Press freedom? Police target media, arrest and teargas reporters at Ferguson protests - Polidicks

[QUOTE][IMG]http://cdn.rt.com/files/news/2b/ff/00/00/000_453582874.si.jpg[/IMG] Two reporters were detained at the Ferguson protests, and police behaved as “soldiers” with the “enemy combatants,” journalists said. Outrage over the incident spilled into both the media and social networks. Wesley Lowery of the Washington Post and Ryan Reilly of the Huffington Post told AP they were working in a fast-food restaurant when Special Forces entered the premises and started clearing them out. Reilly tried to take a photo, and police demanded his ID, which he lawfully declined to provide. The officers detained him regardless, according to Huffington Post official statement, “for not packing up fast enough.” The Al Jazeera- America crew was also attacked and tear-gassed by security forces as they tried to film the protest. The team had thought they had reached a safe area when they were tear-gassed, said Al Jazeera's Ash-Har Quraishi.[/QUOTE] [url]http://rt.com/usa/180208-ferguson-journalists-detained-protest/[/url] The updates keep coming.

dont use RT anyways yeah this militarized police bullshit has to stop. they dont need this.

This was confirmed by al jazeera and a few others. It's why mainstream media steers clear of this place. I love me some political shit storms. [editline]15th August 2014[/editline] [QUOTE=SexualShark;45694856]dont use RT anyways yeah this militarized police bullshit has to stop. they dont need this.[/QUOTE] It's not militarized police, cops with plate carriers and ARs are acceptable for riots, since riots have looters and people with guns. However this is a massively excessive use of force. Totally different from militarized cops.

[QUOTE=Binladen34;45694879]This was confirmed by al jazeera and a few others. It's why mainstream media steers clear of this place. I love me some political shit storms. [editline]15th August 2014[/editline] It's not militarized police, cops with plate carriers and ARs are acceptable for riots, since riots have looters and people with guns. However this is a massively excessive use of force. Totally different from militarized cops.[/QUOTE] cops with MRAPs isnt necessary at all unless you are in detroit or chicago

[QUOTE=SexualShark;45694896]cops with MRAPS isnt very necessary unless you are in detroit or chicago[/QUOTE] That I'll agree with, but iirc they only got them cause our military was overstocked with the fucking things. [editline]15th August 2014[/editline] Also keep in mind, if you've got the dosh there is literally nothing stopping you from buying a last gen F-18, or an IFV/tank of your own.

[QUOTE=Binladen34;45694902]That I'll agree with, but iirc they only got them cause our military was overstocked with the fucking things. [editline]15th August 2014[/editline] Also keep in mind, if you've got the dosh there is literally nothing stopping you from buying a last gen F-18, or an IFV/tank of your own.[/QUOTE] if you are overstocked you dont give it to local police departments- you dismantle, store it, or sell it off to an ally.

[QUOTE=SexualShark;45694896]cops with MRAPs isnt necessary at all unless you are in detroit or chicago[/QUOTE] I still don't understand why everyone is flipping their shit over armored vehicles being used to contain rioters, its been a thing since forever just with older armored vehicles that looked like delivery vans with armor plating. suddenly a new type of vehicle is used that is more efficient and effective and its becoming "militarized".

the situation has been peacefully resolved, i believe at least, the protesters are allowed to protest freely without fear, now that the new cops have taken over the area

[QUOTE=codemaster85;45694936]I still don't understand why everyone is flipping their shit over armored vehicles being used to contain rioters, its been a thing since forever just with older armored vehicles that looked like delivery vans with armor plating. suddenly a new type of vehicle is used that is more efficient and effective and its becoming "militarized".[/QUOTE] please explain the reasoning why a police department needs something that was designed to withstand RPG's, IEDs, and large caliber rounds.

i mean shit, an MRAP is a lot less military looking than the M113 APC that some states still use or the V-150 with the cannon dismounted.

