He's sunk.

I don't care. Those cyclists are obnoxious and hostile. Pounding them is a public service.

Damn!

re: #2 Dark_Falcon

I don't care. Those cyclists are obnoxious and hostile. Pounding them is a public service.

You really don't mean that, do you?

ah well, can't pull up the vid.

Yeah, looks like an avoidable situation. The cop probably felt like he was not being given the right of way. But he was still out of line.

Heavens to Murgatroyd! I can understand the cop's frustration but, this was without provocation. He just walked over and shoved that man. Shame on him. Shame.

It's going to be really hard to talk his way out of this, knocked the guy on his ass plain as day.

re: #6 rawmuse

Yeah, looks like an avoidable situation. The cop probably felt like he was not being given the right of way. But he was still out of line.

The cyclist was swerving to avoid him.

re: #2 Dark_Falcon

I don't care. Those cyclists are obnoxious and hostile. Pounding them is a public service.

That is true. But if they can get away with doing it to that idiot they can get away with doing it to you.

re: #2 Dark_Falcon

He didn't do anything! That cop's a thug and NYC will be better off without him.

You can see the cop zero in on the approaching rider, then position himself and shove him right onto the sidewalk. He could easily have killed that guy.

Charles I hope you are wrong on this one. The LEO was obviously looking from this man. He had a target and took him out. Many cyclist past him and he didn't even give them more than a glance.

As much as I dislike the Critical Massholes, the officer on the tape had no business pushing the bicyclist like that. The bicyclist made a move to go around the officer, and the officer moved deliberately to push him.

re: #9 MandyManners

The cyclist was swerving to avoid him.

In the slo-mo the cyclist clearly leans in to the cop.

Is there any indication that this particular cyclist was doing something that might warrant the officer stopping him? If not, he better start looking for other employment, and a good lawyer.

re: #6 rawmuse

Yeah, looks like an avoidable situation. The cop probably felt like he was not being given the right of way. But he was still out of line.

Wait, wait, wait, the cop was not being given the right of way? The two cops were standing in the middle of the street, it was evident that the cop eye-balled that rider before he got there and started to walk in such a way that he would connect with the rider as the rider passed.

That was premeditated. One hundred percent.

re: #4 Walter L. Newton

You really don't mean that, do you?

No, I don't. I've just had to scurry out of the way of bikers like that enough times, that part of me enjoyed that video. That hit should not have happened, and if I were on his jury, I'd vote to convict the cop. But I understand why he might have done that.

It seems for some reason the policeman waited and singled this guy out, as you can see the second office was watching the same biker also. I'm wondering if the biker was yelling threats or doing something we don't see or hear in the video ... Just on face value it does look bad, but what we don't know is why the policeman did what he did or we don't know his side of the story.

He's sunk.

Completely out of line.

*LE Trained*

I would have stuck my baton in the front wheel...
More air time.

///

I was thinking this might have been like the code pinker who kept taunting and disobeying the cop, then they play the snippet of her getting shoved. I was wrong. That cop goes out of his way to hit a random biker. He's toast.

That was just a dumb move by the policeman, in my opinion. I didn't see any provocation on the cyclist's part to justify being knocked off a bicycle like that. Granted, I only saw what was on the video, not the ride leading up to where the policemen were standing.

On the same token, it really wasn't bright for that cyclist to not be wearing a helmet. That's pretty stupid too.

OT: I thought this might be of interest.

Code Pink activists march in solidarity with shoe-throwing Iraqi journalist

BERKELEY (BCN) Anti-war activists from the group Code Pink will hold a march at a Marine recruiting station in Berkeley this morning to show solidarity with an Iraqi journalist who threw his shoes at President Bush on Sunday.

Members of the group and others will march around the recruiting station holding shoes in the air to show support for Iraqi journalist Muntadhar al-Zeidi, who hurled two shoes at Bush during a news conference in Baghdad.

re: #16 rawmuse

In the slo-mo the cyclist clearly leans in to the cop.

He's leaning to make a turn, as one does on a bicycle. The officer clearly puts his arms under the bicyclist to lift and push him.

If the cop is guilty he should be prosecuted but...we have no idea what the bicyclist was doing before he entered the video. The cop must have seen something.

re: #18 Walter L. Newton

Wait, wait, wait, the cop was not being given the right of way? The two cops were standing in the middle of the street, it was evident that the cop eye-balled that rider before he got there and started to walk in such a way that he would connect with the rider as the rider passed.

That was premeditated. One hundred percent.

Yes, but why? Did the cyclist do something we didn't see?

re: #2 Dark_Falcon

No, they should be arrested, and get sued for all traffic delays they cause.
They can work it off by pedaling generators if they can't afford it.

re: #21 iChef

It seems for some reason the policeman waited and singled this guy out, as you can see the second office was watching the same biker also. I'm wondering if the biker was yelling threats or doing something we don't see or hear in the video ... Just on face value it does look bad, but what we don't know is why the policeman did what he did or we don't know his side of the story.

IT DOESN'T FUCKING MATTER. Are you crazy. That sounds like the same damn argument that someone gives for beating their wife.

not to show my ignorance, but who are these critical mass people. what do they represent?

I cant see the video but as my daddy always said: Never believe anything you hear and only half of what you see.

case in point.

while out with my sister one night we walked into the parking lot pushing and shoving each other and trash talking to each other and some young girls really thought we were going to come to blows, they went inside and told the mgr that two women were ready to fight in the parking lot.

I wish I could see the vid. It is possible that the cop had tangled with the cyclist a couple of times prior to the altercation.

I hate pre-conviction Guilt by Video .

That cop is toast. He will be lucky to walk out of this without doing some time.

re: #29 Kosh's Shadow

No, they should be arrested, and get sued for all traffic delays they cause.
They can work it off by pedaling generators if they can't afford it.

Agreed.

re: #27 Steve

If the cop is guilty he should be prosecuted but...we have no idea what the bicyclist was doing before he entered the video. The cop must have seen something.

I'm going to post the same answer to anyone who thinks that this was justified...

IT DOESN'T FUCKING MATTER. Are you crazy. That sounds like the same damn argument that someone gives for beating their wife.

I'm sorry, but who are these cyclists? I know nothing about this.

re: #28 Ford_Prefect

Yes, but why? Did the cyclist do something we didn't see?

IT DOESN'T FUCKING MATTER. Are you crazy. That sounds like the same damn argument that someone gives for beating their wife.

Is anyone else having a problem with Firefox crashing?

re: #32 Eowyn2

I cant see the video but as my daddy always said: Never believe anything you hear and only half of what you see.

case in point.

while out with my sister one night we walked into the parking lot pushing and shoving each other and trash talking to each other and some young girls really thought we were going to come to blows, they went inside and told the mgr that two women were ready to fight in the parking lot.

I wish I could see the vid. It is possible that the cop had tangled with the cyclist a couple of times prior to the altercation.

I hate pre-conviction Guilt by Video .

IT DOESN'T FUCKING MATTER. Are you crazy. That sounds like the same damn argument that someone gives for beating their wife.

re: #30 Walter L. Newton

IT DOESN'T FUCKING MATTER. Are you crazy. That sounds like the same damn argument that someone gives for beating their wife.

I am not defending this officer, but we don't know the whole story just from this video. I will agree that even if he was justified in stopping this cyclist he could have done it less violently.

re: #31 lefty201

not to show my ignorance, but who are these critical mass people. what do they represent?

Assholes on bikes who think they own the road.

re: #31 lefty201

not to show my ignorance, but who are these critical mass people. what do they represent?

Critical Mass
They take over roads and cause gridlock making the "point" cars are evil.

Well, I can't get the vid, so I'll just talk about Adriana Lima or guns or something.

Oof!

re: #36 vxbush

I'm sorry, but who are these cyclists? I know nothing about this.

I think it was a Critical Mass protest.

re: #42 jcm

Critical Mass
They take over roads and cause gridlock making the "point" cars are evil.

Surely we can find a quote from someone in history who said bicycles were evil? There's got to be at least one.

re: #43 Occasional Reader

Well, I can't get the vid, so I'll just talk about Adriana Lima or guns or something.

She was here last night.

re: #23 Kragar (Proud to be Kafir)

I was thinking this might have been like the code pinker who kept taunting and disobeying the cop, then they play the snippet of her getting shoved. I was wrong. That cop goes out of his way to hit a random biker. He's toast.

unless the random biker had a previous infraction up the line somewhere.

re: #16 rawmuse

In the slo-mo the cyclist clearly leans in to the cop.

I saw the slo-mo bit. The cyclist's movements prior to contact were overall swerving away.

re: #31 lefty201

not to show my ignorance, but who are these critical mass people. what do they represent?

They're douchebags.

Slightly more fulsome explanation; they're people who believe themselves morally superior to lesser beings due to their status as cyclists (or, at least, cyclists at that given moment). To show how superior they are, they deliberately shut down public roadways.

Punk on a power trip with his new badge.

Won't change my opinion of the NYPD, though.

re: #46 vxbush

Surely we can find a quote from someone in history who said bicycles were evil? There's got to be at least one.

[Link: www.evilcycling.com...]

Here is a little piece of advice, for what it is worth.
If you are in control of a moving vehicle and a cop (or any pedestrian, for that matter, but ESPECIALLY a cop) moves in front of you, headed for the sidewalk,

SLOW DOWN or better yet STOP.

The cyclist did NOT do that. That does not give the cop a pass, but the entire situation was avoidable by the application of a little ORDINARY COURTESY.

cop was trying to get off the street and threw out his arm a when the Colission was unavoidable.

not guilty.

re: #47 Walter L. Newton

She was here last night.

"Here" meaning... your home? Well, good for you!

re: #14 Erik The Red

Charles I hope you are wrong on this one. The LEO was obviously looking from this man. He had a target and took him out. Many cyclist past him and he didn't even give them more than a glance.

Why this one?

re: #42 jcm

Critical Mass
They take over roads and cause gridlock making the "point" cars are evil.

Yep, they're evil but they don't deserve what that rider got. I regret my #2 comment. It'll probably come in at -20 for karma and I can't really fault the down-dings. I'm sorry.

re: #37 Walter L. Newton

IT DOESN'T FUCKING MATTER. Are you crazy. That sounds like the same damn argument that someone gives for beating their wife.

I am sorry, Walter, but you are wrong. It isn't the same thing at all. As I said, If he was justified in stopping the cyclist he could have done it differently, but to say it is the same as beating a wife is just wrong.

Another video taken from a different angle doesn't show the hit, but shows police stopping another cyclist, then the cop running toward the guy right after hitting him.

For those who can't see the video: Critical Mass Bicyclist Assaulted by NYPD

re: #35 Walter L. Newton

I'm going to post the same answer to anyone who thinks that this was justified...

IT DOESN'T FUCKING MATTER. Are you crazy. That sounds like the same damn argument that someone gives for beating their wife.

Yes, it does matter. They guy may have tried to kick somebody as he rode by or etc. etc. And equating this incident with wife beating is totally out of line

You are going after the cop based on incomplete facts. Get a life and take your Valium.

re: #21 iChef

It seems for some reason the policeman waited and singled this guy out, as you can see the second office was watching the same biker also. I'm wondering if the biker was yelling threats or doing something we don't see or hear in the video ... Just on face value it does look bad, but what we don't know is why the policeman did what he did or we don't know his side of the story.

Regardless.. It was unnecessary to utilize such force to stop & apprehend. I think that's where they get the term "unnecessary force." :)

re: #50 Occasional Reader

How people pick these "causes" among all the issues in the world is a mystery to me.

Rodney King Part Deux.

No matter what led up to the incident seen in the video, the court of public opinion will fry the officer. And with the level of hatred against LE in liberal cities like NYC or LA I would not doubt that there will be violence if the officer gets a slap on the wrist or is found not guilty.

GD bless airbrushing.

Carmen Electra looking smoking hot in Playboy.

A Rant On Idiots On Bicycles.

re: #30 Walter L. Newton

IT DOESN'T FUCKING MATTER. Are you crazy. That sounds like the same damn argument that someone gives for beating their wife.

I can give a few reasons:

Cyclist wanted for x, y, z crimes
Cyclist kicked little old lady out of the way further up the line
Moving vehicle, cyclist not going to stop, cop must stop cyclist.

re: #54 experiencedtraveller

when the Colission was unavoidable

Hey, none of those fancy French terms here, please.

I wish we could see what happened prior to this ...there is always more to the story ...for all we know the guy on the bike could have slapped someone down the road before the video (just using that as an example) ...I want the cop to get the same benefit of the doubt everyone else is suppose to get until all the evidence comes out ...

re: #21 iChef

It seems for some reason the policeman waited and singled this guy out, as you can see the second office was watching the same biker also. I'm wondering if the biker was yelling threats or doing something we don't see or hear in the video ... Just on face value it does look bad, but what we don't know is why the policeman did what he did or we don't know his side of the story.

