Reply #13: I believe that much of this thugishness with police is a result of education [View All]

from the top. After 9/11 Homeland Security and other organizations have been training local police to handle dangerous situations. However, they have not been training them to recognize them for what they are. Thus many local situations have been met as if they are a terrorist attack. Rights are violated, violence is tolerated and otherwise harmless situations are seen as dangerous.

Our community had bikers on their way to Sturgis stop over for a weekend visit. They stayed at a local hotel and rented a bar for themselves. They had other plans to visit other businesses and touristy like attractions. The state sent every available police to reinforce the local police and even the FBI was called in. They harassed the bikers and local persons for the whole weekend. They did not wait to be called if there was trouble they followed any biker who left the hotel. Businesses that had hoped to make some money were finally ignored by the bikers because of the harassment. In the end there was no trouble and only the police were breaking the laws - the constitutional laws - you know innocent until proven guilty!!!