tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6322916946732811685.post8952284732834050226..comments2024-03-28T04:52:18.318-04:00Comments on Borepatch: Four years after l'affair TJICBorepatchhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05029434172945099693noreply@blogger.comBlogger9125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6322916946732811685.post-51709433477694743032015-01-17T18:38:37.261-05:002015-01-17T18:38:37.261-05:00Glen - please tell me that you aren't FOR cops...Glen - please tell me that you aren't FOR cops "trumping up charges" to get a guy off the streets that they don't like... Even if they have a "reasonable suspicion" don't you think it'd be better to, you know, actually INVESTIGATE and find out whether the suspicion is valid, then prosecute?<br /><br />You know, the way our legal system is kind of SUPPOSED to work? <br /><br />At the time, I posted exactly this:<br /><br />I think TJIC put up a joke that was way off color. I think it was wrong. I think that if I'd been Ms. Gifford's husband, I'd have punched him in the nose for what he said. It was a shitty thing to say. <br /><br />BUT...<br /><br />There is a huge difference between saying "freedom of speech should be curtailed with good judgment and decency" and "IF freedom of speech is not curtailed with good judgment and decency, the full weight of the state should be used to punish any individual that does not comply." <br /><br />You've got to be kidding me, Glen. Have to be. Gooberhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07358115439453465833noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6322916946732811685.post-70046559183432839122015-01-15T13:37:26.361-05:002015-01-15T13:37:26.361-05:00I think the flaw in his equation is the belief tha...I think the flaw in his equation is the belief that anyone would have the right to use physical violence in response to mere words. Or that it's in any way acceptable for agents of the government to curtail someone's rights without due process, no matter how suspicious or offensive that person has been. Or that he seems to believe that it's ever okay for cops to "trump up charges to get bona fide threats off the street" if they can't get the evidence to get them off the street the proper way. Jake (formerly Riposte3)https://www.blogger.com/profile/02976718318892210404noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6322916946732811685.post-81049364692667705052015-01-15T12:38:28.508-05:002015-01-15T12:38:28.508-05:00> I don't know TJIC but I know cops...and s...> I don't know TJIC but I know cops...and something is not adding up here. They have far better things to do than harass grumpy old men and gun club duffers.<br /><br />I think the flaw in your equation is that you think that cops (a) have any common sense, (b) aren't politically motivated to create good headlines in the media for their bosses, (c) aren't personally motivated to stomp the shit (either literally or figuratively) out of someone who holds them in contempt and says so.TJIChttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12048650353467582384noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6322916946732811685.post-2449170408768884962015-01-15T11:41:00.432-05:002015-01-15T11:41:00.432-05:00As genericviews points out: your typical federal b...As genericviews points out: your typical federal bureaucrat has no freedom of action. That is part of the problem: the rules are executed without regard for common sense or human decency, whether or not the rules make sense, or are even legal. Zero tolerance, because to do otherwise might endanger that comfy job, or the next promotion.<br /><br />@Glen: responsibility? Yes, but only in a social sense. Make an a**hole comment, reap the social consequences. However, the <i>government</i> must respect freedom of speech. The <i>government</i> has zero business imposing consequences on people who make tasteless comments.<br /><br />TJIC's comment may have been tasteless, but it was not a clear and immediate threat. Anyone with half a brain could see that. However, see above about the way the rules are executed by bureaucrats.Bradhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05003252319153247844noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6322916946732811685.post-64509314384092515322015-01-15T10:47:26.570-05:002015-01-15T10:47:26.570-05:00I seem to remember TJ ended up moving to New Hamps...I seem to remember TJ ended up moving to New Hampshire in the wake of that. There was also a comment posted (at Tam's?) in which he spoke of enjoying the ability to fire his rifle in his own back yard again.<br /><br />My impression of him was that he had a somewhat abrasive personality, and I have to wonder about his relationship with his neighbors, but anything further would be speculation.Jeffrey Smithhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07721363904964114392noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6322916946732811685.post-74970117656504733692015-01-15T09:48:45.707-05:002015-01-15T09:48:45.707-05:00"you don't want to stand in the way of pr..."you don't want to stand in the way of progress, do you?"<br /><br />Why, yes. Yes, I do - and at every opportunity (as rare as those may be).Rev. Paulhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04588179227576383679noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6322916946732811685.post-65162250623149496982015-01-15T08:37:43.154-05:002015-01-15T08:37:43.154-05:00I understand the freedom of speech. I get it. But ...I understand the freedom of speech. I get it. But I wonder...shouldn't there also be some kind of responsibility that goes along with it BP? Imagine if I cracked a contemptuous joke about your father when he passed away - you would be within your rights to shut my mouth for me, with violence if necessary.<br /><br />That joke was in very, very poor taste, it was made at the exact wrong time to the exact wrong people...and stupidity ensued. I see it all the time and when it happens everyone loses. TJ looks like a heartless a-hole and a possible loon, the cops look like meat heads and nannies, and the politicos....well they look like they usually do, I guess.<br /><br />I wonder: is there more here going on than meets the eye? I wonder if the cops know something about TJ that we don't? Cops have been known to trump up charges to get bona fide threats off the street and to scare others straight. There is a time and a place for tactics like that because our laws protect the abusers far more than they protect the abused.<br /><br />I don't know TJ but I know cops...and something is not adding up here. They have far better things to do than harass grumpy old men and gun club duffers.Glen Filthiehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03256741311142364722noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6322916946732811685.post-70231260131090068292015-01-15T08:29:27.885-05:002015-01-15T08:29:27.885-05:00You know, I kinda think I do.You know, I kinda think I do.Kenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04780425923108876647noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6322916946732811685.post-85861257758150741352015-01-15T08:25:59.174-05:002015-01-15T08:25:59.174-05:00I am a federal bureaucrat, but I don't get to ...I am a federal bureaucrat, but I don't get to rule anyone. I have no power even to change the toner in the copy machine. It's probably best that way.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com