Video: “This used to be America!” “It ain’t no more, okay?”
posted at 6:52 pm on August 28, 2009 by Allahpundit
Lots of outrageously outraged e-mails flowing in about this, although it’s interesting to me mainly as a First Amendment curio. The footage comes from Jim Moran’s health-care town hall on Tuesday night. The question: Can a congressman bar signs, or certain types of signs, from an event at which he’s speaking? The answer (and the ambiguity) turns, I assume, on whether the event is “public” or “private.” It’s a public school and Moran is very much a public official, but recall that Claire McCaskill evidently got away with imposing a “no signs” policy at her own town hall where the incident with the Rosa Parks poster happened. That makes me think either there’s some sort of public/private wrinkle to these meetings that we’re missing or that banning signs is valid as a “time, place, or manner” restriction on certain forms of speech. But if that’s so, why does the guard here seem to distinguish between signs with images on them and signs that are text-only? Help me, constitutional scholars and law-school grads, you’re my only hope!
The sign itself is actually stupid. And the cutesy little caption about FEMA camps doesn’t inspire confidence either.
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I don’t have a problem with that, as long as they ban union t-shirts as well (although those do help to identify the astroturfers).
ddrintn on August 28, 2009 at 9:49 PM
Exactly what is it you expect people to do on a blog? Individuals who are aware and concerned are handling the situation in much the same way you are with the exception of coming to a site of like minded people (for the most part) and getting upset because they haven’t reached your specified level of outrage. Which may or may not be true since it would be difficult to gauge from text.
Cindy Munford on August 28, 2009 at 9:50 PM
Cheeks and that other lib toady lose the constitutional argument at about :55 when Cheeks says the poster is no good b/c it has a picture on it. Unless the picture is something obscene there is no constitutional basis for permitting signs w/o pictures, but banning ones with them. Thank goodness Scalia was prescient enough to write the opinion allowing flag burning b/c it would be applicable here.
Lou Budvis on August 28, 2009 at 9:52 PM
Thanks for this comment. Much more instructive. You are right, 50/50 is an excellent division for your area. Do you think that the outsiders brough in kept it from being a majority anti-Obamacare crowd?
Cindy Munford on August 28, 2009 at 9:55 PM
Welcome to Obamerika. The guy with the sign should have asked to speak to the cop/sec guard’s supervisor — take this up the chain of command.
AP sure is getting hammered for any commentary it seems. I think his implication was that the sign was just a little over the top in his opinion, which will make replays of this in an ad or MSM context just seem a little less than completely ignorant. However, I don’t see how this can seen any other way than UNconstitutional period.
GnuBreed on August 28, 2009 at 9:57 PM
I am 56 years young – I See things going Arie easily overnite – as someone said -once the match is burning- 24/48 hrs things will settle down —maybe —
wheels on August 28, 2009 at 10:07 PM
I just read another post from a Politician praising Castro – these people are spitting in our Founders Faces – Shame on them — whats next — I know – don’t say anything – doggone it – I will be looking out for my family and friends . they just need to be close by ..
wheels on August 28, 2009 at 10:33 PM
I’m a lawyer.
The fact that the forum took place in a school is irrelevant. First amendment expression rights can be restricted in a school, but the relevant factor isn’t the location. The issue is the educational context, i.e., limiting the expression rights of students and teachers in an educational forum. This was a public forum. Members of the public have the same rights of expression as they would have in a public park.
Mig on August 28, 2009 at 10:35 PM
Look, I despise this administration and this protester was within his rights, but that does not make it smart. That sign only makes the opposition look less serious. Signs like that are like giving your soldiers defective ammunition. The first time it was funny and served it’s purpose, we got attention. But now swastikas, and personal attacks need to give way to smart humor, or cogent deconstruction which proponents can’t easily dismiss as crazy. People don’t wanna see crazy on our side. We have reason and the truth; just show it.
bagoh20 on August 28, 2009 at 10:36 PM
How very NIXONIAN!
I cannot believe that I heard this functionary cop get into Nixon mode and declare that he also makes the law.
Yeah, Officer Cheeks, re-education is a possibility for you – you acted “stupidly!”
