The jury spent the entire day in further deliberation, reaching a consensus late afternoon. Verdicts were read, with smiles of celebration from (nearly) everybody there! Here's the rundown:
COUNT I. Gross Misdemeanor-Obstruction Legal Process by intentionally obstructing, resisting, or interfering with a peace officer while the officer was engaged in the performance of official duties, and the act was accompanied by force or violence or the threat thereof:
NOT GUILTY
COUNT II. Obstruction of Legal Process or Arrest by intentionally obstructing, hindering or preventing the lawful execution of any legal process, or by intentionally obstructing, resisting, or interfering with a peace officer while the officer was engaged in the performance of official duties:
NOT GUILTY
COUNT III. Failure to Comply with a Lawful Order by willfully failing or refusing to comply with any lawful order or direction of any peace officer invested by law with authority to direct, control, or regulate traffic:
GUILTY
COUNT IV. Riding a Bicycle Opposite Adjacent Vehicle Traffic by failing to travel in the same direction as adjacent vehicular traffic while traveling on the shoulder of a roadway:
NOT GUILTY
COUNT V. Failure to Obey Official Traffic Control Signal specifically failing to abide by the posted signage prohibiting pedestrians on the roadway:
CHARGE DROPPED AT LAST MOMENT BY PROSECUTION
COUNT VI. Failure to Travel in Correct Direction on One-Way Roadway
NOT GUILTY
This is a fantastic legal victory that firmly establishes the lack of credibility of the police testimony. It is actually an ideal situation in that the case can proceed now to the appellate level where there is a much stronger likelihood of the result serving as a useful precedent, and check and balance, for police misconduct. Given that all the alleged extreme behaviors attributed to me are now swept away, the argument on the single third count can cleanly address the important question in appeal whether an order was in fact lawful at all. This will get to the heart of the Constitutional question. Further, the use of force practiced here by MSP Airport Police is now firmly established as absolutely excessive and unwarranted.
A hearty 'thank you' to all family, friends and colleagues scattered far and wide around the world for your continued good wishes. This first and significant hurdle has now been overcome.
Peace and good cheer to all,
Stephan Orsak
Friday, July 20, 2007
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74 comments:
Wonderful! It has not only made my day, it's made my week!
I wonder if now detractors who said that you shouldn't have done this or that, will now continue their debate with a straight face and say that juries are not to be trusted?
Or perhaps the detractors will simply vanish......
I strongly hope there will be an investigation to find out if these officers have been involved in any other 'incidents' that show a trend of abuse of power.
There has been at least one case already mentioned. I'm sure there are others.
L
Well congrats...All in all you were found guilty of the crime you really should have...
Hopefully all involved learned a lesson??
Hmm. Wonder why Stephan was charged with so many counts if he was only guilty of one?
Stephan
That's great news all the way around. Congratulations!
It would be great if you could post a transcript of the court proceedings but I know how expensive they can get. Perhaps you could let us know how much it would cost and see if you can raise it in donations which I'd be happy to contribute towards.
I'd also be interested in hearing how your defense attorney addressed charge #3 related to the alleged 'lawful order'. Being one of the less serious charges against you, I would imagine he spent more time addressing the more serious charges to give you the best opportunity of getting a 'not guilty' verdict for them.
Of course you should never have been charged with them in the first place but it's a favorite tactic of corrupt cops and prosecutors. They pile on as many serious charges as they can to try and justify their own behavior as well as to force a plea bargain or make your defense as complicated as possible.
The more complicated the case, the more time an attorney has to spend putting together a defense which in turn costs the defendant more. If you're a defendant who has to rely on a public defender, oftentimes the public defenders office doesn't have the necessary resources to put together a comprehensive defense.
Where I live, the county prosecutor's office has a budget about 3-4 larger than the public defenders office and the average case load at any given time is between 30 and 40 per public defender!
Anyway, congratulations once again. It's an uphill battle convincing a jury the cops are wrong in just about any court case and you managed to do it in five out of six counts!
I know it's quite a relief for it to be over. I look forward to hearing more regarding the appeal.
Terry
http://checkpointusa.org
TO ALL
I have learned a valuable lesson here.....that it is incumbant on all of us who treasure freedom and our rights as citizens to challenge officers when they are abusing their position of power. Nearly all policemen do their job well but the outcome of this case was clearly a humiliation of the police officers involved, especially Officer Wingate.