I don't care if the cyclist was shouting slurs against the cops' mothers. That's no excuse to shove him.

re: #53 rawmuse

It looks like the cops just got pissed and pushed the biker down. The cop walked over to that spot and knocked him down...

re: #48 Eowyn2

unless the random biker had a previous infraction up the line somewhere.

Wouldn't matter. The officer made no attempt to halt or detain the biker, didn't sound like any sort of warning or order to halt was made. He just cross checked the guy.

re: #64 buzzsawmonkey

The cop clearly did wrong.

That said, New York cyclists routinely

1) Ride the wrong way, against traffic;

2) Ignore bike lanes;

3) Ignore traffic signs and traffic lights, and run lights with impunity;

4) Cut in front of other vehicles without warning;

5) Ride without lights or reflectors at night;

6) Wear dark clothing at night while riding without lights or reflectors;

7) Run down pedestrians, often when riding against traffic.

And they get called on NONE of this. No tickets. No arrests. No confiscations. Instead, the city gives them bike lanes which they don't use and--frankly--don't need, increasing the overall traffic congestion. And, unlike the motorists whose space they impinge on with the bike lanes, the cyclists pay absolutely no taxes or fees towards road maintenance.

8) Deliver your food.

re: #66 Ben Hur

GD bless airbrushing.

Carmen Electra looking smoking hot in Playboy.

Link?

Did they not have the right to their protest, obnoxious as they are?

Then by what right was this cop assaulting this cyclist? If there was some provocation, surely this was still excessive force on the part of the officer.

re: #53 rawmuse

Here is a little piece of advice, for what it is worth.
If you are in control of a moving vehicle and a cop (or any pedestrian, for that matter, but ESPECIALLY a cop) moves in front of you, headed for the sidewalk,

SLOW DOWN or better yet STOP.

The cyclist did NOT do that. That does not give the cop a pass, but the entire situation was avoidable by the application of a little ORDINARY COURTESY.

Critical Mass protests, so ordinary courtesy is not allowed or required. They do this for just such a reaction from LE or civilian drivers.

re: #53 rawmuse

The cyclist did NOT do that. That does not give the cop a pass, but the entire situation was avoidable by the application of a little ORDINARY COURTESY.

If the biker had any ordinary courtesy, he wouldn't be part of Critical Mass.

I have started to see memorials to killed bicyclists put up around the NYC.

Bikes painted white and chained to a sign, with the victim's name, etc.

re: #46 vxbush

Surely we can find a quote from someone in history who said bicycles were evil? There's got to be at least one.

Maybe the inventor of the unicycle? Cursing as he said 'why the hell didn't I think of that?'

re: #54 experiencedtraveller

cop was trying to get off the street and threw out his arm a when the Colission was unavoidable.

not guilty.

He shoved that cyclist with BOTH hands.

ok, while I agree that sharing the road with cyclists is a really good thing. I think they need to respect the laws as much as any other vehical on the road. If they become assholes about it, and start displaying road rage, they should get the same penalties as any other driver.

with that being said...

This officer was out of line. there were a lot of other ways he could have approached this. He could have called for someone in a car to follow said rider and pull him over if the rider did something beyond the camera lens. The police officer could easily have broken the guys neck when he came down.

re: #68 Eowyn2

I can give a few reasons:

Cyclist wanted for x, y, z crimes
Cyclist kicked little old lady out of the way further up the line
Moving vehicle, cyclist not going to stop, cop must stop cyclist.

Did anyone read the charges? He is also charged with falsifying records on this case. That's interesting.

Well Lizards, it has been fun. Time to put on a suit and tie and take some clients out to the boss' club for lunch.

I am not familiar with the story,was the cop radioed by another officer to stop the guy for something that took place down the street off camera?

They should run a set of street cleaning machines in front of the critical jerks. Get that street nice and soapy shiny clean. And if one ambulance or fire truck is delayed by these selfish thugs then I say round them up and charge them with reckless endangerment or negligent manslaughter.

re: #75 Creeping Eruption

Link?

Don't know if that would be appropriate?

Some might not appreciate the temptation.
.
.

.
.
..
.

Ah, screw it.

[Link: ns4w.org...]

NOT SAFE FOR WORK.

re: #64 buzzsawmonkey

Also, many ride track bikes with no brakes, in crowded city streets, to prove how cool they are.

Feh.

Use of Force Continuum. Used by all US LE.

# Verbal command
# Handcuff suspect
# Use wrist/arm lock
# Use takedown
# Block/punch/kick
# Strike suspect
# Wrestle suspect
# Pepper spray
# Use baton
# Use firearm

Note: An officer may skip steps depending on the threat. I.E. draw firearm if presented with a suspect with a lethal weapon. However all officers are still trained to use the voice command, "DROP THE KNIFE" (or Gun).

In this case officer is standing in the street. Video has audio, no commands where given. It was not an attempt at a controlled take down, bringing a suspect to the ground to be controlled and cuffed. Critical Masshole is going around the officer. Officer takes steps and knocks the cyclist down.

Officer is off the reservation. (based on video).

I don't give a tinker's damn about the cyclist, what I care about is police abusing their authority.

re: #80 LGoPs

Maybe the inventor of the unicycle? Cursing as he said 'why the hell didn't I think of that?'

I guy rode by me on the Upper East Side of Manhattan last week on one of those.

Totally normal looking guy, probably on his way back from work.

I can't see the video because I'm at work.

But, thanks charles for mentioning what a bane to society these critical mass riders are. I've nearly gotten in wrecks because of their "protests" and now I try to make their life as miserable as possible- following at a safe distance while honking for example.

You don't need to hurt them to give them a taste of their own irritating medicine!

That said my dad is an avid bike rider and he's almost been hit many times by inconsiderate cars. Now these idiots have made people even less considerate, ugh.

re: #83 Walter L. Newton

Did anyone read the charges? He is also charged with falsifying records on this case. That's interesting.

A cop trying to cover his ass, probably. Ain't gonna work in the court of public opinion no matter how it plays out in a civil courtroom.

re: #46 vxbush

Surely we can find a quote from someone in history who said bicycles were evil? There's got to be at least one.

About the only thing I remember seeing was about the propriety of women riding bicycles.
;-)

re: #69 Occasional Reader

Hey, none of those fancy French terms here, please.

iPhone reeking havoc on my painfully ignorant commentery. :)

re: #64 buzzsawmonkey

The cop clearly did wrong.

That said, New York cyclists routinely

1) Ride the wrong way, against traffic;

2) Ignore bike lanes;

3) Ignore traffic signs and traffic lights, and run lights with impunity;

4) Cut in front of other vehicles without warning;

5) Ride without lights or reflectors at night;

6) Wear dark clothing at night while riding without lights or reflectors;

7) Run down pedestrians, often when riding against traffic.

