Video: Cops shove, choke, arrest ABC reporter taping Democratic senators meeting with top donors; Update: Edwards pal Fred Baron at meeting?
posted at 8:52 pm on August 27, 2008 by Allahpundit
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In fairness, his assignment might have had nothing to do with his treatment here. Supposedly it was hotel management that got annoyed and called the cops because they objected to him blocking a private sidewalk. The cops came, he wouldn’t leave, so naturally they had to … shove him across the street and grab him by the throat. According to the Denver Post, it wasn’t just Boulder County police involved; at least one officer there, probably the one doing the shoving in the clip, was a hotel security guard wearing a sheriff’s uniform for whatever reason. Smart thinkin’ roughing a guy up from a national news bureau with cameramen standing by.
Speculative exit question: Which senators, do you think? Click the image to watch.
Update: I can’t tell if the meeting referred to in this report is the same one that ABC was investigating when their producer got busted. But wherever there’s trouble a-brewin’, you’ll find Fred “The Best Friend Anyone’s Ever Had” Baron!
Fred Baron, a wealthy Texas trial lawyer and former finance chairman for Edwards’ presidential campaign, was seen Tuesday at a private luncheon for top party donors and key senators.
Baron, a longtime major contributor to Democratic candidates, would not answer questions from ABC News and walked away when he saw cameras.
The exclusive lunch was organized by the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee for its highest level donor group known at the Legacy Circle.
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My understand is that the police are there to protect and to serve. During any of this “arrest” where were they “protecting” and “serving”? There was no resisting arrest. There was no armed robber. The police are out of hand and the people need to slap them down. This officer should be immediately fired. This is no excuse for this in America. None. Now if we were talking Russia then this would be ok.
unseen on August 27, 2008 at 10:13 PM
Isn’t a police state in harmony with Communism?
Travis1 on August 27, 2008 at 10:13 PM
They had no right to treat him like that. I hope he sues.
WisCon on August 27, 2008 at 10:15 PM
Now how does this help Michelle and the girls,but oh man I sure hope everyone that’s able buys their guns before the election because I think this is the first of many such things to happen if he who shall not be named wins in Nov.
tee866 on August 27, 2008 at 10:18 PM
It’s funny how some people can patently tell who is right and who is wrong with slim-to-none information and mash-up video snippets compiled into a 30-second video clip.
Who knows where that reporter was and what he was doing before law enforcement contacted him, other than the version of events that the reporter’s employer disseminates? Do you think maybe it’s possible the video was edited for maximum effect in minimum time? Do you think maybe it’s possible the mash-up video and the employer’s story might not accurately reflect all the details of the event?
Gosh, I guess it’s only the people that were actually there who really know for sure. Hell, you can even see the “fat f**k” officer keeping an eye on the traffic as he forces the idiot reporter to move after asking him, apparently more than once by the tone, to get moving.
And above all, while it’s obvious he was man-handled during his arrest (which is a hands on physical act to begin with), there was no choke hold. There was no choking. And it’s all about if the reporter had heeded the lawful orders of the officers to begin with, he’d have avoided this whole fiasco of his own accord.
But then again, he wouldn’t have you getting all gushy and hating on the cops with the name calling on his behalf now either, would he?
SilverStar830 on August 27, 2008 at 10:21 PM
What’s with the chopping up?
Show us the Entire video, please.
bridgetown on August 27, 2008 at 10:24 PM
Silverstar
This cop’s behavior brings disrepute to all cops. That is a problem.
I’m sorry you don’t seem to get it. And that creates a hell of a lot of problems for people like me who have to let victims know they don’t get their day in court because the COP SCREWED UP and isn’t held accountable.
Darleen on August 27, 2008 at 10:26 PM
When did the ghost of Richard Daley become mayor of Denver?
flyoverland on August 27, 2008 at 10:26 PM
I hate bad cops because of what it does to good cops and the rest of us in the trenches trying to make a difference.
There is no room for bad cops.
Darleen on August 27, 2008 at 10:28 PM
Some reporters appear to think that they are free to do as they like.
Some Police officers appear to think that they are free to do as they like.
Maybe a pair crossed paths.
coldshot on August 27, 2008 at 10:29 PM
Um, did we watch the same video?
OneGyT on August 27, 2008 at 10:32 PM
No, see, he’s doing the same thing McCain did – remember, McCain’s illegal immigration bill isn’t amnesty, no matter what you say. So don’t call it that.
See?
fossten on August 27, 2008 at 10:41 PM
+1
funky chicken on August 27, 2008 at 10:44 PM
alrighty then baby steps to a police state for Barry Doc it is….outstanding boys only one side needs investigated eh?
sven10077 on August 27, 2008 at 10:46 PM
First question… DO the businesses of Denver actually own the sidewalks fronting their businesses?
cry havoc on August 27, 2008 at 10:47 PM
if they do there needs to be a boycott of the chain.
sven10077 on August 27, 2008 at 10:49 PM
Stand on the curb, get choked and cuffed.
Verbally harass and stalk an innocent victim, scott free.
SouthernDem on August 27, 2008 at 10:51 PM
Here I was hoping for a repeat of the 68 dem convention and looking forward to seeing the cops bust hippies in the head. Instead I see them doing it to the MSM…….wait a minute……I kinda like that too!
conservnut on August 27, 2008 at 10:51 PM
I find it very hard to believe there are “private” sidewalks anywhere in the US. What if they close them down?
gmoonster on August 27, 2008 at 10:52 PM
Indeed 45 donut munchers to protect the Ramada and not one to keep a psycho manatee off of Michelle…the fish stink in Den(ver)Mark
sven10077 on August 27, 2008 at 10:54 PM
All of these cop abuse videos look the same. Some citizen is being a pain in the butt and the cop overreacts or just doesn’t handle the situation in the most effective way and someone gets it on film. Then most everyone who comments on the video automatically picks the side their accustomed to defending and…well I think you get the picture. I’ve found that truly good men, regardless of their position or title are hard to come by, so its just easier not to expect much from people, so in the end you won’t be disappointed.
NeverLiberal on August 27, 2008 at 10:55 PM
Fred Baron is part of the “legacy Project”? Perfect! Gotta take care of love child’s legacy, for starters.
More thuggery from Camp Obama, this time of the virtual sort, against Stanley Kurtz.
Buy Danish on August 27, 2008 at 11:04 PM
A mob screaming “KILL MICHELLE MALKIN!” gets within inches of her. And the police are happy to protect their freedom of expression.
But a TV camera gets within 50 feet of Democrats meeting with unsavory donors – and a whole freaking goon squad shows up and manhandles a network reporter into the middle of a busy street. Because he was… standing on the sidewalk?
Hey, it’s not like anybody’s surprised that a bunch of fat-bellied rednecks beat people up at the behest of a political party who paid their bosses millions of dollars this week. That’s all fine and dandy.
The REAL question is: will ABC News cover this story? It’s not like they have an excuse this time.
logis on August 27, 2008 at 11:16 PM
I am quite upset to see this as I know the young man seen in this video. He is a fine person with good manners and professional in doing his job.
muggedbyreality on August 27, 2008 at 11:21 PM
maybe *after* the election…mustn’t hurt Messiah the Lightworker too much.
sven10077 on August 27, 2008 at 11:23 PM
Arrested? For……..
whitetop on August 27, 2008 at 11:26 PM
After reading the ABC report I have to wonder if blocking the sidewalk gets to be defined however any police officer decides it should be at the time.
aikidoka on August 27, 2008 at 11:27 PM
When a police officer asks you to move, you do not say ok hold on.
A more appropriate response would be yes sir, where to sir?
It’s that simple.
We demand that law enforcement “enforce” the law yet we do not expect the public to respect their authority? Isn’t the breakdown of authority one of the stated goals of socialism?
When faced with a “bad cop”, there are far too many avenues of redress available for me to condone the behavior of the reporter.
MsDollie on August 27, 2008 at 11:36 PM
I notice the Dunkin Donut Denizens are a lot less prone to excess whenthe press is sniffing the GOP’s butt….why is that?
sven10077 on August 27, 2008 at 11:37 PM
I’m with you there. But does that mean the police officer gets to push you into traffic?
Jim Treacher on August 27, 2008 at 11:38 PM
I notice the Dunkin Donut Denizens are a lot less prone to excess whenthe press is sniffing the GOP’s butt….why is that?
sven10077 on August 27, 2008 at 11:37 PM
Are you saying the journalist was a Democrat??????
MsDollie on August 27, 2008 at 11:40 PM
Playing the odds probably.
Remember the donks held up the red cape of “most ethical congress evah!” even a half-way self-respecting journalist donk has to charge that cape…even if only for appearences’ sake.
