# Dekalb GA police s anonymous.. seriously, WTF? **URL:** \ **Category:** The BBQ Pit\ **Created:** [March 16, 2008, 5:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dekalb-ga-police-s-anonymous-seriously-wtf/441529 "2008-03-16T05:09:07Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![pope\_hentai](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/ee59a6/32.png) [@pope\_hentai](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pope_hentai)\ **Post date:** [March 16, 2008, 5:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dekalb-ga-police-s-anonymous-seriously-wtf/441529/1 "2008-03-16T05:09:07Z")
for those of you that arent keeping up with the anon vs scientology battle check out the latest… [http://digg.com/odd\_stuff/Video\_of\_Riot\_Police\_Arresting\_Anonymous\_Leader\_in\_Atlanta](http://digg.com/odd_stuff/Video_of_Riot_Police_Arresting_Anonymous_Leader_in_Atlanta) [![](https://img.youtube.com/vi/ZqhFoNSOfuI/hqdefault.jpg "Atlanta Protest: Speech by Anon #1") ](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZqhFoNSOfuI) seriously what the fuck? pulling people over for honking thier horn? taking the acused into thier accusers compound? isnt this some kind of fucked up civil rights violation or something? ---
**Author:** ![Boyo\_Jim](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/87869e/32.png) [@Boyo\_Jim](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Boyo_Jim)\ **Post date:** [March 16, 2008, 12:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dekalb-ga-police-s-anonymous-seriously-wtf/441529/2 "2008-03-16T12:14:50Z")
How about something that explains a little context here. By themselves, these videos make no sense at all. ---
**Author:** ![PunditLisa](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/4af34b/32.png) [@PunditLisa](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/PunditLisa)\ **Post date:** [March 16, 2008, 1:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dekalb-ga-police-s-anonymous-seriously-wtf/441529/3 "2008-03-16T13:35:35Z")
This is what happens when you post drunk. You don’t make sense to anyone but yourself. ---
**Author:** ![Contrapuntal](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/e274bd/32.png) [@Contrapuntal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Contrapuntal)\ **Post date:** [March 16, 2008, 1:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dekalb-ga-police-s-anonymous-seriously-wtf/441529/4 "2008-03-16T13:44:57Z")
Some context. [http://www.associatedcontent.com/article/563735/scientology\_vs\_anonymous\_an\_internet.html](http://www.associatedcontent.com/article/563735/scientology_vs_anonymous_an_internet.html) [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JCbKv9yiLiQ](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JCbKv9yiLiQ) (video loads automatically) ---
**Author:** ![zut](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/zut/32/2875_2.png) [@zut](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/zut)\ **Post date:** [March 16, 2008, 1:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dekalb-ga-police-s-anonymous-seriously-wtf/441529/5 "2008-03-16T13:58:47Z")
If this is important enough to post, it’s important enough to post a one- or two-sentence explanation. If you can’t be bothered to make some minimal effort to explain why this is interesting and important, I won’t bother to click on your link. After all, if you don’t care, why should I? ---
**Author:** ![PunditLisa](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/4af34b/32.png) [@PunditLisa](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/PunditLisa)\ **Post date:** [March 16, 2008, 2:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dekalb-ga-police-s-anonymous-seriously-wtf/441529/6 "2008-03-16T14:21:23Z")
Thanks Contrapuntal. Apparently a dude who calls himself “Anonymous” is launching a series of internet attacks and staged protests against the Church of Scientology. The OPer is questioning the actions of the DeKalb, GA police for arresting two people during what appears to be a peaceful protest against the CoS. (Comments by users report that they were arrested for not applying for a permit and were later released.) I guess the OPer is drawing the conclusion that the cop’s overreacted or that they are in the CoS’s pocket. Not a conclusion I would draw unless I had evidence that showed they’d turn a blind eye to other non-CoS protesters. ---
**Author:** ![Hogwash](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/a88e57/32.png) [@Hogwash](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hogwash)\ **Post date:** [March 16, 2008, 2:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dekalb-ga-police-s-anonymous-seriously-wtf/441529/7 "2008-03-16T14:21:38Z")
From what I can see, it appears that during the Ides of March protests by Anonymous against Scientology at the above location, a guy deemed to be the ‘leader’ was arrested by police and charged with ‘protesting without a permit’ and ‘causing offensive or hazardous conditions’. Furthermore, it appears that some motorists were ticketed for honking their horns. Edit: the green-haired guy arrested in the video has two charges against him, but they may not be the ones listed above. The YouTube summary says ‘They were charged with…’, so other people might have been arrested as well. ---
**Author:** ![Evil\_Captor](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/f17d59/32.png) [@Evil\_Captor](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Evil_Captor)\ **Post date:** [March 16, 2008, 2:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dekalb-ga-police-s-anonymous-seriously-wtf/441529/8 "2008-03-16T14:27:05Z")
Hey, for Atlanta area police an arrest and release is good behavior. At least no one’s grandma has been killed. Yet. ---