And they get called on NONE of this. No tickets. No arrests. No confiscations. Instead, the city gives them bike lanes which they don't use and--frankly--don't need, increasing the overall traffic congestion. And, unlike the motorists whose space they impinge on with the bike lanes, the cyclists pay absolutely no taxes or fees towards road maintenance.

Riding on the sidewalk should be a felony. Or at a minimum a flogging offense. I can't tell you how many times I've been nearly killed. They're on the sidewalk because they are inexperienced or in fear of getting hit by a car, making them a greater threat to pedestrians.

re: #81 MandyManners

He shoved that cyclist with BOTH hands.

And lunged at him... hard to "avoid a collision" when you do that?

Yeah, looks to me like the cop is in the wrong, much as I despise the Critical Massholes.

re: #85 bulwrk

I am not familiar with the story,was the cop radioed by another officer to stop the guy for something that took place down the street off camera?

That will only matter in a civil courtroom. In the court of public opinion the officer has already been tried and found guilty.

re: #78 Kragar (Proud to be Kafir)

If the biker had any ordinary courtesy, he wouldn't be part of Critical Mass.

Thank you, I stand corrected. The entire premise of Critical Mass is the antithesis of courtesy.

from a different point of view.

If the cyclist had stayed on his original course, he would have passed behind the policeman instead of in front of the policeman.

re: #87 Ben Hur

Don't know if that would be appropriate?

Some might not appreciate the temptation.
.
.

.
.
..
.

Ah, screw it.

[Link: ns4w.org...]

NOT SAFE FOR WORK.

I know what I want for Chankukah

This must be a New York issue, because I rarely see bikers doing this in the midwest. The most I see there are people riding their bikes on the wrong side of the street. Maybe every once in a while a biker goes through a light where there is no traffic.

re: #94 buzzsawmonkey

The delivery folks on bicycles are among the worst offenders as far as no-lights, no-reflectors, and riding against traffic/running lights/ignoring signs are concerned.

They can deliver food and still abide by the traffic laws.

If people want to ride bikes, fine; if the city wants to encourage them to do so, fine. But let them be treated as the vehicles they are.

A serious three-month crackdown on cyclist scofflaws would vastly improve the quality of life in New York.

Quick, call the Governor, they can throw a tax on bikes too.

re: #85 bulwrk

I am not familiar with the story,was the cop radioed by another officer to stop the guy for something that took place down the street off camera?

What in heaven's name, short of killing someone off camera, could he have done that would give the cop a right to slam him off the bike in such a way that could have instantly killed him.

Good God, he was moving at good clip and went pounding into the cement pavement, he didn't even land on the bit softer asphalt.

Thats about what happened to Lance Armstrong in stage 15 in 2003 when some dipshit in the crowd threw their purse straps over his handlebar as he rode by and made him wipe out in spectacular fashion.

Seen the clip 100 times and it was no accident. They used their purse straps like a lasso to pull the bike down.

That said, the cop in that video is toast. He obviously meant to shove the guy over.

re: #65 FurryOldGuyJeans

Rodney King Part Deux.

No matter what led up to the incident seen in the video, the court of public opinion will fry the officer. And with the level of hatred against LE in liberal cities like NYC or LA I would not doubt that there will be violence if the officer gets a slap on the wrist or is found not guilty.

I don't know. I know a couple of New Yorkers who secretly fantasize about mowing these cyclists down with their cars - that is if they can get their cars to move faster than 5 mph. They complain about cyclists all the time. And they are total Leftist Greenies - they even applaud ALF. But they hold an especial anger for these cyclists.

re: #94 buzzsawmonkey

You want cold eggroll?!?!?!?

But seriously, some restaurants have improved their delivery dudes safetly, with reflective vests, etc.

The riding on the sidewalk bit annoys the hell out of me and my dog.

re: #42 jcm

Critical Mass
They take over roads and cause gridlock making the "point" cars are evil.

Exactly right. These people are not pro-bicycle. They are anti-car. On that website, one of the headings for their link categories says "Other Anti-Car sites."

re: #104 vxbush

This must be a New York issue, because I rarely see bikers doing this in the midwest. The most I see there are people riding their bikes on the wrong side of the street. Maybe every once in a while a biker goes through a light where there is no traffic.

It is a big city phenomenon, usually the cities on the coast like NYC, Seattle or LA.

Notice the Black Flags they are waving? The merchants should have chosen that time to toss out the slops.

He seems to be gunning for that one person. Why? Did he just pick that particular moment to lose control of himself, or was there something happening?

The video sure looks bad, but there is often more to the story. It's just hard to imagine what the cyclist may have done to justify being shoved like that.

re: #83 Walter L. Newton

Did anyone read the charges? He is also charged with falsifying records on this case. That's interesting.

but that is not in the video.

re: #93 FurryOldGuyJeans

A cop trying to cover his ass, probably. Ain't gonna work in the court of public opinion no matter how it plays out in a civil courtroom.

Oh, I see, he was trying to cover his ass for being RIGHT.

re: #96 experiencedtraveller

iPhone reeking havoc on my painfully ignorant commentery. :)

Well, that'll teach you to buy a French iPhone, won't it?

re: #83 Walter L. Newton

Did anyone read the charges? He is also charged with falsifying records on this case. That's interesting.

I wonder which record was supposedly falsified.

re: #118 MandyManners

I wonder which record was supposedly falsified.

BIRTH CERTIFICATE.

My favorite t-shirt of the convention:

Denver Police
We wake up early to beat the crowds

In this case, the officer has to be able to show some sort of provocation or he is in the deepest of poohs.

I just about killed a bunch of Critical Massholes one night.

They blew a red light just as I was entering on the green. Fortunately, and I don't now how I didn't hit any of them. They surrounded my truck and pounded on it. Eventually they moved on.

Good thing I'm a pretty calm and guy, and reasonable.

I only had 31 rounds and there was about 80 of them.
///on the last line.

I suppose that a "cash settlement" will be forthcoming? I wonder what this one's gonna cost.

re: #111 FurryOldGuyJeans

And San Francisco. My car was vandalized by these assholes, with me in it, drivine, and I was armed.

I let them live.

re: #118 MandyManners

I wonder which record was supposedly falsified.

Manhattan District Attorney Robert Morgenthau said Pogan was charged with falsifying business records and filing a false instrument. Both are felonies punishable by sixteen months to four years in prison.

re: #112 lifeofthemind

Notice the Black Flags they are waving? The merchants should have chosen that time to toss out the slops.

