This week, both top comments on the insightful side come in response to our post about the attempted murder charges that were dropped after bystander recordings exposed the lies of ICE officers. First, it’s Citizen with a reminder that the word of law enforcement officers shouldn’t be trusted:
I wish I could take law enforcement at their word, but…
The following is the initial official press release regarding the murder of George Floyd. If not for a bystander filming the crime, Chauvin would have gotten away with it.
MAY 25, 2020 (MINNEAPOLIS) On Monday evening, shortly after 8:00pm, officers from the Minneapolis Police Department responded to the 3700 block of Chicago Avenue South on a report of a forgery in progress. Officers were advised that the suspect was sitting on top of a blue car and appeared to be under the influence.
Two officers arrived and located the suspect, a male believed to be in his 40s, in his car. He was ordered to step from the car. After he got out, he physically resisted officers. Officers were able to get the suspect into handcuffs and noted he appeared to be suffering medical distress. Officers called for an ambulance. He was transported to Hennepin County Medical Center by ambulance where he died a short time later.
At no time were weapons of any type used by anyone involved in this incident.
The Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension has been called in to investigate this incident at the request of the Minneapolis Police Department.
No officers were injured in the incident.
Body worn cameras were on and activated during this incident.
The GO number associated with this case is 20-140629.
Film law enforcement. It both helps protect innocent people from false charges and helps ensure criminals in uniform are held accountable.
In second place, it’s Pixelation with a thought about all the effort spent pursuing false charges:
If only our government would put this much effort into arresting actual criminals. You know, like the ones that hung out with Epstein.
For editor’s choice on the insightful side, we start out with an anonymous reply to a commenter who told people to read UK legal decisions and have more respect for J. K. Rowling’s transphobia:
Americans should read the absurd UK legal proceedings, but only as a warning of the kind of stupidity we’re careening toward and evidence of the importance of anti-SLAPP and trans-inclusive bigotry-exclusive anti-discrimination laws.
Next, it’s an anonymous addendum to our cross-posted article on the evolving understanding of screentime limits for kids:
The obsession with screen time limits has also had a negative effect on kids media itself. Short dopamine hits like Cocomelon are easier to sell to parents because you can fit more into the same amount of screen time.
Over on the funny side, our first place winner is Strawb with a comment about government lawyers twisting the law in knots to let the Trump admin use TikTok:
Damn, US is really living in that gig economy. Sony’s lawyers seem to be moonlighting as government lawyers.
In second place, it’s TheResidentSkeptic with another comment about kids and screentime:
Not how I remember it
… I thought it was all that time spent reading comic books that was going to ruin our brains. Or reading dime novels hidden in the corn crib. Or watching cartoons. or . Just another damn “we didn’t have that when we were kids, so it must be bad for them” excuse.
For editor’s choice on the funny side, we start out with another comment from Pixelation, this time on our post about the return of blockbuster movies that don’t cost $200 million to make:
Yeah, but it looks like you need $200 million to have a blue reflecting pool.
Finally, it’s n00bdragon with a comment about the DOJ’s excuses for ignoring the rules about subpoenaing reporters:
“Your honor we didn’t realize the story in the New York Times was written by reporters.” is certainly… a take.
That’s all for this week, folks!