The responsibility for those that aren't being obedient doesn't seem to matter to me. The responsibility lies with the officer. If the disobedient aren't cooperating and they aren't a threat to themeselves or others, I don't see why an escalation to taser use is appropriate under any circumstances. Again, if there were a gun or knife, things would be different; they weren't.
Those who are practicing civil disobedience have the responsibility to protect themselves from harm. If they choose to ignore that responsibility and, for example, get chopped up in the propeller of Lucifer's ship when they fall off, then the only responsible party is the protester.
It seems to me, Cyn, that you're arguing that two wrongs make a right in this case, and I just can't accept it. Yes, the guy was a rude asshole and was warned that he would be tased if he didn't comply. Yes, the police were wrong for escalating to that level of force. All that does is make everyone involved wrong. The guy was punished with the tasing. What about those who shot the darts and those that ordered it?
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"They that can give up essential liberty to obtain a little temporary safety deserve neither liberty nor safety." - B. Franklin
"There ought to be limits to freedom." - George W. Bush
"We have met the enemy and he is us." - Pogo
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