With the recent controversies regarding the use of taser guns by security and law enforcement personnel, some have suggested that there be a moratorium on the use of these until there are strict guidelines put in place as to when they can be used.
This youtube video has been circulating on the internets which has been used by opponents of tasers to make their point that their use has been abused by the police:
While this video might appear to be damning, I will use this diary to provide a modest defense of the use of taser guns and why their use is completely justified by the police.
The truth of the matter is, is that the driver who broke the speed limit failed to obey the police officer's very specific instructions. The police have a very dangerous job and they don't know who is armed and who isn't. The officer had no other alternative but to resort using the taser. And it is in my estimation that the cop showed very fine skills in deploying and using it. He should be commended for his professionalism.
I know this isn't a very popular position among the progressive blog community, but I am defending the police officers who put their life on the line. As well, police unions have been instrumental in supporting sensible gun control legislation. Police officers are ALLIES of progressives for this reason. We could be offending an entire constituency into the arms of the RethugliKKKlans if we engage in too much cop-bashing.
More often than not, those people who get tasered deserve it more often than not (and that driver certainly got his justified comeuppance). If these people simply learned to follow simple police orders, they wouldn't need to get jolted back to reality. The next time one of you complains about being falsely arrested or getting a traffic ticket for a minor offense, think about the next time when you need to call the police to protect you. Remember: safety is the highest law of any civilized society.
There are limits to civil liberties, and we as progressives should care more about protecting the innocent rather than the guilty. This will also help us win more elections and outflank the Rethugs on law-and-order issues. Those who are stopped by police and who are truly innocent, should have no worries in their dealings with them. There is nothing wrong with police checking your criminal record when you are pulled over for a routine stop. And when it happens, make sure you obey their instructions so that they don't have to use their tasers.
Yes, and the "Don't tase me bro" guy deserved what he got as well for being uppity with our 2004 presidential candidate, John Kerry.