# Fucking cops... **URL:** \ **Category:** The BBQ Pit\ **Created:** [November 23, 2008, 8:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fucking-cops/474087 "2008-11-23T08:05:53Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 20
**Author:** ![Scumpup](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ce73a5/32.png) [@Scumpup](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Scumpup)\ **Post date:** [November 26, 2008, 8:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fucking-cops/474087/381 "2008-11-26T20:12:49Z")
A prick with a laser pointer…there’s a rather vivid image. Wifey’s World needs to be all over this. ---
**Author:** ![Dead\_Badger](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/848f3c/32.png) [@Dead\_Badger](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dead_Badger)\ **Post date:** [November 26, 2008, 8:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fucking-cops/474087/382 "2008-11-26T20:26:49Z")
> [@Jack\_Batty](#): > > If that happened to me, I’d probably look up and say, “Who’s the prick with the laser pointer?” Me too, but that’s because I’m lucky enough to live in a country where the probability of idiots pointing guns at randoms in bars is very, very small indeed. Clearly **Airman Doors** lives in a place where it’s neither illegal nor unusual for people to be armed in bars, and where enough of those people are so completely stupid that they think it’s a good idea to point their weapons at strangers for laughs. So I’d say his instinctive reaction has at least a modicum of justification, wouldn’t you? I repeat: _instinctive reaction_. Only one person decided what to do in cold blood, and that was the brainiac who started this. It is all, yes _all_, his fault. ---
**Author:** ![Jack\_Batty](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jack_batty/32/3201_2.png) [@Jack\_Batty](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jack_Batty)\ **Post date:** [November 26, 2008, 8:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fucking-cops/474087/383 "2008-11-26T20:35:07Z")
> [@Dead\_Badger](#): > > Me too, but that’s because I’m lucky enough to live in a country where the probability of idiots pointing guns at randoms in bars is very, very small indeed. Clearly **Airman Doors** lives in a place where it’s neither illegal nor unusual for people to be armed in bars, and where enough of those people are so completely stupid that they think it’s a good idea to point their weapons at strangers for laughs. So I’d say his instinctive reaction has at least a modicum of justification, wouldn’t you? > > I repeat: _instinctive reaction_. > > Only one person decided what to do in cold blood, and that was the brainiac who started this. It is all, yes _all_, his fault. You’re jumping to at least a couple of conclusions. First of all, it isn’t that common, even here in the gun-happy USA, for people to be totin’ guns into bars left and right. Even for upstanding young heroes like \*\*Airman Doors \*\*who are morally stirling and right thinking, being in a bar with a gun is few and far between. Well, maybe it goes on more often in rural areas, but as I understand it this was a bar in a city. Secondly, you may have watched _Tango and Cash_ one too many times. Laser sights aren’t de riguer for your average, “Hey look, I got me a gun” types. In fact, I’d be willing to bet you’ll find more guns without them, them with them. Thirdly, I agree that the cops in this situation were being giant bags-of-douche, and if our esteemed \*\*Airman \*\*had plugged them, I probably wouldn’t have been crying for the death penalty for him. But he did overreact. He’s admitted as much. ---
**Author:** ![Typo\_Negative](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/typo_negative/32/484_2.png) [@Typo\_Negative](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Typo_Negative)\ **Post date:** [November 26, 2008, 8:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fucking-cops/474087/384 "2008-11-26T20:54:20Z")
> [@Sapo](#): > > Watch it, buster, or next time I see you in a thread I will support you too. OK, that made me laugh. 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![JThunder](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/e95f7d/32.png) [@JThunder](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JThunder)\ **Post date:** [November 26, 2008, 8:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fucking-cops/474087/385 "2008-11-26T20:55:51Z")
> [@Diogenes\_the\_Cynic](#): > > It was a taser, not a gun. Continuing to call it a “weapon” is unnecessarily dramatic. **Diogenes** , do you remember how people keep getting on your case for making foolish and dismissive comments? This is one of them. ---
**Author:** ![VinylTurnip](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/v/b2d939/32.png) [@VinylTurnip](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/VinylTurnip)\ **Post date:** [November 26, 2008, 8:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fucking-cops/474087/386 "2008-11-26T20:58:39Z")
Hey, wait a minute. Elephants don’t have thumbs! This whole _story_’s bullshit! ---
