Mr. Tea

Let's Talk About Ceps
The Observer today ran with a lead story on an investigation into the use of tazers on Raoul Moat, which apparently may have prompted him to kill himself (which totally wasn't going to happen otherwise, of course). Now colour me illiberal but they guy had already shot three people and killed two (oops, one, apparently) of them. World's smallest violin. And don't fugitives on killing sprees like this usually end up killing themselves, or goading the police into killing them, anyway?

I'm sure being tazered is no laughing matter but presumably a few years ago they'd have had no choice but to shoot him outright. I can only assume they'd already tried appealing to his better nature and tempting him out with sweets...

Edit: although it's now come out that apparently the police refused offers from the guy's brother and uncle to act as negotiators or intercessors, which seems a bit shitty if true.
 
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Sick Boy

All about pride and egos
The issue with tasers is that they are regularly are treated as non-lethal weapon by the police, when there is a lot of evidence to the contrary. In this particular situation, I'd say it's a fairly legitimate use of the weapon considering they'd have to have shot him otherwise. In this situation, not so much.

People like a good outrage though, and there is nothing like the word "taser" to stir up a bit of indignation. I reckon they should've just let Gazza at him.
 

Mr. Tea

Let's Talk About Ceps
Sure, I'm not defending their use per se, and I'm aware there are plenty of cases involving them that could be described as 'controversial' to say the least.

They do kind of sound like lasers that shoot Tizer, though, which would be awesome.
 

matt b

Indexing all opinion
The Observer today ran with a lead story on an investigation into the use of tazers on Raoul Moat, which apparently may have prompted him to kill himself (which totally wasn't going to happen otherwise, of course). Now colour me illiberal but they guy had already shot three people and killed two of them. World's smallest violin. And don't fugitives on killing sprees like this usually end up killing themselves, or goading the police into killing them, anyway?

I'm sure being tazered is no laughing matter but presumably a few years ago they'd have had no choice but to shoot him outright. I can only assume they'd already tried appealing to his better nature and tempting him out with sweets...

Edit: although it's now come out that apparently the police refused offers from the guy's brother and uncle to act as negotiators or intercessors, which seems a bit shitty if true.

It's what he wanted isn't it? (not the tazering bit, but the overall outcome)
 

Mr. Tea

Let's Talk About Ceps
It's what he wanted isn't it? (not the tazering bit, but the overall outcome)

Probably, if previous cases are anything to go by. Criminal psychologists call it "suicide by cop". I'm not cheering that the guy died or anything, I just don't see that there's that much to have a (no doubt expensive and time-consuming) 'inquiry' into.

One undeniably good thing to come out of this whole sorry story is this photo:

Armed-police-officers-att-006.jpg


"I AM THE LAW!!!"
 
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grizzleb

Well-known member
Sure, I'm not defending their use per se, and I'm aware there are plenty of cases involving them that could be described as 'controversial' to say the least.

They do kind of sound like lasers that shoot Tizer, though, which would be awesome.
Handguns sound pretty cool using that analysis too.
 

jenks

thread death
Probably, if previous cases are anything to go by. Criminal psychologists call it "suicide by cop". I'm not cheering that the guy died or anything, I just don't see that there's that much to have a (no doubt expensive and time-consuming) 'inquiry' into.

One undeniably good thing to come out of this whole sorry story is this photo:

Armed-police-officers-att-006.jpg


"I AM THE LAW!!!"

He looks like Gareth from The Office.
 

Mr. Tea

Let's Talk About Ceps
Next time I spend six hours with a loaded shotgun pointed at my head, no fucker'd better nudge my arm or anything, or there'll be hell to pay.
 

Tentative Andy

I'm in the Meal Deal
Meeting up with old friends who have 'made it' in some way or another, and realising that mixed in with your feelings of happiness and pride for them is also a slight pang of jealousy and frustration that you haven't managed to do the same.

Edit: and by making it I don't really mean money, more just some kind of achievement in whatever they set out to do.
 

STN

sou'wester
people who do that choreographed little shrug and murmur a sort of 'mnyaminya' when they mean 'I don't know'. I think it's off The Simpsons. It's really died out now, thank God, but I still hold it against ex-offenders.
 

Mr. Tea

Let's Talk About Ceps
That obnoxiously affected, vaguely 'arty', slightly 'wacky' script people use when they chalk up wine lists and daily specials in every single gastropub in the country. It's almost like it's a legal requirement.
 

jenks

thread death
My sister has that handwriting and it still grates whenever she deigns to remember someone's birthday - the card full of unnecessary curls and swirls (and never a fucking present but that is a separate issue).
 

STN

sou'wester
ho ho, my sister always rings up very near my birthday/xmas and barks 'I'm in HMV, what do you want?' which I think is rather rude.

She has lovely handwriting though, fluid and elegant.
 
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