Only by standing up for our rights so do we protect freedom for all Americans. Thanks Stephan for fighting the good fight on behalf of bicyclists and others who care not to drive gas guzzling tanks to the airport.
Those American Sheep on this blog who believe that Stephan should have simply bowed his head and followed impossible instructions by the police officers are welcome to keep acting like sheep.
Stephan, I note that your record is clean as far as suing people is concerned. I urge you to think carefully about now putting the stick to the Airport Authority who tolerates abusive officers and file a civil suit against them if they continue to employ these officers.
Fantastic! You're a huge inspiration to bikers all over Fort Collins, CO! We're with you all the way!
Congrats, Mr O!
The detractors and namecallers can say what they want, but the legal system did its job, and this is the judgement call they made.
I hope the media picks this up again. This is big.
Because anonymous ....If you get arrested the DA will try and charge you with as much as possible so there will be at least one charge that will stick.....It's a common practice....
Congratulations Stephan!
You certainly proved that this was a case worth fighting.
I have little doubt that you will win the other count on appeal.
Best of luck.
Congratulations. That's awesome.
I am also relieved to hear that, in a sense, the system works. There may be some bad cops in certain places, but when that's the case the judicial branch can still set things straight. It's of course a problem that there are bad cops, but at least that doesn't automatically mean your life is completely over.
Tim
Anyone remember Randy Moss, when he was playing for the MN Vikings, a traffic cop said stop, and he said "No" and kept shoving her with his car? I don't recall that he received any brutality whatsoever like Mr Orsak got. No taser, no beatdown, no handcuffs... nothing. Something to think about.
I was horrified to read about such violence. I understand that cops are usually good people doing their job. In this case we had two dumb jerks going above and beyond their duty of normal harassment. All of the years ridding my bicycle, I would get crap from cops, “Hey you know you are not supposed to ride your bicycle here!” I would often reply “yes sir” while walking my bicycle with my stupid slippery cleats.
Granted that Mr. Orsak should have just stick to “yes sir” and “no sir.” Simply because these two self rightist cops could not handle more complicated words and yes “honey words” does work better than a “civil debate.” But these are professionals and they should be able to work beyond their egos and take a little crap. It’s their job to enforce the law not harass the public.
Mr. Orsak, I want to thank you for standing up to your right to commute by bicycle. I want to thank you for standing up and pointing out that these cops were corrupt and evil.
My observations and questions: 1) Is the regulatory part of the airport have control over the police? 2) Where there any cameras in direct view of the incident? 3) Is there any internal accountability of the video evidence if it was destroyed? 4) What is the exact evidence or proof how you were committed guilty of “COUNT III. Failure to Comply with a Lawful Order.”
The police some how came up with signs of not ridding your bicycle. Was there a law for such and how was the law made? This bothers me as I read the account it looks like this was made up after the event.
When I served on a Jury trial I was able to learn was evidence and proof for beyond a reasonable doubt. So there had to be a clear “lawful order” and it was clear that Mr. Orsak disobeyed.
So what are your next steps?
I wish you well and I do hope that cops (other people too) learn to see that cyclist really are part of our culture and we are trying to make our place just a little bit better.
Whishing Mr. Orsak the best.
Brian Carver
Raleigh, NC
I'm confused. If count V was dropped and you were acquitted of counts IV and VI, which of the orders that the police issued could be considered "lawful?"
Orsak- you were found guilty for a misdemanor (a crime) making you a criminal ;)
True that as of now he was found guilty of something and therefor has a criminal record. To clasify him then as a criminal is...well lame. I am sure that it will get overruled in appeals court if Stephan plans on appealing which I'm sure he will.
But regardless, the fact that all the other charges were NOT guilty really leads us to the bigger question that the last person who commented doesn't want to think about. Yes I'm sorry to say, but it sure doesn't look good for the Officers involved. In fact one might even go so far as to say that perhaps the "criminals" here were the ones that were supposed to be protecting us.
For everyone’s information, the MSP airport is like a little “city” in of itself. It has it’s own police department, fire, paramedics, rescue, etc. Of course they are under the laws of the State of Minnesota, but they are NOT a part of St. Paul nor Minneapolis cities.
