you know, my favorite news outlet) has posted, for your perusal, another disgusting case of abuse of power. This one is revolting in it's details and, dissecting it through the eyes of even a sympathetic "copper" supporter, scary in it's intentions.

A man was pulled over as he was leaving the parking lot of a Walmart in southern New Mexico. The "copper" (my disparaging name for bad cops) said he "rolled" a stop sign. Apparently, the copper felt the need to get this man out of his car to search him. According to the copper, while he was conducting a "pat down" search of the man, he said that the man "clenched his butt cheeks" warranting further investigative measures by the copper! This is where it gets unbelievable. By the time the coppers get finished with this poor guy, they have taken him to the hospital and the docs perform numerous anal probes, x-rays and a colonoscopy on him!!

My first problem with this whole situation is this; why was the man taken out of his car in the first place to be searched. He was pulled over FOR A STOP SIGN VIOLATION. More and more these days, coppers are using little "probable cause" excuses on people so they can run their name through the data bases that they have. Folks, this is one of the reasons that we formed a new country, so we didn't have to put up with a "police state"! And this is exactly what is beginning to happen! Just the other day, I was sitting outside at a Burger King, taking a break from a bike ride. I was rolling a cigarette when one of the coppers, from my town, flew into the parking lot of the BK and ran over to me yelling, "Put that shit on the ground and step away! I hope that's not a joint! Step away from the evidence!" Well, before I could even react, he's got me by my arm and grabbing for my tobacco pouch. Folks, with so many people either not being able to afford to buy brand name cigs or just refusing to pay the high price for them, many more people are buying the tobacco and rolling them themselves. It's been going on for ten years now. This is not a new sight for a copper to view. He immediately realized that it was only tobacco but, now that he felt that he had established "probable cause", he went on to publicly search me right in the middle of the Burger King parking lot in MY HOME TOWN! How embarrassing!! Of course, he ran my name- nothing! Consequently, I was allowed to go on my way. There was NO LEGITIMATE REASON for him to search me and run my name!

Here's another part of the story that blows my mind. OK, they did get a search warrant... but what judge, in his right mind, would give the kind of search warrant to the coppers that he did BECAUSE A MAN SEEMED TO CLENCH HIS BUTT CHEEKS DURING A PAT DOWN!! Ladies and gentlemen, when the coppers "pat down" a suspect, they aren't looking to win a "gentleness contest", especially when they are in the area of an individuals crotch. They purposely hit you hard in that area, which is probably what happened in this guy's case. Consequently, when they hit his crotch, he  reacted like every other man would and that's what the coppers noticed. He clenched his butt cheeks! It's a defensive action. I simply cannot believe that clenching one's butt cheeks is a viable reason to grant a search warrant. Any judge with half a brain would have thrown that copper out of his office and this one should have done the same. 

So, now that this situation has the appearance of being LEGIT (the search warrant), the coppers take this guy to a hospital, so they can PROBE HIS ASSHOLE!! Can you believe this! Well, the first hospital was smart enough to refuse to do anything to this guy. Smart people. No problem, they went to another hospital and apparently scared them enough to where they agreed to do the procedures that the coppers wanted! This is TRULY the scariest part of the whole story. Not only did the docs do numerous anal probes, they also did x-rays. Why didn't they see on the x-rays that this poor guy had nothing shoved up his ass!! It baffles me. OK so, once they couldn't find anything through the anal probes AND the x-rays (here comes the scary part), the docs SEDATE THIS GUY AND PROCEED TO DO A COLONOSCOPY!! THEY SEDATED THIS GUY!! Since when has it been kosher to do this kind of thing that was only done in Stalin's Soviet Union, Hitler's Fascist Germany and Tito's Yugoslavia!! When did we turn into this type of country. Folks, something's wrong in this country when the coppers can get away with these kind of tactics! When an individual has NO SAY in whether they are sedated and have a procedure performed on them, you are NO LONGER LIVING IN A DEMOCRACY THAT WAS, AT ONE TIME, THE ENVY OF THE MODERN WORLD!! It's that simple! And another thing, if you think that this must have happened because maybe the guy was looking kind of shady or maybe he was dressed "like a druggie", dirty jeans or messed up hair or whatever, IT CAN HAPPEN TO YOU!!! Just think of those times when you have to run out to the store before it closes and you throw on a pair of sweats and you don't have time to comb your hair 'cuz the store might close before you get there, and you get pulled over. 99% of the cops today are going to look at you funny and invent a reason for probable cause so they can "roust" you!! According to a study that I read a while back, coppers said that the easiest thing for them to do is to pull someone over FIRST, AND THEN INVENT A REASON FOR PROBABLE CAUSE LATER to justify pulling you over in the first place!!Amazing!! Frightening!!