Pirates of the Road, then. Where's loflyer? We could use his pirate act here.

re: #114 Eowyn2

but that is not in the video.

It's in the article that Charles linked to...

[Link: news.yahoo.com...]

Geeessshhh.

Of course those bikes were all localling made by hand and delivered to the retail shops on bikes.

What the hell was that cop thinking?

re: #99 Occasional Reader

And lunged at him... hard to "avoid a collision" when you do that?

Yeah, looks to me like the cop is in the wrong, much as I despise the Critical Massholes.

I'm glad I don't have to put up with those jerks here. Traffic's bad enough with those entitled assholes in their monster trucks and Hummers.

He also faces misdemeanor charges of third-degree assault, second-degree harassment and making a punishable false written statement.

Morgenthau said Pogan falsified details in the criminal complaint and other paperwork related to Long's arrest, claiming Long steered his bike into the officer and injured him.

This cop's a prick. He's the sort of guy that gives decent cops a bad name.

re: #113 capitalist piglet

He seems to be gunning for that one person. Why? Did he just pick that particular moment to lose control of himself, or was there something happening?

I'm guessing the cop was at first just intending to walk over to the sidewalk. Got angry at cyclists not stopping, and at the last moment "picked" that one to knock down.

The cop should hire Blago's attorney.

"These charges against my client are an outrage, your honor. My client is not only a police officer trying to keep the peace in New York City, but was, at that very moment, a pedestrian crossing the street. That bicyclist failed to yield to a pedestrian who has the right of way even when not a police officer. In fact, he was defending himself your honor - defending himself from the assault that the bicyclist perpetrated upon him as he rode his vehicle into my client's path"

re: #115 Walter L. Newton

Oh, I see, he was trying to cover his ass for being RIGHT.

Was he right? With what is getting reported I doubt we can say that. I sure can't say. All I know is the officer reported getting assaulted by the cyclist and the video shows something entirely different.

Well ok, I've watched the video twice - including the slow motion part twice and I have to say that it looks to me as if that cop targeted that particular cyclist right from the get go - the cyclist does appear to be swerving towards the curb to avoid any contact and the cop just shoved him over.
Don't care what the cyclist may have said, that cop is toast based on this video and deservedly so.

re: #118 MandyManners

I wonder which record was supposedly falsified.

From the article...

Pogan is accused of knocking Christopher Long off his bicycle without justification on June 25 during a bike ride organized by a group that promotes alternative transportation. Pogan had filed charges of resisting arrest, disorderly conduct and obstructing government administration against Long, but those charges were dismissed.
Manhattan District Attorney Robert Morgenthau said Pogan was charged with falsifying business records and filing a false instrument. Both are felonies punishable by sixteen months to four years in prison.

[Link: news.yahoo.com...]

Bloomberg has proposed creating 1800 miles of bike lanes across NYC. That's despite the fact that cyclists don't use them, ignore traffic law, and the bike lanes in some areas were set up with absolutely no clue - Grand Street in particular, which now routinely creates traffic jams in the area as cars and trucks can't navigate the tight corners and traffic pattern set up by the DOT.

Bloomberg is doing everything imaginable to make the city inhospitable to vehicular traffic, and that plays into the hands of the Critical Mass goons who ride with reckless abandon time and time again, causing traffic jams and nightmares for thousands of drivers on a regular basis.

At the same time, this cop was out of line and deserves whatever judgment is handed down against him. He could have killed the cyclist.

re: #119 Ben Hur

BIRTH CERTIFICATE.

NIRTH. NIRTH. NIRTH.

No excuses for the cop here. He should be accustomed to being insulted by now. Fire him at minimum, maybe some jail time to give his colleagues a little object lesson.

(Yes, the Critical Mass types are sanctimonious assholes. No, that's not an offense that merits being shoved off a bike.)

But if the cop had ordered him to stop, and he refused, well thats a different matter.

According to Code Pink, throwing shoes is only an "insult".

So, what if we went to the next Critical Mass bicycle protest and simply insulted them with shoes?

re: #89 jcm

Exactly. The officer overstepped his bounds by not first attempting to stop the bicyclist. If he did, and it escalated to the point where the bicyclist was assaulting the officer, then the use of force might be justified. As it was, I saw no attempt to stop the bicyclist in the video, just a cross-check.

He should get more than 2 minutes in the sin bin for it.

re: #126 Walter L. Newton

It's in the article that Charles linked to...

[Link: news.yahoo.com...]

Geeessshhh.

That further toasts his ass.

A cop who falsified reports is useless.

Next case he testifies on the defense, only has to point out the cop fakes paperwork and presto reasonable doubt.

A Cops word HAS to be gold.

re: #123 rawmuse

And San Francisco. My car was vandalized by these assholes, with me in it, drivine, and I was armed.

I let them live.

If that had happened to me, I would have lost it and done what that cop did. I'm not saying I would be right, I'd be wrong to do so. But I doubt I'd be able to control my temper. That's part of the reason I don't drive (don't even have a license).

re: #127 Ben Hur

Of course those bikes were all localling made by hand and delivered to the retail shops on bikes.

And their chains are lubricated with sunflower oil from locally grown sunflowers.

re: #122 Lincolntf

I suppose that a "cash settlement" will be forthcoming? I wonder what this one's gonna cost.

No suit's been filed. Yet.

re: #129 MandyManners

Traffic's bad enough with those entitled assholes in their monster trucks and Hummers.

Huh?

To whom are you referring?

Looks to me like the Critical Massholes were yelling abuse at the cops (that's what they do) and the cops lost their tempers. No excuse for assault, though. I think a case could be made for intent to commit murder. I know people who have received fractured skulls from falls exactly like that -- wearing helmets.

re: #123 rawmuse

And San Francisco. My car was vandalized by these assholes, with me in it, drivine, and I was armed.

I let them live.

Thanks for the update. Yet another moonbat central city is where the scum do their protesting.

re: #140 gmsc

According to Code Pink, throwing shoes is only an "insult".

So, what if we went to the next Critical Mass bicycle protest and simply insulted them with shoes?

I have some beat-up old combat boots.

re: #124 Sharmuta

What records? What instrument? The initial charges against the cyclist?

I do not have the snarky and obnoxious "I hate cops" attitude but that cop needs to have the book thrown at him. And I hate him.

re: #130 Sharmuta

This cop's a prick. He's the sort of guy that gives decent cops a bad name.

No he's not. we don't know what happened before the video. Maybe the cop got a bad donut earlier.

/s

The officer involved is very young and inexperienced.

Patrick Pogan, 23, was arraigned on two felony and three misdemeanor charges in state Supreme Court.

...