I was trying to determine how he might have gotten out of the airport and his slide-show shows pictures from the “Transit Center” at the east end of the parking ramps. I assume he started from this point.
The “Authorized Vehicles Only” sign appears to go from the Transit Center to the “Exit” lanes from the parking ramp, or to the parking area for vehicles of those who work for the company operating the ramp.
Through the opening that I see in his slide, there is a pillar that would make vehicle traffic impossible, yet leave enough room for a person to walk through (even with a bike). This pillar looks like it could be removable for some unforeseen circumstances.
Question: Is this the exit taken to get on Glumack Drive? If so, then he was a pedestrian at that time (in order to get through the opening), yet later on he claims to be a vehicle?
Yet, that is neither here nor there at this point, as this was prior to the confrontation. He obviously got onto Glumack Drive someway.
In a narrative that was posted earlier, he relates that the police officer asked how he planned to get there (to St. Paul). He explained his planned route out of the airport that completely avoids the highway, he was planning on using the service roads connecting to Post Road and then the bike trails in Fort Snelling State Park.
However, there are no service roads to Post Road from Glumack Drive. The only service road is Northwest Drive, across a median that separates Glumack Drive and Northwest Drive, which is one-way towards the terminal, not towards Post Road.
Assume he did leave from the Transit Center and out a “normal” vehicle route, riding with traffic. From the point that he could first get onto Northwest Drive (the only possible route to Post Road), after crossing at least three lanes of traffic, the travel distance would be about ½ mile before he was on a two-way roadway that he could continue on to Post Road. This ½ mile would be against traffic (the wrong way on a one-way road).
Was this the area the he was apprehended, riding against traffic on Northwest Drive? He may have been first stopped by the officers on Glumack Drive, but in the process crossed the median and got onto Northwest Drive, and started riding away.
In his narrative, he states that “The one way service road is rarely traveled, a walking cyclist is twice the width of a riding one and with more limited control and you would be on the road 10 times longer.”
A pedestrian is allowed to walk on a roadway if they walk facing (against) the traffic. Yet a bicycle is considered a vehicle and needs to follow the laws pertaining to vehicles.
It sounds like he is stating that it is alright to “selectively” choose the vehicle laws that bicycles will follow. This line of thinking is similar to his post about the “concert” then riding to the court-house and “all traffic signals and laws will be explicitly followed, for obvious reasons”. He is trying to argue that it is “better” for him to ride, vs. walk the bike that ½ mile even though it is against vehicle laws.
I think the jury might have been confused about the one-way status behind counts IV and VI, thinking that it was Glumack Drive (where he was riding with traffic) vs. Northwest Drive (where he would be, or was, riding against traffic).
There is just no “safe” way for a pedestrian or a bicycle to get to, or from MSP airport, except to ride to a light-rail station as close to the airport as possible then ride the light rail to the terminal. Cost? $2.00 during peak hours and $1.50 other times.
It sounds like he got off easy at the trial. Yet he plans to appeal the one guilty verdict?
It almost sounds like there is more behind this than his pride. There must be some “deep pockets” behind this trying to force their own agenda, which I’m not sure that we really know, as yet.
John P. Bloomington, MN.
Deep pockets?
You think Mr Orsak is being PAID??
By who? The Society for the Preservation of Folding Bikes? The Violinists Guild? Vegetarian restaurants?
I really think he's just doing what every American has the right to do: defend himself.
Any money would come from a lawsuit for police brutality.
Who's paying his legal fees?
Who's paying for an appeal?
Has he got that kind of money to pursue this further?
If so, he can afford some light rail tickets next time.
John P. Bloomington, MN.
That's right. Mr Concert Violinist has proven he is SPECIAL. He shouldn't have to follow the same rules everyone else should, and no cop can make him. He found a jury that said as much. (And those who think juries *are* to be trusted, remember that OJ is a free man, today...)
The fact that he would appeal the one charge they found him guilty of merely demonstrates that all this has ever been about was his ego.
And I believe it was not a "Traffic Cop" but a "parking monitor" who was assaulted by Randy Moss. You are correct that a whole heck of a lot more should have been done to Moss and that it is a travesty that it was not.
s, to my utter disbelief, still does NOT understand that a bike is a vehicle, not a pedestrian. How many times do we have to knock your head to get you to understand this, s?