Had he been being a tool towards a GOP figure he’d have been asked politely to move back ten-fifteen feet tops…..look at the paucity of police intervention yesterday for Michelle against the moonbats at the Federal Mint.
sven10077 on August 27, 2008 at 11:43 PM
So a cop can define blocking the sidewalk as anything they want? That’s great, we wont know we’re breaking a law until a cop like that decides to tell us what he’s thinking at that moment.
aikidoka on August 27, 2008 at 11:45 PM
Judge: What’s the charge officer?
Cop: Pi**ing off the police y’r honor….
Yeah reads like something from The Godfather.
sven10077 on August 27, 2008 at 11:48 PM
I’ll wait for the whole tape and nothing but before assuming anything.I’m sure in the end they will find a way to blame Bush.
christene on August 27, 2008 at 11:53 PM
Putinesque! Looks like a taste of the fairness doctrine to be imposed by Obama+Pelosi+Reid.
Mark30339 on August 28, 2008 at 12:00 AM
You effing dope. Name me the major city police force that is not run from top to bottom by Democrats and/or mobsters…Chicago? Nope – mob. New York – nope, butt-boy Bloomberg. LA? Nope – the Mexican mafia. Uh…Denver?
Nope – Hickeylapper. When did he become a member of the “GOP”, douche?
Jaibones on August 28, 2008 at 12:02 AM
The sidewalks in Denver are NOT privately owned. The Brown Palace is not a chain but a 114 year-old luxury hotel, very prestigious, one of the oldest buildings in Denver. The history of the building and who has stayed there is very popular – they give tours, etc. Since the hotel has been there since before there were sidewalks, it’s possible that there’s some unique arrangement, but I doubt it.
It’s a nice place. The reporter must have been doing something obnoxious if they called the police. Perhaps he was harrassing guests?
There are people everywhere taking pictures this week. I doubt he was arrested for taking pictures.
Not that I would defend the cops either. My experiences with them, and I’m a goodie-two-shoes law-abiding citizen, are not favorable. Yesterday they arrested an 80-year-old man walking from the library to his bus stop. He happened to get caught up with a bunch of protesters they were trying to arrest but was obviously not a participant. They didn’t believe him until he showed his receipt for his books. Jerks. I’ve met way too many cops on power trips.
Common Sense on August 28, 2008 at 12:03 AM
Yeah, that’s exactly what happened – if the the tape were continuous and unedited. But I haven’t seen that.
Stephen M on August 28, 2008 at 12:05 AM
Reporter told to leave a ‘private’ sidewalk???? Since when are sidewalks private? Typically the roadway includes the sidewalk and any boulevard between the sidewalk and the road which of course are public property. Me thinks this whole thing has the aroma of rotten fish.
It will be interesting to see how this plays out in the court. I predict that the charges will be dropped.
docdave on August 28, 2008 at 12:07 AM
*sigh*
I’ll type slowly for your benefit.
Had he been investigating GOP Senators and lobbysits the cops would have at most treated him with kid gloves. As it stands he was potentially interrupting the Donut Awareness Resistance Educators gravytrain. Therefore they decided to see if they could get a newsie to play ‘Frogger’.
regards,
sven
sven10077 on August 28, 2008 at 12:08 AM
Oh, I get it alright.
Lemme guess… you’re a paralegal in the D.A.’s office. Am I right? Even if I’m wrong, I know I’m close.
While you’re doing your job sitting on your keester on a comfy chair, in a cushy air conditioned office, pushing papers, trading recipes with your co-workers, mulling over what you’re going to have for lunch at the water cooler, planning your next potluck and taking phone calls for the DDA (or whomever); while we’re out in the trenches doing our job; you’re going to rely on a mash-up of video snippets compiled in a 30-second video sourced from the poor soul who’s been ‘victimized’ (rather than just follow the lawful directions of the officers involved when the orders were issued) to decide that the “fat f**k’s” are ruining everything for you at your cool comfortable office.
Puh-lease.
I’m not “sticking up” for anyone here, because unlike you apparently, I wasn’t there and I don’t have all the facts. But I do know this, if that poor ‘victimized’ soul had moved along as he was lawfully ordered to by the police, and only those who were there know ALL of what happened before, during, and after where the mash-up video is concerned, there wouldn’t even be a discussion.
And if AllahPundit didn’t throw the words out there like “CHOKE” and “CHOKE HOLD” to get people unnecessarily riled up using false pretext, when, in fact, no choke and/or choke hold even happened, there wouldn’t even be a thread.
SilverStar830 on August 28, 2008 at 12:09 AM
If I were running ABC, I’d demand dropping of charges and an written apology to be read on the air by the Mayor of Denver, the Chair of the County Board of Spervisors or equivalent and the hotel manager.