**Author:** ![Dead\_Badger](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/848f3c/32.png) [@Dead\_Badger](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dead_Badger)\ **Post date:** [November 26, 2008, 9:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fucking-cops/474087/387 "2008-11-26T21:21:13Z")
> [@Jack Batty](#): > > you may have watched Tango and Cash one too many times I haven’t watched _Tango and Cash_ even once, and am quite well aware that laser sights are stupid. But then we’re talking about people who think it’s funny to point weapons at people in bars - such people are _clearly_ stupid. I also know that there are more than enough morons who care more about how their guns (and cars) look than how they function to make laser sighted guns entirely plausible, no matter how impractical they may be. Indeed, the sort of idiot who thinks this kind of prank is funny is _exactly_ the sort of idiot who might ask for “the gun Danny Glover had in Predator 2, dude.” > [@](#): > > Thirdly, I agree that the cops in this situation were being giant bags-of-douche, and if our esteemed Airman had plugged them, I probably wouldn’t have been crying for the death penalty for him. But he did overreact. He’s admitted as much. Maybe so, in hindsight. But people in this thread have been screaming at him and accusing him of all sorts of wacky shit, as if he were the person at sole fault for the incident. At _worst_ he reacted in a way that, while justifiable, might not have been the best option available. And he did this in response to a situation that would never have occurred had it not been for a complete moron. If all you’re saying is, “hey, you might want to do it slightly differently in future,” then fine. **Fantome** et al have been far more belligerent, verging on completely fucking retarded. Incidentally, when I was at university a friend of mine got run up in front of the college authorities because he had been testing out his laser pointer by shining it at the examinations authority building opposite our campus. The security guards decided my friend had been trying to assassinate the building, and came round demanding that he be arrested. Now _that_ was stupid. We have building codes in the UK - it would’ve taken at least a couple of rounds of the canteen tapioca to bring that puppy down. ---
**Author:** ![Jack\_Batty](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jack_batty/32/3201_2.png) [@Jack\_Batty](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jack_Batty)\ **Post date:** [November 26, 2008, 9:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fucking-cops/474087/388 "2008-11-26T21:24:33Z")
> [@Dead\_Badger](#): > > I haven’t watched _Tango and Cash_ even once, and am quite well aware that laser sights are stupid. Poetic license. But my point is, it’s a pretty big stretch to go from “laser dot” to “weapon”, unless your wired a little tightly to begin with. ---
**Author:** ![Dead\_Badger](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/848f3c/32.png) [@Dead\_Badger](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dead_Badger)\ **Post date:** [November 26, 2008, 9:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fucking-cops/474087/389 "2008-11-26T21:32:18Z")
Maybe. Of course, it actually _was_ a weapon, which rather suggests that the inference wasn’t that far-fetched. How many people really find laser pointers amusing these days anyway? I haven’t even seen one in years. Face it, pointy sticks are far more practical for giving presentations with, and you can roast marshmallows on them to boot. ---
**Author:** ![Grumman](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/43a26b/32.png) [@Grumman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Grumman)\ **Post date:** [November 26, 2008, 9:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fucking-cops/474087/390 "2008-11-26T21:50:32Z")
> [@Dead\_Badger](#): > > How many people really find laser pointers amusing these days anyway? I haven’t even seen one in years. Face it, pointy sticks are far more practical for giving presentations with, and you can roast marshmallows on them to boot. You’re obviously using the wrong laser pointers. 😛 ---
**Author:** ![Sapo](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ec9cab/32.png) [@Sapo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sapo)\ **Post date:** [November 27, 2008, 1:56am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fucking-cops/474087/391 "2008-11-27T01:56:25Z")
> [@Dead\_Badger](#): > > …but you’re ignoring the elephant in the room. And the elephant has a taser pointed at your fucking stupid heads while you pontificate. Christ. If I saw an elephant in a bar, the last thing I would notice or care about is whether he has a taser. ---
**Author:** ![Una\_Persson](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/una_persson/32/346_2.png) [@Una\_Persson](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Una_Persson)\ **Post date:** [November 27, 2008, 3:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fucking-cops/474087/392 "2008-11-27T03:26:14Z")
Whatever the circumstances in the bar, the most unwise thing **Airman Doors** did was to post about this on the SDMB. Edited: bolding. ---