That's superb news, Stephan! Congratulations.
I have only just come across your blog and am truly shocked at what you have been through as a consequence of expressing your legal right to ride a bicycle.
I can't believe the thought process of some people.
Is it that bicycles should be permitted on "All" highways and streets, even though the "safety" of all concerned, especially the bicyclist, would be comprimised?
Should they be allowed on freeways with limited access on and off? Since a bicycle is considered a vehicle by the laws of Minnesota that this be allowed?
If so, let's start registering all of these "vehicles" with an annaual license from the state.
Get up on Google Maps, or some other ariel view, of MSP and look at the roadways serving Lindberg Terminal at MSP.
Glumack Drive comes from and returns to a designated "Freeway" where peds. and all non-motorized vehicles are prohibited. Yet a bicycle should be allowed on Glumack Drive?
He WAS attempting to get off of the airport property to connect to bike trails, but there is no safe way of doing that. The only "safe" (and probably lawful) way is to either take the light rail or the city bus until they are off the property.
The route he was attempting to take, out Glumack Drive until he could jump the median to Northwest Drive would take him onto a one-way street in the opposite direction he wished to travel.
Yet he, and all bicyclists should be able to do what they can, by whatever means, to ride their bikes into and out of Lindberg Terminal at MSP. Whether or not it puts them at risk and the drivers and vehicles that are attempting to exit the airport at risk also.
Makes sense???? I don't think so.
John P. Bloomington, MN
Hey s-
Did you really just compare Mr. Orsak to OJ Simpson? What's the matter, you couldn't think of a way to compare him to Adolf Hitler? Because clearly, a violinist with a folding bike and a disregard for authority has SO MUCH IN COMMON with an accused murderer!
Someone else compared him to Randy Moss, and asked why Moss didn't get stunned with a Taser. I think we all know that a concert violinist is much more intimidating than a Minnesota Viking. Just ask anyone on the Green Bay Packers. (j/k!)
If you think that juries are such a problem, may I recommend that you try the legal system in a place without them, such as Guantanamo Bay, Cuba? It's interesting that you trust your own judgement after reading a few hundred words on the internet over the careful deliberations of a full jury. In order for the system to work, we have to trust juries to hear the full case and carefully deliberate the facts on their merits. And in this case, it sounds pretty fair. I mean, did you read the details? He "shrugged forcefully"... Have you ever heard of someone being injured by a forceful shrug? Give me a break! That's just nonsense.
It frustrates me that some people jump into an attitude of blame before studying the case deeply. There are a lot of details to this case. For instance, as to Glumack Drive being a freeway (sic) because it comes from one and goes to one... anyone care to guess what the posted speed on Glumack Drive is?
It appears to me as if Mr. John P. Bloomington MN has not read much of the information presented on this web site. He also was apparently not at the trial, or his questions would have been answered. Authorized Vehicles signs were posted AFTER the incident happened. Although cars are restricted to driving on roads, bicyclists often get off their bicycles and walk over obstacles and on sidewalks and curbs. It is in fact possible and legal to walk the wrong way on a one-way road. Light Rail transit goes to Minneapolis, not to St Paul. By the way, for bikers who might be planning to use the idea of Light Rail to Humphrey Terminal, and then hook up with bike paths, I think that due to airport construction, currently (through 2007) the Light Rail does not stop at the Humphrey Terminal.
Well, I must say that I was in the courtroom throughout the whole trial, and I couldn't be happier for you MR. Orsak. The police were obviously wrong here, and you have a strong case for appealing the failure to comply with a lawful order sentence. It is clear that you are a man of integrity with a passion for what is right in the world. I believe the jury treated you fairly and I hope you feel victorious.
Response to "Court Observer"
Your statement "It is in fact possible and legal to walk the wrong way on a one-way road. " is absolutly correct.
However, by reading the narrative of Steve and the police reports, he was choosing NOT to walk (with his bike) against the one-way street. Isn't this (on Northwest Drive) where the "take-down" was performed?
As far as the light rail, you are correct the Humphrey station is closed. BUT, he could ride the light-rail towards Minneapolis and get off at the first station (Fort Snelling) and connect with the bike trails from there.
