11-06-2011, 09:42 AM
[quote sinergy]
If its so relaxed and not torture then why doesn’t local law enforcement use it ? [/quote]
Local law enforcement, in Utah, at least, is too busy squeezing assets out of the citizenry to waste time squeezing information out of terrorists.
While on a cross country trip last August, a friend and I were stopped by a Utah State Patrol in Millard County Utah for having tinted windows. When the cop ran my license, a warrant for my arrest came up in another state for missing a court date I didn't even know I had.
He cuffed me and then searched my vehicle, where he found drug paraphernalia and a large amount of cash from some art I'd sold the day I left home (see pic below).
As soon as he found the cash, he got all excited and started making calls, squealing, "I got major cash! I got major cash!" Soon, five more law enforcement vehicles showed up and an extensive search of my car was conducted there on the side of I-15 north of Fillmore.
Even though nothing more was found, they arrested my friend, too, and hauled us both off to the "county" jail in Fillmore, while impounding my car and dog.
They searched my car again at the impound lot, and again found nothing. Anxious to find an excuse to "seize" my money, they had a special team come in the next day and search my car a third time--this time removing the dash completely and doing more than $4,000 worth of damage.
Again, they found nothing.
They wanted my money, but how could they get it? Now, this country doesn't yet allow cops to take your stuff for simply possessing drug paraphernalia, and it isn't yet illegal to carry cash--in any amount.
So what to do? Lie.
That's what my arresting officer did--on the stand, under oath--to justify before the law the seizing of my property and the trashing of my car. He testilied that I confessed I was on my way to buy illegal drugs with the money, and so they took it. However, I said nothing of the sort, and I can prove it from the recording of my interrogation.
So, sorry, Utah taxpayers, but you are going to have to foot the bill for another lawsuit against your law enforcement outlaws.
But look at it this way: it will be money well spent. For if it is true that respect for the rule of law is the cornerstone of a free people, then those entrusted with enforcing that law must remain above reproach; what that state trooper ends up costing the taxpayers of Utah can be considered a payment toward freedom itself.
Here's the piece of art I sold the day I left home, the proceeds from which were stolen by the Utah State Patrol.
![[Image: dear_armchair_warriors_and_keyboard_gene...6x96-2.jpg]](http://craignelsen.com/img/mosaic/finished/dear_armchair_warriors_and_keyboard_generals_02-2011_craig_nelsen_mosaic_96x96-2.jpg)
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If its so relaxed and not torture then why doesn’t local law enforcement use it ? [/quote]
Local law enforcement, in Utah, at least, is too busy squeezing assets out of the citizenry to waste time squeezing information out of terrorists.
While on a cross country trip last August, a friend and I were stopped by a Utah State Patrol in Millard County Utah for having tinted windows. When the cop ran my license, a warrant for my arrest came up in another state for missing a court date I didn't even know I had.
He cuffed me and then searched my vehicle, where he found drug paraphernalia and a large amount of cash from some art I'd sold the day I left home (see pic below).
As soon as he found the cash, he got all excited and started making calls, squealing, "I got major cash! I got major cash!" Soon, five more law enforcement vehicles showed up and an extensive search of my car was conducted there on the side of I-15 north of Fillmore.
Even though nothing more was found, they arrested my friend, too, and hauled us both off to the "county" jail in Fillmore, while impounding my car and dog.
They searched my car again at the impound lot, and again found nothing. Anxious to find an excuse to "seize" my money, they had a special team come in the next day and search my car a third time--this time removing the dash completely and doing more than $4,000 worth of damage.
Again, they found nothing.
They wanted my money, but how could they get it? Now, this country doesn't yet allow cops to take your stuff for simply possessing drug paraphernalia, and it isn't yet illegal to carry cash--in any amount.
So what to do? Lie.
That's what my arresting officer did--on the stand, under oath--to justify before the law the seizing of my property and the trashing of my car. He testilied that I confessed I was on my way to buy illegal drugs with the money, and so they took it. However, I said nothing of the sort, and I can prove it from the recording of my interrogation.
So, sorry, Utah taxpayers, but you are going to have to foot the bill for another lawsuit against your law enforcement outlaws.
But look at it this way: it will be money well spent. For if it is true that respect for the rule of law is the cornerstone of a free people, then those entrusted with enforcing that law must remain above reproach; what that state trooper ends up costing the taxpayers of Utah can be considered a payment toward freedom itself.
Here's the piece of art I sold the day I left home, the proceeds from which were stolen by the Utah State Patrol.
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