community-based, non-corporate, participatory media
community-based, non-corporate, participatory media
pgh police fire tasers at recruiting protest
by mt
Saturday, Aug. 20, 2005 at 10:27 AM
On Saturday August 20 2005 in Oakland, on Forbes Avenue in broad daylight just before noon, Pittsburgh police used tasers on protestors at a counter-recruting protest.
imgp2958.jpg, image/jpeg, 2288x1712
if you haven't seen a taser in action before: the yellow weapon is a taser, it makes a loud clicking sound when fired.
taser fired
by mt
Saturday, Aug. 20, 2005 at 10:27 AM
baldhead_taser.jpg, image/jpeg, 2288x1712
the bald-headed cop fired his taser at the crowd
pittsburgh cops out of control
by kevin
Saturday, Aug. 20, 2005 at 1:59 PM
as a participant of todays rally, i witnessed police enter the crowd of unarmed peaceful activists. they drug a girl dressed in black from the sidewalk to the street and tasered her mercilessly as she lay on the street screaming. police also released pepper spray in the vicinity of a six year old girl (one of the dissidents children)
after the childs pain eased, she asked "why are they beating people?" a child asked why she was harmed by the men who are supposed to protect her!
there are also reports (unconfirmed) of a disabled mans wheelchair being overturned by the forceful actions of cops out of control!
clubs and tasers used on unarmed civilians and chemical weapons on children
now we know who the real terrorists are
pittsburgh police
worse than saddam!!!!
me too
by **
Saturday, Aug. 20, 2005 at 2:33 PM
I was also there and I concur with everything Kevin said. Total overreaction and completely unwarranted brutality on the part of the police. No concern for public safety, the safety of small children, oh, and no concern for the law they're supposed to be enforcing.
Can someone keep us updated on what happened to the arrestees?
No reason for harm.
by Anon
Saturday, Aug. 20, 2005 at 2:34 PM
I also was there and a few of my friends I knew were tasered and one almost was pepper sprayed. The reporters were rude as hell and pretty much shoved us out of the way so they could "get the shot!" and they treated us like puppets that were to get arrested. The cops were brutal to many of the people, and there was no need to once so ever.
Police brutality.
by ********
Saturday, Aug. 20, 2005 at 2:38 PM
<img src="http://tinypic.com/avka5s.jpg" alt="Image hosted by TinyPic.com">
Was beat brutally to the ground and arrested.
confirmed
by Stephanie
Saturday, Aug. 20, 2005 at 4:50 PM
tondemonaii@yahoo.com
I confirm that I saw the man on the wheelchair knocked over by police in the chaos that went on today and say the two young children coughing and tearing from the pepper spray.
Trigger-ready cops
by Steve Librinsky
Saturday, Aug. 20, 2005 at 8:51 PM
774905
Pigs look for any reason to use force, release their personal frustrations and hatred for those who don't listen to them.
They don't serve the community, they serve their own need for power and control.
hmm, yeah but
by sw
Saturday, Aug. 20, 2005 at 10:33 PM
Even worse, they serve the interests of the corporate power structure.
As for the abuse, why would anyone think that such things were isolated to just Guantanemo and Abu Gharaib? Of course they'll do it to their own citizens. Yet still some still refuse to consider the probability that the 9/11 attacks were engineered by our own government. I don't understand what is so hard to fathom about that. If the police will pepper spray babies, what makes you think those in the upper echelons wouldn't orchestrate something as horrific as an attack on its own people?
Sorry for the tangent, but I'm sick of smart people not connecting the necessary dots.
confirmation
by more helpful that a cop
Saturday, Aug. 20, 2005 at 10:57 PM
It happened so quickly, that while i can not say for sure if it was the police themselves who overturned the man in his wheelchair, or if his chair tipped as a result of the chaos that ensued as a result of the police brutality. i can confirm that a man in a wheelchair was toppled over, and, not too suprisingly, he was assisted back into an upright position by the people on the sidewalks, not "Pittsburgh's finest".
just who broke the law?
by Jim Carroll
Sunday, Aug. 21, 2005 at 2:59 AM
Tasered peaceful protesters? What a bunch of crap. When have anarchists ever been "peacefull".
The woman refused to follow police orders to disperse. She got what she deserved.
Why this war anyway?
by Bert Copley
Sunday, Aug. 21, 2005 at 4:33 AM
The individuals who have been stepping forward to the lines of injustice have been doing great work. The legality of this war is very questionable and I wonder why we truly needed it anyway? There are many motives when you make an action, right? Why did the Bush Administration and the UK tell lies in order to orchestrate a war where more civilians would be lured into a national service training program, such as the army? What is really at stake in the next century? What are they not telling us?
I commend these courageous citizens for elucidating questions like these. I especially tip the hat to those who practice non-violent civil disobedience and concientious objection. Why this war anyway?
Out of control?
by Gus
Sunday, Aug. 21, 2005 at 6:02 AM
The Pittsburgh cops were out of control? It is possible they are following directives from higher up, because they know that the non-permitted antiwar march was trying to take things further. The police are political, don't forget. And this isn't the first time the Pittsburgh cops have attacked radical events. It's possible that their violent behavior yesterday was preplanned and has support all the way up their hierarchy.
re: who broke the law
by whitness
Sunday, Aug. 21, 2005 at 7:11 AM
actually, the tasers were used before an order to disperse was given, they were also used without warning
scary
by Nathan
Sunday, Aug. 21, 2005 at 10:02 AM
You scare me. Simply because she didn't automatically disperse at the command of the states bullying henchmen, you say she deserved to get bitten. I bet you'd fare pretty well in 1930's Germany. Can police not differentiate between an elderly woman that will do no harm and a thug that would openly attempt to harm an officer. Come on. Seems people like you don't have anything better to do than incite your aggressive attitude in support of the state "for order's sake". You probably stole kids lunch money on the playground when you were a kid too, huh?
scary
by Nathan
Sunday, Aug. 21, 2005 at 10:05 AM
You scare me. Simply because she didn't automatically disperse at the command of the states bullying henchmen, you say she deserved to get bitten. I bet you'd fare pretty well in 1930's Germany. Can police not differentiate between an elderly woman that will do no harm and a thug that would openly attempt to harm an officer. Come on. Seems people like you don't have anything better to do than incite your aggressive attitude in support of the state "for order's sake". You probably stole kids lunch money on the playground when you were a kid too, huh?
Keep Protesting the Occupation
by Rambler
Sunday, Aug. 21, 2005 at 11:44 AM
Protestors in Pgh. should continue to organize demonstrations against the occupation of Iraq. There is a dearth of demonstrations nationwide because ignorantamericans refuse to put down the remote & seek alternative sources of information regarding the illegal & immoral invasion of Iraq. I commend those who marched, & I hope that more people will march w/ the protestors.
In addition, more time should be spent on presenting speakers to the Pgh. area who have dissented from the Bush warmongering line of propaganda. Greg Palast,Ralph Nader, Amy Goodman--we of Activist San Diego have organized events for speakers like these. Maxine Waters is coming next. Keep going. Don't stop.
Screen a Movie
by Ramber
Sunday, Aug. 21, 2005 at 11:51 AM
Activist San Diego recently screened a movie regarding the 9/11 tragedy in which the events are scrutinized very closely. You can get an uncopyrighted copy of "Confronting the Evidence: A Call to Reopen the 9-11 Investigation by contacting jwalter@walden3.org. Burn copies of the movie & sell them for about 7-10 bucks each or 2 for fifteen. The CD contains about 3 hours of information.
Go! Go! Go!
ASD Rambler
What are you thinking?
by Ghettocop
Sunday, Aug. 21, 2005 at 12:01 PM
What are people thinking? Does anyone really beleive a police officer wants to hurt people for fun? I have been a police officer most my adult life, and I don't know anyone that likes using force. Farthur more, I have been in the military as a reservist the majority of the time as well. The Military is a great way for young adults to grow up and become productive. I have never been lied to by a recruiter and the military has severe punishment for recruiters that are caught lying or misleading recruits.
How much force to arrest old lady?
by Nik
Sunday, Aug. 21, 2005 at 12:41 PM
also@nikmills.com
Cops might to want to hurt anyone but it's seems like plenty do. It must be a challenging job at times trying to subdue a crowd but how much force is needed to arrest an old lady? A dog? You need a trained dog? The handler lets the dog bite a 68 year old lady? Am I reading this right?
This is all trickle down inhumanity from the top. Bubble boy and the whole junta need outta here before we take our old enemy's (the evil empire) place as a police state.