ExpressoBold on August 28, 2009 at 10:45 PM
We can ask Mr. Moran (D) if he agrees with the officer’s statement and action. (phone only) http://moran.house.gov/contact.shtml
I can’t quite figure out from the badge or patch if officer Wesley Cheeks is a Fairfax County officer or school secutity. The contact for the former is on the first page of comments, and this is the contact for the latter. http://www.fcps.edu/fts/safety-security/security/index.htm
I don’t like the idea that to exercise my rights I have to be arrested, go to court, and in the end have missed the time at which I wanted to exercise my rights. Nor do I think armed confrontation would turn out well, since then the issue is all about you being aggressive and they just call in a squad to subdue you.
AnotherOpinion on August 28, 2009 at 10:51 PM
That poster was blasphemous in Obamerica. You can stomp on an American flag but you can’t defile the ‘image’ of the ‘one’. Holy crap.
tobity on August 28, 2009 at 11:01 PM
I take it Officer Cheeks, Jr. is not an Oath Keeper?
Also, police officers making up their own rules as they go along? IMPOSSIBLE!!!
Dr. ZhivBlago on August 28, 2009 at 11:04 PM
Seem to be a pattern out there that just because I’m an officer,, you must obey everything and anything I say.
JellyToast on August 28, 2009 at 11:15 PM
That rent a cop a dope!
MCGIRV on August 28, 2009 at 11:43 PM
The pressure keeps rising…something is going to blow.
d1carter on August 28, 2009 at 11:50 PM
Wesley Cheeks Jr.-Poster boy for Ochimpy’s brown shirts army. Complete with swastika arm band.
THAT should be the non-picture sign displayed at the next town hall he is “policing”.
csdeven on August 28, 2009 at 11:59 PM
Sorry, had to watch the shuttle take off. I am going to be very interested it this goes any further than the blogsphere and if it does what the talking points are going to be. As usual, much is made of the sign and how it reflects on the right but not to much on Officer Cheeks.
Cindy Munford on August 29, 2009 at 12:12 AM
I guess dear ol’ under-paid and overworked Officer Wesley Cheeks Jr just gets to make up the laws as he goes along in his state… to suit his own personal tastes of course. And, apparently, he can charge you with ‘whatever he wants’ to charge you with if you do not acquiesce to his demands.
I think dear ol’ Officer Wesley Cheeks Jr should be charged with pimping and pandering… along with a nice big fat constitutional violation charge of Abuse of Authority Under Color of Law.
Hmm. Or, maybe it’s ‘just a black thing’ and we ‘don’t understand’?
SilverStar830 on August 29, 2009 at 1:00 AM
Ugh. I just noticed in the video summary that he’s a ‘school security officer’.
Rent-a-Cop?
Well, that changes things a little. He just needs to be fired by the security company he works for if he’s going to admittedly trump up charges on people who defy his unlawful orders while he represents his security company on company time.
SilverStar830 on August 29, 2009 at 1:17 AM
Bingo!
I would have called that thug-in-uniform’s bluff and made him arrest me and then filed a complaint against him when the charge was dropped. And if the charge wasn’t dropped then fine, these blatant abuses of power need to be tested in court.
infidel4life on August 29, 2009 at 1:17 AM
Freedom of speech is so 18th century.
Mojave Mark on August 29, 2009 at 1:20 AM
“Help me, constitutional scholars and law-school grads, you’re my only hope!”
It’s not a constitutional issue. It’s a practical one. The cop can tell what the sign is about if it has a picture, but not if it only has text.
flataffect on August 29, 2009 at 1:38 AM
Absolutely right.
We are getting to the point where we are going to have to push authority that is trying to restrict our constitutional rights. Make them arrest or shut up and go away. Arrests mean courts, trials, appeals and most importantly coverage. Yes we can count on the MSM to try to portray us as kooks but they are getting increasingly bad at pulling that off. Their message is not working and they keep grasping at straws.
They are losing my friends, and as it all falls apart around them it is the best time to kick them in the groin and finish their a$$ off.
conservnut on August 29, 2009 at 1:52 AM
Officer Wesley Cheeks Jr. is not an employee of any police department.