In any event, watch the video again after you read my post. It just isn't right!! And that is, "As I understand it now... 'til it changes".

Thanks for reading. Stay tuned because I will let you know EVERY TIME I run across a story of police abuse of power.
Michael Stichauf

Checkout these Sites

Here are a couple of interesting sites to checkout given to me by Tony S. in regards to my blog on "Police Corruption and Malfeasance"

https://www.aclu.org/blog/technology-and-liberty-national-security/capability-driving-policy-not-just-nsa-also-police

https://www.google.com/search?q=google%2Fyoutube%2C+the+NSA+will+be+watching&rlz=1C1CHFX_enUS521US522&oq=google%2Fyoutube%2C+the+NSA+will+be+watching&aqs=chrome..69i57j69i58&sourceid=chrome&espv=210&es_sm=122&ie=UTF-8

https://www.google.com/search?q=youtube%2C+the+NSA+will+be+watching&rlz=1C1CHFX_enUS521US522&oq=youtube%2C+the+NSA+will+be+watching&aqs=chrome..69i57&sourceid=chrome&espv=210&es_sm=122&ie=UTF-8

“Those Damn, Pesky Inalienable Rights”

I've recently received a video from a friend that is very disturbing to me and should be disturbing to others when they see how reminiscent it is of what has been happening here in the United States since 9/11. Here's the link; https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k06hF36XQt4 view it and then read the rest of my blog. Granted, the video is about a situation in Australia but when I think about it, I'm reminded of what's gone on here in the U.S. The slow erosion of our rights has been an ongoing process and it hasn't changed with the election of President Obama. 

When those planes crashed into the World Trade Center towers, the government of The United States of America told us that they needed to "trample" on our rights as citizens in order to keep "us all" safe from TYRANNY! O.K., they didn't use the word "trample" but they might as well have.We were told that "they" (the Government) needed these new laws, such as "Warrantless Wiretaps", to start with because if they had to take the time it would take to get a warrant, the "terrorists" would already be gone, they would already have a new and different cell phone, thereby putting "us" in danger. These laws were also made more "palatable" for the citizenry to accept by telling us that they would only need to be in effect for a short time until "we" got a grip on this "terrorist thing".

Whenever a "tragic" situation occurs, our Government has always decided to institute laws that end up suspending our basic human rights. Lincoln did it, Roosevelt did it and most recently "The Dubya" has done it. President Bush has done it and has tried to make it legitimate by stating that these new laws are needed as "pre-emptive" strikes against the terrorists. Time and again we have seen how these very laws have proven to be a ridiculous attempt by the Government to "Fight the good fight" and actually end up creating more terrorists, home grown, than if the laws were never enacted. One of the worse offenders (laws) is detaining people without the right of "habeas corpus". In effect, we've been able to hold people in jail WITHOUT ANY END IN SIGHT for that individual. It not only has been applied to terrorists overseas either. It's been used against American citizens.

Another thing that the Government has used to it's advantage is the use of "Executive Orders". I believe that what I've recently heard is that between Bush and Obama, they've issued more of these orders than every other president combined. It's just a way for them to get what they want without ANYONE (Congress) telling them, "NO!"

Now, without spending the next hour going through all the different laws that have been enacted that have "trampled" on our basic human rights, I think it's safe to say that we are now functioning under a more restrictive environment that seeks to restrict demonstrations, spy on our different modes of communication and generally crack down on all the rights that we held so dear. All this in the name of "The War on Terror".

My last point on this subject has to do with what I thought about while watching the video from "Anonymous". When I heard all the things that the law in Australia was set up to do, it reminded me a little of "Stop and frisk" and I also thought about the fact that once a Government takes something away from the people, IT NEVER, I REPEAT, NEVER GIVES IT BACK. Folks, we will never get back the basic human rights that have been taken away from us. IT WILL NEVER HAPPEN. Remember when, earlier in this post, I stated that the "G" was trying to make these laws more "palatable" by telling us that they would only need these "tools" for a short time? That once they got a "handle" on these terrorists they'd allow the laws to expire without renewing them? Well, good luck with that. How's that been working out for us, huh? I'll tell you how. President Obama has renewed ALL of them. I was a big supporter of Obama but he backed out on a campaign promise the minute he walked in the front door of the White House. He never did close down Guantanamo. It's been proven over the years that once the Government gets something, they NEVER GIVE IT BACK!

