Ferguson PD - Off to a smashing start on the day's events

[Ruby the Liberal]

I know this is no laughing matter, but this gawker.com author just nailed the stupidity out in MO this evening and cracked me right up doing it.

Does the state of Missouri (and no offense to its sane residents), not know about "live teevee" and the internet and what not?

PICS AND VIDEO AT LINK:

http://gawker.com/ferguson-police-try-to-shut-down-don-lemons-live-broadc-1623567619

{snip}

A few minutes ago, police tried to shut down CNN anchor Don Lemon's live broadcast as he stood on a sidewalk in the middle of a group of protesters. ... After a little more jostling, the officer stomped away and began to corral people who aren't Don Lemon.

{snip}

By this point in the proceedings, you might think that Ferguson law enforcement knows better than to arrest reporters, especially on live television, but you'd think wrong. Two Getty photographers, Scott Olson and Joe Raedle, have also reportedly been taken into custody. There's no word yet on what they're being charged with.

{snip}

Meanwhile, in a solidarity protest in downtown St. Louis, Hedy Epstein, a 90-year-old Holocaust survivor and political activist known for her support for Palestine has been arrested in front of Missouri Governor Jay Nixon's office.



{snip}

Don Lemon, photojournalists and a 90-year-old Holocaust survivor. Stay tuned as Missouri's police officers doubtless make more excellent choices throughout the night.

[MohRokTah]

1. Missouri Highway Patrol arrested Scott Olson.

Getty photojournalist who snapped nearly all of the iconic Ferguson photos (and likely Pulitzer Prize winner for his work in Ferguson) was arrested by Captain Ron Johnson's own State Troopers.

[Ruby the Liberal]

3. I saw that - and - that they are not wearing badges or name tags tonight

Just their arm insignias noting which force they are with.

Joe Raedle (who took the shots of Olson's arrest) was also arrested, but no one seems to know what the charges are. Getty did release a statement though:

[951-Riverside]

10. Yup

but don't worry Getty Images, the tax payers will soon be on the hook for whatever settlement you reach with the town for arresting your photographer.

[Ruby the Liberal]

12. Lost count of the number of images I have seen posted tonight

brown, beige, navy - all without identifying information.

Cowards.

And yes - these guys will keep punching a clock and the tax payers will scratch their heads when property taxes/income taxes go up to cover the outstanding bills from LEO's crowd-controlled Excellent Adventure.

I don't blame Getty though - they are playing the hand they have been dealt. I would rather my taxes go to keeping their team safe to document this rather than investing in new technology to bomb people halfway across the world.

I used to believe in the great 'reset'.

Meh.

[Cha]

24. They're too chickenshit to stand behind their names. :(

[countryjake]

2. They yanked a St Louis alderman right out of his car last Wed to arrest him

Alderman Antonio French released from police custody in Ferguson

http://www.kmov.com/special-coverage-001/St-Louis-Alderman-arrested-amid-protests-in-Ferguson-271183831.html

St. Louis Alderman Antonio French was released from police custody Thursday morning after being arrested the night before during a protest in Ferguson.

After being released from custody, French told reporters he was reporting the events near the QuikTrip gas station that was burned down earlier in the week when police started moving forward and throwing smoke bombs. French said a majority of the protesters scattered from the area and then police started throwing tear gas. French said he got into his vehicle, rolled up the windows and began recording the events taking place.

"Then eventually an officer opened my door, pulled me out and arrested me. I asked him why I was being arrested and he said because ‘I didn’t listen,’” French said.

[SomethingFishy]

4. Also gassed a State Senator...

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2014/08/13/state-senator-ferguson_n_5676766.html

Bet she was looting her ass off though

[Rex]

5. Wow.

[SomethingFishy]

7. Yeah man... She let Nixon have it too...

And when he tried to play the "vulgarity" card she shoved that down his throat. I like her...

[F4lconF16]

23. Link to that?

I missed it.

[SomethingFishy]

28. Sorry.. had to work last night.. here it is..

http://www.politico.com/story/2014/08/maria-chappelle-nadal-twitter-jay-nixon-missouri-governor-110033.html

[F4lconF16]

29. No problem! Thanks! nt

[Ruby the Liberal]

6. Thats what has Twitter all abuzz tonight - the "keep moving"

(obey at all cost) directive.

