Barr Weighs in on No-Knock Raids

[Osborn F. Enready]

Barr Weighs in on No-Knock Raids

I didn’t see the press release from the Bob Barr campaign when I wrote yesterday’s post so I thought I would pass along some of his thoughts on the issue today. The case Barr is specifically referring to is the recent raid in Berwyn Heights, Maryland. Here are a few excerpts:

“Absent exigent circumstances, not present here, so-called no-knock raids are an affront to the Constitution,” explains Barr. “So is a shoot first, ask questions later philosophy by the police. Yet the Prince George’s police have done this before—last fall they invaded a house at the wrong address and shot the family dog. All Americans are at risk when the police behave this way. Just ask yourself what might happen if a suspicious package is delivered to your home and the cops bust in,” says Barr.

“But there is an even larger point. Law enforcement agencies have become more arrogant and less accountable in cases other than those involving drugs. Most people are aware of well-publicized examples like Waco and Ruby Ridge, but similar abuses are common across the country, though they usually receive little or no public notice,” notes Barr. “We all want police to do their jobs well, but part of doing their job well is respecting the people’s constitutional liberties.”

“As president I will ensure that federal law enforcement agencies set a good example for the rest of the country,” says Barr. “In a Barr administration, government officials will never forget that it is a free people they are protecting.”

It’s nice to see a presidential candidate address this issue. Clearly, the phenomenon of no-knock raids isn’t on John McCain’s or Barack Obama’s radar at this time.

http://www.bobbarr2008.com/press-releases/84/bob-barr-condemns-bungled-police-raid-as-example-of-unaccountable-law-enforcement-agencies/

:clapper: :thumbsup:

[Osborn F. Enready]

Partisan Supreme Court upholds no-knock warrants.....

Listen to this BS....
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z4gCG8XzsQY

[Osborn F. Enready]

Mainstream media support warrantless searches of students.....

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gQbwyr6FGOg&feature=related


Time to wake up the sheeple.....

[AlanC]

http://www.bobbarr2008.com/press-releases/84/bob-barr-condemns-bungled-police-raid-as-example-of-unaccountable-law-enforcement-agencies/

:clapper: :thumbsup:

He is not addressing No knock warrants. He is addressing the failure to obtain one. Two different topics. The important phrase was "absent exigent circumstances..."

Those are the basis for obtaining a legal No Knock warrant. There is nothing really new here. The cop or cops responsible for breaking and entering without a warrant and then shoot someone's dog need to face appropriate discipline and or charges.

Note that I said, the one's responsible. Those are the ones charged with the duty to make sure proper warrants are in place before initiating the action.

[Osborn F. Enready]

Alan said:
Note that I said, the one's responsible. Those are the ones charged with the duty to make sure proper warrants are in place before initiating the action.

Yea, heaven forbid we hold the absent minded trigger men for their actions.... they were just doing their job right Alan?

[AlanC]

Yea, heaven forbid we hold the absent minded trigger men for their actions.... they were just doing their job right Alan?

Two things. First and foremost. The supervisor of any SWAT unit that executes a no knock warrant is responsible for knowing the warrant exists and that he has it in his possession at the time of entry. If he ordered his men into a house and did not have that, he should suffer the consequences of that, and they should be severe.

Secondly, any cop who shoots a dog on sight, and the supervior who allowed it and any department who trained their cops to do it, should all suffer the consequences of that action too.

Having authority and a gun reqires that the one using them exercise all due responsibility for their own actions as they are defined by both law and regulation and the application of common sense.

I have never said otherwise.

Now that aside, I can cite you case after case of good cops being sacraficed on the alter of political expediency because something done entirely right went tragically wrong. The ones responsible for it being screwed up were protected and the poor cop at the performance end was made the sacraficial lamb and thrown to the press.

Are cops and departments perfect? No, they are not. Are the vast majority of people who put on that uniform every single day people of principle and belief in doing something to make society better? Yes, they are.

[william the wierd]

The only thing preventing a decline into a total police state is the proliferation of cams. Watch it become illegal to take pics of government officials under an Obama administration.

[Osborn F. Enready]

William said:
The only thing preventing a decline into a total police state is the proliferation of cams. Watch it become illegal to take pics of government officials under an Obama administration.

I think either of the major party candidates would support that.....personally. I see no reason not to think that.

[Phyxius]

The only thing preventing a decline into a total police state is the proliferation of cams. Watch it become illegal to take pics of government officials under an Obama administration.

More likely under McCain, but don't let that stop you from bloviating... :madlaugh: