Gilford, NH taser demo. (File photo from GilfordGrok.com)
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When I first saw the headline on Drudge, I thought that we had an example of a law enforcement officer abusing the power entrusted him by society. What else would I think about a story with this headline:
Deputy Uses Taser on Fleeing Bicyclist; riding at night without proper lighting…
Of course, when I followed the link, I read the story and learned much more about the details. The tased person, Omar Herrada Rivera, when repeatedly ordered to stop ignored the officer and then jumped off the bike and ran away. Hmmm. After being chased in a residential neighborhood, Omar was tased, though not effectively, as only one prong stuck in. After a physical scuffle, Omar was subdued. This is the part of the story, from the Chico Enterprise Record, that gave the story its final touch that caused me a fair amount of pleasure on an otherwise dreary New England day…
Rivera was transported to Glenn Medical Center, where he was cleared for booking into the Glenn County Jail on suspicion of resisting arrest, riding a bicycle without proper lighting, riding under the influence of alcohol and use of false citizenship/government documents.
Just another harmless immigrant violating society’s laws that Americans won’t. This taser thing is turning out to be a whole lot more handy than anybody imagined!
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