Plus there are city buses that go into St. Paul, down West 7th street, where he could get off and continue biking.
John P. Bloomington, MN
This is great news!
As a former student at the University of Minnesota I know the plight of cyclists in certain parts of the metro. Furthermore, the Minneapolis police department is notorious for its quick use of force. The derogatory term "the Blue Wave" is used by other local law enforcement to describe the arrest tactics of MPD.
I cannot wait to see the result of the ruling on the lawful nature of the order.
JRB
I was unfortunate enough to once run into belligent Minneapolis police while cycling with a group, but fortunate enough that there were sufficient witnesses to prevent their behavior from escalating to this level.
I wish you the best in proving that excessive use of police force includes discrimination based on transporatation mode, just as it has been shown to be based on race, religion, class, etc.
Thank You
Love the naysayers, it's sour grapes time! I love the comment about the jury, I guess Mr. Anonymous doesn't realize that both the prosecutor and the defense attonrey both get pre-emptory challenges. Perhaps the prosecutor was just a little over for his head for his skill set.
With these people it's always someone elses fault the country is going to hell in a handbasket and in a hurry too. The haters will find fault with anything no matter what the cause or issue. I say to you go back to your Rupert Murdoch Propaganda Network, your Brash Dimbulb hatefests, and Bill O'Rielly absurdities. I personally find it refreshing to see the establisment take a spanking for a change. It is obviously sorely needed in the MSP area. I think this case even challenges the validity of prohibiting bicycles from the airport. I'm trying to think what planet the airport planners / commisoners are from. They obviously are living in the past. Current plannng trends are for easy access for all transportation modes, not just the prominent ones from 30 years ago!
My personal best wishes for Mr. Orsak and I think he should go bear hunting over this issue just to pound it into the tiny little heads that this country was founded on priciples and not fear of authority.
Congrats!!!!
"With these people it's always someone elses fault"
Intersting that the same can be said for Mr Orsak's actions yes?
I can see both sides of this. Mr. Orsak, I'm sure you are a nice guy and it's commendable that you ride your bike, however if an officer tells you what you're doing is illegal, don't start asking questions and spending time asking him to explain where signs are and why what you're doing is wrong. I would comply, stop cycling and deal with the legality issue later, independent of the officer, especially if he starts acting like an a-hole about it. I'm sure this cop was a complete you-know-what, lied and was overagressive, and I certainly hope he gets punished for it...but starting an argument in any way with police is not common sense, and while you may have seen it simply as asking questions you knew he was becoming irritated - so at that point just STOP and let it go for then. I also don't believe there is common sense in riding a bicycle in that particular area of the terminal...in my mind common sense always prevails, and I would think that a law prohibiting bicycles - even if it wasn't posted correctly, which hopefully they've fixed - makes complete sense. You need to think about where you are riding your bike, and if it is safe for you and for the traffic in general. You could have simply told yourself, 'maybe it does make sense that I shouldn't be riding here due to how much traffic there is'...that being said, the cops were certainly wayyy out of line, but I think a lot of people would have avoided any confrontation or started asking 100 questions to begin with, and could've dealt with it after the fact, with the airport itself and not directly with police who seemed to be having a bad day to begin with. Don't complicate a situation with police, especially jerk officers, any more than you have to. Best of luck in the future.
I am a bicycle officer. I would have arrested you for the very same reasons.
Orsak, what if you were run over by a motorized vehicle in the narrow egress route from the terminal?
Peds are prohibited in the area you were riding in for safety reasons.
You were riding in an area which could have caused a BIG traffic jam. Or a bad accident with you, a bicyclist.
Common sense would tell me NOT to ride a bicycle in a dangerous spot where several lanes merge into one.
I would love to have a bike lane from the terminal. I think it would be nice. A bit costly at this revision, but at least incorporated into the next revision of the merger of 5 lanes into one egress area.
I carry a small tape recorder to verify everything you say to me. and everything I say to you.
Regarding the TASER, I have been tasered. Every officer who carries one has been to be certified. I survived.
Congrats on your victory. As someone who commutes via bicycle to the airport everyday you have exposed a high traffic area that could use better bike access. It's unfortunate you had to endure all the legal junk as well as the misguided idiotic comments.