Believe me when I tell you that I'm not one of these ACLU "kooks". There's nothing wrong with the ACLU but there are some "kooks" among them, but I am someone who believes strongly in our country, like so many others and it just kills me to see some of the things that the Government gets away with these days. I'm not only talking about the subject of this post but the fact that the "G" governs now without even caring that there are citizens out there. They can careless about us. It's like we don't even exist. They are in office to make money for themselves and for their friends.

So, that's "As I understand it now, 'til it changes". Let me know what you think. 
Have a great evening, Michael Stichauf. 

Police Corruption and Malfeasance

Police Corruption and Malfeasance

I've been wanting to "Blog" something in regards to Police Corruption or Police Malfeasance for some time now. These are topics that really push buttons in most people causing extremely strong opinions... and rightfully so! I suspect that, although you do hear about these stories in the news, there are plenty more that don't see the shining light of public scrutiny whether it's from the print media or the t.v./cable news or the internet. Consequently, I'm going to highlight two stories that I've run across over the last few months. The fact that I've even got one story, let alone two (over JUST a couple month's time) to talk about, is a sad editorial about the state of affairs in the police department community of "The United States of America"! Let's get the conversation going.

Whenever I hear a story about police corruption or malfeasance it starts a series of feelings inside me that I almost never experience. Over the years I've tried to make sense of these feelings, to try to put them into words, but it's extremely hard. Outrage is an easy one. Initially, there is this great feeling of outrage because these are people that we hand our trust over to. We give them this trust in order to protect us from harm. As the years have rolled on in our society, we've come to realize that there are people out there who are inherently mean, nasty and generally no good. They are the grown-up version of that bully that we've all had to deal with in school. Yes, I know that 99% of the bullies we've gone to school with naturally grow out of it and turn into "fine, up-standing citizens". I'm not talking about them. I'm talking about that rare case that never seems to realize that being a bully isn't the right way to go about living. There are other people that we've realized we need to be protected from. The thieves who want to take the fruits of our hard labor and make them theirs. There are also con artists, rapists and murderers who believe that the rules DO NOT APPLY TO THEM. These are the people who we want the police to protect us from.That's why there is this outrage that I feel when I hear about malfeasance or corruption. When the person who we've given our trust to, commits the same type of crime that we've asked them to protect us from, it's almost an unthinkable act of betrayal! Outrage!

There's also another feeling that I go through and this is the one that's so hard to put into words. I guess the best word I can come up with that best suits what I feel is "helplessness". Ya, I think that's the best descriptor. Now, you might be wondering why I would feel such a strong reaction to an incident that didn't happen to me. If you're someone who is concerned about your country and the people in it (which includes yourself), you realize that if something like this has happened to someone else, it most certainly can happen to you or someone you love. I'm starting to think that "betrayal" is at the root of all the feelings that I feel in this type of situation. The feeling of "helplessness" is a direct result of the betrayal that I feel when this happens because there is nothing that I can do about it. I have no control over that betrayal and that's why I feel helpless. It's a psychological fact that people who DON'T have control issues tend to go through "helpless" feelings when something happens that's out of their control. When someone who HAS control issues has to deal with something that they can't control, that feeling of helplessness is even stronger. 

Therefore, "outrage" and "helplessness" are the feelings that get triggered when someone I've put my trust in, breaks that trust. In essence, the "copper" who breaks this trust, ends up becoming the exact same person who we've asked him/her to protect us from in the first place. It's a despicable situation and one that should be prosecuted harshly, which brings me to my next point. 

There have only been a couple of situations of this sort that seem to have been prosecuted in the manner in which they warrant! Most of the cases you hear about, the "copper" or "coppers" get a slap on the wrist. They might get suspended for a few weeks or maybe they get stuck on desk duty for a short period of time but I'll bet that the amount of times that the offenders have been sentenced to jail is less than 2-3%! No more than that. In so many cases, NOTHING HAPPENS! It's simply outrageous! The two cases that I'm going to be giving you a link to, as far as I can tell so far, have had NO LEGAL ACTION TAKEN. Again, OUTRAGEOUS! 

