When Hell freezes over!  The police officers of the U.S.A. have chosen which side they’re on, one and all.  They’re our enemies.

We have the 2-tiered justice system of a banana republic.  If that doesn’t make your blood boil, you’re part of the problem.

Wikipedia now has a nice tidbit about what a complete jerk officer John Pike is!  Go internet!  Down with police brutality!

Only when we stop acting like sheep, and more like grizzlies, will the wolves finally take notice of us.  Thing is, it seems no one really wants to fall on the sword – myself included.  Admittedly, I don’t care enough about the daily struggles of others to act as martyr to their cause.

I’m reasonably certain that, given the Current State of Things, those who believe in resolution without revolution are (sadly) deluded.

If you look at history, even just in the 20th century, every movement that has accomplished something significant has used civil disobedience to do so. Women’s suffrage, labor, civil rights, it’s all there.

Assumptions abound!

Lt. Pike behaved as if he were in a vaudeville act: holding up the large, red bottle of pepper spray; moving it about to show it off; then, walking with a spring in his step that could even allow his stride to fairly be described as “prancing,” he moved down the line of sitting protesters and sprayed them in the face at a distance of roughly 12 inches. The recommended minimum distance is 6 feet, but it is effective up to 20 feet away. He repeated the process three times. Before he sprayed them, he delivered this threat to the protesters: “Move, or we’re going to shoot you.” Then, turning to his colleagues, “Don’t worry. I’m going to spray these kids down.”

His behavior was colored by a substantial degree of performance. He may have been following orders, but he certainly seemed to be enjoying himself. Regardless, he deserves to be taken to task for the use of excessive force and for assaulting citizens with a chemical weapon.

I do understand and agree with your point that it’s important that those who issue the orders are not allowed to evade accountability through the scape-goating of an officer lower on the organization chart. But holding Lieutenant Pike responsible for his actions does not automatically give a pass to those who issue him his orders. 

He broke the law, failed to perform his duties (for which he is amply compensated) and brutalized citizens. He must be held accountable.

Furthermore, he is, in fact, in a position of power as an officer. As a Lieutenant, his actions carry more weight and influence the behavior of those on the force who he outranks.

It also appears from reviewing the UCDavis Police Department’s website, that he is in some way involved in assessing claims of  inappropriate or illegal behavior committed by members of UCDPD. If that’s the case, a thorough investigation and trial must be conducted to establish standards of conduct going forward. The Occupy Movement is in its early stages and I think we ain’t seen nothin’ yet. (to paraphrase Slim Pickens.)

You know: profit motive and all that…

Edit:

You’ve plopped yourself on my dashboard, presumably since you’re a fan of dildodoodledumb.

Go to it: have fun.

And on to the assumptions – why do you think I am in anyway supportive of Beck? How have you come to this conclusion? You and I have never exchanged thoughts before. Are you someone known by an alias elsewhere who’s been in hiding?

You wrote gibberish, and then responded with insults.

If this is the best you’ve got I’ll make you look like an idiot just for the fun of it!