NO Pictures on Faux
by Cassie Reynolds
Sunday, Aug. 21, 2005 at 12:42 PM
Your web site is the only one with pictures so far. Why doesn't Faux news pittsburg even mention the story?
FACTS YOU FAILED TO MENTION
by ANGRY AMERICAN
Sunday, Aug. 21, 2005 at 2:47 PM
angryamerican@usa.com 987-765-4321
Your opinion on whether the protesters were brutalized is somewhat biased!
http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,166312,00.html
You failed to mention that the protest was "unauthorized" and that the crowd was "told to disperse, peacefully disperse, and failed to do so".
What you were doing was breaking the law, and if you fail to comply with laws, then you pay the consequences.
Besides, what good did it do to protest in front of a recruiting station while it was closed - duh! Sunday!
What you are trying to do, is hinder our efforts in the war on terror, what at one time would have been considered treason!
God Bless our soldiers - those whom sacrifice their lives so you, the Iraqis, or whomever, protect the freedom to protest!
sunday?
by rachel
Sunday, Aug. 21, 2005 at 3:22 PM
the protest was on saturday. not sunday.
maybe you should know what you're talking about before you start talking/typing.
Analogy in Pittsburgh
by Louis Alt
Sunday, Aug. 21, 2005 at 4:15 PM
alteregos@msn.com Union, NJ
Complete the analogy:
Kent State was to Nixon as Pittsburgh will be to___________
A. George W. Bush
B. George W. Bush and Henchman Rick Santorum
Let us hope that this violence against innocent American citizens is the beginning of the end for Neocon Republicanism.
Sue the Pittsburgh Police Dept.
by The Nudge
Sunday, Aug. 21, 2005 at 4:39 PM
Don't just defend yourselves in the courts, use the judicial system to ensure that police brutality leads to massive financial consequences for the Pittsburgh police force. One bald police officer on a middle age potbellied rage trip has in his hand a Tazer, given to him by the Pittsburgh PD. If this is what's happening in America, with cameras running, imagine what happens elsewhere.
The militarized right is sick. Non-violent dissent is patriotic and necessary for reforming the direction this country is taking.
what law?
by Professor Eng
Sunday, Aug. 21, 2005 at 5:24 PM
What law does the US have that prevents protests on sidewalks? Do you not have freedom of speech any longer? What are your soilders fighting for if you can't protest without government permission?
If your soliders are fighting for "democracy" overseas perhaps you should bring them home to fight the loss of your constitional rights.
You poor, ignorant, angry American
by annodomini
Sunday, Aug. 21, 2005 at 5:38 PM
No wonder you are so confused! You listen to Faux News. You can't be blamed for not knowing that no permits are required for protests staged on sidewalks. Permits are required for marches on streets, not on sidewalks. That's right--NO PERMITS REQUIRED HERE!!! This protest was totally legal--and necessary. These protestors were simply exercising their constitutionally protected right to dissent. My sister is in Iraq, and I support her and all her fellow soldiers by demanding that they not be forced to participate any longer in this illegal war. If you were living in Nazi Germany, would you have supported the Nazi troops by supporting their involvement in illegal aggression against their neighbors? Bush lied to the American people when he invaded Iraq in a preemptive strike; Hitler also invaded preemptively. How is it patriotic to follow Bush blindly when he can't even answer Cindy Sheehan's simple question--what "noble cause" are our soldiers dying for? Angry American, if you support Bush's war, why aren't you in Iraq, and are you encouraging your loved ones to enlist? If all the Angry Americans who support Bush volunteered to fight in Iraq, there would be no recruitment problem. This protest would not even be an issue; there would be no need for the aggressive recruitment tactics used by the military now.
To Angry American
by bensil
Sunday, Aug. 21, 2005 at 5:38 PM
bensil34@yahoo.com
You should never use the words "facts" and "Fox News" in the same sentence, but doing so shows how much you care about learning the truth. FYI, nobody broke any laws; if you're on the sidewalk you can peacefully demonstrate without a permit. The protesters called the recruiting office before they came, and the recruiters had closed the office and left, as they had on a previous occasion. Nobody is hindering the war on terror, since there can be no such thing. If you want a better definition of treason, just take a hard look at Karl Rove. And I fully support your right to be an idiot.
Pigs
by Vic Anderson
Sunday, Aug. 21, 2005 at 6:01 PM
Pigsburgh...
Pigs
by Vic Anderson
Sunday, Aug. 21, 2005 at 6:03 PM
... join St.Piggersburg, Florida!
NOT Our War
by Larry
Sunday, Aug. 21, 2005 at 6:10 PM
In the first place this is NOT our war. Bush was lied to and deceived by false intelligence by the jews over WMDs.
His high level cabinet is made up of mostly jews as advisors.
That's what got this mess started. When WMDs were not found, it was time to leave and face the fact that he had been suckered.
When one digs himself into a hole and gets caught, he should STOP digging.
http://www.biblebelievers.org.au/bushlist.htm
http://www.nogw.com/warforisrael.html
status quo?
by Robert
Sunday, Aug. 21, 2005 at 7:50 PM
robertmilby@hotmail.com
If, since I was not present at the assembly of protestors,
there was police brutality toward those civilians gathered, and there is no redress for the over-zealous actions of the police, it is justification for further abuses at rallies throughout the country. It appears that the police officers present have not studied and applied knowledge gained from examination of the United States Constitution, Bill of Rights and US history. When law enforcement officials abuse citizens in the US and people from other countries hear of it, it is remembered.
If Americans do not speak out against civil and human rights abuses in their own country, how could they justify concern for democracy and freedom in Iraq?
Who said they were anarchists?
by peggy
Sunday, Aug. 21, 2005 at 10:10 PM
Unbelievable. You say that someone who is peacefully protesting is an anarchist...and thus apparently in your eyes has no rights?! What garbage. The police have no right to use force on someone unless they are actaully being endangered themselves. Give me a break. This is allegedly the US where we have rights. Oh, yeah, this is the 4th Reich, I forgot...
police abuse
by kate bates
Sunday, Aug. 21, 2005 at 10:48 PM
katbates@netscape.com
This is an illegal, immoral war. The war has not made America more secure actually the opposite has resulted. The Pittsburgh police have given the city a black eye with their out of control, overzealous use of force.
And then they lie about it.
Sweet
by some one
Sunday, Aug. 21, 2005 at 10:55 PM
It always gives me a hard on when at stupid liberal gets shot, to bad it was only a taser, I wish they used an .22, sweet dead hippie.
die hippies
LOL
by military and proud of it
Monday, Aug. 22, 2005 at 3:27 AM
This is hilarious!!! The anarchists (yes - everyone fails to mention WHO is doing this - here is the site:
http://www.organizepittsburgh.org/
I love it that they protested a place that was CLOSED... they must really do a lot of homework. I guess they don't have the guts to really confront someone when they are there working. Nor did they get a permit to organize a rally (check the law morons... - oh, I forgot - they are anarchists - they don't BELIEVE in laws).
When ordered to leave for not having a permit... they were dealt with as appropriate. Notice the fist the figures with black masks (anarchists) is making toward the cop??? Striking a peace officer? That's illegal too.
Why do they wear black masks? Are they embarrassed by their actions? I bet there will be replies of "I don't want the 'MAN' knowing who I was so they could come and kill my family"... LOL
This was great... wish I was there to watch it in person...
video
by military still
Monday, Aug. 22, 2005 at 5:45 AM
notice the chant ('off the pigs') they are giving while the masked figure who doesn't know how to obey lawful orders get's what is coming to her. She continued to disobey and wonders why she was being restrained? Too thick a skull methinks.
http://media.putfile.com/moonbat_taser_final
I wonder how much of this was just against the President as pure hatred as actually against the war. From their website, I seen nothing about protests against Clinton when he bombed the Balkans or had us in Solmalia. Only protests against President Bush... hmmmmmm - a bit of a political agenda here? For peace my ass.... they just want to hate our President.
media.putfile.com/moonbat_taser_final
..
by ..
Monday, Aug. 22, 2005 at 6:12 AM
Hey idiot military guy, the place was shutd down BECAUSE of the march. This really isn't complicated. The recruiting station is supposed to be open from 9-2pm on Saturdays and they closed because they are afraid of attention being focused on them and thier actions.
1 day a year?
by military
Monday, Aug. 22, 2005 at 6:35 AM
You shut them down 1 day in a year? LOL
Priceless... wonder if all that voltage went to someone's head.
Wonder if I could make a credit card commercial...
$20 for black face cover
$75 for fines for failing to obey law
$120 for hospital bills from taser
shutdown a recruiting station 1 day in a year....