He is a security guard for the School district and the number to call is: (571) 423-1000
Security phone number is (703) 658-3763 and email for Fred Ellis, Director of safety and security is Fred.Ellis@fcps.edu
Here are all the numbers for the superintendant’s office
Jack D. Dale
Division Superintendant
Jack.Dale@fcps.edu
Richard Moniuszko
Deputy Division Superintendent
Richard.Moniuszko@fcps.edu
Christine Donohue
Chief of Staff
Christine.Donohue@fcps.edu
8115 Gatehouse Rd.,
Falls Church, VA 22042
(571) 423-1010
(571) 423-1007 (Fax)
enjoy!
gordo on August 29, 2009 at 2:55 AM
Somebody needs to school that cop.
IlikedAUH2O on August 29, 2009 at 7:35 AM
Maybe Professor Gates, his buddy in the White House and Al Sharpton can get after this complex issue. They understand that dad blurn con-sstution.
IlikedAUH2O on August 29, 2009 at 7:42 AM
I’m sure Bill O, Beck, and Hannity are going to be all over it. Then Olberdouche will respond by making them all the worse people in the world.
csdeven on August 29, 2009 at 8:10 AM
BAD COP NO DONUTS!
I hope I have the courage to make the cop arrest me if I end up in a similar situation.
darktood on August 29, 2009 at 8:15 AM
Reston is part of the Fairfax county school board. Here is the email address for the director of public relations.
Her name is Barbara Hunter…Spread it to everyone!!!
BMHunter1@fcps.edu
sargentj on August 29, 2009 at 8:17 AM
Palomino? Is that you?
Look, those people are individuals and common sense dictates they should be treated as such, but you are missing the point. The story isn’t about the sign any longer, it’s about his right to display it and the cavalier attitude the officer took in shredding constitutional rights. Never on the right, irrespective of how vile the message, do we threaten to deny someone their rights because we don’t like their signs. That is exclusive to the left in this country and their political equals in dictatorships, fascism, and communist regimes.
csdeven on August 29, 2009 at 8:17 AM
Thanks for posting.
JellyToast on August 29, 2009 at 8:45 AM
Finding out that he is a security guard and not a police officer is a relief. I am less offended by his lack of knowledge, his obvious bias and unprofessional behavior. Considering the volatile history of many of the town halls, it makes you wonder why they would decide to send a security guard into the situation. I wonder if it is possible that Mr. Cheeks might have been there on his accord and took advantage of numbers and confusion.
Cindy Munford on August 29, 2009 at 8:45 AM
Calling the ACLU, calling the ACLU…
angryed on August 29, 2009 at 8:56 AM
Then he has no power of arrest and cannot “charge” anybody with anything.
Just a freakin’ moron with a uniform.
David2.0 on August 29, 2009 at 9:05 AM
Rent a cop with an attitude. At least this makes me feel a little better. But still he should (but I’m sure won’t given it is Fairfax County) be fired.
angryed on August 29, 2009 at 9:08 AM
The ACLU branch here just argued a case that signs were a form of free speech in the right context under the 1st amendment. I should think that they are a right of free speech in a town hall too, within reasonable parameters. But, of course, our supposed reps in the House long ago decided that the rules are theirs to make and ours to obey. The House has become a national disgrace, something to be ashamed of. If the rest of the world is laughing, I don’t blame them.
jeanie on August 29, 2009 at 9:20 AM
Sieg heil, Barack! (Or do you prefer Barry?)
Cybergeezer on August 29, 2009 at 9:29 AM
Officer Wesley Cheeks Jr. says “This Ain’t America No ‘Mo”
National Socialist States of America
petefrt on August 29, 2009 at 9:37 AM
I’m sure its been said but the cop is right:
“This Ain’t America No More”
But come 9/12 we start to show the usurpers that we will take it back one way or the other!
dhunter on August 29, 2009 at 9:45 AM
No conservatives at fault. So story will die in 3…2…1..
If this man was a redneck rent-a-cop in Alabama he would be on the cover of Time and on every major newscast. And maybe it should be.
Anyway, I wonder how MSNBC will edit this to blame right wing Nazis?
IlikedAUH2O on August 29, 2009 at 9:58 AM
After watching this video, I conclude that the only reasonable explanation is that the “cop”, or security detail officer, was a RNC plant and impersonator, whose single objective was to make President Obama look like a constitution crumpling, Marxist loving, dictator hugging, Saudi ass kissing, closet communist.