People are told to go >here< then arrested because they aren't moving - they are standing >here< - where they were told to go.

The tone-deafness and stupidity of local LEO (and apparently state patrol as well) is mind boggling.

Now, we have military intervention, trained to fight 'enemies of the state'. Where is defend and protect in this equation?

[countryjake]

11. I admit, I chuckled at the idea from that link you've posted...

Is there anyone with dark humor and good computer skills who'd like to put together a Ferguson arrest bingo card. We've already had an alderman, Getty photojournalists, on-air reporters, and now a Holocaust survivor. I'd like to nominate a Buddhist nun, a Roman Catholic monk, and a union rep. (posted by wladclinchko)

Like you, I know it's nothing to laugh about, too, but after watching all of these various enforcer agencies taking their daily turns at whacking, gassing, and busting groups of righteously angry people, ya just can't help but think that such "protectors" need some new PR advisors or something.

I've said it before tho, until it happens to you, a person won't actually realize that they are not there to "Serve and Protect", at all. Not the people, anyway. Never have been.

[Ruby the Liberal]

14. Thank you for expressing where I was going with this.

I don't mean to even chortle given what is going on down on the ground, but this gawker author really nailed the supreme stupidity.

I missed that response you quoted - that was great! Maybe we can start nominating them like the IceWaterChallenge.

Hillary - take a stand? Anyone willing to walk in those shoes for a weekend?

[starroute]

15. They're reducing it to a "free speech zone"

A lot of the streets are blocked off so that cars can't get through, and the protesters are only allowed to walk around in a circle in a designated area.

That's a mockery.

[aint_no_life_nowhere]

8. Which entity did the first autopsy?

Michael Baden this morning said that the fluids in Brown's body were removed for analysis during the first autopsy and after that, embalming fluids replaced them. Thus, the leaker who selectively leaked the info about marijuana in Brown's system probably came from someone in the office of the PD controlling the first autopsy. Someone or someones are really trying to make Michael Brown look like a bad guy before all the evidence comes out.

[Ruby the Liberal]

9. Local LEO

Good point - but that shouldn't matter. A stoned 18 year old kid is WAY less danger to LEO than an amped up one.

That said - I don't know if this was St Louis county or the township, but it was local - followed by private - followed by Federal/AG Holder so there will be 3 in total. Given the federal Civil Rights implications - Imma wait for the Feds to weigh in as they can subpoena items that Dr Baden didn't have access to.

[pintobean]

13. It was county.

I think that leak was a message to Crump. He's releasing and spinning his autopsy results. The county is telling him that they possess most of the evidence. He might want to rethink trying this in the media.

[Ruby the Liberal]

16. Wasn't he Trayvon's parent's attorney?

Or an I thinking of someone else?

Oh and thanks on the correction on the statement being County. I have appreciated all of your updates and clarifications on this horrific incident...

[pintobean]

17. Yeah, Crump was the Martins' attorney.

Thanks for the compliment.

[yeoman6987]

26. I am glad that the Martin's attorney is representing the Browns

but does attorneys need to be licensed in the states that they represent? I wasn't aware that lawyers can go from state to state. Kinda kool if true. I wish teachers could.

[aint_no_life_nowhere]

19. Trying soneone in the media as a warning to not try someone in the media?

I guess I don't understand.

[pintobean]

20. It's kinda like this.

[aint_no_life_nowhere]

21. How edifying

on the part of the government authorities.

[Ms. Toad]

27. That answers the question I had about why there was no note

in the Baden autopsy of anything the blood would have shown.

The leak was from the official, first autopsy.

[handmade34]

18. a comment from your link...

It's almost as though someone is sitting in an office, saying: "what's the worst thing we can do? Let's do that".

I am incredulous at the ignorance and tone deafness of the "authorities" in Ferguson and Missouri

[Spitfire of ATJ]

22. Keep in mind that these idiots actually believe they're HEROES to the white community....

Someone on the ground needs to CHECK THAT and find out if it's true,...I mean,....outside of the Elk's Club.

[Cha]

25. K&R