Just a tip, it works better to cut through fort snelling rather then hwy.5, although I have known many who have taken that route and snuck around the law.
None the less, congrats!
Congratulations Stephan! All in all a successful outcome in your favor. You are a tremendous inspiration to every one who has been in this type of situation or ever will be.Good luck on the appeal.
A
We are missing something here. Because this nut wanted to ride on some of the busiest and least protected roads in the metro area, we have a
judge
jury
DA
courtroom
and vast amounts of other resources tied up. One could argue that the state could have let it go, but that would send the message that it is OK to ride your bike on the freeway, and there would 10X the court proceedings as all the cyclists with a death wish get on the road. So the state did what it had to do, prosecute some fool to prevent other fools from doing the same foolish event.
I don’t get on the field with the Vikes, as I would most likely suffer serious injury. Same goes for bikes in roads. Sorry, but that is the way it is.
Hey Stephan. Don't you know you could have just taken the light rail to the Humphrey terminal and biked from there?
Sheesh, I guess stupid is as stupid does. Personally, even if I know they are in the wrong, I respect the fact that police officers carry guns and tasers.
How do the bike patrol officers get around the MSP Airport. Are they breaking the law to enforce the law. Are there airport employees that ride their bike to and from work. Do they use the light rail from the Humphrey Termininal?? Do the NWA employees that work along NW Drive ride their bikes in compliance with the law??
Seriously? I just heard about this. You were actually on the terminal road with your bike?
Dude, sometimes, as green and health-conscious (and I know, I ride 15-20 miles a day) as you'd like to be, some places just are designed for bicycles.
Like highways for instance. And I'm in total agreement with Geoff. Cops have guns. But they also have tazers, which according to the latest statistics, they use ten times as much as firearms.
The airport cops probably get bored a lot too what with the TSA doing that fine work inside and all and them stuck outside doing traffic control. No wonder they tazed you. I would too if some dork was riding is foldable bicycle on terminal road.
Don't ruin it for the rest of us, man. Throw your bike on the light rail and after the first stop outside the airport, ride 'til you're blue in the face.
The airport is not a practical place to ride a bike. I'm sorry Stephan but just because something is legal does not mean it should be done.
You can't win an argument with a cop.
I think the cops were definitely abusive in this situation, however, both descriptions, yours and the police, make the altercation appear as a predictable outcome.
Geeze. I have mixed/conflicting thoughts on this one. On one hand, the airport traffic patterns are lacking bike facilities, so the episode was unfortunate for Stephan.
On the other hand, I wish I had the cash and connections to challenge everything I thought was illegal.
The good thing is that cops are still gonna be cops and Stephan is not gonna try that again. He might have won a few battles in court but, I know he will pay a little more attention to the next officer that gives him a lawfull order.
Good question E...Why don't you find the answers and then report back to everyone...
Maybe you can turnnit into a WCCO Investigative report on who bikes in the illegal areas at the airport...And why....
PhoenixRedux >>Did you really just compare Mr. Orsak to OJ Simpson?
No. I compared Juries to Juries.
Wow, to quote Bump 'you're selfish', take the light rail, seriously.
Stephan,
What news that you have share and I wonder did you have any complain with the officers? I work a Minnesota Departmen Of Transportation (Mn/DOT) and I relized what you had been charge for many things. However, with many new laws passed, airport officials are doing there best to redeem for public safety. State Officials are finding ways to take down people even state's empolyee. Nevertheless, most believe that you could have prevent if you pay more attention and alret to sign.
Say what you want about what streets are open to bikes or how much leeway there is to asking officers questions... But I see this as more about excessive force and/or police brutality. Mr O was not pointing a gun or a knife. There was no threat.
Up here in the city, superpredatory thugs roam free, while the leaders say, "Well, gee, there's nothing we can do..."
But we are so quick to crucify someone for a minor violation.
O.K. Seriously, I just tried to do what Stephan did and ended up getting sprayed with that pepper or mace spray by Eagan what the hell!
"How do the bike patrol officers get around the MSP Airport. Are they breaking the law to enforce the law. Are there airport employees that ride their bike to and from work."