**Author:** ![lissener](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lissener/32/6139_2.png) [@lissener](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/lissener)\ **Post date:** [November 27, 2008, 5:43am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fucking-cops/474087/393 "2008-11-27T05:43:50Z")
Thanks, Doors, for reminding me what a ridiculous twat you are. ---
**Author:** ![Airman\_Doors\_USAF](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/e36b37/32.png) [@Airman\_Doors\_USAF](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Airman_Doors_USAF)\ **Post date:** [November 27, 2008, 7:11am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fucking-cops/474087/394 "2008-11-27T07:11:46Z")
> [@Una\_Persson](#): > > Whatever the circumstances in the bar, the most unwise thing **Airman Doors** did was to post about this on the SDMB. This is probably the most correct thing said in this thread, anything else I might have said notwithstanding. Such is life. ---
**Author:** ![Loach](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/loach/32/350_2.png) [@Loach](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Loach)\ **Post date:** [November 27, 2008, 12:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fucking-cops/474087/395 "2008-11-27T12:27:51Z")
> [@Long\_Time\_Lurker](#): > > A compelling argument. > > I could point out a case in Oregon where the court held that the use of a laser pointer could constitute menacing (under Oregon law, "A person commits the crime of menacing if by word or conduct the person intentionally attempts to place another person in fear of imminent serious physical injury”) when an officer “received a report about an individual shining a red laser beam onto the forehead of an elderly couple.” (State of Oregon v. Lucian Santacruz-Betancourt, 157 Ore. App. 26). > > But of course that’s not Pennsylvania, so I wouldn’t bother. > > I could, though, point out that New York cited that Oregon case and found that “the use of a laser beam as alleged in the accusatory instrument could, if proven, constitute the crime of menacing” (in New York, a person is guilty of menacing in the second degree when: “1. He or she intentionally places or attempts to place another person in reasonable fear of physical injury, serious physical injury or death by displaying … what appears to be a … firearm.” (Penal Law § 120.14 [1].)). > > But then you’d say “nuh, uh”, and I’d have to concede that there is absolutely no possibility of making an assault argument in the present case. Thank you for proving my point. Pretty simple concept. These terms have very specific meanings in the law. When intent is mentioned in a law it means that the intent of the actor is the important factor. Your two additional cites reaffirm that. It is not the act of shining a laser at someone, it is the intent of making them think that a firearm is aimed at them. There was nothing in the OP to make any reasonable person think that it was the intent. Helpfully Doors came back and confirmed that: > [@](#): > > They thought it was funny until I pointed out that a weapon was pointed at me, then they apologized profusely once they recognized that. No intent. No assault. As I said before, I agreed with you. There can be circumstances where you could make the arguement for assault if the intent could be proven. This one was not even close. ---
**Author:** ![Uzi](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/u/91b2a8/32.png) [@Uzi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Uzi)\ **Post date:** [November 27, 2008, 12:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fucking-cops/474087/396 "2008-11-27T12:41:42Z")
> [@Loach](#): > > No intent. No assault. As I said before, I agreed with you. There can be circumstances where you could make the arguement for assault if the intent could be proven. This one was not even close. It still doesn’t mean that the cop shouldn’t be thrown off the force for doing something so reckless as pointing a weapon at someone. ---
**Author:** ![FarmerChick](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/a9a28c/32.png) [@FarmerChick](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FarmerChick)\ **Post date:** [November 27, 2008, 12:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fucking-cops/474087/397 "2008-11-27T12:47:07Z")
> [@Lute Skywatcher](#): > > Okay, but he was zapped nine times while under the effects of crack and PCP. _sigh_ nice cherry picking. from the [article](http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/chi-taser_witt-web-jul19,0,2201847.stor) > [@](#): > > **An autopsy determined there were no drugs in Pikes’ system and that he did not have asthma, according to Dr. Randolph Williams, the Winn Parish coroner.** > > **Moreover, Pikes did not resist arrest** , and he was handcuffed while lying on the ground, according to Nugent’s police report of the incident. It was only after Pikes refused Nugent’s command to stand up that the officer applied the first Taser shock in the middle of his back, Nugent wrote. > > Several more Taser shocks followed quickly, Nugent stated, because Pikes kept falling down and refusing to get back up. Grocery shoppers who witnessed the incident later told Pikes’ family that he had pleaded with Nugent: “Please, you all got me. Please don’t Tase me again.” > > Williams said **police records showed Nugent administered nine Taser shocks to Pikes over a 14-minute period.** The last two jolts, delivered as police pulled Pikes from a patrol car at the police station, elicited no physical reaction because the suspect was unconscious, Williams said. ---
