# What do you think of this? 8 year old pepper-sprayed by cops. **URL:** \ **Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\ **Created:** [April 8, 2011, 8:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-you-think-of-this-8-year-old-pepper-sprayed-by-cops/577712 "2011-04-08T20:17:52Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 4
**Author:** ![Kaio](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/c68b51/32.png) [@Kaio](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kaio)\ **Post date:** [April 9, 2011, 9:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-you-think-of-this-8-year-old-pepper-sprayed-by-cops/577712/61 "2011-04-09T21:02:06Z")
> [@Diogenes\_the\_Cynic](#): > > He didn’t have a lethal weapon. You propose that being impaled through your chest or your gut has zero chance of killing you? Hey, it’s Super Dio. Bullets bounce right off, too. ---
**Author:** ![Diogenes\_the\_Cynic](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/e99b99/32.png) [@Diogenes\_the\_Cynic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Diogenes_the_Cynic)\ **Post date:** [April 9, 2011, 9:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-you-think-of-this-8-year-old-pepper-sprayed-by-cops/577712/62 "2011-04-09T21:03:07Z")
> [@jayjay](#): > > There’s enough irony in this post to cause hemochromatosis… There is no irony in it. I never whine and call people names and accuse them of trolling because they diagree with me. ---
**Author:** ![Diogenes\_the\_Cynic](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/e99b99/32.png) [@Diogenes\_the\_Cynic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Diogenes_the_Cynic)\ **Post date:** [April 9, 2011, 9:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-you-think-of-this-8-year-old-pepper-sprayed-by-cops/577712/63 "2011-04-09T21:04:16Z")
> [@Kaio](#): > > You propose that being impaled through your chest or your gut has zero chance of killing you? I propose that the kid had zero chance of impaling or killing anybody. I’m calling that suggestion a load of crap. A bullshit excuse. My ass he could kill anybody. ---
**Author:** ![billfish678](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/7bcc69/32.png) [@billfish678](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/billfish678)\ **Post date:** [April 9, 2011, 9:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-you-think-of-this-8-year-old-pepper-sprayed-by-cops/577712/64 "2011-04-09T21:04:36Z")
A poster with a stick up his ass sure is lethal to a thread. The SDMB history is my cite. ---
**Author:** ![jayjay](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jayjay/32/6765_2.png) [@jayjay](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jayjay)\ **Post date:** [April 9, 2011, 9:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-you-think-of-this-8-year-old-pepper-sprayed-by-cops/577712/65 "2011-04-09T21:05:00Z")
> [@Kaio](#): > > You propose that being impaled through your chest or your gut has zero chance of killing you? Or your neck. > [@](#): > > Hey, it’s Super Dio. Bullets bounce right off, too. Yeah, if the stupid cops are afraid to impale themselves on this wooden spear, they shouldn’t be cops! ---
**Author:** ![Diogenes\_the\_Cynic](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/e99b99/32.png) [@Diogenes\_the\_Cynic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Diogenes_the_Cynic)\ **Post date:** [April 9, 2011, 9:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-you-think-of-this-8-year-old-pepper-sprayed-by-cops/577712/66 "2011-04-09T21:06:26Z")
There was no chance of impalement. That is a load of shit. ---
**Author:** ![jayjay](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jayjay/32/6765_2.png) [@jayjay](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jayjay)\ **Post date:** [April 9, 2011, 9:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-you-think-of-this-8-year-old-pepper-sprayed-by-cops/577712/67 "2011-04-09T21:10:26Z")
> [@Diogenes\_the\_Cynic](#): > > There was no chance of impalement. That is a load of shit. I’m sure you’d be more than willing to provide us the evidence that you alone apparently have that would lead you to believe that a raging, emotionally-disturbed child who had spent a good part of the morning screaming death threats at his classmates and teacher, and trying to bash in a door to get at them with his wooden spear, who wouldn’t even calm down when the POLICE came, who said “Come get me, fuckers!” TO the police, would not have succeeded in majorly injuring someone. ---
**Author:** ![Kaio](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/c68b51/32.png) [@Kaio](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kaio)\ **Post date:** [April 9, 2011, 9:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-you-think-of-this-8-year-old-pepper-sprayed-by-cops/577712/68 "2011-04-09T21:12:23Z")
> [@Diogenes\_the\_Cynic](#): > > I propose that the kid had zero chance of impaling or killing anybody. I’m calling that suggestion a load of crap. A bullshit excuse. My ass he could kill anybody. Well, now you’re arguing in circles. I said a lethal weapon is a lethal weapon regardless of the age of the person wielding it. First you dispute that it’s lethal, then you say it’s not lethal only because of the age of the person wielding it. So which is it? Is it lethal or not? And if you struggle with someone over a lethal weapon, are you proposing zero chance that either of you will fall on it? Setting aside the fact that the kid was in an hysterical rage and would certainly have tried to intentionally impale anyone who got near him. Frankly, I don’t see the risk of someone dying as a better option than subduing him with a tool that would wear off completely in a couple hours with no lasting effects. ---
