[Thorsen]

http://www.mountainx.com/news/2007/...d_in_row_over_protest_flag_allege_abuse_by_bu

You might not agree with their politics. You might not agree with their use of the flag as a symbol of protest. But if you had a police officer kick in the door of your house what would you do?

Personally, I don't know. My immediate gut reaction is "I'd shoot the bastard". If I had done nothing wrong, I don't see why I shouldn't use deadly force to protect the sanctity of my home.

Then the anger lifts and I think "no really, what would you really do?" And I simply can't answer that one.

One side of me says force, up to an including deadly, if necessary is justified.

The other side says that even though he is violently enforcing an obviously illegal law, it isn't worth potentially taking a life or having my life taken. In other words, fight it out in court.

I don't know. Read the article and think about it.

 

[legacy38]

In a situation like the one in the article where I was pretty certain that the person was in fact an officer, I probably wouldn't use deadly force.

In this case, I'm curious as to whether the arrest will pass constitutional muster. There is a good chance the original statute would be overturned on first amendment grounds. However, as it is on the books (provided NC isn't like GA and leaves overturned laws on the books on purpose) the officer was within the scope of law to obtain their ID as it would be needed to issue a citation or write the report. Their actions would have amounted to obstruction, but whether or not exigent circumstances/hot pursuit would apply is questionable.

 

[lsu_nonleg]

An upside down flag is a distress symbol, that in and of itself doesn't read any protest to me. I'm tempted to fly an North Carolina flag upside down with some national geographic pictures plastered to it to protest Nifong. Color me sooo offended. :roll:

I call 911 and say that an officer has broken into our house and is assaulting us

That sounds accurate to me. Nearly fits the description of what the cops did during Katrina, too.

As much as I'd like to defend my home from Johnny Law with force if necessary, no matter what happens, you're signing your own death/life in prison sentence. See: 92 year old ladies. Can't even do it if you don't know they're cops. I don't think "white collar" civil liberties defense (ie, taxes, guns, etc) will ever become a sea change that permits the shenanigans that ELF and the like get away with. I guess what it boils down to is that the more you have to lose (materially or liberty wise), the less likely you are to be willing to defend yours with violence.

 

[Malum Prohibitum]

Does the Texas v. Johnson case not address this issue?

Is it getting to the point that one should not answer his door when the police knock for fear of what they might do?

 

[Malum Prohibitum]

Neal Wilson, who lives with Brady, also saw the deputy produce the taser, he says. After repeated questions, Brady and roommate Tony Plichta said that the deputies replied that “they didn’t know yet†what the couple would be charged with.

P.O.P.

:lol: