[bullseyebarb]

At first blush, I was inclined to be sympathetic towards the Prof. After all, it's not entirely unheard of for Atlanta cops to do a little body-slamming. However, after I read his remarks about this experience as it relates to our country, I had a change of heart......and I quote:

"I have long known, as any reasonable person must, that the courts are the citizen's only protection against a rogue executive and uncontrolled security forces. Though my own misadventure was trivial - and in perspective laughable - it resembles what is happening to the world in the era of George W. Bush. The planet is policed by a violent, arbitrary, stupid and dangerous force. Within the USA, the courts struggle to maintain individual rights under the bludgeons of the "war on terror", defending Guantanamo victims and striving to curb the excesses of the system. We need global institutions of justice and judges of Judge Jackson's level of humanity and wisdom to help protect the world."

So, there you are. And what would that force be? Why, the United States, of course! No mention of the threat of Islamic fascism. No mention of the violent, arbitrary and dangerous nature of flying airplanes into office buildings. In fact, the good Prof puts scare quotes around his reference to the war on terror, as if to say that he doesn't really believe that there is any terrorism to be fought. Then he goes on to say that what we really need is some sort of an international court to protect the world from the United States. Some historian. Perhaps he doesn't remember the role of the United States in saving his precious Europe from Hitler and Soviet expansionism.

All the guy had to say to the police officer was, "I'm sorry. I'll be more careful next time." He would have been on his way in moments. But given the above diatribe, is it possible he gave the cop some lip?


I agree with many of the posters on this thread. The guy is a pompous ass.