If not, my news division would broadcast a monthly investigatory (hit) piece about graft and corruption in the local Denver government for at least a year, starting with the police department.
Dr. Bob on August 28, 2008 at 12:13 AM
Yes we did. Did you read my whole comment you quoted from?
You can use the same technique from behind with your hands balled in fists and using your thumb tips. But the pressure points are in the same exact location. That technique works much better. The technique the officer used in the video mash-up is the front and side approach which is still effective.
SilverStar830 on August 28, 2008 at 12:13 AM
Good for the cops.
The cop asked him to leave and his answer was to address the office like he was some annoying child. Yeah, hold on.
Sometimes I wish we had a police state so smarmy reporters would get their a$$ booted across the street.
RobertInAustin on August 28, 2008 at 12:14 AM
What makes you think it’s a private sidewalk? It’s a sidewalk on a public street.
Mark Jaquith on August 28, 2008 at 12:14 AM
OOPS! Sorry OneGyT… I referenced the wrong post I though you quoted from.
See my first comment, in that case.
My bad.
SilverStar830 on August 28, 2008 at 12:17 AM
… depends on the situation … just because Johnny Law says ‘move’, ‘jump’, ‘hop’ doesn’t make it a lawfull order.
… buy your burqa now and save yourself the trouble … you will make a good compliant slave in the future.
… if you or I ‘handled’ a situation in a similar manner … we would be facing assault charges … if the cop
in the video did not face an imminent threat … the cop in the video should be facing assault charges …
no … that’s called anarchy … socialism, communism, facism, … seek to strengthen the state … this is what
you are witnessing …
also … we are witnessing people forsaking the personal responsibility of self government and seeking it from the state …
… are you sure you will survive to seek redress? hope you and your family are not ever the victims of a no-knock warrant gone bad.
… it’s time to remind the ‘civil servants’ across the land that they operate at the consent of the governed …
AZ_Redneck on August 28, 2008 at 12:20 AM
It’s like the local boys on the way to the Amry Base.
NLPD: Um son do you know why I pulled you over?
Victim: No sir is there a problem?
NLPD: Well when you took that turn back there one of the breaklights was flashing internittently.
Victim: Well officer that’s called a turn signal I know it is rarely used here sorry force of habit where I’m from.
NLPD: You tellin’ me mah job boy?
sven10077 on August 28, 2008 at 12:21 AM
Jeeze, if it were New York, he might have had his butt kicked but good.
But ya’all gatta admit… it was funny to watch.
Kini on August 28, 2008 at 12:22 AM
Imagine had it been Olby instead in a neck choke.
:-)
Kokonut on August 28, 2008 at 12:28 AM
I lay the blame for the ongoing overeactive tactics of the police here squarely at the feet of Dem/Liberal officials like Mayor Hickenlooper and Gov. Ritter. I’m sure it’s all a misunderstanding though. No doubt that their liberal mantra of “give peace a chance” and “inclusiveness for all” was mistakenly interpreted as “knock the f..k out of anyone in the way”.
Move along, nothing to see here. I SAID, MOVE ALONG!!!!
realitycheck on August 28, 2008 at 12:29 AM
And how do you propose to do that, tough guy on the interwebs?
Ignore the lawful orders of the ‘civil servants’ police officers? Refuse to pull over for traffic stops? Stop paying your taxes? Not buy tickets to the policeman’s ball?
What, exactly, will you do to remind ‘civil servants across the land’ of anything at all?
We operate at the consent of the government. Not the governed. You don’t make the laws, your elected legislators do. Oh, you may get to vote on one or two here and there, but we enforce them and you have no say in the fact that we do.
You’ll do nothing but be, to the best of your ability, a good law abiding tax paying citizen, because that’s what you are at heart. Otherwise, your tough talk is simply… just… that. Talk.
Grow up.
SilverStar830 on August 28, 2008 at 12:35 AM
ex 11 series here…always love a man with a badge they talk SO TOUGH…..
You missed your calling you should have taken that job at Foggy Bottom with the State Department as a diplomat sweetie pie.
sven10077 on August 28, 2008 at 12:37 AM
Well, it’s not tough talk, it’s blinding truth. And some of us actually live it rather than be keyboard warriors.
Police Officers are hired from the same pool of people that everyone else is hired from. Why don’t you quit cowering over that keyboard and come show us how it’s done, Sven. You can come be everything you think a cop should be and get paid fairly well for it too. Come fix what you think is wrong using action, instead of interweb bravado champ.