Assistant District Attorney Richard Buckheit said Pogan, whose father is a retired detective, was suspended from the police force. Because he is a probationary officer, Pogan could be dismissed from the force even if he is cleared of all criminal charges.

re: #2 Dark_Falcon

I don't care. Those cyclists are obnoxious and hostile. Pounding them is a public service.

Welcome to China

re: #87 Ben Hur

Don't know if that would be appropriate?

Some might not appreciate the temptation.

I can say "No" to anything but temptation...

re: #150 MandyManners

That's from the link at the top of the thread.

re: #106 Walter L. Newton

What in heaven's name, short of killing someone off camera

He could have injured someone down the street and failed to stop for another officer who tried a less aggressive method to stop him. I am not defending his actions but we just don't know yet.

re: #127 Ben Hur

Of course those bikes were all localling made by hand and delivered to the retail shops on bikes.

And they're made of hemp.

re: #131 Occasional Reader

I'm guessing the cop was at first just intending to walk over to the sidewalk. Got angry at cyclists not stopping, and at the last moment "picked" that one to knock down.

What if that had been a car? Would the cop not have done something to save his butt, such as stopping for a second?

I'd like to believe the cop decided he would get out of the street to avoid being hit by the incoming mass of cyclists.

Then he felt threatened, as if that one cyclist was swerving close to the curb in a deliberate attempt to cut off his escape path.

re: #139 maddogg

But if the cop had ordered him to stop, and he refused, well thats a different matter.

What. The cop yelled stop when. When the driver was a half a block away? A half a second before he slammed him.

Did anyone read the article, which fills in some detail...

[Link: news.yahoo.com...]

re: #154 Shug

Welcome to China

what does that mean?

re: #106 Walter L. Newton

What in heaven's name, short of killing someone off camera, could he have done that would give the cop a right to slam him off the bike in such a way that could have instantly killed him.

Good God, he was moving at good clip and went pounding into the cement pavement, he didn't even land on the bit softer asphalt.

That (in bold) is the point. We do not know.

re: #135 Walter L. Newton

From the article...

Pogan is accused of knocking Christopher Long off his bicycle without justification on June 25 during a bike ride organized by a group that promotes alternative transportation. Pogan had filed charges of resisting arrest, disorderly conduct and obstructing government administration against Long, but those charges were dismissed.
Manhattan District Attorney Robert Morgenthau said Pogan was charged with falsifying business records and filing a false instrument. Both are felonies punishable by sixteen months to four years in prison.

[Link: news.yahoo.com...]

That was my guess.

Keep the cameras rolling. That's all I can say.

re: #152 Walter L. Newton

No he's not. we don't know what happened before the video. Maybe the cop got a bad donut earlier.

/s

There is no such thing.

re: #157 bulwrk

What in heaven's name, short of killing someone off camera

He could have injured someone down the street and failed to stop for another officer who tried a less aggressive method to stop him. I am not defending his actions but we just don't know yet.

Yes, we do... see links upthread. If that's what happened, odd that the cop didn't put it in his report.

I loved this. His Offensive line coach would have been proud of the block.

And the cyclists are supposed to yield to pedestrians.

I say, "INNOCENT ON ALL CHARGES".

re: #147 Charles

Looks to me like the Critical Massholes were yelling abuse at the cops (that's what they do) and the cops lost their tempers. No excuse for assault, though. I think a case could be made for intent to commit murder. I know people who have received fractured skulls from falls exactly like that -- wearing helmets.

An attempt to commit murder would require the cop to have known before hand that such an act would have some likelihood of resulting in the guys death. From the shape of the cop, I am assuming he is not a cyclist and probably didn't realize what level of harm he could have done. Had the dude died, it would be manslaughter but probably not murder, IMHO.

re: #162 Dark_Falcon

what does that mean?

That's the behavior in China.

This is America. That punk on the bicycle has rights which this cop violated.
I'd prefer not to live in a nation where the police can just beat me for no reason other than they don't like me

re: #123 rawmuse
Why?

re: #168 ASU86PE

Does the ASU stand for Arizona State?

re: #152 Walter L. Newton

No he's not. we don't know what happened before the video. Maybe the cop got a bad donut earlier.

/s

Cops have it hard enough as it is, they don't need pricks like this further damaging their credibility.

re: #142 jcm

As you say, falsifying the reports will do in this cop. It's illegal and it threatens any and all actions made in this guy's official capacity as a police officer. Any convictions made based on his statements can be called in question, and defense teams would try to reopen cases involving him on that basis. Thankfully, he's a probey, so there's not much chance that he's going to upset too many cases.

It's a firing offense, and that's the best course of action by the NYPD.

re: #157 bulwrk

What in heaven's name, short of killing someone off camera

He could have injured someone down the street and failed to stop for another officer who tried a less aggressive method to stop him. I am not defending his actions but we just don't know yet.

Did you read the article above. It says that the cop did it because the rider swerved to hit the cop on purpose.

READ THE ARTICLE

[Link: news.yahoo.com...]

GEEESSSHHH

re: #121 jcm

I just about killed a bunch of Critical Massholes one night.

They blew a red light just as I was entering on the green. Fortunately, and I don't now how I didn't hit any of them. They surrounded my truck and pounded on it. Eventually they moved on.

Good thing I'm a pretty calm and guy, and reasonable.

I only had 31 rounds and there was about 80 of them.
///on the last line.

If ya'd taken out say fifteen of them the rest would have scattered like roaches
///

re: #161 Walter L. Newton

Did anyone read the article

I did.

Sh*t.

Gotta go.

BBL.

I say the officer is not guilty by reason of insanity - on the part of the cyclist.

Not only was he part of Critical Mass, meaning he's a violent creep and a cretin, but he wasn't wearing a helmet which means he has nothing to protect!

cop was an a-hole and the cyclists are a-holes. it's a wash.

re: #163 Steve

That (in bold) is the point. We do not know.

Did you read the article above. It says that the cop did it because the rider swerved to hit the cop on purpose.

READ THE ARTICLE

[Link: news.yahoo.com...]

re: #170 Shug

I'd prefer not to live in a nation where the police can just beat me for no reason other than they don't like me

Get a haircut, hippie!

/

re: #94 buzzsawmonkey

The delivery folks on bicycles are among the worst offenders as far as no-lights, no-reflectors, and riding against traffic/running lights/ignoring signs are concerned.

They can deliver food and still abide by the traffic laws.

If people want to ride bikes, fine; if the city wants to encourage them to do so, fine. But let them be treated as the vehicles they are.

A serious three-month crackdown on cyclist scofflaws would vastly improve the quality of life in New York.

Not just in New York, sigh ...