[QUOTE=SexualShark;45694958]please explain the reasoning why a police department needs something that was designed to withstand RPG's, IEDs, and large caliber rounds.[/QUOTE] When they come free from the government, I wouldn't say no to something that will save officers lives.

[QUOTE=SexualShark;45694856]dont use RT anyways yeah this militarized police bullshit has to stop. they dont need this.[/QUOTE] RT never ceases to amuse me. The order to push propaganda comes directly from the Kremlin, so it's amusing to me that this highlighting of press freedom issues is coming from a country that consistently ranks as one of the most dangerous countries to be a journalist, and the Russian government recently passed mandatory data retention laws requiring all social media platforms host a copy of user databases within Russia so they can be accessed by police, and required all blogs with a readership of more than 3,000 must register with the press department, so they can more easily intimidate them. That said, the county police's excuse for this blatant targeting of Al Jazeera reporters is quite amusing as well. "we were just helping the nice journalists move their cameras! they even said thanks!"

[QUOTE=Wipmuck;45694971]When they come free from the government, I wouldn't say no to something that will save officers lives.[/QUOTE] i was not aware that officers are taking RPG fire and people are leaving IEDs on the street and criminals are packing M2HB 50. caliber heavy machine guns on the back of trucks. the more power you give something, the more likely that said thing is going to abuse the hell out of it. this is something only the national guard should have.

[QUOTE=SexualShark;45694896]cops with MRAPs isnt necessary at all unless you are in detroit or chicago[/QUOTE] Necessary for any riot.

[QUOTE=SexualShark;45694958]please explain the reasoning why a police department needs something that was designed to withstand RPG's, IEDs, and large caliber rounds.[/QUOTE] because as soon as something happens like the north hollywood shootout, Waco siege, 2009 pitsburg police shootout, ect ect. The public is first to say "why weren't our police equipped better to handle the problem". With armored/bulletproof vehicles they can swiftly intercept the gunman and use the car as a massive shield to gather wounded. MRAPs are just an upgrade from older armored vehicles who were demilitarized like all armored police vehicles. If they didnt have MRAPs you would see the average armored van which is the same exact thing but less gas efficient (probably) and armored.

[QUOTE=seano12;45694993]Necessary for any riot.[/QUOTE] since when has this been necessary for any civilian entity? [img]http://www.military-today.com/apc/maxxpro_mrap.jpg[/img] you can use these and it will immediately disperse a riot [img]http://www.level3-gss.com/images/ca56e48941c19314e2a05a84c0f3.jpg[/img]

[QUOTE=codemaster85;45694936]I still don't understand why everyone is flipping their shit over armored vehicles being used to contain rioters, its been a thing since forever just with older armored vehicles that looked like delivery vans with armor plating. suddenly a new type of vehicle is used that is more efficient and effective and its becoming "militarized".[/QUOTE] It isn't just the armored vehicles. These fuckers showed up like they were getting ready to go to war. You don't need armored vehicles for a protest. They were trying to strong arm everyone and force them to shut up just like they are doing to the media. You bring the armor for dealing with standoff situations or things involving firearms / highly dangerous situations not picket signs. [QUOTE=codemaster85;45695007]because as soon as something happens like the north hollywood shootout, Waco siege, 2009 pitsburg police shootout, ect ect. The public is first to say "why weren't our police equipped better to handle the problem". With armored/bulletproof vehicles they can swiftly intercept the gunman and use the car as a massive shield to gather wounded. MRAPs are just an upgrade from older armored vehicles who were demilitarized like all armored police vehicles. If they didnt have MRAPs you would see the average armored van which is the same exact thing but less gas efficient (probably) and armored.[/QUOTE] Don't even bring up Waco. That was another giant law enforcement fuck up.