SilverStar830 on August 28, 2008 at 12:45 AM
I usually go with the police officer in these videos. Usually it’s a situation where the perp. is an unknown, could be dangerous. But here, just on what I’ve seen, the guy’s a reporter, a bit annoying maybe, but I don’t see anything he did that justified, what 5, 6 officers to give him that treatment and then arrest him!
4shoes on August 28, 2008 at 12:47 AM
SS830….see here’s the thing I mostly like policemen who grasp that they are in fact graced, like a soldier with a duty that is a higher calling and have a responsibility to carry themselves with dignity and show their strength to their protected by maintaining their appearence, decorum, and tact right up until the moment they cannot. That usually applies to about 90% of both sets of individuals I meet oh great donut-fu warrior.
Then you run into the “I’m so hardcore I crap razors” types who revel in their power at unseemly times. Yes, you are correct that was a pressure point attack…got taught that one myself as well a sa neat one that probably is discouraged by you “blue knights” but at the end of the day “gaining compliance” and forcing a citizen out into moving traffic is not good PR.
See a recurrent theme here Mr. Bronze Star? “Diplomacy”. It never ceases to amaze me that there are cops who run a worse RoE playbook than we are allowed to do downrange and that seem to revel in the infliction of pain to a degree that would make the Janis Karpinski types blush. Just about the only type of non criminal I detest with as much verve as a newsie is a lawyer, but I take no joy in watching a cop abuse a newsie.
It feeds into the stereotyping of the boyz in blue just being another gang with a license to chill. That you can so blithely dismiss the use of non-reciprocal force against an investigative journalist tells me just about all I need to know about your judgement. No offense yeah my job may have been anti-armor rocket gunnery and you are the “thin blue line defending civilization from jaywalkers and sidewalk nuisances”… and that leaves me uniquely unqualified to judge the difficulty of your job I dunno…..
never seems to stop the newsies, posters, and armchair grognards from all acting as though they are a mix of aPatton, Montgomery, Zhukov, and Clausewitz when push comes to shove…..of course I can’t project “cool brutality” with a legal license to do so here in ConUS like you seem to be able to do. Me I try to talk and type to people not send messages down their nueral pathways that their joints are on fire.
That local newshouse is gonna nutride the cops for a few quarters now. Hope the donut muncher enjoyed his little adrenaline pop…..it’ll carry a high price for the collateral he inflicted.
sven10077 on August 28, 2008 at 12:57 AM
A reporter is forced to move from a sidewalk and arrested for trying to report on a democratic event. Code pink is allowed to block the sidewalk and camp out in front of a Marine Corp recruiting station. Sounds fair to me.
Johan Klaus on August 28, 2008 at 1:07 AM
Was at the Brown about 1pm. Fat white guys in tuxes seemed strange for the time of day. The hotel was booting all cameras without press credentials.
Could be wrong but I thought I glimpsed Teresa Heinz getting on the ‘vator.
i b squidly on August 28, 2008 at 1:08 AM
*bingo* convoys were interdicted by School of the Americas protestors when I was at Ft. Benning….there are rules….and there are rules.
Seems having a (d) by your heart is good cover.
sven10077 on August 28, 2008 at 1:10 AM
Yeah the party powerbrokers are playing their games and it is a pretty safe bet they don’t want us seeing who the marrionettes really are so they use the local cops as a political goon squad to keep prying eyes away.
Nothing smashingly new about it, and I may have gotten too terse with the cop here in the thread but when he is quick to point out “I work for the mayor” functionally with his quote and the Mayor can often be quite the partisan hack using hypocritical interpretations of the law to stifle investigation or dissent I get terse.
I’m also tired…apologies if I offended anyone.
sven10077 on August 28, 2008 at 1:12 AM
I did not see any cops come to the aid of Michelle Malkin today when the crazy moonbats engaged in their vile, violent tirade, screaming “Kill Michelle Malkin,” and getting in her face, screaming at her, like that nut case from Air America was doing, unrestrained.
Double standard, anyone?
William2006 on August 28, 2008 at 1:12 AM
quite…the DPD does after all work for democrats…..”nope I don’t see any problem but you inciting a riot ma’am” is likely all the help she would have gotten anyway….so perhaps it is best they were convienently scarce.
sven10077 on August 28, 2008 at 1:16 AM
SilverStar, you seem to have a bit of an attitude. That’s okay lot’s of people do from time to time. But think about this. Those of us that are not Police Officers aren’t, legally armed and dangerous, like yourself!
coldshot on August 28, 2008 at 1:46 AM
The reporter was ordered to leave a private sidewalk. The people in the meeting whom he was trying to photograph did have an expectation of privacy in that meeting. Certainly, the hotel had the right to ask him to leave their property, and ask the police officers to enforce their privacy rights.