Hey! RNC! Mission Accomplished!
BigAlSouth on August 29, 2009 at 10:01 AM
Welcome to Obamamerica where the democraps want to reshape legitmate political dissent! The cop is an idiot…public property is for anyone to express their opinion.
FloridaMike on August 29, 2009 at 10:24 AM
Obama has really united the country, hasn’t he? /sarc
katiejane on August 29, 2009 at 10:47 AM
If I were the Commander of the Police district that oversees Officer Wesley Cheeks, about this time I would be asking for the officer’s gun and badge, and telling him to go clean out his locker, because his days as a police officer are now over.
And you can bet Officer Wesley Cheeks wouldn’t last 20 seconds if his boss was Sheriff Joe Arpaio. In fact, Sheriff Joe would most likely throw Cheeks in jail overnight just on sheer principle alone, not to mention disgracing the uniform of a police officer, after which he would fire Cheeks’ sorry ass!
pilamaye on August 29, 2009 at 10:49 AM
I am the protester who took this video and posted it on youtube.
A couple of clarifying points in reaction to comments here:
1. AP was a little snarky himself with the “cutesy little caption about FEMA camps doesn’t inspire confidence either” comment. This was actually the 2nd caption I used before toning it down. Look at this guy. He was snipping at me the entire time like a cockroach, boot-licking the officer. I have more video of this guy and his lady-friend who were definitely on the dole w/ the Federal government, who are now earning ON AVERAGE (including bennies) $129k/year (w/o bennies, $79k). Yes, our tax dollars are now paying Federal workers ON AVERAGE $129k/year (double the private sector.) You enjoy paying that guy $129k/year?
You should be just as afraid of this guy as the Officer because this guy will be your “friend,” “neighbor,” or “co-worker” who will be reporting you to the Central Committee.
btw, the 1st caption I had for this guy was: “Has a Small P*nis”
2. I did not, and do not, want to see Officer Cheeks lose his job. If you read my video notes over on youtube you will see that I actually feel sorry for the guy. Absolutely brainwashed by the state-run media (Town Hall protesters are racists, disrupters, blah, blah).
3. I was about 30 feet away from my sign when this incident started. I looked over and saw this Officer putting my sign face-down on the grass (it had been leaning up against a sign post.) I went over, with Flip cam rolling, to see what was going on. I never said a word to this guy until I saw him putting my sign down. So think of this. He’s walking along at a political protest and sees a sign he doesn’t like and just puts it down? You ever seen that before? The atmosphere in America has CHANGED alright.
4. I am a resident in Rep. Jim Moran’s (Dhimmi-VA) District, but the place was filled to capacity and I could not get inside. What you see on the video was all taken OUTSIDE, around 8:45pm EST. There were hundreds of people outside too w/ every kind of pro and con Obamacare signs. My sign was actually not well-placed for viewing. We were far back from the main gaggle of protesters, poster sitting on the GROUND, leaning on the signpost. It was dusk. You would almost have to TRY to see it. I don’t know if there were sign regulations INSIDE but certainly none outside (nor could there be….or so I thought).
5. School obviously was not in session. This was a political event using the school for its function. Whatever laws/rules apply to students in class (and parents roaming the halls when classes are in session) they do not apply here. There were union thugz at this event (at least one fight) and you can feel the carte blanche from the top (“get in their faces”) to behave as they do. Freakin’ brownshirts.
6. Officer Cheeks is a Fairfax County School Security Officer (not a rent-a-cop nor a full-fledged County Police Officer, who were also at this event and who I walked past numerous times that evening with this sign). As far as I could tell, Officer Cheeks had everything but a firearm. He is a professionally-trained County employee.
7. I graduated from this school district. Heh.
8. To Cindy Munford: I do want to deal in “personalities.” It’s the ONLY WAY to psychologically break down a cult leader. “Issues” will not do it because people are not following Ogabe because of the “issues.” We are at war for our country; it’s not politics as usual. Our very lives are at stakes.
9.
Tell Officer Cheeks to do his homework instead of listening to the TV set. He can start here: http://errvideo.com/ He and I should be on the same side. It’s not black vs. white, it’s We the People vs. the Rising Ruling Class, who want us all fighting each other rather than them.
