Online Parody Cartoon Targeted For Prosecution 327
SeattleGameboy writes "It seems that the Renton (suburb of Seattle) police need a remedial course on the U.S. Constitution," linking to a story at Seattle TV station KIRO which says "The Renton City Prosecutor wants to send a cartoonist to jail for mocking the police department in a series of animated Internet videos. The 'South-Park'-style animations parody everything from officers having sex on duty to certain personnel getting promoted without necessary qualifications. While the city wants to criminalize the cartoons, First Amendment rights advocates say the move is an 'extreme abuse of power.'"
ACLU (Score:5, Interesting)
Don't forget to send in your contribution today.
Re:IANAL (Score:5, Interesting)
Yes and No (Score:5, Interesting)
Of course, NOT !
In America, the cops is always right !! No matter what the cops did, or still doing, there are always people who will scream their heads off telling you that the cops are right !
It has nothing to do with 1st Amendment or Free Speech or Bill of Rights or the Constitution.
The Cops are above them all !
Actually, the issue is a bit more complex, although this is certainly how many officers behave. (Others are significantly more professional, and even courteous.)
A huge problem we have is that, realistically, the prosecution gets to write the story. The vast majority of cases settle, which means that the formal record of any criminal event in this country is the prosecution's version of events. This version of events is frequently, at best, inaccurate. The function of the prosecution and of the police, on paper, is not to be a neutral arbiter but to make sure the case is strong. This is not to say that this version of events is a deliberate lie, but it nevertheless completely fails to be an accurate record of the event. So of the huge volume of data we have of criminality, most of it is incredibly biased. Only when a case actually goes to trial does the defense present a case, and there the assumption on the part of most people in the room is that the defendant is guilty.
That being said, I also know several people who have been beaten by the cops without provocation. Those cops are not professionals, and they are not just something of an ass at times. They are fucking criminals who should be sent to jail.
I'm not a criminal defense lawyer, BUT ... (Score:4, Interesting)
... I am a lawyer. Isn't there just a TINY problem with a judge in the State of WASHINGTON issuing a search warrant for premises located in the State of CALIFORNIA?
This isn't a civil subpoena - it is a SEARCH WARANT. Hello? Jurisdiction anyone?
Re:Wait for it... (Score:1, Interesting)
The average mature adult can't seem to make sound financial decisions past about 3 to 6 months out, and forget about contingency planning of any sort. Dumb-ass ethos like: "Bad stuff doesn't happen to good people.", "It never happened to me before; so, it's too unlikely to bother with.", "Someone else will fix it if it's a problem.", "It's only a problem if you don't ignore it.", "If you didn't succeed, it's because you didn't work hard enough for it.", etc... pretty much rule that out.
"Big" shit like that gets spoon fed to the masses by various talking heads. Usually via base emotions and pseudo-authoritative posturing. ... *looks to see if the captcha is "hypocrite" or something.
Oh, well, when in Rome, I suppose.
Re:ACLU (Score:5, Interesting)
Nonsense. The ACLU defends *all* churches, not just the mainstream ones -- they step up to defend groups like the Westboro Baptist Church, as well as Muslims,Jews, atheists, Pagans, etc. The ACLU defends the rights of *all* families, not just Mom+Dad+2.5 kids. Labeling them "anti-white" is gibberish -- the ACLU defends the free speech rights of the KKK.
And in a nation where the "establishment" has no respect for the rights of the people, being anti-establishment is a virtue.
Not to say they're always right, but the ACLU is on the side of the angels more often than any other political group.
Re:Blame the prosecutor (Score:2, Interesting)
I sent this to the CJC Fax number (360) 586 - 2918 (thank you eFax):
I, (redacted per forum post), believe that judge James Cayce has flagrantly and knowingly misconstrued the spirit of law with reference to RCW 9.61.260. The judge has signed off on a search warrant to expose the identity of a unknown person or persons who created numerous parody videos lambasting an unnamed Police Department. The videos are believed to be about the Renton Police Department yet provide little more than allusion to said department.
The search warrant was filed as warrant #11-1172, filed on July 28th, 2011 at 14:27 with the King County Superior Court. My assertion is that this warrant was filed not to expose any possible acts of cyberbullying but rather to expose a possible departmental employee to censure and departmental discipline. The spirit of the law is being egregiously twisted in this situation and I believe the matter deserves due oversight.
Thank you.
(redacted contact information)
Re:Wait for it... (Score:3, Interesting)
True, they volunteered, BUT and this is a very big BUT... they were sent to their deaths on the basis of a lie that Saddam had weapons of Mass Destruction. Not only have 3000 Americans died for this lie, but millions of civilians have had their lives fucked over because of this lie and America and other western countries have been pouring billions of Dollars and Pounds and Euros down the hole to pay for the munitions etc. for this war... WHO is profiting from this LIE? Some wrinkly tossers in charge of the global arms industry. Bush's paymasters who were desperate for this war... Just think what America's and other countries deficits would be like if it hadn't happened?