That said, I think the police officer committed assault and battery on the reporter when he shoved him into the street.
Assault at the common law is defined as an unlawful attempt, with a present ability, to commit a battery on the person of another. And a battery is the unlawful and willful use of force on the person of another. (That is why it’s always assault and battery, but never battery alone. Battery cannot happen without an assault.)
I would challenge these officers to give me an articulable fact that would legally justify shoving this man into the street. If he would not comply with their order to leave, it would be a simple matter to warn him that failure to comply would lead to his arrest. This is a question I have about the choke hold. Did they apply it before or after he was told that he was under arrest? If the choke hold was not applied in the context of preventing the reporter from resisting arrest, what fact justifies its use? What danger did this reporter present to the officers to warrant a choke hold? The officers wanted this man to leave, but in my view, shoving him into the street constituted an unlawful use of force on him, potentially putting him in danger to boot.
The hotel had a right to want this man off their property, and not photographing the meeting. But the cops went way over the line in getting him to leave. I would pursue a lawsuit for assault and battery damages on the officers if I were the reporter. (And of course, file a complaint.)
Hawkins1701 on August 28, 2008 at 1:58 AM
SS 830 is correct, as far as can be seen at that angle and by the gentleman’s response that was a nerve hold not a chokehold. The “officer” in question was applying pressure to the reporter’s neck to generate motion and have ease of control of the recipient’s momentum. It was an extreme escalation of conflict, and will undoubtedly hurt the police force in question as well as press/force relations at a bare minimum.
Hope the power brokers’ privacy is worth the cost.
The other nerve hold the “officer” could have used would have inflicted more pain by grabbing the nerve cluster behind the reporter’s jaw near the ears and pressing in and up. That would have had the reporter in tears within about 30 seconds and applied too harshly would have immobilized him. The officer chose the correct hold at an incorrect time IMHO from what I’ve seen.
regards,
sven
sven10077 on August 28, 2008 at 2:06 AM
“Guilty as sin, free as a bird”moxie_neanderthal on August 28, 2008 at 2:08 AM
These ‘cops gone wild’ threads always heat up fast: Allah seems to like them: he’s such a Whore for More hits…..
I’d like to see the whole incident on video with no ‘editing’ or interruptions before passing judgment, but I agree with Whoever it was earlier who pointed out that not everything a police officer says is a lawful order.
What is so frustrating about these arguments is that both sides ( or more than two sides ) often have equally valid arguments.
Janos Hunyadi on August 28, 2008 at 2:11 AM
RE: Hawkins1701 [August 28, 2008 at 1:58 AM]
Exactly.
Based upon what I’ve seen, that business owner and the enforcement officer(s) appear to have overreacted. I think the press’ defense will be based upon the explicit definition of “premises” and the boundaries therein.
I scanned the Denver Municipal Code (IANAL) and saw the definition of it to be generic in nature and too non-specific to be certain:
The sidewalk looked like a public access pathway (right-of-way) where there was no sitting on the part of the reporter/cameraman and no obstruction to cause the impediment of other persons to pass a quite wide public access space. They did not appear to be in a foyer or to have crossed the business threshold. Furthermore, there was no video of the arresting officer tendering a written request/notice to the press that ignoring the verbal order would result in arrest for breaking a specific trespass law (which is notably required for some districts in Denver).
Next, as has been noted, the officer physically pushed the reporter into a dangerous and potentially deadly situation rather than escorting him to a street corner where he could cross legally and continued to trump up charges as he went along. Heck, if I was ABC, after suing the police department for this seemingly dubious charge of trespassing, I’d add a charge against the officer for causing a violation, namely Sec. 54-542. Prohibited crossing of roadways.
I generally support the police and despise the press, but this looks like abuse of authority. The hired agents from Scientology do this same kind of stuff. They push the envelope to defend those who do not want their actions documented. It’s not necessarily that they believe in their employer’s cause, thought that’s possible; it’s that the job typically pays better than normal duty, so pleasing the employer earns points and potential future duty.
At any rate, this gives the Denver Police a black eye because it looks bad even if, ultimately and hypertechnically, the police went by the book. I’d argue the shove into the street wasn’t by the book. I suspect the trespass charge wasn’t either.