Looks like riding a bicycle in town (clad in Spandex shorts, no matter what the weather, for example ...) does something funny to the rider's brain ...

re: #182 johnnygriswold

cop was an a-hole and the cyclists are a-holes. it's a wash.

Doesn't give cops the right to assault people. Do we really want to give law enforcement cart blanche? I sure as hell don't.

re: #37 Walter L. Newton

IT DOESN'T FUCKING MATTER. Are you crazy. That sounds like the same damn argument that someone gives for beating their wife.

whoa, whoa, whoa. Although I completely believe that what the cop did, from what I saw in that video, was uncalled for, you cannot outrightly discount that there could have been a justifiable reason that was off camera.

re: #183 Walter L. Newton

It says that the cop did it because the rider swerved to hit the cop on purpose.

Er... what?

I read the article. I have no way of knowing how much was left out. I hate leftists so I am biased.

They were both clearly in the wrong, but the cop moreso.
The cyclist should stop if someone's in the xwalk, not swerve around, that's standard traffic law. Stop for pedestrians in the crosswalk, and the cyclist did not.

The cop used overmuch force by far and endangered the cyclist as well as the bystanders with his actions, which is way out of line for a minor scofflaw violation.

This quote from the article, plus the video, should answer all your questions.

"Morgenthau said Pogan falsified details in the criminal complaint and other paperwork related to Long's arrest, claiming Long steered his bike into the officer and injured him."

re: #169 karmic_inquisitor

An attempt to commit murder would require the cop to have known before hand that such an act would have some likelihood of resulting in the guys death. From the shape of the cop, I am assuming he is not a cyclist and probably didn't realize what level of harm he could have done. Had the dude died, it would be manslaughter but probably not murder, IMHO.

I won't argue the level of charges but, shouldn't a cop know what kind of damage a cyclist can incur when thrown from his bike onto asphalt/concrete? Bikes aren't UFO's.

re: #175 lawhawk

As you say, falsifying the reports will do in this cop. It's illegal and it threatens any and all actions made in this guy's official capacity as a police officer. Any convictions made based on his statements can be called in question, and defense teams would try to reopen cases involving him on that basis. Thankfully, he's a probey, so there's not much chance that he's going to upset too many cases.

It's a firing offense, and that's the best course of action by the NYPD.

Knocking the biker down was bad, but it's the lying after the fact that will get him. The cover up is usually worse than the crime

re: #187 WrathofG-d

whoa, whoa, whoa. Although I completely believe that what the cop did, from what I saw in that video, was uncalled for, you cannot outrightly discount that there could have been a justifiable reason that was off camera.

"Morgenthau said Pogan falsified details in the criminal complaint and other paperwork related to Long's arrest, claiming Long steered his bike into the officer and injured him."

re: #188 Occasional Reader

Er... what?

"Morgenthau said Pogan falsified details in the criminal complaint and other paperwork related to Long's arrest, claiming Long steered his bike into the officer and injured him."

re: #134 realwest

Well ok, I've watched the video twice - including the slow motion part twice and I have to say that it looks to me as if that cop targeted that particular cyclist right from the get go - the cyclist does appear to be swerving towards the curb to avoid any contact and the cop just shoved him over.
Don't care what the cyclist may have said, that cop is toast based on this video and deservedly so.

Agree, but the cyclist does not help his case by not having stopped. I assume his bicycle has breaks. Had a car attempted to swerve past a cop the driver would be in big trouble. Doesn't excuse the cop nailing the guy.

I have great respect for law enforcement, but I'm not going to defend rouge cops going out of their way to assault people. This cop fucking LIED in his report that the biker steered into him.

re: #149 The Other Les

I have some beat-up old combat boots.

I have some steel-toed ones you could use.

re: #40 Ford_Prefect

I am not defending this officer, but we don't know the whole story just from this video. I will agree that even if he was justified in stopping this cyclist he could have done it less violently.

The Rott and a number of other sites looked at this a number of months ago. I tend to go with the LEO on this one. The video was taken by one of the activist and does not show any events leading up to the event. How long had it been going on for and what did this cyclist do earlier on the ride? We do not know.

re: #180 wiffersnapper

hehe, pretty cool vid

Not funny, twit.

re: #170 Shug

That's the behavior in China.

This is America. That punk on the bicycle has rights which this cop violated.
I'd prefer not to live in a nation where the police can just beat me for no reason other than they don't like me

I agree with you. My comment was written in a font of anger about bikers like that. I've though about it and I think a good police operation to corral such a ride and arrest its participants would be a proper response. Their punishment would include the confiscation and public destruction by steamroller of their bicycles.

re: #171 realwest

Because had I shot them (which they richly deserved) I would have been in a world of shit.
But, maybe it would have been worth it.
I would get a lot of writing done in prison. Plus I would get lots of cards and letters from well wishers. I'm sure of that.

re: #169 karmic_inquisitor

An attempt to commit murder would require the cop to have known before hand that such an act would have some likelihood of resulting in the guys death. From the shape of the cop, I am assuming he is not a cyclist and probably didn't realize what level of harm he could have done. Had the dude died, it would be manslaughter but probably not murder, IMHO.

Why does everyone call this "an attempt to commit murder", or state that it could have "killed" someone. I am aware that Charles made this claim (ie: that it could have killed him) but that alone doesn't make it true. Although obviously painful, I highly question anyone that states that the tackle by the cop "could have killed him". It seems like emotional hyperbole to me.

Uncalled for? Most likely. Painful? Definitely! Attempted Murder? Give me a ___'n break!

re: #195 Walter L. Newton

"Morgenthau said Pogan falsified details in the criminal complaint and other paperwork related to Long's arrest, claiming Long steered his bike into the officer and injured him."

Okay, that's what the article says the cop claimed[falsely, so it would seem], not what "it [the article] says"...

re: #197 Sharmuta

I'm not going to defend rouge cops

That officer's sexual orientation is none of your damn business!

re: #202 rawmuse

Because had I shot them (which they richly deserved) I would have been in a world of shit.
But, maybe it would have been worth it.
I would get a lot of writing done in prison. Plus I would get lots of cards and letters from well wishers. I'm sure of that.

Don't forget the love and companionship many find in prison...

/:)

re: #183 Walter L. Newton

Did you read the article above. It says that the cop did it because the rider swerved to hit the cop on purpose.

READ THE ARTICLE

[Link: news.yahoo.com...]

Yes, I did. but what happened before the video?

re: #194 Walter L. Newton

"Morgenthau said Pogan falsified details in the criminal complaint and other paperwork related to Long's arrest, claiming Long steered his bike into the officer and injured him."