**Author:** ![Diogenes\_the\_Cynic](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/e99b99/32.png) [@Diogenes\_the\_Cynic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Diogenes_the_Cynic)\ **Post date:** [April 9, 2011, 9:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-you-think-of-this-8-year-old-pepper-sprayed-by-cops/577712/69 "2011-04-09T21:17:31Z")
> [@Kaio](#): > > Well, now you’re arguing in circles. I said a lethal weapon is a lethal weapon regardless of the age of the person wielding it. First you dispute that it’s lethal, then you say it’s not lethal only because of the age of the person wielding it. I didn’t say the age had anything to do with it. It wasn’t a “lethal weapon,” period. ---
**Author:** ![Kaio](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/c68b51/32.png) [@Kaio](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kaio)\ **Post date:** [April 9, 2011, 9:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-you-think-of-this-8-year-old-pepper-sprayed-by-cops/577712/70 "2011-04-09T21:19:17Z")
> [@Diogenes\_the\_Cynic](#): > > I didn’t say the age had anything to do with it. It wasn’t a “lethal weapon,” period. So you ARE proposing that being impaled couldn’t possibly kill you. Gotcha. I, uhm, disagree, obviously. ---
**Author:** ![Diogenes\_the\_Cynic](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/e99b99/32.png) [@Diogenes\_the\_Cynic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Diogenes_the_Cynic)\ **Post date:** [April 9, 2011, 9:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-you-think-of-this-8-year-old-pepper-sprayed-by-cops/577712/71 "2011-04-09T21:22:31Z")
> [@jayjay](#): > > I’m sure you’d be more than willing to provide us the evidence that you alone apparently have that would lead you to believe that a raging, emotionally-disturbed child who had spent a good part of the morning screaming death threats at his classmates and teacher, and trying to bash in a door to get at them with his wooden spear, who wouldn’t even calm down when the POLICE came, who said “Come get me, fuckers!” TO the police, would not have succeeded in majorly injuring someone. He didn’t have a “spear.” ---
**Author:** ![Diogenes\_the\_Cynic](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/e99b99/32.png) [@Diogenes\_the\_Cynic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Diogenes_the_Cynic)\ **Post date:** [April 9, 2011, 9:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-you-think-of-this-8-year-old-pepper-sprayed-by-cops/577712/72 "2011-04-09T21:25:27Z")
> [@Kaio](#): > > So you ARE proposing that being impaled couldn’t possibly kill you. > > Gotcha. > > I, uhm, disagree, obviously. I’m saying the piece of wood he had couldn’t have possibly “impaled” anybody. That’s a crock of shit. I notice that nobody has answered my question about whether it would have been acceptable to shoot the kid dead. If he was truly a threat to the lives of the officers, then it would have been perfectly acceptable to kill him, right? ---
**Author:** ![Rex\_Goliath](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/bcef8e/32.png) [@Rex\_Goliath](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rex_Goliath)\ **Post date:** [April 9, 2011, 9:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-you-think-of-this-8-year-old-pepper-sprayed-by-cops/577712/73 "2011-04-09T21:29:33Z")
In related news, [cop pepper sprays baby squirrel.](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7eDhdEd8zrg&feature=player_embedded) I think it’s interesting that the same rational is used to justify both incidents: > [@](#): > > Sgt Wes Talley said the officer stood between a group of students and the animal because he thought it may have been rabid. > He said after several unsuccessful attempts to scare the squirrel away, the officer used his pepper spray on it to protect the welfare of the students. > > Read more: [Police officer pepper sprays baby squirrel in front of horrified students | Daily Mail Online](http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-1375041/Police-officer-pepper-sprays-baby-squirrel-horrified-students.html#ixzz1J415HAXr) ---
**Author:** ![Czarcasm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/czarcasm/32/4050_2.png) [@Czarcasm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Czarcasm)\ **Post date:** [April 9, 2011, 9:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-you-think-of-this-8-year-old-pepper-sprayed-by-cops/577712/74 "2011-04-09T21:29:59Z")
Has the pepper spray used in this case ever been tested on children? ---