Priceless... LOL
Notice how no one argues any other points I made... they can only say they shut them down... which I doubt is true...
seems you missed the point
by left coast canuck
Monday, Aug. 22, 2005 at 7:00 AM
Wow. Sickening. Nice work inserting real life into a CC commercial template bozo.
I don't think those protesters were trying to shut down a recruitment centre - I think they were publically voicing their opinion. Which by the way, has been amplified by the brutal and unjustified action of the police - so much so that the story has made it all the over here to the left coast of the continent. If one less naive young person joins the military, then they have acompished something
Don't worry, there is still hope - you have the capacity ot learn, you just have to try.
If this were truly a war on terror, you guys would have to bomb your police station now too.....
Remember...
by Mod
Monday, Aug. 22, 2005 at 7:04 AM
Don't feed the trolls.
left coast canuck
by a.
Monday, Aug. 22, 2005 at 7:12 AM
My bad.
My heart goes out to your city.
left - read their website
by military (still proud)
Monday, Aug. 22, 2005 at 7:25 AM
You might want to review their website and what their true objective WAS:
Pittsburgh: Aug 20 Shutdown Military Recruitment
Aug. 20th, Pittsburgh- Confront the War, Shutdown Military Recruitment
POG Call for day of Action against the war and military recruitment!
I love this from their site:
<snip>POG calls for a non-violent day of direct action on August 20th to shutdown military recruitment in Pittsburgh. We support a diversity of tactics for this day of action. By this we mean we encourage and support any and all non-violent actions (whether symbolic, direct, passive, confrontational, etc.) taken to expose, confront, and disrupt the war machine and military recruitment in Pittsburgh. <snip>
disrupt the war machine? I read that as sedition...
Troll??? How am I a troll on a public forum??? Didn't realize this website was for left leaning liberal voices only...
american values
by nerf
Monday, Aug. 22, 2005 at 7:29 AM
" disrupt the war machine? I read that as sedition... "
so, apparently, you equate your country with war. war is the ultimate expression of all that is good and noble about your nation? judicial due process can go. so can social services. but war? don't touch war, that's what makes us what we are.
anyone who thinks peace = sedition isn't someone whose opinion matters much anyway.
read your bloody history. every freedom you have is indeed thanks to dissidents and in spite of war.
Don't you hippies know?
by Urban Guerrilla
Monday, Aug. 22, 2005 at 7:39 AM
Like Bush said: "If you aren't with us, you are against us" Of course it's wrong to reject nationalism! USA Uber Alles! YAY! War is life! YAY! We live in Oceania.
Peaceful Dissenters
by Alexander
Monday, Aug. 22, 2005 at 8:16 AM
Notice how the fake peace-keepers don't bother the camera men. The fake peace-keepers usually are yelling, "turn off the camera".
Stay cool, calm, and level headed, Peaceful Dissenters. The bastards are hoping for justification for their use of violence against the Protecters of the United States of America's Constitution, The Peaceful Dissenters, You, The Protesters, The Activists.
It looks like the police couldn't make an arrest till they had him off the sidewalk and in the street. It is clear, that the taser was aimed at her genitals. It good that the fake peace-keeper has lousy aim.
Every one of these peaceful dissenters deserve many thanks from every American, even the bush supporter, the sheeple. They risk injury and fatality in the name of protecting the Constitution of the United Stated of America from its domestic threat, the shredding machines in our government and the political shredding machines in DC.
Chii
What Bush Said!!!?
by Mt.Lebonite
Monday, Aug. 22, 2005 at 9:56 AM
Bush says alot of things like...
"Victory means exit strategy, and it's important for the President to explain to us what the exit strategy is."
- Governor George W. Bush (R-TX)
He doesn't know his up from down, as much as these cops don't know their right from wrong. Try reading your history books, do you know why USA started, or what it means to be patrtiotic!? Perhaps a primitive relation like gorilla is appropriate for you!
"To announce that there must be no criticism of the President, or that
we are to stand by the President right or wrong, is not only
unpatriotic and servile, but is morally treasonable to the American
public." -- President Theodore Roosevelt
Mt. Lebonite moron,
by Urban Guerilla
Monday, Aug. 22, 2005 at 10:05 AM
Can you not detect the sarcasm in my post?
More for Mt. Lebo
by U.G.
Monday, Aug. 22, 2005 at 10:08 AM
Not to mention my 1984 references. Don't YOU read???
best video i've ever seen
by protesterssuck.com
Monday, Aug. 22, 2005 at 10:17 AM
I saw the video on the news Saturday night. I laughed and laughed.............
It was the best damn video I've ever seen!!!!! I taped it and watch it several times an hour. Watching that girl lying on the ground, screaming and squirming, just warms my heart! She got what she deserved. The only thing that would make the video better is if the cop was using a real gun instead of a taser!!!!
great video
by protesterssuck.com
Monday, Aug. 22, 2005 at 10:18 AM
I saw the video on the news Saturday night. I laughed and laughed.............
It was the best damn video I've ever seen!!!!! I taped it and watch it several times an hour. Watching that girl lying on the ground, screaming and squirming, just warms my heart! She got what she deserved. The only thing that would make the video better is if the cop was using a real gun instead of a taser!!!!
taser
by get a life prptestors
Monday, Aug. 22, 2005 at 10:34 AM
Maybe next time they'll be shot with a 44 instead.
your psycho
by texan cowgirl for peace
Monday, Aug. 22, 2005 at 10:53 AM
what the hell is wrong with u!!wow, your really have a serious mental disorder-getting pleasure out of watching these takes over and over again. i'll keep my pets away from u-thank u very much!!!
please keep your pets away
by protesterssuck.com
Monday, Aug. 22, 2005 at 11:52 AM
if by pets i hope you mean those freaks dressed up for the faux protest, then by all means keep them away from all of us. don't you long haired hippy freaks understand that your irrelevant. you go out for an hour and stir up trouble and accomplish nothing. except of course getting your stupid heads smacked by the real heroes who the majority of us support 100%. VIVA LA PITTSBURGH POLICE!
'till it's *you* getting beaten
by stormer
Monday, Aug. 22, 2005 at 3:52 PM
Apparently this site is visited by hawks who seem to find this amusing.
For the hawks: We'll see if your opinion changes when they're beating on you. Don't think they won't. There is plenty of time for you to end up on the opposite side of popular politics. When that happens, you'll notice that the "dipserse" orders are in direct conflict with surrounding officers that won't let you leave. If you're lucky, you'll get medical attention and a potty break after they bust your nose, lite you up with sparks and lock you in the wagon for half a day.
Cops: Sick individuals like the "officer" with the tazer need to be immediately prosecuted and removed from the force. By your repeated decisions to turn a blind eye to thugs in the force, you leave much of the community no choice but to generalize all cops as bad cops. I continue to deeply disrespect and distrust all of you in fearful silence for this cowardice and brutality. A girl? Again? (I remember the South Side brutality, don't you?) You apparently have the power to get away with anthing. I can only hope for a day when this city has decided the horseplay is over for you and starts taking real action. Keep pushing, and it may come sooner than later.
For the record, we've got pictures, we've got video, we've got heart and we've got truth. When this war finally ends, there will be so many who don't have any of the above. They'll be stammering on the radio trying to defend their actions, or perhaps altogether denying them in much the same way they deny the truth that goes on around them. Sad, sorry individuals they are.
Boston Tea Party Was Unauthorized
by Libido Bandido
Monday, Aug. 22, 2005 at 5:04 PM
P.O.Box 53 Unionville, IN 47468
Dear AngryAmerican,
The "Boston Tea Party" was an "unauthorized demonstration".
Libido Bandido
Oooh
by SqueakyRat
Monday, Aug. 22, 2005 at 5:31 PM
Sedition, my, my.
i
by i
Monday, Aug. 22, 2005 at 5:40 PM
"For the hawks: We'll see if your opinion changes when they're beating on you."
Well the next time I'm walking down the middle of the street disobeying police orders I'd expect to get my ass kicked. Been there done that, learned my lesson. This isn't about 'hawks' this is about spoiled little shitbirds showin off for their friends.
pick up a gun and go
by MJ
Monday, Aug. 22, 2005 at 6:47 PM
musermj@aol.com
for all of you nut jobs that think it is funny for the police to brutalize dissenters and that Bush's war is such a wonderful thing I say go to the recruiting station and sign up or shut up otherwise . Go to Iraq and get your ass blown away or contaminated from depleted uranium. then don't cry when the US government turns it 's back on you and you end up homeless with mental health issues and no decent health care.Again I say sign up or shut up.