[QUOTE=SexualShark;45695014]since when has this been necessary for any civilian entity? [img]http://www.military-today.com/apc/maxxpro_mrap.jpg[/img] you can use these and it will immediately disperse a riot [img]http://www.level3-gss.com/images/ca56e48941c19314e2a05a84c0f3.jpg[/img][/QUOTE] Any excuse to use a vehicle for which the local government payed a large amount of money for I'm assuming. It also is a good show of force, and sometimes they like to show them off for the media too.

[QUOTE=codemaster85;45695007]because as soon as something happens like the north hollywood shootout, Waco siege, 2009 pitsburg police shootout, ect ect. The public is first to say "why weren't our police equipped better to handle the problem". With armored/bulletproof vehicles they can swiftly intercept the gunman and use the car as a massive shield to gather wounded. MRAPs are just an upgrade from older armored vehicles who were demilitarized like all armored police vehicles. If they didnt have MRAPs you would see the average armored van which is the same exact thing but less gas efficient (probably) and armored.[/QUOTE] In the immediate aftermath of 9/11, the public flipped the fuck out about the "lack of security" in our country. We got a new cabinet department, two wars in the middle east, a surveillance agency entirely dedicated to tracking the mundane actions of ordinary citizens, secret prisons with torture programs, and we reelected President Bush. Basing policy decisions on knee-jerk reactions from the public is no way to run a government. And you can't chalk this up to planning ahead, either. No matter how protected the police force is, they will never be equipped to handle the danger we concoct in our imaginations.

[QUOTE=Binladen34;45694879] It's not militarized police[/QUOTE] You're right, they have better equipment than the fucking grunts.

[QUOTE=SexualShark;45694924]if you are overstocked you dont give it to local police departments- you dismantle, store it, or sell it off to an ally.[/QUOTE] Why? Law Enforcement will just end up buying an armoured vehicle somewhere else anyway. Why not just give 'em one for free? Bonus, the MRAP is also explosion resistant incase they ever have to deal with explosives. [QUOTE=SexualShark;45694958]please explain the reasoning why a police department needs something that was designed to withstand RPG's, IEDs, and large caliber rounds.[/QUOTE] Please explain what's so bad about them having it? It's not like it has any weapons mounted on it, the armour is purely defensive.

Link to video of it: [URL]http://www.ksdk.com/story/news/local/2014/08/14/crews-hit-with-bean-bags-tear-gas/14042747/[/URL] [QUOTE=codemaster85;45694936]I still don't understand why everyone is flipping their shit over armored vehicles being used to contain rioters, its been a thing since forever just with older armored vehicles that looked like delivery vans with armor plating. suddenly a new type of vehicle is used that is more efficient and effective and its becoming "militarized".[/QUOTE] It's pretty serious problem when the fucking St. Louis police chief says he won't offer support [URL="http://www.stltoday.com/news/local/crime-and-courts/article_b401feba-b49e-5b79-8926-19481191726f.html#.U-0DAFotxhg.twitter"]to Ferguson because of their militarized tactics.[/URL]

[QUOTE=Crimor;45695163]You're right, they have better equipment than the fucking grunts.[/QUOTE] So first they're being armed by the military, now they're better armed than the military? I must've missed the part where the SLPD moved in with M1 Tanks and Gun Trucks.

[QUOTE=SexualShark;45694958]please explain the reasoning why a police department needs something that was designed to withstand RPG's, IEDs, and large caliber rounds.[/QUOTE] [QUOTE=SexualShark;45694924]if you are overstocked you dont give it to local police departments- you dismantle, store it, or sell it off to an ally.[/QUOTE] So basically make it go unused or sell it for a little money, when you can give it to local departments to have better equipment without affecting their budget beyond maintenance? I see no issue of transferring old or unneeded military equipment to police, why should they force police forces to use specialized lower quality and protection equipment, when the military can give them something better? [QUOTE=ilikecorn;45695178]Funfact: those "armored vans" are less intimidating, and yet can still withstand the rounds that an MRAP can. You know what the difference in price is? Around 100 thousand dollars of taxpayers money. Because the MRAP was bought with taxpayers money for the military, at a price of around 250k, and then was sold to the police, who used taxpayers dollars, to purchase them at around 10k. So we've spent 260k per MRAP in police hands, instead of around 100k for them to have a standard armored truck. Militarization of the police force doesn't just reference their equipment, but also their attitude. You don't see cops walking the streets anymore, they don't blend into the community, they sit in their car that is clearly labeled POLICE, and wait for people to break the law. You could ask a cop to name 3 people on their usual beat and they wouldn't be able to name a single one i'd bet. The cops aren't part of the community anymore, they oversee the community, which is fucking bullshit.[/QUOTE] Mind citing where a swat van can take a shaped charge or heavy mine from below? Also it is still 250k per, the 10k for the purchase is transferred to military or general funds.

