Peter Watts, et al

[solarbird]

If you haven't heard about the Peter Watts incident, go read these:

http://whatever.scalzi.com/2009/12/11/helping-out-peter-watts/

http://nielsenhayden.com/makinglight/archives/011966.html

and

http://www.boingboing.net/2009/12/11/dr-peter-watts-canad.html#comment-662175

The first has the link to the Peter Watts Defence Fund. Also, here is Mr. Watts's post on it, and an update posted yesterday.

And in another (less serious, since nobody got beaten and charged) US customs stupidity incident, and the difficulty of getting performance visas for arts and performance groups in the US.

Comments

[kvogel.livejournal.com]

Unfortunately, to most LEOs, getting out of one's car, even with the most innocent of intentions, is considered a belligerent act and their first reaction is to "subdue". That they thumped him and charged him is totally bogus, and getting out of one's car shouldn't be an issue, but the hard fact is that LEOs rightly do get twitichy when an unknown citizen does so.
There ought to be video, or a fuller description of events, and if he really did get thumped SIMPLY for getting out of his car, but only if he had not been commanded not to, then yes, he would then get my full sympathy.