A recounting of a chilling story Mac McClelland reported on that has been featured prominently on blogs for the past few week followed by a question — What is the link between this prohibiting of media access and detaining of photographers/videographers to Suspicious Activity Reporting (SAR) programs?

Everybody wonders if we’re running out of time. No-one knows what a social movement would look like. We’re texting each other madly. We’re gathering at borders and shouting at surveillance cameras. We always feel just a bit too far away, around the bend, ten feet or a hundred feet off. The point of power is elusive.

I’ve Been Waiting for Things to Change for a Long Time & I Finally found out How to Make ‘em Change … Just Keep Waiting! — by NormanB (“Deviations from the Norm”)

A look at the use of night raids in Afghanistan. Anand Gopal’s recent article “Afraid of the Dark” is used to enhance the exploration of night raids in Afghanistan and the “war on terror”

Last week, Taser International spokesman Steve Tuttle revealed that the use of Tasers, which are now standard issue weapons for law enforcement personnel everywhere the United States, has serious risks. Unfortunately, he revealed that the makers of these weapons are more concerned with managing controversies caused by police abusing the weapons than with the people who are being killed by these supposedly safe weapons.

In the arrest and prosecution of those responsible for the beating death of Derrion Albert, an unrepaired police surveilance camera could’ve helped but won’t. Just more evidence the Chicago police doesn’t care about the poor black high school students of the South Side.

Students are being arrested for being late to class or bringing cell phones to school. This kind of overzealous policing compromises the learning process. A new ACLU report offers guidelines on creating a school environment that is respectful to students while still providing a safe learning environment.

In my opinion, there was undoubtedly some racial profiling going on in the Crowley/Gates affair. I’ll leave the racial component to others, as what I wish to draw out are some underlying points as regards the relationship between all of us citizens, our rights and the police.

I got to thinking yesterday that if I did have to submit to a teaching moment, I’d prefer the teacher be Dave Chappelle rather than Old Grouch Gates. Maybe bringing all this racism out in the open is the right step. But then I noticed that Dave’s white friend is always drinking, while Dave’s always blowing a doob. Notice the famous get together at the White House is just a beer party, not a real House Party. Something’s missing here. You can’t talk about police relations, racism, black problems, intolerance, fear, while leaving out guns, drugs, and violent crime. Or at least it makes for a pretty boring conversation – what will they discuss, mortgage costs and health care? But should they discuss something potentially heated, I’d suggest they’re doing the wrong drug. White House security police should be on the alert. See, much as I like beer, it stimulates the reptilian response in argumentation, which is why the Greeks didn’t allow it in rhetorical debates (though they set aside a few bleacher seats at the Olympics for those Dionysian beer hooligans). But a bit of weed and some good Scooby snacks, those 3 can chat all night in friendly fashion, I’m sure.

There have been 20 taser-related deaths in America over the first 20 weeks of the calendar year. Perhaps it is time for congressional hearings on taser torture in America?