The world’s safest and most useful tool is working impressively again, in Utah. (All you taser fans in the crack den *cough cough* get out your lotion, because this stuff is hot.)

Tasered in front of wife and baby? Check.
Tasered for a speeding ticket? Check.
No threat and no warning? Check.
Sarcastic approval from other cops on the scene? Check.

Digby says it all:

Police in the country are now allowed to torture speeders by the side of the highway in order to get them to comply. The only difference between this officer slugging the speeder in the stomach and putting 50,0000 volts of electricity in him is that the latter doesn’t leave any marks. The intent, the pain and the goose-stepping authoritarian message are exactly the same.

Word to the wise. Do not ever question the police, no matter whether they are violating your rights, ignoring the constitution or breaking the law. It is perfectly legal for them to torture you on the spot if you do.

I’m feeling so free I can hardly breathe.  Read more 

Lest we forget, more than just our soldiers will be returning from Iraq. Read A Bad Homecoming? for some rational fears on what we will be facing when DoD-sanctioned thugs come back.  Read more 

I’m upset. 50 rounds, fifty rounds – shoot, reload, shoot, reload, shoot – 50 damn rounds! 50! Did I mention the victims were unarmed? Fifty rounds.  Read more 

This disturbs me. Not as much as the Iranian-American student being tased five times for not having his student ID card, but still. Is it just me, or is there a “titillation” factor in this video, perhaps some kind of he-man/tough guy prowess demonstration? I suppose it’s a “good thing” they understand the effect of their product, but still…it’s just weird.