AnonymousDrivel on August 28, 2008 at 3:15 AM
· lawfully ordered = says you
· You would like to suppress this discussion
· It’s not a chokehold per se, but dude is being choked
As a cop you endanger the lives of many by encouraging such cavalier, renegade behavior. Your attitude is the equivalent of a cop doing anti-criminal graffiti — wrong no matter how right you are.
Even if this cop turns out to be cleared of any wrongdoing — BWAHAHAHA — you are still pushing the bounds with your better-than-thou attitude. You accuse every person not on the job of being not being worth your consideration.
You sound like the worst stereotype of a man with a government-issued phallus and chip on your shoulder bigger than the chub in your pants.
I have family on the job. Thankfully they have not lost touch with those whom they presume to protect.
***
You seem fairly intelligent; you get brownie points for good grammar. In fact, I doubt that you could be so smart yet sound so oblivious. This disconnect between your smarts and your comments is curious, even dubious.
Somethings up. You’re lying about something — not sure what. But you are.
The Race Card on August 28, 2008 at 4:17 AM
Slam dunk law suit Cop fired thats whats going to happen.The Cop is a nobody and will lose his job.
Its a public side walk.Rent a cop
Denniscat on August 28, 2008 at 5:56 AM
+1
This tool comes out every time the “thin blue line” gets crossed. All the deriding people for internet bravado, while heaping on the internet bravado, is the epitome of trolldome. This guys has to post regularly at 4chan….
The cigar chompin guy looked right out of Zombie’s “Up your alley” report.
And seriously these tough guys couldn’t restrian Alex “Man Jugs” Jones and his butt boy from issuing death threats to MM?! I guess Alex was too much man for them, they had to pick on a newsie who’s a buck fifty soaking wet. (lol… now I’m trolling!)
liquidflorian on August 28, 2008 at 6:01 AM
Right, and at that point tempers flare and egos ensue. The sad thing is that the important part of the story, rampant corruption in the Democratic party, gets looked over. Something bad must have been going on inside, or i’m sure the arrogant, attention hound democrats would have invited them in.
myamphibian on August 28, 2008 at 6:41 AM
If Breck Girl was there, why didn’t they just hide him in the bathroom?
myamphibian on August 28, 2008 at 6:43 AM
But,…But,…But,…I thought these kind of fascist pig, police state, keepin’ a brother down, illegal actions were supposed to be assosiated with…the Rethuglicans …
At least, according to the nutroots
RocketmanBob on August 28, 2008 at 6:56 AM
Sidewalks are a public right of way and as much as the Hotel might like to claim they own them, they dont, which is why homeless people cant legally be moved off of them.
There have been a few court cases on this. These cops will be sued.
dogsoldier on August 28, 2008 at 7:06 AM
Wow. Just wow. You do realize that you are being the “tough internet warrior” here? Although I suspect you’ve administered a few choke holds in your day.
It’s cops like you that are the problem, and you don’t even realize it.
fossten on August 28, 2008 at 7:16 AM
I agree with you. My guess is this reporter was ripping a page from the Geraldo handbook and decided to make himself the story when he wasn’t able to GET a story. Very bush league for a national news network. However, the cops shouldn’t have grabbed him by the throat like that. It’s not an effective means of promoting submission (as you suggest, it’s not a blood choke and not even really a wind choke, nor does it restrain his movement or control his central body mass) and is probably evidence of frustration on the officers’ part. Oh, and it looks bad on TV.
Outlander on August 28, 2008 at 7:33 AM
Back in the U…back in the U…back in the USSR…
johnnyU on August 28, 2008 at 7:43 AM
Where is Dick Durbin and John Murtha when you need them?
Innocent citizen, “I was on a public sidewalk?!”
Thug wearing police uniform protecting Dem donors who pushed him off the sidewalk, “Well now you’re in traffic!”
Says it all.
JellyToast on August 28, 2008 at 7:45 AM
They were inside telling the cops “get that a**holke outta here!”
sven10077 on August 28, 2008 at 7:49 AM
I’m no a fan of ABC, but personally I think fat/boy need that cigar shove up his ass!
try again later on August 28, 2008 at 8:07 AM
Speak for yourself. Some of us are legally armed.
fossten on August 28, 2008 at 8:07 AM
Put that cop in riot control.
Coronagold on August 28, 2008 at 8:29 AM
Dude, wtf are you talking about? It’s in the photo accompanying this story and it’s in the video.