It probably works the same as cops stopped in the median of the freeway or double-parked. They can because they're working. I've seen some of the airport police cars driving around with bike racks on them. I've also seen the bike cops on the light rail and the trams.
"I have learned a valuable lesson here.....that it is incumbant on all of us who treasure freedom and our rights as citizens to challenge officers when they are abusing their position of power."
Who are YOU to decided when there is abuse??
"All of the years ridding my bicycle, I would get crap from cops, “Hey you know you are not supposed to ride your bicycle here!” I would often reply “yes sir” while walking my bicycle with my stupid slippery cleats."
Here's a free lesson....Don't ride where you are not supposed too!
"Did you really just compare Mr. Orsak to OJ Simpson? What's the matter, you couldn't think of a way to compare him to Adolf Hitler?"
No but everyone compares him to Rosa Parks....Thats not even close! Years of oppression of an entire race of people wasn't on the line here!
"Thanks Stephan for fighting the good fight on behalf of bicyclists and others who care not to drive gas guzzling tanks to the airport."
How much fuel do you think that jet engine burns?? What are you going to do? Ride your bike thousands of miles one-way just to get some where?? No, you are going to drive or fly or boat....I bet you own a car.
"How much fuel do you think that jet engine burns??"
>The jet is gonna go whether you're on it or not. You're not saving the environment by not getting on. In a way, it's like mass transit.
"What are you going to do? Ride your bike thousands of miles one-way just to get some where??"
>Some people do.
Barry,
Yes I agree some people do. However, it is not nearly as quick or efficient. Yes it is mass transit, but you are only adding to the problem by purchasing tickets and using the system. And you call yourself GREEN.
Was that the only faults you could find with my comments?
For Nick and your stupid comment:
Here's a free lesson....Don't ride where you are not supposed too!
You know if you had read carefully, I was walking my bicycle. Your ablility to make remarks on the blog is only limited smart ass remarks. GO AWAY! And, be smart ass somewhere else.
Now sue the police department.
Yes, sue everybody! I will probly sue you and the people you work for, for punitive damages.
Saw the big news about the sentence. Absolutely the most insane thing I have heard in the "justice" system since Rodney King.
There are huge areas of the city I can no longer go to, businesses I can no longer spend my hard-earned money at, because they are over-run with dangerous thugs. Thugs that know they are immune and immortal.
And we are wasting our tax dollars to stick a violinist in jail for riding a bike or getting a little uppity at an officer. How many gangsta-thugs say, "yes sir" and "thank you, sir" on those rare occasions that an officer stops one of them?
I just now caught an article about this situation. While I certainly am on Stephan's side regarding his right to leave the airport via bicycle, the thing that really has me steamed is the completely unwarranted Taser use. It's been proven time and time again that Tasers can kill. I am extremely uncomfortable using an airport where unnecessary Taser use is not just overlooked, but defended in court.
This is just like when the police beat up a girl at Reagan National Airport in DC. They assaulted this girl and gave her a serious brain injury and made her entire body black and blue. Then they arrested HER and charged her with a made up crime. You can be beat up by police and then have them charge you with a slew of imaginary crimes to cover up the beating, even if you are a law abiding citizen. You don't think things like this happen in America until it happens to you.
Cops are worse than criminals.
Remeber Steven, a smart police officer will only have an IQ of about 100. They gravitate to these jobs because that is the limit of their cognative ability. Steven doesn't say it, but it is hard to take orders from someone that is not too bright. We have let the prison guards start running our lives. For someone as intellegent as Steven that would not stand, and I applaud that. I hope you are able to punish these 2 men in civil court. The bad part is with the low IQ's and bad judgement, these 2 idiots will be stuck in this low end job for a while so the possibility of this happening again is good.
kingediii@yahoo.com
PS I am a conservitive Republican, and don't really believe in global warming. This isn't a case of left v. right, it's a case of GOVERNMENT V. good people.
PSS. I was blown way by the comments that Steven deserved this. Those posters must be low level law enforcement types. Prison guards, city cops, bailiffs, jailers, assistant city prosecutors, TSA.
I bet it's tough to be in that position Stephen but I'm glad to hear you're standing up for your rights. Actions such as yours -- remaining vigilant to State aggression -- enable many to go on about their life without thinking twice of the need to do so. My synoposis: http://libertyismyhomie.blogspot.com/2007/08/fear-and-loathing-at-msp.html
Remember anonymous, if you claim that Police Officers have a low IQ then people like you have an even lower IQ.