10. A flyer of this was put on all the car windshields that night. Trying to astroturf the DC Rally on 9/12 (you WILL be there won’t you?)
This was my first-ever youtube upload. I had just bought the Flip cam (HD model) at Costco that day and it took me hours to figure out editing, etc.
My point: these videos are the best way to circumvent the state-run media. When the people SEE things with their own eyes it’s so powerful. Breaks right through the denial.
As a wise person once said:
Folks, get your digi-cams and start filming everything while we still have access to the Internet.
ex-Democrat on August 29, 2009 at 10:50 AM
Wesley Cheeks is no longer an Officer of the Law. He might as well turn in his gun and go join the walking dead of the New Black Panther Gestapo Party. If he lived in my City, I would do everything possible to get his sorry @$$ thrown out of law enforcement for ever. What a piece of $#!+.
And by the way Fat Boy… This is America, and your days as a citizen are numbered.
ronnyraygun on August 29, 2009 at 10:58 AM
ex-Democrat is right. Bring your camera everywhere you go and start filming these fascist pricks wherever they pop-up.
ronnyraygun on August 29, 2009 at 11:00 AM
As the police officer has no authority to act as he did, any arrest would be a violation of title 18 federal law as an example of an official acting illegally under the color of his office. I figure a law suit would be a slam dunk.
JIMV on August 29, 2009 at 11:32 AM
Thank you, ex-Democrat. Agreed completely – we need more patriots like you.
dtestard on August 29, 2009 at 11:54 AM
There certainly are people whom are liberal but not steeped in the left lunacy and this guy may be of that type. It’s possible his zeal for Ochimpy’s vision for a black Xanadu sweeping the land colored (Raaaaaaaacist!!!) his judgment and he simply over reacted.
I am VERY concerned that he IS simply a security guard because these ignorant types are the ones Ochimpy is reaching out for to populate his citizen defense army that will be under his control. An army that is as powerful and well funded as our military. These ACORN and Ayres types ignore the constitution in favor of a rule of law informed by their racism and ignorance of the civil rights afforded all Americans.
People like Wes need to be thoroughly and nationally excoriated, humiliated, and then sent to sensitivity training to send a message to the others of his ilk that are contemplating the same behavior. This is no time to play nice. This is an offense against the constitution that needs to be quashed immediately and with extreme prejudice.
csdeven on August 29, 2009 at 12:53 PM
On a lighter note, Officer Cheeks reminds me of the Miller High Life Beer delivery driver that goes into upscale, swanky restaurants and burger bistros and confiscates their beer for not living up to the principles of Miller High Life
Catch another 2 minute rant here but the link above is more like the confiscatory behavior I was writing about initially.
ExpressoBold on August 29, 2009 at 12:57 PM
Because I would prefer to deal in issues instead of people, don’t think for a moment that I have a problem with your sign. Strictly personal preference. You know that many are going to want this officer fired, what will you do?
Cindy Munford on August 29, 2009 at 1:02 PM
If the maggot can’t tell me what ordinance I’m violating, he can pi$$ up a rope and face the lawsuit. “Arrest me chump…Please.”
Sam_I_Am on August 29, 2009 at 1:15 PM
I am a softie, I am going to feel bad when he gets fired even though he deserves it. He has no one to blame but himself.
Cindy Munford on August 29, 2009 at 1:28 PM
Damned right it is. Just another new wave racist.
Wade on August 29, 2009 at 1:29 PM
No, it is black vs White. Any other application is secondary. 95% of blacks voted for the One and will vote for him in 2012. Face it, it’s a fact.
Obama, with his fascist realignment strategy, has pitted blacks vs whites as he intended to. You don’t actually think that the Nation of Islam preaches bringing together of the races? NOI soldiers guarded Rev Wright at his speech in Washington, D.C. NOI is tied to Obama through ACORN, AMERICORPS and the Chicago political machine. His soldiers are in place, all loyalties are checked (Gates and the stupidly acting police).
GunRunner on August 29, 2009 at 1:34 PM
I hear you. I don’t think that they accurately understand the resolve of the Conservative population though. They have mistakenly underestimated their opponent, at their own peril.