"Peaceful??" Typical Libby Behavior
by LallyG
Monday, Aug. 22, 2005 at 7:48 PM
Doesn't sound like the protesters were behaving peacefully, but that is typical of the leftist moonbats! They use violence to force their opinions on a person because they cannot debate like adults.
Bushbot Chickenhawks; All bark and no bite
by mondo
Monday, Aug. 22, 2005 at 8:42 PM
irishthug@gmail.com
Man, you fuckin Bushbots are too f'in much. Get a clue fuckin losers. You have Pat Robertson, a preacher, calling for the assassination of Valenzuela's democratically elected president. You have morons on Fox News that lie their ass off to you constantly. I never thought I would see the day that Americans would get so fuckin ignorant. Wake up losers, 61% of the people are against this war. And Bush's job rating is at 36%. That's lower than Nixon during the height of Watergate.
another day in teh empire
by derek
Monday, Aug. 22, 2005 at 8:46 PM
First of all, dont let trolls get to you. Eventually, they get bored and go back to their mommies teat.
Secondly, I juste finished watching the footage of the Utah rave that was invaded and have to ask the question: How are we any different from the Soviet Union? As a kid , we were brainwashed into believing that what made us better is that we had rights that the commies didnt.
I wasnt born during the vietnam war but ffamily members tell me that they never thought that we would go back to the ol days.
Except now the police is armed like soldiers and taking it out even more.
Political dissent is only news when its some chinese dude in front of a tank.
Ill say the same thing I said when the government was raiding dying cancer patients because they smoked pot:
This is a sad country.
This is a sad country
by Taser International
Monday, Aug. 22, 2005 at 9:28 PM
Yeah, but it gets better everytime a protesting lib gets tasered in public.
This is an obscenity
by Joan Conley
Monday, Aug. 22, 2005 at 10:41 PM
j_conley@verizon.net
What will it take for people to wake up and really see that our liberties are being eroded day by day? The people involved in this protest are not the nebulous
THEM. They are not other, they are not objects. They are our brothers and sisters and husbands and wives and children and grandchildren. Freedom is not free and speaking out against injustice performed by our government is not unpatriotic it's the most patriotic thing there is. She Pittsburgh police department should be ashamed. They had better learn and teach themselves that violence against used against non-violent demonstrators only brings heartbreak. They repeat history to the detriment of us all.
Using a taser is peaceful?
by stop_terror
Tuesday, Aug. 23, 2005 at 1:21 AM
It's strange how the blame shifts from the cops using tasers on restrained citizens to the citizens themselves. I guess if your opinion differs from LallyG Monday or protesterssuck.com than assault and torture are well a part of law and order.
How is using a taser peaceful?
by stop_terror
Tuesday, Aug. 23, 2005 at 1:22 AM
It's strange how the blame shifts from the cops using tasers on restrained citizens to the citizens themselves. I guess if your opinion differs from LallyG Monday or protesterssuck.com than assault and torture are well a part of law and order.
re: this is a sad country
by eichler1
Tuesday, Aug. 23, 2005 at 1:28 AM
What is going through the minds of you who encourage employees of the government (police) to inflict brutal pain (via Tasers) or even death (via gunshots) against people who are expressing political views? It is no mystery who programs you to be hostile toward those expressing liberal or left-of-center viewpoints (corporate media, AM radio blowhards, etc.). Have stopped to think (yes, actually use your brain! Imagine!) about the source of this hostility? Did Mama favor one of your siblings and you just never got over it? Can you convince anyone that you are not reduced to childish fantasies of violence against leftists because you know that if you actually argued policy with them, you'd come up the loser? Thought so...
Left leaning?
by stop_terror
Tuesday, Aug. 23, 2005 at 1:36 AM
The left has had its share of militaries too. People opposed to military aren't necessarily on the left. The majority of people in the United States deeply oppose institutionalized violence. Especially after 9/11.
response to taser inter
by stop_terror
Tuesday, Aug. 23, 2005 at 1:41 AM
"Yeah, but it gets better everytime a protesting lib gets tasered in public."
Notice how the apologists start to resort to barbaric rational. The very kind that they claim to be aginst.
I have been there
by military
Tuesday, Aug. 23, 2005 at 3:17 AM
Mondo and MJ,
I am still in the military... volunteered to go to Iraq. Until you go yourself - it's difficult for you to grasp what is actually going on there - especially by only watching CNN. I would see things firsthand, then 10 minutes later watch CNN broadcast it - although completely different and edited. We have done so much good in Iraq - but the press doesn't print that stuff (not good for sales).
When you get a set... stop on over to Iraq and see how the world really works... and not just what Crescent News Network feeds you.
When you do a tour - come back and we can have a rational discussion. I'm willing to bet your views would be radically changed... but then again - that's probably why you won't go - because you would have to admit you are wrong and things aren't like they teach you in college.
Oh - and GWB's ratings? Depends on the newssource. I have documents on how CNN and other left leaning news sources have been polling democrats 60% or more and OF COURSE have lower ratings of GWB. Ask them to do a fair poll... I have seen others much higher (48-50%).
One last thing - why has no one answered me on why the perps here wear black masks to conceal their identity? At least I show my face at protests - as I believe in what we are doing. Also - why didn't POG denounce or protest when Clinton used military force? Hmmmm... you guys forgot about that... but of course it doesn't matter. War is immoral - unless a democrat is President...
Food for thought... but again - very little discussion going on here... None of my points have been countered (at least intelligently). I was hoping for some type of intellectual disucssion here... but I see it's not feasible.
Seen it all twice
by Xenophon
Tuesday, Aug. 23, 2005 at 4:13 AM
rmb173rd@yahoo.com
I've been over there twice now, once to Iraq and now to Afghanistan. And this guy is right: your views would completely change if you saw the places and the people yourself. I spent a week guarding, day and night, a woman who wanted to register her name to be put on the ballet in her town near Kandahar. Many male members of her community wanted her dead. She was not killed, she did not win. But if she had been elected she would have be killed within a few months. Now she just suffers vague harrassment from the other women in town and total avoidance of the men. She not on good terms with her family. I see the bravest element in that society rise up and try to change things. The best my soldiers and I can do is prevent her from being brutally murdered by Islamists that will protect traditional society with the gun and the sword. For her to live, her dreams will have to die. Her face will disappear back into the obscurity of the Burqua.
Every one againist this war is against it for the wrong reasons. Likewise, those for it, can only make the weakest attempts at explaining the real reasons the war should be supported. They barely have a grasp of there own concepts.
No one worry, Iran is safe.....No One is that stupid.
re: I have been there
by bystander
Tuesday, Aug. 23, 2005 at 5:23 AM
Dear military guy,
To give some sort of answers to your questions...
- I believe the reasons for the masks are two-fold.
One: They are SOME sort of protection for being pepper sprayed. If someone is sprayed and the mask absorbs it, it can be removed to cause less harm.
Two: You are right: it is an identity concealing tactic. It is not uncommon for people who take part in these actions to face some sort of retribution/repression after taking part in an action...regardless of the tactics (peaceful or militant)used.
As to the other question about POG not doing anything about Clinton's actions; POG was not formed until the second Bush's (GW) administration. I think the site says they formed in 2004.
I hope this helps.
Please correct me if I am wrong, but personal attacks are not warranted.
Pigs
by ATT
Tuesday, Aug. 23, 2005 at 6:43 AM
The function of the police is not to serve and protect. Security and vigilance are secundary tasks. Historically, they are to protect the rich and filthy, repressing workers, keeping safe the status quo. They are guardian dogs safeguarding the capital system. What happened in Pitt is sad. We have to keep on fighting against the war and recruitment although we begin a little war here!!!
Shame on you, pigs!
you are dead wrong
by Bruce
Tuesday, Aug. 23, 2005 at 6:53 AM
You should actually talk to a protester next time you see one. Most POG or other leftists would probably tell you they have no faith in the american bi-partisan political establishment currently in place. They seek radical change in this country, and nothing will improve if we appeal to the protectors of the rich. dem and rep. both do just that. They are the same in how they rely on the "feelings and the purses of the bourgeous..." c.m. I thought it was amusing that you suspected that some of the protestors there on Sat. would have had a single good thing to say about Clinton. OBviously you never spoke with them on what they feel about american big gov't and the role we play in international affairs. Granted, the dems are more intellectual and intelligent and don't seek war. THey try to prevent it. BUt they are no diff. from the right as far as protecting amer. business interests at home and abroad. LIberals may have liked old Bill. BUt no leftist, you'll discover, would have any respect for their hypocrisy.
Little Did I Know
by Bruce Krane
Tuesday, Aug. 23, 2005 at 7:06 AM
bkrane@fyi.net
LITTLE DID I KNOW
Last week I tried to bring attention to the grieving and heroic Cindy Sheehan, whose son’s return trip from Iraq was in a coffin. As an example of how some Americans were taking the high road and standing for decency and compassion I shared with you the uplifting example of my sister’s experience at a peace vigil in Northern California. Of particular note was the sense of community shared by the Police Department and those they were sworn to protect.
Over the weekend the darker side of reality really bit hard right here in Pittsburgh.
On Saturday, August 20, 2005, the City of Pittsburgh Police Department wantonly attacked a group of anti-war protestors in front of a closed military recruiting office near the University of Pittsburgh in Pittsburgh’s Oakland district. Apparently, an overly aggressive Fox cameraman triggered an incident with a demonstrator. As a result, the police went berserk and randomly went after demonstrators in the crowd. The results were sickening – one five foot tall young female, who was already subdued by three burly cops, was then tortured - the police chose to spray chemicals in her eyes before they had some real fun and “tasered” her with as much electricity as possible– she then had to rushed to the emergency room at the nearest hospital. A 68 year-old grandmother who was guilty of standing on a public sidewalk was assaulted and viciously bitten by a police dog. Amidst the deplorable police behavior, pepper spry ended up in the eyes of a six-year old little girl. Uninvolved passersby were uniformly appalled at what they observed.
I couldn’t tell if it was just a bad example of our tax dollars at work or, more poignantly, an accurate metaphor for President George Bush’s foreign policy.
Oh, and by the way, one of my own sons also felt the short end of the stick and was dragged off to jail with a list of charges about as truthful as George Bush’s reasons for taking us to war in the first place.
Look For Me At The Next Anti-War Rally!
Bruce Krane
Don't Feed The Trolls - Ignore
by Scott
Tuesday, Aug. 23, 2005 at 7:28 AM
This is from wikipedia:
Troll food refers to replies to the original controversial troll posts, that the trolls subsequently use as feedback to throw more fuel to the fire of their posts.
"Please do not feed the Trolls" is a warning sign that other article readers post to warn newbies that they believe the original poster is a troll.
One virtue of the concept of "trolls" is that it reduces an abstract code of manners into an unforgettable image, that of a "troll." A reminder to users to behave courteously may not sink in (and indeed may invite users to "correct" one another's manners, provoking more conflict). A phrase like "don't feed the trolls" -- reductive as it might seem -- effectively communicates a few basic norms of Internet conduct (don't escalate, remember that some posts can be ignored) in a way that is immediately comprehensible and effective. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Internet_troll
Also:
Flaming is the act of posting messages that are deliberately hostile and insulting. A flame is typically not intended to be constructive, to further clarify a discussion, or to persuade other people. The motive for flaming is often not dialectic, but rather social or psychological. Sometimes, flamers are attempting to assert their authority, or establish a position of superiority. Occasionally, flamers wish to upset and offend other members of the forum, in which case they are trolls. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Flamewar
Indymedia is truely a great thing. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Indymedia
Let's keep it that way - the trolls will go away if we stop feeding them.
Shitbirds???
by dazed in pa
Tuesday, Aug. 23, 2005 at 9:37 AM
Pennsylvania
Shitbirds? You think you're so smart and the best you can come up with is Shitbirds? Geez. I call my dogs that. And they were on the sidewalk until attacked, Bozo.
Here's an idea
by John Kerry
Tuesday, Aug. 23, 2005 at 9:51 AM
weneedarealcandidate@dems.org
get a permit!!! Then you'll be catered to like good socialists in Pittsburgh.
Food for non-trolls
by just me
Tuesday, Aug. 23, 2005 at 10:31 AM
I agree with the person who said "don't feed the trolls." It's interesting to read these comments and to find how often the bigoted and hostile comments are correlated with misspellings and grammatical errors. Clearly, this makes sense, these are not particularly intelligent, well-informed people. I am aware that you can be of average intellect and ability and yet still be able to understand that this governent and this war are unjustified and are founded in corruption.
I am glad that the majority of this country is finally waking up from the whatever "tax-break" spell that Bush and his cronies put on them and finally seeing that this war is wrong and always was. My only question is how come people didn't question it at the beginning? I knew back in 2000 that if Bush Jr got into office we would be at war with Iraq..well before 9/11 occurred. Come on, didn't you all know this too? It's not a big leap - Bush Sr.....Bush Jr....oil oil oil oil...I think Bush Sr. would've had us invade Iraq and usurp Saddam if he thought he could get us all behind him...so Bush Jr. learned he needed to get us all behind him and how better to do that than incyte fear in us...(by the way, that's what the definition of a terrorist is...someone who wants to incyte fear)....so either he was in cohorts with Bin Laden (which I know there's some evidence that they were buddies of some sort, at least their families - also remember the timeliness of Bin laden's last tape release - right before the election last year?) or the adminstration just down-played the threat and just let 9/11 happen.
I'm so tired of the mass ignorance that this country suffers from. Come on people....wake up and question EVERYTHING!
forgot to comment on police behavior
by just me again
Tuesday, Aug. 23, 2005 at 11:03 AM
This is my second comment in a row, and I've never commented on these things before. Just trying to convey that this is of significance to me.
I usually dislike the police. I realize not all cops are equal. I want to add that this incident seems like another example of why I dislike the police, in general. I think they are yet another group of people that truly demonstrate how the more people in a group, the dumber the group behaves, in general. (I realize this could be said of the demonstrators, too, but I don't intend it to. However, I was not there.) I would not have been even a peaceful, non-violent, civil disobedient protestor (I would not have been violent, either, don't get confused.) I am terrified of stupid people with power, which is generally how I think of the police. Yes, fear also works on me. I am terrified of being arrested. I've been there and it was one of the worst experiences of my life. It is a fallacy that this country purports that "you are innocent until proven guilty". In the eyes of the cops (in general), you are guilty. I see that there are cops leaving messages on this forum. I wonder, how many courses in psychology and sociology did you have in your education? I realize that cops are not trained to be understanding, to be able to see the shades of gray of an issue. They are trained to be like robots who follow orders and have very little feelings about it. This is very similar to the military. They (the governement) don't want you (military/police officers) to be all that smart, only smart enough to get the job done without asking questions. They don't want you to talk back, they don't want you to think for yourself.
This is where the problem lies, cause these are the people we have protecting us. If they can't see both sides of an issue, if they can't understand that not every law-breaking incident is the same, if they are trained to be non-compassionate, how can we trust them with our freedom and our lives? I don't know what we can do about it, or what I can, personally. I don't trust that they know how to protect me, or even how not to harm me.
Any news on lawsuit? NLG involvement?
by Tommy Paine
Tuesday, Aug. 23, 2005 at 11:16 AM
prosperommii@yahoo.com
I saw the video of the Tasering of the already-restrained female protester (on Democracy Now! on the Dish network) and it made me furious. I hope some good lawyers get involved and give the officers involved AND their commanding officers a lawsuit that they won't forget. And hopefully not just a fine that, ultimately, comes out of the pockets of the taxpayers. These thugs deserve criminal prosecution and immediate removal from the force.
Anybody know the status of legal action against the cops here? Were there any Legal Observers from the National Lawyers Guild present? (I don't know if P-burgh has an NLG chapter; I'm pretty sure they can muster a group of them in Philly.)