But, hey, if this action was okay by you, maybe we can finally stop the “Reverend” Phelps from obstructing private funerals.
Buy Danish on August 28, 2008 at 8:42 AM
Heh, now that’d be “stifling speech there pardner”…./sarc
I think the leftbats love Phelps they pretend he is a conservative when the reality is he is a long-term democrat.
sven10077 on August 28, 2008 at 8:46 AM
The ABC employee who was arrested isn’t a reporter, he’s a producer. Geraldo is a reporter not a producer.
Do try to get the basic facts down, okay?
Buy Danish on August 28, 2008 at 8:46 AM
The strict way the left has controlled the flow of information on this event ranks second only to the Soviet KGB. This country had better wake up before it throws away all of its liberties.
rplat on August 28, 2008 at 8:50 AM
sadly I suspect a good portion of the donks would be ok with that as long as it was their team with the foot frimly on Ms. Liberty’s neck….
“everyone knows Chimpy was the real fascist comrade”
sven10077 on August 28, 2008 at 8:55 AM
More trouble at the Brown Palace Hotel, featuring the haughty John Kerry:
Meanwhile, elsewhere in Denver Monica Conyers in hotel spat involving police. What a shocka!
Buy Danish on August 28, 2008 at 9:05 AM
They always feel this entitled to control dataflow, but they are acting cagier than usual…..
I wonder if their internal polling shows their support is a mile wide and a millimeter thick and they know that if enough crap gets out they are gonna lose House and Senate seats?
sven10077 on August 28, 2008 at 9:07 AM
Once again SilverStar shows up to demonstrate to the world the internal dialog bad cops use to justify any and all actions.
rhodeymark on August 28, 2008 at 9:08 AM
Once again SilverStar shows up to try to show you the light of the truth and impart some knowledge to the unknowledgable knee-jerk reactionary’s.
…the real problem is you can lead a person to the light, but you can’t make them open their eyes.
SilverStar830 on August 28, 2008 at 9:30 AM
*sigh*
Oh ye children who know not of what you speak, except to knee-jerk like the spasmed, let me show you the light and the way.
SilverStar830 on August 28, 2008 at 9:35 AM
Two cops have their hands around his neck. Period.
Let me show you “the way”: Do not give up your day job to become a writer.
Buy Danish on August 28, 2008 at 9:43 AM
Your paranoia is showing. And man, the paranoia is strong with you.
All I’ve ever said throughout this thread is that there was no choke hold. I’ve already explained what the officer was doing in those few frames, and it wasn’t choking.
I think the real crux of the problem here is the cop hating knee-jerk reactions that AllahPundit knew he’d derive from the small minded by claiming “choke” and “choke hold” when that was patently false. All I’ve done is to try to explain the technique the officer used. Which. Wasn’t. Choke.
As far as who’s right or wrong in this incident, not you nor I nor anyone here at all certainly can say just by some uber edited mash-up of a video. I know you’d rather hate and demonize those whose powers you envy so deeply. But when you admit the truth and let the light in, this is far less than AllahP has riled up people to believe it was.
Now, would you prefer anarchy attitude from a cop? If you don’t like a law and order attitude, move to Mexico. There is no law and order there. It’s a free for all. Go. Now.
SilverStar830 on August 28, 2008 at 9:45 AM
Was that one Castro’s cigars in that cop’s mouth?
DfDeportation on August 28, 2008 at 9:51 AM
That is my day job. Don’t you know? Or have you been watching too many Cops and Robbers TV shows and movies? Ah well, it figures.
We spend 80% of our time writing. Sometimes, it seems like that’s all we do. I often wonder how many trees total I have personally covered with ink with all the reports I’ve written, all the documentation I’ve done, and all the forms I’ve filled out in 20 years.
It’s a necessary evil though, I guess.
Anyway, like I’ve already said, you can be lead to the light, but you can’t be made to open your eyes. Live in your fantasy world if that’s what makes you happy. After all, your happiness and smug self-satisfaction is priority one over truth. You’re not alone in that, though. And even when all is said and done and this thread is buried in the archives of 1’s and 0’s, I’ll still be out there doing what I do and you’ll still be seeing what your mind manufactures for you even though a qualified expert has shown and proved otherwise.
Have a nice life… be it what it may.
SilverStar830 on August 28, 2008 at 9:55 AM
Yep. This whole incident took place in front of a cigar shop. Go figure they have big ol’ stogy’s hangin’ out of their pie holes.
SilverStar830 on August 28, 2008 at 9:56 AM
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