<p>Thankfully, arguments worthy of op-ed pieces don’t play any role in determining legal rights and responsibilities. But carry on, xiggi!</p>
<p>I’m much too lazy to read through all of the posts, so I’m sorry if any of this has been discussed.</p>
<ol>
<li>From what I’ve read, Lieutenant Pike was not trained to use the pepper spray. He was only supposed to use it in an emergency. That was only one source and I can’t seem to find it again, so this may not be reliable information.</li>
<li>The pepper spray used was designed for riots and is meant to be used from AT LEAST 6 feet away. It’s clear from the video that it absolutely was not, regardless of if the students “deserved” to be pepper sprayed or not. Regardless of ANYTHING else, Lt. Pike deserved to be fired for deliberately misusing his weapon in order to cause more harm than necessary (or legal.)</li>
<li>The “walkway” the students were supposedly blocking is hardly ever used. I can think of maybe once that I used it during my entire first year here, and only because it happened to be close to me. Otherwise I walk on the lawn.</li>
<li>The police later said they were “surrounded” and “couldn’t get out.” Well, that’s obviously false, considering Lieutenant Pike clearly steps over the student in order to pepper spray them. The police knew they were in the wrong and were making up a completely BS excuse on the spot. The students were a minor inconvenience to the police, so the police abused their power. That’s my take on it.</li>
</ol>
<p>Either way, there is no disputing number 2. Even if the students deserved to be punished or pepper sprayed (which is debatable,) it was used at much too close of a range and at much too high of a concentration. Pepper spray is meant to be misted (as proven by the standing students who end up disbursing because of it.) You don’t drench protestors in it. In terms of the settlement… I’m not informed enough to give an opinion.</p>
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<p>Well, thank you. I’ll take that as a compliment. My mistake to have been thinking that all we were doing here was exchanging opinions.</p>
<p>Why, yes, it’s been a healthy exchange of opinion! You always present a zealous, articulate and persuasive opinion whenever the topic of the day moves you to share. But it would be a boring world, indeed, if everyone always saw things your way, don’t you agree?! ;)</p>
<p>^^</p>
<p>Why aligning my opinion to the majority or politically correct one is rarely very high on my list. And, fwiw, I really do not mind reading opinions that are diametrically oppposed to mine. One learns very little when everyone is in perfect unison.</p>
<p>We can argue about the amount of the award but I’m thankful we don’t live in the world according to Xiggi. Sometimes politically correct is the correct way.</p>
<p>I would have preferred it if he got a jail sentence. It seems the “uniforms” can do almost anything that want, and subject only to a charge of “violating procedure” if they err too far on the side of violence. </p>
<p>Our government is failing us.</p>
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A million bucks says I’m probably right.</p>