How does the world look from your belly button since your head is so far up your ass?
Hi, this is anonymous. A different anonymous.
> Remember anonymous, if you claim that
> Police Officers have a low IQ then people like
> you have an even lower IQ.
Yeah yeah.
You seem to be just as effective at generalization as the one you accuse.
Let's do more to hire the more intelligent and well-trained police candidates available (if we can.
And let's have some oversight of this particular airport police force and its management.
It appears they are not especially well-run.
Ride your bike, if you don't already.
Glad you stood up to these bullies, Stephan.
But watch your back, too.
Keep up the search for better routes and the advocacy for developing new bike routes to major public destinations like airports.
Change often happens slowly, but it seems the ball is rolling.
> Remember anonymous, if you claim that
> Police Officers have a low IQ then people like
> you have an even lower IQ.
Brilliant!
Note - I did not say police or other low level law enforcement types are bad people, or all are dumb (many are). It's been proven that most of these folks are single taskers, and have average or below IQs. Many make up for it with good work ethics and orginazational skills. But these 2 bafoons obviously are not too bright. Suppose they just let Steven leave the scene so they could attend to the real emergency that was mentioned. That would have really been the best thing to do, but they did not have the brain power to make that kind of distinction.
Sincerely,
kingediii@yahoo.com
Wow kingediii@yahoo.com, such high level thinking coming from you. Your quote "It's been proven that most of these folks are single taskers, and have average or below IQs." actually made me laugh. Why don't you show some examples instead of spewing crap. If you can show me those stats I may just believe you.
Hello different anonymous..I was being fecitious in my comment.
Dear low-level LE type (COP),
I think this case would be a perfect example of how many cops have low IQ's. Why don't you find some proof to show that cops are not dumb? Because as you know officer, the burden of proof is on the state. Because although you tased Steven and caused him some temp. roadblocks, he will soon be a rich man and these 2 thugs will be selling groceries.
Sincerly,
kingediii@yahoo.com
I was reading these wonderful post's and than I remembered, I missed my critical mass ride :(
Gee kingediii@yahoo.com because I stand behind most of the police officers then I must be one? You're beginning to sound pretty stupid yourself...You make a statement about all this proof and someone calls you on it, you turn around and say "why don't YOU prove where it shows that they are smart"
Typical response from someone who talks from their ass....
Try again doofus...
From the UK!
Having been officially cautioned for cycling in a bus lane in Norwich UK years ago (by British police), I was doing the same the following day and warned a fellow cyclist of the Police's unfriendly attitude! He grinned at me and said "That's all right mate! I'm a bus driver!" Shortly afterwards a cycle lane sign was added! Our Police are still mostly friendly!
Congratulations on your court victory!
Not a cycling issue really, is it? I mean a bike lane, great. But why was nothing done to discipline this officer?
This kind of thing will only stop happening if everybody starts filming their own encounters with the police, or if very stricly enforced procedures are put into place to ensure that cops not only film these encounters but then protect those tapes and make it job 1 to see that they are made available as part of routine disclosure.
After seeing the report on CNN where a teen driver videotaped an accousting police officer threaten and say he would make up stories to get that driver in hot water, I'm more convinced than ever that the 2 officers, led by Officer Wingate could well have fabricated their stories to make sure they "got that bicyclist good" for daring to challenge them.
So much for good, honest police as role models. We have to get this kind of filth instead.
congrats!
wow, this post is positively brimming with racist, white class privilege bullshit!
that being said, congrats! now you know what it's like to be poor/minority/mentally ill/the thousands of others who are racially profiled by corrupt and abusive cops!
don't make this shit into something it's not - a bad luck incident that happens nationwide hundreds of times a day to violinists, blacks, the mentally retarded, circus performers, housewives, rugby players...
this is NOT martyr material.
Any thinking and feeling person knows that color is not the issue here- what happened to Stephen is wrong, wrong, wrong. Yes, blacks in poor neighborhoods have gotten more than there share of it. that's wrong too. maybe this story helps all kinds of people think about it, and more will speak out for all of our rights. were all in this together.
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