[QUOTE=Mr. Someguy;45695189]Why? Law Enforcement will just end up buying an armoured vehicle somewhere else anyway. Why not just give 'em one for free? Bonus, the MRAP is also explosion resistant incase they ever have to deal with explosives. Please explain what's so bad about them having it?[/QUOTE] Are you paying attention to this? They are using equipment that is normally used by the military and now using it to basically try and suppress the media and Ferguson's citizens. Why in the hell does a POLICE department whose job is apprehend suspects and present them for prosecution and not to light them up and put them in a body bag.

[QUOTE=ilikecorn;45695219]Mind telling me when the last time a SWAT van was attacked via shaped charge or heavy mine from below?[/QUOTE] You said that a swat van could take the same rounds. [QUOTE]Funfact: those "armored vans" are less intimidating, and yet can still withstand the rounds that an MRAP can.[/QUOTE] Now prove it. Oh you had an edit [QUOTE=ilikecorn;45695219]And the MRAP requires a fuckton more maintinence than the average "swat van". Which, by the way, is called a "bear cat", they're pretty nifty vehicles.[/QUOTE] MRAP are a class of vehicles, there is not THE, the bearcat(Which is a specific vehicle mind you) has a mere 1.5 inches-.5 inches steel protection, and is also a low cost military vehicle that many countries use as such(including the US). Should we stop using it because it is a military APC?

[QUOTE=ilikecorn;45695219]Mind telling me when the last time a SWAT van was attacked via shaped charge or heavy mine from below? And the MRAP requires a fuckton more maintinence than the average "swat van". Which, by the way, is called a "bear cat", they're pretty nifty vehicles.[/QUOTE] I don't really want to get in on this argument because the situation that is causing it is stupid on both sides, but I do feel the need to point out that "It's never happened before" is not a very good justification for "Therefore it isn't necessary".

I thought 1984 was thirty years ago.

by the logic of some people in this thread, if the military no longer wanted/needed these, the police should be able to have them. [img]http://www.militaryimages.net/photopost/data/501/M1A2-with-TUSK.jpg[/img]

[QUOTE=ilikecorn;45695241]They can take the same rounds, rounds are different than high explosive IED's, which by the way, only 3 have ever been used to any real effect, the Oklahoma city bombings, some pipebomb attack, and the boston marathon bombings. The rest have been home made fireworks, and various other childish things, rather than destructive things. So the question stands, why do you need something to withstand an IED blast, when you're not encountering IED's and the alternative "swat van" can survive the same rounds at a much cheaper over all running cost? Oh and by the way, the latest "swat vans" also have V-Shaped hulls...[/QUOTE] A round refers to any projectile, you know. Have you ever heard the phrase, "Better safe than sorry". When peoples lives are potentially on the line, why would you not go for the best you can afford? [QUOTE=SexualShark;45695261]by the logic of some people in this thread, if the military no longer wanted/needed these, the police should be able to have them. [img]http://www.militaryimages.net/photopost/data/501/M1A2-with-TUSK.jpg[/img][/QUOTE] The thing is, try justifying deploying and maintaining a tank in your limited police budget(especially a gas turbine tank, those are maintenance heavy and specialised). They would never agree to one nor request one.