Sam_I_Am on August 29, 2009 at 1:45 PM
You’re probably right. If his work instructed him to behave that way, they will deny it and use him as the scapegoat. I don’t want to see him fired though. I think after his sensitivity training he will be a force for good in Ochimpy’s personal army. But, he wont last long if he bucks the culture of race baiting that is Ochimpy’s trademark tactic.
csdeven on August 29, 2009 at 2:03 PM
Since ex-Democrat is actually the party involved maybe he will have some input into the situation. It would be an excellent value lesson to have the very person he denied his First Amendment Rights turn around and go to bat for him. We aren’t them.
Cindy Munford on August 29, 2009 at 2:10 PM
Excellent suggestion.
csdeven on August 29, 2009 at 2:14 PM
We all know where Allah comes from and his childish snark on your video was understood for what it was.
csdeven on August 29, 2009 at 2:16 PM
“I got the gun and the badge, and this ain’t America anymore.”
Hmm, hello – Powder keg, meet match.
Fishoutofwater on August 29, 2009 at 2:35 PM
I don’t know what to think about that.
My Congressman had private events, the coward. People had to sign up and all that. No signs.
Terrye on August 29, 2009 at 2:53 PM
I wonder exactly what he meant, by it ain’t no more.
When you think about it, that could mean all sorts of things.
Terrye on August 29, 2009 at 2:54 PM
Well done Gordo this is good info. This brainless Thug Rentacop had no legal grounds for pulling this crap and should be fired immediately. I knew right away that he was Yentl-the-Rentl and not a real peace officer from his obvious stupidity and Napoleon complex.
Public apologies are owed to the people who made this vid, or the next piece of information to come out on this story might just be the home address of this renta cop and the school district admins who employ him. Home addresses are public records and 100% perfectly legal to obtain and publish.
Mike D. on August 29, 2009 at 3:12 PM
Could it be he has already been indoctrinated?
Could it be he truly knows of what he speaks?
Could it be that he is telling America, it’s time to wake up?
Onward Forward and Upward!!
RoxanneH on August 29, 2009 at 3:14 PM
I do not want Officer Cheeks to lose his job (I took the video).
It would just be another scapegoating like the WH patsy who was fired for the Air Force 1 NYC flyover when the real responsibility is our FASCIST Obama government which stokes this stuff.
There is no more room under the bus. It’s time to go after the bus drivers….let’s roll!
ex-Democrat on August 29, 2009 at 3:30 PM
Early Sunday morning, Rham-bo held a huddle after someone brought to his attention the online postings and comments, of one Mr. ex-Democrat. WH has decided that there needs to be a post of Camera Czar
Mr Weasel Cheeks has been named for the post, and he has greedily accepted. Before setting up his office, Mr Cheeks has ordered all camera vendors to stop selling cameras to anyone who shows up with money. From now on there will be a background check before cameras can be sold. Google has offered its services in implementing/enforcing the dictactes of Mr Cheeks’ parnoia by helping provide with the applicants’ e-mail, youtube and banking accounts. Referencing their invaluble experience with the Chinese government , Google execs said that they will be honored to work with the WH on such important matters of national security.
In case the mandatory background check shows a person to be unsuitable to own and operate a camera of any kind, ACLU has offered its unconditional support to the program puked by weaselcheeks by pledging to fight that person if he/she takes the matter to court.
At a WH press briefing, only the cameras of MSNBC will be allowed effective immediately. Only Mr Gibbs will have the right to ask the questions to himself, which he will decide to answer or not.
Commenting on the impeccable resume of WCheeks, the WH politburo has also revealed that the Camera Czar comes highly recommended from a CA Fidelworshipper, for whom he worked as chief of camera security, where his job was to confiscate all cameras and phones from EVERYONE within 2 miles of his employer .Before that assignment, he worked as an enforcer of UnAmerican values at a school district in VA.
The newly installed Camera czar will address the press later today after he is fitted by the Black Panthers for his new uniform and ceremoniously presented with a customised beatstick by Rev Wright
macncheez on August 29, 2009 at 3:38 PM
OH YEAH ALLAHPUNDIT?!
Some words from a man of the cloth.
