One of the many things I’m thankful for
It’s a cheesy tradition, but one I love: taking time to think about the things we’re thankful for on/around Thanksgiving. Of course I’m thankful that I made it to Year 1 with the baby toddler girl, and I’m thankful that I’ve been able to build a successful new business with a great client list since July. But I wanted to point out something else I’m thankful for today: Social Media.
That’s right, Social Media. As you likely remember, I want to change the world, and I strongly believe that doing “social stuff” is a way to do that. Don’t believe me? How about this video that I found through another blog (my new favorite, One Man’s Blog) that he embedded in his blog entry from a video sharing site where it was digitized from the cop car camera. The video is long, but truly worth watching. It shows a traffic stop go from start to taser in 2 minutes, 37 seconds. It shows a cop dangerously and illegally inept (he refused to read the “perp” his rights despite multiple requests). It tells a story that in generations past would never have gotten past the word of the cop, and would never have gotten outside the bounds of the local city. Yet, here I am states away being able to take a stand on this kind of citizen treatment. Pretty amazing.
(And don’t forget - the real lesson here is not to drive through Utah. They’ll taser your ass AND your pregnant wife.)
UPDATE: Looks like the Utah Highway Patrol has gotten some feedback about this incident. This is on their home page:
Thank you for your concern regarding the use of a taser by a Utah Highway Patrol Trooper in the Uintah Basin. The Department of Public Safety appreciates your comments, concerns and most of all your patience. Right now we are taking all appropriate measures to investigate and review the circumstances. We can assure you that we are doing everything possible to look into this incident in a fair and impartial manner. A proper investigation takes time and we would ask for your patience. The purpose of this process is to determine if the Trooper acted appropriately.
The deployment of any taser by our Troopers is a serious matter. Every Trooper who works for the Highway Patrol and carries a taser is required to complete a certification course on the use of this non-lethal weapon. We continually train our officers on use of force issues and more specifically the use of a taser. We appreciate the public awareness on this issue and are committed to answering the questions and concerns of the public we are dedicated to protecting.
It’s a bummer they don’t already have a blog in place - a discussion about this issue would be welcomed, and that would be the perfect outlet to do it. As it is, this sounds like PR driven legalese more interested in covering asses than in solving clearly showcased problems.
This is a great example of how technology can be used for the greater good. It’s really awful how some people abuse their powers. It’s only right that such an incident was recorded and spread all across the Internet. People are becoming more and more aware of how to better change the world through media. Hopefully, the Utah High patrol gets to the bottom of things.