Looking at a video like that, it's easy to conclude that the guard acted improperly, but important footage (such as what happened immediately prior to the moments we saw) is missing to reach any conclusion. All we know is what we're being told, and we have no reason to believe we have the whole story.
If the guard acted without provocation, he should not only be fired, but arrested.
Cam:
Normally I would agree with you 100 percent but there is such a huge discrepency in size here -- between the girl and the guard -- that it seems unlikely such measures were needed.
Especially in a school cafeteria setting.
If there had been a fight or some other type of outbreak I could see where emotions might get the best of someone. But this -- at least to me -- appears to be one of those instances where power was abused.
I don't know what happened here, but a few general comments are in order.
Maybe it's the war on terror, but everything and everybody today has private guards or security, and more activities are, in general, prohibited.
When I was a kid, schools didn't have police or guards, and neither did many office buildings, people weren't paranoid about visitors to school campuses, you could smoke in public, not wear seatbelts, ride bikes without helmets, chop down what trees you wanted to on your own property, and if Fido was out without a leash, it was okay.
I'm not saying some or all of the above didn't need changing. But we live in a society that's a lot more nailed down, regulated and litigious than even 20 years ago, even without the war on terror. "No, don't do that" is more frequent.
And there's reasons -- the population is bigger, more concentrated in cities, and much more mobile than 20 years ago. The opportunities for evilly disposed persons to take advantage of anonymity are bigger than ever
In consequence of all this, the number of enforcers of various types has increased exponentially. It would be weird if enforcers and citizens did not bump into each other, and it would be weird if a certain number of these encounters didn't occur or turn out badly because the enforcers were out of line.
What do we do about this ? Don't know. Fewer people in an area, and less technology to slow everything down a little and make it harder to watch everything all the time would probably help. So would a less mobile population.
But nobody's giving up big cities or technology or mobility. If you're going to have large concentrations of people who don't know each other; combined with tracking, snooping and improved police technology; and a society that is extremely risk-averse and safety conscious (we're gonna get more so, the boomers are aging) -- you're going to have security and police screwups.
It's not necessarily because there's an evil plot to swipe our civil liberties, although more people than make me comfortable are blase about the technological possibilities. But the increased chances of screw-ups and the increased opportunities for those with malign intent are inherent in the situation.
El Jefe:
Thanks for your comment ... you make some interesting observations.
John,
Great post. Interesting. It does seem like we're seeing more and more of this. While cameras are indeed becoming more and more prevalent, it seems as though we really are seeing more and more of this.
While I become angered at disturbing scenes like this, I become even more irate when I hear about the lack of consequences that follow.
With high empathy, I see that image... and think about everything I'd do under the same circumstances if that were my own daughter . I would be utilizing every relationship and ounce of wit, power, influence and financial resources within my grasp to bring down a legal firestorm on both the guard in the image as well as the school, and anyone that advocated such behavior. That guard and that school would likely never forget the day that he made the decision to intrude on my little girl that way.
I'd imagine I am not the only father that feels this way. Am I?
great blog...
Nice Blog, very interesting and fascinating content you have there... I also have similar to this, would you mind if i ask you for a link exchange? Regards...
I’m a little disappointed that the video is no longer working, but from the article and what I’ve read on this blog I truly can’t believe that officers would take their authority to this level. I fear the type of people that are being hired in the police force when this type of brutality happens to an innocent person.
The Department of Public Safety at my college campus is asking to be allowed the use of tasers. I worry that the power these weapons have could damage students, like the girl in this incident, and not help people learn life lessons.
What is the world coming to and who can we look to for safety?
Look you guys it's just like everyone else in a position of authority. People lately have been using there authority to do what they will, are government is a great example for this. We now leave in a society where people of authority have become a product of there government. I hope soon people relize that just because you are a security guard,police, doctor,corporate big shot, doens't mean you have any more rights than the common man & woman. Remember the common people started this country and it is about time we take it back.
Hi John,
Sorry, my question is completely irrelevant to your post. However, after seeing your mentionging of "johnson's chili power" somewhere online, I feel that I must ask you where you found it! My husband has been looking for Johnson's chili power everywhere but to no avail. We would really appreciate it if you could let us know! Thanks much!
It is hard to imagine a single day without a phone, or a week without Internet. Communication has become an integral part of our lives. communication service providers are numerous and diverse. They offer the same services at different prices and conditions. The quality of these services differ. Many complaints about communication companies are filed on the net these days, especially on this great site www.pissedconsumer.com.
I agree with you.
Great blog brotha'S... İlginç bir haber 
hmmm..nice pot bro..
kee posting.. :D
Commenting by HaloScan