Who's side are you on
by Mind Freak
Tuesday, Aug. 23, 2005 at 12:13 PM
Like you said, sign up, or shut up. Well I have signed up, and I will say the same back to you. Sign up or shut up. I have been in the military for over two years now, and I have been deployed multiple times. Where were you while I was in the desert? Here at home. You haven't been there, you only know what's "going on" over there because someone else is telling you THIER view. Until you have been there, I take none of your "all knowledgeable" anti-war comments seriously. As far as the police brutality.. let's think through this... I look at your pictures, and I see that you're in the street, not the sidewalk. I also see people wearing masks. This is the first time in Pittsburgh history the police have reacted this way, and you want to say they are horrible. If I was there, observing a mass of people, (some of which are wearing masks)and things began to get out of hand, I would want to end it as quickly as possible too. Besides, what is this I hear about a camera man being pushed down before the cops were even involved......? You say they were pushy, trying to get the shot. If I were you, I would want them to get as many shots as possible to help draw attention to my cause. But that's just it, you don't think clearly, you don't plan well, and you are entirely ill equipped for real confrontations. You choose to ignore the fact that we (the military) are overseas defending the freedoms you exercise daily on this website.. a little thing called freedom of speech. Being 20 years old, I would like to thank the military for everything it gave me: Job security, money, discipline, training, professional relationships, and much more. If you think for a second I joined, not knowing I would end up overseas, you have underestimated me, and my fellow service men. A huge percentage of the military is my age, meaning we all signed up AFTER 9/11. We know the price we will pay, it doesn't matter what a recruiter tells us. And although I disagree with your views, I have pride in the fact that it's because of me you have the freedom to think the way you do. I would much rather die for this country, and for the freedoms we have than die in a shooting or a violent crime in the street. If you want to complain about "police brutality" and the bush administration "taking away your freedoms" maybe you should think about this: a little sacrifice to ensure your safety is worth it. Maybe we can all pitch in a little bit to ensure that we survive. One of you asked what's really at stake here... how about our soveriegnty? How about our Constitution? How about your children's futures? I am not telling you that you are wrong, or to change your oppinion for that matter... I am simply asking you to consider what you're saying and the impact it has before you say it. And I would have to agree with another post.. I don't see any mention of us being in Somalia when Clinton was President. I'll finish this on one final note. You protesting outside of this station, and shutting down is affection other people's rights. Other people's right to sign up if they choose to. Think about the affect you have, both positive and negative.
Mind Freak!!
good and bad
by steve
Tuesday, Aug. 23, 2005 at 12:19 PM
To the gentleman who asked if anyone can possibly believe that a policeman would hurt someone intentionally, yes I do. Not all cops for sure, but I have known more than a handful of folks who I grew up with who turned out to be cops, and I know for sure that they are power hungry bullies. This is why strict controls on use of force are necessary, it prevents citizens from power hungry cops, and it protects good cops who are actually out to help people from the fallout when bad cops sick dogs on old ladies!!!
one more thing
by Mind Freak
Tuesday, Aug. 23, 2005 at 12:27 PM
One more thing. Police aren't supposed to be psychologists. They are there to uphold the law and try and prevent disaster and disorder. That's it, plain and simple. Why you would expect police officers to have that kind of training is beyond me. And you want to say POLICE believe you are guilty until proven innocent? How about you look at the media? Tabloids perhaps? Those people are the worst offenders.. they LOOK for trouble, they LOOK for drama, and they TWIST anything and everything until it sells. It's what our population as a whole believes. In that picture, I do not see the female (it is infact a female right? I can't tell by the clothing and mask) being fully restrained. I see her arm blocking the officer's arm, which is why the taser appears to be "aimed at her genitals." The officer would react that way in any situation of that sort. If someone is fighting against me, and blocking me, you better believe I'm going to taser them to prevent them from doing damage to anyone else or even themselves. Tasers are quite painful, but safer than the guns that would have been used not even decades ago.
Mind Freak?
by Occupant
Tuesday, Aug. 23, 2005 at 2:16 PM
Mind Freak,
You didn't give me any freedom. You being in the military does nothing for my freedom. It gets you a paycheck that's and an oppertunity to kill brown people. Regardless even if you did give me freedom, I would reject your paternalistc offer. The only true freedom is freedom that an indivdiual takes.
Some context for Mind Freak
by Tommy Paine
Tuesday, Aug. 23, 2005 at 2:24 PM
prosperommii@yahoo.com
I realize this is a long thread and so you may not have read through it all before making your comments. I have, and I read the other threads leading from the Pittsburgh Indymedia site, and I thought I'd summarize some points you seem to have missed.
1. Taser victim is indeed female. One observer described her as a 5 feet tall and skinny young woman.
2. Multiple observers wrote that she, with the other protesters, were on the sidewalk when police charged. Multiple observers wrote that police dragged her into the street before firing the Taser at her.
3. Multiple commentators said that protest permits are not necessary on the sidewalk -- only in the street.
4. You can see from the photos and video that there are several riot-gear-clad cops surrounding the woman, who is on the pavement, in ordinary civilian clothes. She is not wearing a mask.
5. One viewer commented that he counts about 13 seconds of Taser activity, leading him to believe the officer squeezed the trigger 3 times, to shoot multiple jolts of high-voltage current into the woman's body as she lay on the ground.
6. I assume you are familiar with the effects of Tasers (are you?) One jolt of the Taser is enough to incapacitate most subjects. More than that, unless the recipient is somehow superhuman (e.g. on PCP) is just torture (yes, I've strayed from facts into editorializing, but I'm okay with that).
7. The police also had and used K9s against peaceful protesters. (They seem to have had everything from the 1960s anti-Civil Rights police arsenal except for water cannons and cattle prods -- but I guess the Taser is the new cattle prod, and it lets the cowardly officer be even farther away from his victim.)
In summary, this was an small, female, unarmed, peaceful protester, apparently resisting arrest. Classic nonviolent civil disobedience, a la Ghandi, King, et al. (It was apparently perfectly legal, too, until the order to disperse, assuming that the protesters had a) time to disperse and b) avenues of egress in which to disperse.)
In the supposedly more-brutal past that you refer to, if there were four cops around her in their Kevlar and padding and helmets and gloves, she would most likely have been forced into handcuffs or zip-ties simply by being overpowered by the officers. THAT is the safest, most risk-free, most appropriate way to deal with an unarmed tiny protester on the ground.
Apparently, these cops don't get enough training in locks and holds, or they just get juiced up on torturing people with whom they don't agree, when given the excuse.
I think they should be prosecuted, and the police department's policies aggressively reviewed and reformed. The use of Tasers should be permitted only at higher levels of the use of force continuum.
As far as taking risks and sacrificing oneself to make America safe, I think unarmed protesters at home are doing more to protect the Constitution and our nation than soldiers are in the oil-rich, but WMD-free Iraq. Protesters exercising freedom of speech in the face of violent repression is something that benefits me directly. The disaster in Iraq has done more to destabilize the Middle East and foster more terrorist "martyrs" than would have happened if we had just kept on containing Saddam.
But I digress...
I appreciate that you are communicating on this forum in reasonable and respectful tones, even though you obviously disagree with much of what is expressed here. When people (on either side of the debate) resort to simplistic slogans and name-calling, it's worse than a waste of everyone's time. Thanks.
Fighting for Freedom
by jk
Tuesday, Aug. 23, 2005 at 4:18 PM
With all due respect, MF, the fight in Iraq isn't about our freedom... except maybe our freedom to burn oil a little faster.
real facts
by someone with a brain
Tuesday, Aug. 23, 2005 at 6:15 PM
Wow….looks like somebody got an “A” in film editing. When do you plan on showing the whole truth…I mean video? Even all 3 of the local news stations show more of what actually happened. I missed the clip on your site where the female officer goes into the crowd to find Mr. Edris Robinson and she is instantly surrounded by all of the non-violent protestors. Who is Mr. Ed you are probably wondering? He is the fine young gentleman accused of assaulting the independent cameraman working for Fox 53 who set off this whole melee. By the way morons, it’s a local Fox station not FOX News. Anyway, can’t find any info on him here…the local newspaper named him. I also missed the video of De’Anna Caliguri trying to break Mr. Robinson free. Also, I can’t seem to find the video of Ms. Caliguri fighting with 5, yes…I said 5, police officers. Still looking for the video of the guy overturning a garbage can as he is fighting with police. All of these were either clips shown on the news or written in the paper. I think some folks may want some actual facts so they can understand what actually happened. Hopefully, the truth will come out and these sad, simple people can move on to their next cause. I hear the circus is coming to Pgh……time to dust off the Animal Abuse signs. You guys remember where they are at don’t you? They’re in the storage room behind the “Fur is Murder” signs, but before the “No Bombs for Oil” signs. You people really need to get a life or at least, a job. Keep up the good work Pittsburgh Police.
real facts II
by someone with a brain
Tuesday, Aug. 23, 2005 at 6:35 PM
Just wanted to clarify that Ms. Caliguri was arrested for pulling the protestor's arm free....this is according to the affadavit and printed in the paper...Of course, she is innocent until proven guilty.
Is corporate media suppressing this story?
by Viva IMC
Tuesday, Aug. 23, 2005 at 6:48 PM
Has anyone seen this video on TV?