**Author:** ![Northern\_Piper](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/northern_piper/32/5304_2.png) [@Northern\_Piper](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Northern_Piper)\ **Post date:** [March 16, 2008, 2:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dekalb-ga-police-s-anonymous-seriously-wtf/441529/9 "2008-03-16T14:30:27Z")
[QUOTE=PunditLisa] Apparently a dude who calls himself “Anonymous” is launching a series of internet attacks and staged protests against the Church of Scientology. [/QUOTE] Not “a dude”. It’s broad-based web community challenging the Church of Scientology: [‘Anonymous’ Takes on Scientology](http://www.newsweek.com/id/109410) ---
**Author:** ![black\_rabbit](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/f19dbf/32.png) [@black\_rabbit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/black_rabbit)\ **Post date:** [March 16, 2008, 3:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dekalb-ga-police-s-anonymous-seriously-wtf/441529/10 "2008-03-16T15:13:52Z")
You know what would be great? If some of these Anonymous-types showed up at our local Iraq war protest on Thursday and displayed the same passion against actual needless killing and maiming as they do against a bunch of nutjobs who aren’t hurting anybody but the gullible and a few celebrities. My guess is they’ll be too busy trading Pokemon in Mom’s basement to make it. ---
**Author:** ![Derleth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/b9e5f3/32.png) [@Derleth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Derleth)\ **Post date:** [March 16, 2008, 3:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dekalb-ga-police-s-anonymous-seriously-wtf/441529/11 "2008-03-16T15:17:43Z")
[QUOTE=black rabbit] You know what would be great? If some of these Anonymous-types showed up at our local Iraq war protest [/QUOTE] Except you don’t need to be anonymous to protest the government in this country. ---
**Author:** ![Hogwash](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/a88e57/32.png) [@Hogwash](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hogwash)\ **Post date:** [March 16, 2008, 3:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dekalb-ga-police-s-anonymous-seriously-wtf/441529/12 "2008-03-16T15:39:12Z")
[QUOTE=black rabbit] You know what would be great? If some of these Anonymous-types showed up at our local Iraq war protest on Thursday and displayed the same passion against actual needless killing and maiming as they do against a bunch of nutjobs who aren’t hurting anybody but the gullible and a few celebrities. My guess is they’ll be too busy trading Pokemon in Mom’s basement to make it. [/QUOTE] How the fuck do you know that some members of Anonymous don’t protest the Iraq war as well? Even if they don’t, at least these ‘Mom’s basement dwellers’ are getting out there and protesting against a legitimate target, an action that self-evidently contradicts them staying home to trade Pokemon. Do you also heckle people for donating to animal shelters instead of giving to ‘more legitimate causes’ like starving kids? ---
**Author:** ![Wolfian](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/7ea924/32.png) [@Wolfian](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Wolfian)\ **Post date:** [March 16, 2008, 3:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dekalb-ga-police-s-anonymous-seriously-wtf/441529/13 "2008-03-16T15:44:19Z")
[QUOTE=black rabbit] You know what would be great? If some of these Anonymous-types showed up at our local Iraq war protest on Thursday and displayed the same passion against actual needless killing and maiming as they do against a bunch of nutjobs who aren’t hurting anybody but the gullible and a few celebrities. My guess is they’ll be too busy trading Pokemon in Mom’s basement to make it. [/QUOTE] Remember kids–you can only hold one strong opinion at a time. Fucking prick. ---
**Author:** ![pope\_hentai](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/ee59a6/32.png) [@pope\_hentai](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pope_hentai)\ **Post date:** [March 17, 2008, 3:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dekalb-ga-police-s-anonymous-seriously-wtf/441529/14 "2008-03-17T03:09:50Z")
[QUOTE=black rabbit] You know what would be great? If some of these Anonymous-types showed up at our local Iraq war protest on Thursday and displayed the same passion against actual needless killing and maiming as they do against a bunch of nutjobs who aren’t hurting anybody but the gullible and a few celebrities. My guess is they’ll be too busy trading Pokemon in Mom’s basement to make it. [/QUOTE] yeah beacaue the needless killing and disconnection from familes for cult related reasons is TOTALLY unimportant. Before you assume noone is being hurt maybe you should read up on the matter. > **[KERANGWIN \> Hujan Maxwin Dengan Trik Jitu Slot Thailand Terbaru](https://watershedmill.co.uk/)** > > KERANGWIN hadir sebagai penyedia link slot gacor dengan tingkat kemenangan tertinggi yang siap memberikan pengalaman bermain seru dan penuh peluang cuan setiap hari. now tell me they are harmless. ---
**Author:** ![atomicbadgerrace](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/8e7dd6/32.png) [@atomicbadgerrace](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/atomicbadgerrace)\ **Post date:** [March 17, 2008, 3:14am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dekalb-ga-police-s-anonymous-seriously-wtf/441529/15 "2008-03-17T03:14:51Z")
[QUOTE=pope\_hentai] now tell me they are harmless. [/QUOTE] I won’t say that the Church is harmless, but I won’t say that they’re a threat, either. They’ve got a right to preach whatever message they want, and anyone who wants to get involved can do so. Likewise, should an organization do something illegal to its members, they should be held accountable to the fullest extent of the law. It sounds like this Anonymous group is practicing vigilante justice – something I can rarely get behind. ---