BobAnthony on August 29, 2009 at 4:19 PM
He should have gotten arrested, made a huge stink like a leftist would and sue baby, sue!
Its really the only way.
Lonetown on August 29, 2009 at 4:43 PM
AP is a Snark Snob.
Ampersand on August 29, 2009 at 6:33 PM
I must be a real dick because I DO want him to lose his job… heh. oh well.
Ampersand on August 29, 2009 at 6:36 PM
Wesley Cheeks
knew he was beat.
Walked away
with no more to say.
(Sorry. My inner poet just insisted that I post that.)
Tuning Spork on August 29, 2009 at 6:42 PM
I don’t either because, in the end, he walked away. He knew you had the better argument, put passion aside and counted his blessings.
Cops are trained to control a situation. The good cops are those that can do that and, also, listen to reason. You had him and he knew it.
Shame on officer Cheeks for confronting you in the first place. But kudos to officer Cheeks for moving along nicely after realizing that he was the one who was out of line.
Tuning Spork on August 29, 2009 at 6:50 PM
P.S. I haven’t re`ad through all of the comments. Did Cheeks know that he was being recorded?
Tuning Spork on August 29, 2009 at 6:53 PM
Unfortunately too many law enforcement think like this guy. I had an officer tell me I could not open carry despite my having a license to carry. After I explained that he was wrong he then says the license used to say concealed carry and he would have to find out when that changed. After having conceded I was right he then starts badgering me about why I shouldnt carry openly. He also, after having taken and unloaded my weapon, would not let me reload in his presence and threatened to impound my weapon when I said I cant reload in my car because I walked. So I’m supposed to do this with no officers present? Uh sure buddy. You’ve been complaining about the issues I’ll cause just by carrying openly and now you are telling me to reload after you and the other officers are gone. Yeah, like that isnt going to result in you claiming disturbing the peace, etc.
I now carry a digital voice recorder when I go out.
aikidoka on August 29, 2009 at 6:54 PM
IMHO, one of the best posts on HA evah.
Your story is inspiring, we are behind you and will heed your words. Conservative Activism at its finest.
I wonder if there were any other picture posters or was yours alone singled out?
Thank You for standing your ground.
Geochelone on August 29, 2009 at 7:04 PM
Inspiring (for your courage and tenacity) and scary (for the actions of SweetCheeks)
Geochelone on August 29, 2009 at 7:06 PM
“It ain’t no more”
Should be comment of the year, and candidate for this year’s Einstein awards.
Schadenfreude on August 29, 2009 at 7:18 PM
Fine. When his paycheck comes, pay him in Euros. Idjit.
kingsjester on August 29, 2009 at 7:22 PM
Wesley Cheeks
knew he was beat.
Walked away
with no more to say
Turning the other cheek
macncheez on August 29, 2009 at 7:49 PM
I’m a retired police officer from a large California city and I can tell you that this officer should be fired. If I had pulled something as egregios as this I would have been fired on the spot. Who does he think he is, saying this is not America? Wow, this is what’s wrong with America now. I would have asked him to arrest me so I could own his town and him in a law suit.
Wills on August 29, 2009 at 8:05 PM
Oh yeah? Here are a few more words, from another Man of the Cloth:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ut-UPttf-dg
Fishoutofwater on August 29, 2009 at 8:11 PM
No. I refuse to “get used to it.”
john1schn on August 29, 2009 at 8:30 PM
Lots of interesting thoughts on this thread. One of the better discussions here in recent weeks.
Good job, “ex-democrat”. Thanks for making the video, posting it, commenting on it here, and for ‘seeing the light’ in general. Kudos.
I’ll tell you all this, I’d hate to be a halfway decent Law Enforcement Officer in the coming days who has a sense of Constitutional right and wrong, but also wants to keep his job.
In that vein, may I recommend this website?
http://www.sheriffmack.com/
and his new book: “The County Sheriff: America’s Last Hope”
I recently bought a couple of copies; one for myself, sent one to MY friendly local Sheriff and then made a donation to his program to send one to every Sheriff in America (it ain’t no more)
And I agree it is time to start carrying those video cameras. The presence of “ex-democrats” was not only informative and educational for those not present, but the situation could have escalated into violence had it not been there.
LegendHasIt on August 29, 2009 at 9:20 PM
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