Ken
by Why i take the stand I have
Tuesday, Aug. 23, 2005 at 7:44 PM
since the start of the campaign against military recruitment, i have struggled with whether or not this is a campaign i am in agreement with. I believe if people wanna actually sign up and get themselves killed for what i think is an illegal and immoral war, then its their lives they waste. But the reason i support and plan to stay actively involved in counter-recruitment campaigns is not because i believe i am fighting for the troops or any such nonsense. I see the method of disrupting recruiting efforts as a means of crippling the ability of our armed forces to continue this illegal war, or even more, start another one in Iran or another country our government does not like. As a result, if such a campaign were successful, then it means i may be assisting in saving countless lives of innocent Iraqis and residents of other nations we may attempt to conquer. Now i do not know if POG or other organizations and people are conducting this campaign for this reason as well, but this is why i am doing what i do. Seven people i know have seen combat in Iraq, and at least two are opposed to the war. One of those opposed is now a disabled veteran thanks to this war. But they made their choice and that is fine. But in my eyes, this doesn't mean its ok for them to participate in the slaughter of a country's people. This brings more harm to them AND us. Therefore, if i feel this campaign to bring an end to mass murder, then i will pursue such a goal in any way i can
Mind Freak:
by T. Paine
Tuesday, Aug. 23, 2005 at 7:55 PM
t.paine@gmail.com
I can respect anyone who serves, and honor that service.
But you didn't give or grant or earn our liberty or freedom.
We already HAD that, thank you very much.
We were not under attack by Iraq. Bush is using the Iraq War just to effectively throttle freedom here at home -- NOT the other way around. "We had to destroy the village in order to save it" - said about Vietnam. 'We had to destroy our liberty to save their liberty.' - said about Iraq. And most military personnel know they're being used by an Adminstration who lied us into an illegal, unConstitutional war, one for which there was no evidence whatsoever -- one that's bankrupting the country, fiscally, militarily, morally.
If you were really defending our freedom, wouldn't you DEFEND the protester's right to Free Speech? And condemn the police officer's actions?
response to "someone with a brain"
by someone with eyes
Tuesday, Aug. 23, 2005 at 8:23 PM
wondering why you can't find video of the taser victim fighting with five officers, or a guy overturning a garbage can during ? simple answer, that's because these things did not actually happen. the post-gazette reporter made up these claims based on innuendo and rumor.
obviously people see what they want to see, but some of us were actually there AND had our eyes open. feel free to keep your eyes closed, and keep trying to convince yourself that the cops COULDN'T be in the wrong.
bull shit
by Isaac
Wednesday, Aug. 24, 2005 at 3:10 AM
my cousin was a recruitor and told recruites that he got "buff" in the army, that's a fucking lie. he got "buff" and started playing football in highschool so he could get laid, had nothing to do with the army.
Fuck The Pigs!
by Sneaky Pete
Wednesday, Aug. 24, 2005 at 5:09 AM
Don't Tread on Me!
Whose country is this anyway?!
"Damnot Quod Non Inteligunt" (Latin for "They Condemn What They Do Not Understand"
Just remember this, Mr. Piggyman... The same power that had you taser me will taser you too.
An eye for an eye leaves everyone blind.
In other words... "Just doin' your job is going to someday be 'My job is doin' me!"
Oink! Oink!
Why can't we all just hit a bong?
Oink! Oink!
Pride, Integrity, and Guts (PIG)
Oink! Oink!
A taser is no match for a raiser! Hell-Raiser that is!
Oink! Oink!
Shiny Shoes, Shiny Hat,
This little pig is gettin' fat.
Shiny badge, shiny gun,
This little piggy thinks it's fun.
Shiny belt, shiny car,
This time piggy's gone too far.
Shiny bullet, Shiny blackjack,
This time we take our freedom back,
Shiny helmet, shiny shield,
Now little piggy has no club to wield.
Poor little piggy, He's so dumb,
Poor little piggy, run, run, run.
Oink! Oink!
TASER: The 21st Century Pharoah's Whip
by George french
Wednesday, Aug. 24, 2005 at 6:53 AM
George@spyman.zzn.com
All through history leaders have sought means to control their people. You just can't allow people to think and act freely or they might think they have rights and rebel against the established authority. Workers need a good whippin' every now and then. It would be politically incorrect to use the old cat o' nine tails on a visible minority today. But wait. There's technology. We can set our Tasers on stun and zap 'em when they get uppity. Excellent Smithers. That will learn 'em. Seniors, the handicapped, children have all been zapped in the US the evil scum that they are. Freedom means cowering in fear while the man in the black shirt flaunts his power.
Chief Fantino was very wise to make friends with Homeland Security nominee removed Kerik. He was on the Board of Taser. He was a New York City Police Commissioner who worked for the Saudis in the 80's. But aren't the Saudis being sued by the victims of 9-11. ZAP! No questions doer of the funky chicken. Didn't Kerik take his girlfriend into a rendezvous over the WTC site for the dictation of a life time. ZAP! One more question and we are authorized to use deadly force you terrorist piece of scum. No one questions Pharoah. Not then not now ZAP! ZAP!
Pittsburgh featured on Michaelmoore.com
by IL
Wednesday, Aug. 24, 2005 at 7:22 AM
just wanted to let everyone know that michaelmoore.com has coverage of the pittsburgh police brutality, including the taser video, on the front page of his website.
once more and more people around the country see the rotten and disgusting tactics police officers use to subdue non-threatening protesters, i suppose we can expect a change in this country by whichever means necessary.
sensible people will not stand for this shit.
http://www.michaelmoore.com/mustread/index.php
What the F***
by Dead Money
Wednesday, Aug. 24, 2005 at 9:06 AM
tThis could go on forever. We could argue the vailidity of the use of force is ethical or not. YES, you do have the right to organize, and protest. YES, you do have the right use the internet as a forum to communicate with others. But do you have the right to post someones personal information?
Ok you hate the police, but what would happen if those same police ceased to watch your neighborhood, your job at the local head shop, your parents house, your childrens' school?
You as protestors confuse me. If you believe so strongly in your "cause" than why do you wear masks that cover your face?
Micheal Moore? Come on now, we all know the man is "Spin Central".
Serioiusly though keep on working at your mall job making 6 dollars an hour. Keep on smoking so much weed that you retard your brain from making any rational decsion. Please keep doing that so I have something to laugh at, and use as an example for my children (one day), to never become like.
Dead Money
Comments hidden
by Daniel P
Wednesday, Aug. 24, 2005 at 9:15 AM
dannyp@indypgh.org
Comments were hidden on this post today. I hid Googler's post, which included information on Officer Muoio including his home address and information about his family. In addition, I've removed every post that is a reply to googler's.
The IMC has a policy against allowing off-topic comments as well as threats, and while I personally don't view anything that has happened here as a threat, I understand that the posting of information about Officer Muoio beyond what is necessary to complain about his actions in the line of duty can be perceived as intimidating. But the comments themselves were hidden for being off-topic: Muoio's wife, schooling, jobs, hobbies, what have you are not on topic here nor anywhere on the IMC.
Please feel free to contact me if you have any questions.
Danny P
by Pittsburgh Citizen
Wednesday, Aug. 24, 2005 at 11:18 AM
Bravo for removing that post from Googler. I commend you for doing what needed to be done. What I do ask after reading your policies is this: It took all of 30 minutes to remove MY post which I placed approximately one hour before you took action. Why did it take so long to remove Googler's post, which remained on your site for days? The damage has been done.
Taser
by Joel
Wednesday, Aug. 24, 2005 at 11:42 AM
You guys probably don't know that every cop carrying a taser had it used on them in training. Same with OC(pepper spray. From the different videos and pics, I can't see any one tortured. As soon as an individual complies, the tasin stops. The initial burst is an automatic 5 seconds. You also have to have medic take out the probe. That would explain the trip to the hospital.
I'm not in the US right now, I'm writing this from Afghanistan. Last year was Iraq and my daughter is headed to the Tikrit Ao in a few weeks.
I read your comments and wonder what you really hope to accomplish. To just quit Iraq would be another Vietnam. One of those things we foolishly started then beat ourselves with for the next 20 years. I don't think I could handle that many shitty movies. Can't tell you if anything we do there will really make a difference, but it's better to be doing something more than staying at home and whacking off in the corner complaining about the injustice in the world. Here and Iraq we are trying to give the people more options in their life. look past your hatred of bush and see that the soldiers deployed overseas are you. They are the product of your society, your neighborhood and really do want to do something. As for the comment about getting a pay check. The soldiers get dick. For the amount of hours they work in a day, it ain't about money. Just so you know, the US Army is in Kosovo,Djibouti,Kuwait,Uzbekistan,Afghanistan, Turkey, Egypt, Phillipines, Iraq, and a bunch more I can't remember right now.
The Afghanistan mission has Canada, Norway, Romania, France, Netherlands, Germany, UK, New Zealand and Australia. There are more just have not seen them. Iraq is the same, just replace western european with eastern european.
