BART POLICE MURDER OSCAR GRANT

deja vu with '92
No doubt, people in the Bay Area are having traumatic flashbacks to the 1992 shooting death of 19 year old Jerrold Hall this week as yet another young Black man has died at the hands of BART police. This story is just now starting to gain some legs though I'm surprised, in age of viral video and social networking, it hasn't spread even faster than it has already. Consider that Greece erupted nationally a few weeks ago over the police killing of a youth, this newly developing story around the shooting death of Oscar Grant is just as egregious, if not more.

Here's the SF Chron's most recent story on the shooting, identifying police officer Johannes Mehserle as the shooter. The story also includes what is now emerging as a popular "explanation" amongst apologists: Mehserle meant to use a Taser on Grant but accidentally(?!) pulled his gun out instead. (I'm not sure how that should make anyone feel safer).

KTVU television has very graphic video (warning!) from cell phone cameras of the shooting where it very clearly shows Grant, on his stomach, in a subdued position, with three cops standing over him, when Mehserle stands, pulls his weapon, points and shoots. Grant, at best, is struggling, but he's clearly not in any position to threaten anyone physically.

Personally, I cannot imagine how anyone could spin this as anything except for murder - not necessarily premeditated but most certainly unlawful. The tragic irony is that Grant left behind a 4 year old daughter while Mehserle became a new father within days of the shooting.

There's going to be a rally at the Fruitvale BART Station (where Grant was killed) on Wednesday afternoon, between 3-7pm.

--O.W.

THIS WEEK IN POLICE & PORN NEWS

I need to inspect a copy of Sisterhood of the Unraveling Pants, please.

• What One Man Will Do To Get Free Smut: The man above entered a Colorado adult novelty shop and stated he was a detective in Longmont Police Department's "Age Verification Unit." He showed his badge and business card. He demanded the store provide him with videos so he could verify the ages of the actors and actresses. Unfortunately for him, the store clerk refused. It didn't help that his business card had no name on it and that the Longmont Police Department does not have an "Age Verification Unit." The actual police department is now on the lookout for the fake porn inspector who is in his mid-30s, has a long black ponytail, wears a leather brace on his left wrist, and drives a red Dodge Neon. (Does that not sound like the dreamiest personal ad, ladies?) Fake pediatric hernia inspectors, take note.

• Officer, Is That A Rotating Rabbit In Your Pocket? : In 2005, Houston police raided an adult novelty store and seized $80,000 worth of sex toys that were declared illegal. When the Fifth Circuit declared them legal again, the store tried to retrieve their inventory. Unfortunately, there were no fleshlights, blow-up sheep, or sparkle plugs to pick up, as all the merchandise has gone "missing" from the property room. Perhaps all would-be fake porn inspectors should just become actual cops.

• One Reason To Call 911: Emergency! Please send the police! My 8-year-old child won't stop watching porn!

--Junichi