**Author:** ![Loach](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/loach/32/350_2.png) [@Loach](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Loach)\ **Post date:** [November 27, 2008, 12:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fucking-cops/474087/398 "2008-11-27T12:56:15Z")
> [@Uzi](#): > > It still doesn’t mean that the cop shouldn’t be thrown off the force for doing something so reckless as pointing a weapon at someone. Regardless of any other issue being discussed, I don’t remember anyone defending the actions of the officer. There is no defense. He is an idiot. ---
**Author:** ![Quartz](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/quartz/32/267_2.png) [@Quartz](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Quartz)\ **Post date:** [November 27, 2008, 1:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fucking-cops/474087/399 "2008-11-27T13:55:37Z")
> [@Loach](#): > > I don’t remember anyone defending the actions of the officer. There is no defense. He is an idiot. Agreed. I also don’t have any problem with **Airman Doors** ’ reaction. ---
**Author:** ![FarmerChick](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/a9a28c/32.png) [@FarmerChick](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FarmerChick)\ **Post date:** [November 27, 2008, 2:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fucking-cops/474087/400 "2008-11-27T14:38:01Z")
> [@Diogenes\_the\_Cynic](#): > > Explain yourself. Tell me what’s incorect about what I said. If I say somebody is faking PTSD, how is that making light of PTSD? Why am I an "idiot?’ For pointing out that it’s not the same thing? Don’t just call names and run away. have some fucking guts. Back up your shit. Call names and run away? Nope, I just don’t sit here everyday all day and post every tiny thought that pops into my head. I have lots of guts, and even a bit of a life, you? I just quoted your last statement because that was the final one for me, you have taken the original statement of\*\* AD’s,\*\* > [@](#): > > So here I was in my local bar. I’m talking with a bunch of my friends, having a good time, the whole deal. Next thing I know I have a laser pointer directly in the middle of my chest. After I hit the deck and reach for my personal weapon (note: it is legal in Pennsylvania to carry a weapon in a bar), I come to find that it is an off-duty police officer pointing a Taser in my direction, pulling a trick on another friend of mine. Fortunately for me, I did not draw my weapon. I just hit the ground . and spun it into a yard of a [hysterical overreacting,](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showpost.php?p=10488854&postcount=93) [PTSD faking,](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showpost.php?p=10490054&postcount=138) [non-trained,](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showpost.php?p=10492866&postcount=217) [half-soused civilian](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showpost.php?p=10492718&postcount=196) [shrieking like a girl](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showpost.php?p=10492694&postcount=195) [shooting up the place](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showpost.php?p=10492718&postcount=196)because someone [pointed a light at him.](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showpost.php?p=10488854&postcount=93) I loved how you went [on](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showpost.php?p=10489741&postcount=122) and [on](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showpost.php?p=10489869&postcount=129) and [on](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showpost.php?p=10490054&postcount=138) and [fucking on](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showpost.php?p=10490090&postcount=141) about a taser not being a real weapon. Then you blah blah blah for a bit. And go on about how your military training didn’t involve real firearms training, so no way could AD’s. More blah blah fucking blah dribbles from you. AD offered his take [on](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showpost.php?p=10493261&postcount=264) the six page dog-pile, you actually showed some class. It didn’t last though, when **MsRobyn** defended AD, and [slapped you down](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showpost.php?p=10494491&postcount=287)for the PTSD crack with an explanation why, you go back to being an [idiot.](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showpost.php?p=10494701&postcount=298) **Zut** points out to you the offending [post,](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showpost.php?p=10490054&postcount=138) you post more blah blah blah when the right thing to do is say “Sorry MsRobyn if I offended you, it was not my intent.” So, in short sir, you are an idiot. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fucking-cops/474087.md?page=19) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fucking-cops/474087.md?page=21)