**Author:** ![Menocchio](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/9de053/32.png) [@Menocchio](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Menocchio)\ **Post date:** [March 17, 2008, 4:41am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dekalb-ga-police-s-anonymous-seriously-wtf/441529/16 "2008-03-17T04:41:52Z")
[QUOTE=atomicbadgerrace] I won’t say that the Church is harmless, but I won’t say that they’re a threat, either. They’ve got a right to preach whatever message they want, and anyone who wants to get involved can do so. Likewise, should an organization do something illegal to its members, they should be held accountable to the fullest extent of the law. It sounds like this Anonymous group is practicing vigilante justice – something I can rarely get behind. [/QUOTE] Vigilante justice? They aren’t lynching Tom Cruise. They’re publicly exposing the church for what it is, cutting off the flow of new members and (by implication if not by explicit purpose) petitioning the government to look into this criminal organization. Just because they’re not after your pet causes (and some of them may be) doesn’t mean that they’re not in the right here. ---
**Author:** ![JHWT](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/a183cd/32.png) [@JHWT](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JHWT)\ **Post date:** [March 17, 2008, 8:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dekalb-ga-police-s-anonymous-seriously-wtf/441529/17 "2008-03-17T08:48:27Z")
[QUOTE=pope\_hentai] yeah beacaue the needless killing and disconnection from familes for cult related reasons is TOTALLY unimportant. Before you assume noone is being hurt maybe you should read up on the matter. > **[KERANGWIN \> Hujan Maxwin Dengan Trik Jitu Slot Thailand Terbaru](https://watershedmill.co.uk/)** > > KERANGWIN hadir sebagai penyedia link slot gacor dengan tingkat kemenangan tertinggi yang siap memberikan pengalaman bermain seru dan penuh peluang cuan setiap hari. now tell me they are harmless. [/QUOTE] Wow what an incredibly long list of people whose lives have been destroyed by a specific religion. Btw, am I the only one whose been reading actual Scientology literature to see what the deal is? I’m trying to get the whole picture instead of relying on anti-Scientology sites to teach me about the religion. So far it’s only about half as crazy as I thought it was. ---
**Author:** ![Bosstone](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/22d042/32.png) [@Bosstone](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bosstone)\ **Post date:** [March 17, 2008, 12:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dekalb-ga-police-s-anonymous-seriously-wtf/441529/18 "2008-03-17T12:11:14Z")
[QUOTE=JHWT] Btw, am I the only one whose been reading actual Scientology literature to see what the deal is? I’m trying to get the whole picture instead of relying on anti-Scientology sites to teach me about the religion. So far it’s only about half as crazy as I thought it was. [/QUOTE] Yes, because they’re certainly going to tell you they’re scamming your ass right up front. 😕 ---
**Author:** ![friedo](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/8edcca/32.png) [@friedo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/friedo)\ **Post date:** [March 17, 2008, 12:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dekalb-ga-police-s-anonymous-seriously-wtf/441529/19 "2008-03-17T12:52:16Z")
[QUOTE=JHWT] Btw, am I the only one whose been reading actual Scientology literature to see what the deal is? I’m trying to get the whole picture instead of relying on anti-Scientology sites to teach me about the religion. So far it’s only about half as crazy as I thought it was. [/QUOTE] That is not entirely possible, since they keep the extra nutty stuff secret. In any case, there’s a hefty difference between preaching one’s preferred version of silly fairy tales and being an organized criminal enterprise. The CoS has been firmly in the latter camp for the last 30 years. ---
**Author:** ![atomicbadgerrace](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/8e7dd6/32.png) [@atomicbadgerrace](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/atomicbadgerrace)\ **Post date:** [March 17, 2008, 12:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dekalb-ga-police-s-anonymous-seriously-wtf/441529/20 "2008-03-17T12:59:04Z")
[QUOTE=Menocchio] Vigilante justice? They aren’t lynching Tom Cruise. They’re publicly exposing the church for what it is, cutting off the flow of new members and (by implication if not by explicit purpose) petitioning the government to look into this criminal organization. Just because they’re not after your pet causes (and some of them may be) doesn’t mean that they’re not in the right here. [/QUOTE] Um… from their own “let’s declare war on Scientology” video: > [@](#): > > Anonymous has therefore decided that your organization should be destroyed. For the good of your followers, for the good of mankind–for the laughs–we shall expel you from the Internet and systematically dismantle the Church of Scientology in its present form. As in, screw the legal process, **we’ve** decided that you need to be **destroyed**. They may be right, they may be wrong, but that sounds awfully vigilante-y to me. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dekalb-ga-police-s-anonymous-seriously-wtf/441529.md?page=2)