The first case is from Las Vegas and it occurred in July of 2011. I got the story from an article that was written for a publication in July of this year. It's about a family that was arrested for not letting the police use their house as a stack-out spot so they could spy on their neighbors who the police suspected of domestic violence. Here's the link to the story; http://www.courthousenews.com/2013/07/03/59061.htm. Read this and you'll be shocked.

The next story is current. I posted something about it on my Google+ site last night. It's a video of a police "informant" who the "coppers" sent to a "Smoke Shop" in order to plant evidence in. It actually borders on a "Stupid Criminals" story. Here's the link; https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hMA1Otuat2U

So far, nothings been done in either case. This is the worst part of these cases. No one will prosecute. I just don't understand it. Please let me know what you think. Leave me comments so we can start a conversation. And that's "As I understand it now... 'til it changes"

Michael K. Stichauf

Collateral Damage Drone Strikes

Collateral Damage Drone Strikes

Today, The Young Turks aired a story about “Drone Strikes” that cause “collateral damage”. In the House of Representatives today, Rep. Grayson (D-Fla.) sponsored a family from Pakistan to testify about the killing of their Grandmother by a drone. So, in front of an almost EMPTY gallery, this family told the story of the moment their Grandmother (and Mother, to the children’s father) was hit by the missile. The 13 yr old grandson said (I’m paraphrasing some of the comment), “We were in the field picking Okra for a family function and I saw the drone overhead. My first thought was not to get scared because we’re NOT MILITANT. But then I heard a noise and as I was looking at my grandmother- SHE EXPLODED INTO LITTLE PIECES.” (Capitalization added by me). Can you imagine what it would be like to watch your grandmother just explode in front of you? I can’t comprehend that, not at all! Cenk goes on to say that, depending on what statistics you look at, there are between 400- 900 drone strikes that are or have, “collateral damage” attached to them. Further, for every one of those strikes, the U.S. turns about 40- 50 people against us! That is just AMAZING!

Now, I’m not sure how I feel about Drone Strikes in general. Obviously, I don’t agree with the “blasé” attitude that the gov’t has taken in regards to these “collateral damage” strikes. That’s just unforgivable! But, I do believe that drone strikes are a great weapon against the terrorists. First, it’s a great way to kill someone who has caused harm to Americans. I don’t have a problem with that. Now that this program has been active for some time, it’s also a great “weapon of terror” to use against the terrorists! Think about it for a minute... you’re a terrorist, you’ve had some of your “pals” killed by these strikes. You also know that there is NO WARNING WHATSOEVER!!! I can only imagine what it must be like to wake up one day and have to think TWICE about going out to get some food or to just take a walk and know that your life could end and YOU WON’T EVEN KNOW THAT IT’S HAPPENING! You would walk out of the entrance to your cave and take in the beautiful sunshine and then BAM!!! Your arms in the tree, your left leg is over there on the hill, your brain is splattered against your white truck (everybody drives a white truck there). You’re DONE and you had no fucking clue! I think that it’s a great weapon against terrorists... but HALF THE TIME IT ISN’T TERRORISTS THAT WE HIT!!!

Honestly, I don’t see another answer except to end it if we can’t guarantee that we’ll NEVER hit another civilian!! Unfortunately, our Gov’t won’t stop the Drone strikes. Even though they know that the success rate might only be 70% accuracy in terms of hitting terrorists, the fact that they’re hitting ANY terrorist (and here comes the kicker) without putting American soldiers in any danger, is what they’ll fall back on. I think that it’s just that simple. Hey, I don’t want to put a single American soldier in harm’s way either, but I don’t want to kill INNOCENT PEOPLE ANYMORE. There has to be an answer, I’m just not smart enough to see it.

And that’s “As I understand it now, ‘til it changes”. Tell me what you think.

Michael K. Stichauf

My first blog.

I've wanted to check out the "Blogosphere" for quite some time now. I started to seriously look into things after I joined Google+ because I realized that it was a lot of fun being able to express my opinions, as well as interact with people literally around the world. I learned very quickly that, lo and behold, everybody else had opinions as well. I also learned that I'd be challenged on every subject I chose to opine about. Along with being humbled, I realized that this was going to be great because I would end up learning a lot from every bit of feedback I received. So, with that being said, I put this first blog to rest so I can get on with writing my first one with substance.

Thank you, Michael K. Stichauf