**Author:** ![Kaio](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/c68b51/32.png) [@Kaio](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kaio)\ **Post date:** [April 9, 2011, 9:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-you-think-of-this-8-year-old-pepper-sprayed-by-cops/577712/75 "2011-04-09T21:30:15Z")
> [@Diogenes\_the\_Cynic](#): > > I’m saying the piece of wood he had couldn’t have possibly “impaled” anybody. That’s a crock of shit. > > I notice that nobody has answered my question about whether it would have been acceptable to shoot the kid dead. If he was truly a threat to the lives of the officers, then it would have been perfectly acceptable to kill him, right? Police departments have policies regarding the escalation of force. They start with non-lethal, and if that works (which it did), there’s no reason to escalate further. I note you didn’t answer _my_ question: > [@Kaio](#): > > And if you struggle with someone over a lethal weapon, are you proposing zero chance that either of you will fall on it? Setting aside the fact that the kid was in an hysterical rage and would certainly have tried to intentionally impale anyone who got near him. ---
**Author:** ![Attack\_from\_the\_3rd\_dimension](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/b38774/32.png) [@Attack\_from\_the\_3rd\_dimension](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Attack_from_the_3rd_dimension)\ **Post date:** [April 9, 2011, 9:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-you-think-of-this-8-year-old-pepper-sprayed-by-cops/577712/76 "2011-04-09T21:31:07Z")
> [@Diogenes\_the\_Cynic](#): > > There was no chance of impalement. That is a load of shit. Just as an aside on the topic of impalement, consider the following thought experiment: On occasion, a human will throw a stick for a dog, only to have the stick get stuck in the ground, and the running dog can be impaled on the stick. (1, 2). I suggest that a pissed off 8 year old could reasonably generate a similar amount of force. I further suggest that a stick in the eye or neck can have very significant consequences. On an unrelated note, to back up **Qadgop** , this story immediately reminded me of the 8 year old kid I used to see eating at the doughnut shop at the hospital with his security guard minder. He was doing much better- he used to have 2 full time security guard minders. Also, Jayjay, I’m stealing the irony line. 😉 (1) [Paddy](http://www.thewestmorlandgazette.co.uk/news/cumbria/south_lakeland/8942568.Impaled_dog_s __miraculous__ recovery_at_Kirkby_Lonsdale_vets/#) (2) [Flick](http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-1248244/Game-fetch-ended-dog-impaled-13-inch-length-discarded-timber-fence.html) ---
**Author:** ![jz78817](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jz78817/32/1028_2.png) [@jz78817](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jz78817)\ **Post date:** [April 9, 2011, 9:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-you-think-of-this-8-year-old-pepper-sprayed-by-cops/577712/77 "2011-04-09T21:33:21Z")
> [@](#): > > I’m saying the piece of wood he had couldn’t have possibly “impaled” anybody. That’s a crock of shit. Why? ---
**Author:** ![Chronos](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chronos/32/134_2.png) [@Chronos](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chronos)\ **Post date:** [April 9, 2011, 9:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-you-think-of-this-8-year-old-pepper-sprayed-by-cops/577712/78 "2011-04-09T21:33:51Z")
> [@](#): > > I notice that nobody has answered my question about whether it would have been acceptable to shoot the kid dead. If he was truly a threat to the lives of the officers, then it would have been perfectly acceptable to kill him, right? If that were the only way to remove the threat, then yes, it would have been acceptable (though tragic). But since there was another method available, the officers used that instead. ---
**Author:** ![Diogenes\_the\_Cynic](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/e99b99/32.png) [@Diogenes\_the\_Cynic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Diogenes_the_Cynic)\ **Post date:** [April 9, 2011, 9:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-you-think-of-this-8-year-old-pepper-sprayed-by-cops/577712/79 "2011-04-09T21:38:23Z")
> [@Kaio](#): > > Police departments have policies regarding the escalation of force. They start with non-lethal, and if that works (which it did), there’s no reason to escalate further. > > I note you didn’t answer _my_ question: I did answer your question. It contained a false premise. There was no lethal weapon. ---
**Author:** ![Diogenes\_the\_Cynic](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/e99b99/32.png) [@Diogenes\_the\_Cynic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Diogenes_the_Cynic)\ **Post date:** [April 9, 2011, 9:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-you-think-of-this-8-year-old-pepper-sprayed-by-cops/577712/80 "2011-04-09T21:39:57Z")
> [@jz78817](#): > > Why? Because it could not have gone through a human body, that’s why. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-you-think-of-this-8-year-old-pepper-sprayed-by-cops/577712.md?page=3) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-you-think-of-this-8-year-old-pepper-sprayed-by-cops/577712.md?page=5)