Things that make you go "hmmm..."
by Private Observer
Wednesday, Aug. 24, 2005 at 12:20 PM
Interesting that there is such passion behind some viewpoints. And of course, the more narrow the mind, the less likely to see fault in one's OWN view. Everyone is entitled to an OPINION...just don't blur it to become FACT and force it on anyone. My last 2 cents worth is this: think of the consequences for your actions. Who will be hurt? Do you unfairly BLAME someone just to 'vent'? Is there anything more constructive that would help more than hinder??
Round Two
by Mind Freak
Wednesday, Aug. 24, 2005 at 12:36 PM
The first thing I would have to say in response to your responses is: Yes, you are right. I did not personally grant you your freedom. If you would like to be intentionally obtuse, so be it, but you know what I meant by the comment. You can say whatever mean or degrading things you want to me, but you will never take away the pride in my heart that comes from knowing I help to defend, protect, and maintain the freedoms that you use every day. Just be thankful you were lucky enough to be born into one of the freest nations in the world. Had you been born elsewhere, you wouldn't even have the chance to speak your mind, or fight because your rights are being violated... remember that. Secondly, I agree with what "someone with a brain" said. You are only showing one side of this episode. You can show what you want in order to make your argument all you want, I'm sure you will get plenty of mindless, non-critical thinking Americans behind your cause... hell, you got Michael Moore didn't you? The point is, if you want to be taken seriously, you must present all the evidence. And to Ken, thank you for adding to the effort to "cripple" our forces and the war. Who's lives would you rather save? The "innocent" iraqis (you know... the ones who kidnap non combatants and cut their heads off on tv) or the soldiers who are there to uphold the new government. You do realize, that we are not making any offensive moves at this point, do you not? Everything we do is in self defense, or to eliminate an opposition strong hold. But yea, thanks for trying to cripple our forces, so we can lose even more troops due to lack of reinforcement and substitution. I DO support your right to freedom of speech, but I think this is a humiliating way to use it. You want to know why the rest of the world laughs at us? Because we are so openly opposed to EVERYTHING we try to do. You name anything we have tried to do as a nation, and you will always find protests, riots, etc. And Isaac, I'm sure you can find a better "lie" that a recruiter has told than that... that was a wasted argument. For anyone who is in the military, and knows, recruiters face serious charges for misrepresting the military and providing false information. Anyway, yes.. this could go on forever. Nobody is completely right, and nobody is completely wrong. You may think this war is unethical and immoral, but those are your beliefs, and forcing them upon others is wrong. You should not be bullying people out of joining the military.. you have no idea what events in their life have led them down that path and it is not your place to choose for them. It is right to exercise your rights, but wrong to take away other's rights. I support everyone in their decision, as long as it was theirs to make, so give them a chance and let them decide on their own.
Mind Freak
P.S. I have been present at many of your events, and witnessed everything at a distance. You might want to re-evaluate your picture of the "terrbily obvious plain clothes." Those people weren't undercovers, they were simply trying to figure out what was going on. The plain clothes were of course present, but not where you thought, and you didn't notice them because they were simply watching.... oh yes, where is this riot gear you are talking about? It's not shown in any of your pictures, I see baseball caps, and a bike cop.
Great Job Officers!!
by Force Of One
Wednesday, Aug. 24, 2005 at 1:29 PM
Liberal pussies who try to disrupt military recruiting during war are asswipes.
I hope the police knock everyone of your pussy assed commie pinko buttplugg heads in.
You all got off easy!
by Not on your side
Wednesday, Aug. 24, 2005 at 2:21 PM
The officers let you all of easily by only using pepper spray and tasers. Had I been driving in the area, I'd have ran you all over for standing in the middle of a public road. When you are having a demonstration and told to stay off of the streets, by police, then you should do so! If you had just followed their advice, you wouldn't have forced them to take the actions necessary to control your unruliness.
The various law enforcement officials did nothing other than follow procedure and training while handling this situation. If you didn't want tazered, then disperse when told to do so and do not become confrontational towards an officer. The second photo shows the arm of a demonstrator(who's face was scrambled out, yet all of the officers were shown) swinging at the officers weapon.
tazer ,shmazer....!!!!
by jackie-boy
Wednesday, Aug. 24, 2005 at 2:25 PM
it looks to me like they shoulda tazered that chick in black with a weapon that wired her mouth shut..so she couldn't eat anymore....fat ass loud mouthed cunt!!!
its a shame when "peaceful demonstrators" cross the line and become public nuisences instead...which her fat ass was....no effin cars could by her jumbo butt and all the cops!
good job guys...tazer all the hooded clowns who walk around this city...and head up to wilkensburg and start there!!!!!
wow
by jbake
Wednesday, Aug. 24, 2005 at 4:03 PM
boy, the trolls sure are coming out of the woodwork for this one! i will never understand people who insist on visiting sites that personally offend them, then feel the need to tear down others.
Personally, i commend the brave souls that went out that day and stopped the establishment from luring in more young people with false promises. I would have been there myself, but i had previous engagements.
And for all you warmongering trolls out there, I have little to say other than watch the news. The tide is turning in the favor of peace.
In Solidarity
JBake
JBake
by nixonKnew
Wednesday, Aug. 24, 2005 at 5:05 PM
Are you saying "you commend the brave souls that went out that day... and visit[ed] sites that personally offend[ed] them?"
to Pittsburgh Citizen re: hiding of comments
by Daniel P
Wednesday, Aug. 24, 2005 at 5:39 PM
dannyp@indypgh.org
Well first of all, Pittsburgh Citizen, I'd like to correct your statement- Googler's comment was posted at 4:23AM on 8-23-2005, and was hidden at 12:42PM today, the 24th. It stayed up for roughly 32 hours- a far cry, in my view, from "days."
<P>
Comments, like stories, to this IMC are not screened before they appear online. The group of people who monitors them to ensure that they are conforming to policy is relatively small (looking to make it bigger? Come to the next IMC general meeting, and ask to get involved!) and, more importantly, very busy. We don't check these all the time. Especially not when an article is old. We hid the first post by Googler (on another story) much faster, but didn't notice this one. It was only today around noon that someone tipped me off that there were comments on this story that violated editorial policy.
<P>
So the fact that Googler's comments stayed on longer than yours, is nothing more than a freak of timing. It shows no intentional bias. Your comment was removed at the same time as Googler's- because it was at that point that I went through this article and removed Googler's post and all posts that were in reply to Googler's post.
<P>
I hope this helps enlighten the situation. If you'd like to ask further questions, it would be nice if you could email me, so we don't have to fill this story with only tangentially related comments.
some clarification needed (as usual)
by Ken
Wednesday, Aug. 24, 2005 at 5:57 PM
well when i saw innocent Iraqis, i am certainly not speaking of those who cut heads off. Those are called terrorist groups like Al Qaida in Iraq, Ansar al-Sunna, etc. I mean people who are not taking part in any violence of this war and yet continue to be killed by ALL sides in the thousands. Also, i said i wish to cripple recruitment efforts for this war that we are in right now. Never did i say cripple the armed forces forever no matter what. If we stop the illegal occupation of Iraq, then my efforts to hamper recruitment are through, unless we repeat these crimes again elsewhere. I believe some wars are a just cause, but this one is not. I hope this clarifies my position further to the person replying to my earlier comments with answers that make me think he barely read what i originally said, then spun it to make me sound like i said something else. Your turn once again though.
to Danny P
by Pittsburgh Citizen
Wednesday, Aug. 24, 2005 at 6:15 PM
I stand corrected, Danny P. You're doing a commendable job. I'd rather not email you though at the risk of MY information (such as my address, shoe size, favorite color, where I do my grocery shopping) being posted on your site for "roughly 32 hours". I may take you up on your offer to attend a meeting though. I'd love to help.
Threat?
by ezrider
Wednesday, Aug. 24, 2005 at 6:32 PM
ezriderpgh@yahoo.com
I neither agree or disagree with the premise of this demonstration but their right to do it is guarenteed by the constitution. As far as tasoring goes......use of force is supposed to be reserved unless necessary to prevent injury from a threatening situation. I did not see that threat and I feel the use of force to the extent it was used was totally unnecessary and the officers involved should be sued for violating the rights of the protestors. If you do not agree you're living in the wrong era and would of been better off in Nazi Germany.
Hm
by Mind Freak
Wednesday, Aug. 24, 2005 at 7:45 PM
I did not mean to "spin" what you said.
![[masthead]](/images/masthead_140.png)
