Tasers are Killing Unarmed Americans

Good Morning! I would like to remind people that potentially deadly tasers are killing thousands of unarmed Americans each year, and very few people are talking about it. It's a serious issue in American law enforcement. Tasers are not harmless tools of deterrence the way they're being marketed.

My last taser post was reprinted in the Chicago Sun-Times and circulated across multiple blogs. It is a serious issue that more Americans need to be aware of, despite our national support of law enforcement. To reiterate, TASERS CONTINUE TO KILL UNARMED PEOPLE and must be categorized as a weapon of last resort. It's clear that police should not be allowed to use them to control UNARMED American citizens.

A young man in San Jose, California died yesterday after being jolted with a taser. Local police report that he represents the sixth taser death since the department began using the stun guns in 2004. That represents a very high "accident" number for a small urban police force.

In his 20s, he was supposedly in a "struggle with two officers" when they tried to arrest him in the backyard of a home late Wednesday. "The struggle was very, very violent to get him into custody," said police spokesman Mike Sullivan. "Some time during the struggle, the officers did deploy a taser."

Officers don't know whether an individual has a heart condition, or taken drugs thus weakening their condition. A taser is always potentially deadly unless you know the medical condition of the subject. They may as well use defibrillators to stop a heart, since the idea is almost the same. Suspects are still innocent until proven guilty in America; they should not be exposed to such a risky device.

How about lassos, laughing gas, or anything else that doesn't risk death? There must be alternatives. Let's get creative people!

Law enforcement is being sued, but still taser abuse is increasing. Taser MURDERS increase annually too. Law enforcement must be subject to community oversight. It's tools and weapons must be debated. I hope people reading this blog will take some time to examine the issue, and consider writing to your local newspaper, police, politician or oversight groups before more people die.

Friday's Political Rant/Call to Action #1 - Michael

PS - The Canadians just tightened their rules governing the use of tasers. We Americans need to consider doing the same. Read The Star for more information.

Call to Action: Support John Conyers Now!

Good Morning Bloggers - I'm very happy this morning to rave about how House Judiciary Chairman John Conyers, Jr. (D-MI), is calling for a "Blue Ribbon Commission" to fully investigate the Bush administration. That is GREAT NEWS!

Conyers published a 487-page report yesterday entitled, Reining in the Imperial Presidency: Lessons and Recommendations Relating to the presidency of George W. Bush. I know he's not a federal prosecutor, but it's a start. In it he makes 47 recommendations "designed to restore the traditional checks and balances of our constitutional system," along with the Blue Ribbon Commission to bring Bushies to justice.

"Even after scores of hearings, investigations, and reports, we still do not have answers to some of the most fundamental questions left in the wake of Bush’s Imperial Presidency," Conyers said in a release. "Investigations are not a matter of payback or political revenge – it is our responsibility to examine what has occurred and to set an appropriate baseline of conduct for future administrations."

On January 6th, Conyers introduced a bill that, if passed, would create the "Commission on Presidential War Powers and Civil Liberties," which would seek to root out President Bush's abuses. EVERYBODY NEEDS TO SUPPORT THIS BILL! IT IS VITAL TO AMERICAN JUSTICE!

So, this will be my new cause, and call to action. I will contact my representatives today, especially my Congressmen Henry Waxman, and encourage everybody who agrees with me to please do the same. This is a very serious issue. It's not a left/right issue, it's about American justice.

We need to make sure Conyers gets the support he needs, along with his allies. I will be writing more over the next few weeks to make sure we keep focused. If Obama isn't going to take action, than we need to support those who will, starting with Conyers. I will volunteer, donate, and do EVERYTHING POSSIBLE to make sure the truth comes out, and justice prevails.

Wednesday's Rave/Call to Action #1 - Michael

PS - Here's a great Paul Krugman Op-Ed from the Herald-Tribune discussing the topic.