Thank you for that additional information. It does make one doubt that any actual justification could have existed if the cop didn't include it in his report, and instead lied.

re: #201 Dark_Falcon

I agree with you. My comment was written in a font of anger about bikers like that. I've though about it and I think a good police operation to corral such a ride and arrest its participants would be a proper response. Their punishment would include the confiscation and public destruction by steamroller of their bicycles.

ha !

re: #202 rawmuse

Because had I shot them (which they richly deserved) I would have been in a world of shit.
But, maybe it would have been worth it.
I would get a lot of writing done in prison. Plus I would get lots of cards and letters from well wishers. I'm sure of that.

You'd also have a much more "diverse" love life!

If the cyclist had been seriously injured or killed, would people here still be blaming him?

he really slammed that guy. i looks like he went over the line.
but i hate anarchists like these jerks. they are total trouble makers.
i think it is a testament to the professionalism of our police force here that this kind of thing does not happen very often.
especially considering the stress our cops are under since 9-ll.

re: #203 WrathofG-d

Why does everyone call this "an attempt to commit murder", or state that it could have "killed" someone. I am aware that Charles made this claim (ie: that it could have killed him) but that alone doesn't make it true. Although obviously painful, I highly question anyone that states that the tackle by the cop "could have killed him". It seems like emotional hyperbole to me.

Uncalled for? Most likely. Painful? Definitely! Attempted Murder? Give me a ___'n break!

Holy shit, are you kidding. So, there is no way in you mind that the rider could not have been killed by that stunt?

re: #205 Occasional Reader

That officer's sexual orientation is none of your damn business!

Beat me to it.

While I don't condone the cops "takedown" it's clear to me this guy was singled out for a reason. The falsifying of the report also concerns me.

That being said, most cyclists are assholes. The act like they own the freaking road PLUS they also ride on the sidewalks. I've been hit several times by these jerks while out walking my dog and they have the nerve to yell at me for getting in their way. They get REALLY offended when I tell them to get their asses off the sidewalk. Most of the time they look like they'd like to attack me for saying it - except I have a dog with me. heh!

re: #183 Walter L. Newton
Walter - I agree that this cop's behavior is indefenseable, but honestly, I'm not so sure that the cyclist swerved to avoid hitting the cop - the cop sure as hell didn't slow down his pace though (which would have enabled the cyclist to avoid hitting him). In any event, this cop should be a)fired and b) tried for assault (I disagree with Charles on intentional murder here, intentionally hurt - and hurt badly - but not intentional murder). If the cyclist had been killed, then I think manslaughter charges would have or should have been brought against the cop).
And hey y'all, even though those "critical mass" folks are idiots and, imo, violating the law, that doesn't excuse what that cop did. Not in the least.

re: #191 Walter L. Newton

This quote from the article, plus the video, should answer all your questions.

"Morgenthau said Pogan falsified details in the criminal complaint and other paperwork related to Long's arrest, claiming Long steered his bike into the officer and injured him."

Which, quite frankly, is contrary to the video evidence where Long obviously steered his bike away from Pogan. You can go around the officer as long as he does not ask you to stop, which, Pogan did not in the video.

He's toast in court, not just in the public eye.

re: #136 lawhawk

Bloomberg has proposed creating 1800 miles of bike lanes across NYC. That's despite the fact that cyclists don't use them, ignore traffic law, and the bike lanes in some areas were set up with absolutely no clue - Grand Street in particular, which now routinely creates traffic jams in the area as cars and trucks can't navigate the tight corners and traffic pattern set up by the DOT.

Bloomberg is doing everything imaginable to make the city inhospitable to vehicular traffic, and that plays into the hands of the Critical Mass goons who ride with reckless abandon time and time again, causing traffic jams and nightmares for thousands of drivers on a regular basis.

At the same time, this cop was out of line and deserves whatever judgment is handed down against him. He could have killed the cyclist.

Gawd, what is it with these loonie mayors and city councils!

Trying to obstruct traffic flow by building chicanes, cycle paths, you anem it - and then howling about bad traffic congestion and that the traffic jams pollute the air ...
Its happening everywhere - even here.

re: #176 Walter L. Newton

I did read the article where does it say that?

Wow! I know the lefties like to claim police brutality too often- perhaps it's a boy who cried wolf phenomenon, but when actual police brutality occurs- I don't think it should be excused simply because it happened to a leftist.

WTH is wrong with some of you?

First they came for the asshole protesters, and I did nothing because I was not an asshole protester.

whoa!...NYPDs Finest (take down)...that was way friggin rude imore: #158 Occasional Reader

And they're made of hemp.

or maybe bamboo...it's the wave of the pasture
[Link: www.americanbamboo.org...]

re: #207 Steve

Yes, I did. but what happened before the video?

There is ZERO evidence or suggestion - not even, apparently, in the cop's (falsified) report, at least from the press accounts - that the cyclist had committed a crime moments before the incident, and the cop was trying to arrest him for it. None. Nada. Zip. So let's just get that red herring off the table, shall we?

re: #213 Walter L. Newton

Holy shit, are you kidding. So, there is no way in you mind that the rider could not have been killed by that stunt?

Could he have been killed? Sure, but on "could" be killed when using a pencil. My point is not that he "could" not have been killed by that tackle, but that it is highly unlikely. I'm sure that if Charles had instead stated that the cop attempted to push him through a window y'all would be passionately defending that false assumption as well.

Is it possible that that move could kill someone? Sure. Likely? No.

re: #201 Dark_Falcon

I don't mind the down ding DF but please comment on why.

re: #175 lawhawk

As you say, falsifying the reports will do in this cop. It's illegal and it threatens any and all actions made in this guy's official capacity as a police officer. Any convictions made based on his statements can be called in question, and defense teams would try to reopen cases involving him on that basis. Thankfully, he's a probey, so there's not much chance that he's going to upset too many cases.

It's a firing offense, and that's the best course of action by the NYPD.

If the cop had, said "shit I screwed up and shouldn't have done that!"
He'd get a suspension, and letter in his jacket.

As I was told in training, were all human, we all screw up. As a cop the one thing you cannot ever ever do is lie about it.

re: #220 Sharmuta

Wow! I know the lefties like to claim police brutality too often- perhaps it's a boy who cried wolf phenomenon, but when actual police brutality occurs- I don't think it should be excused simply because it happened to a leftist.

WTH is wrong with some of you?

Amen, Sharmuta!

Sometimes I wonder about the newbies around here.

re: #211 MandyManners

If the cyclist had been seriously injured or killed, would people here still be blaming him?

To be clear, I do "blame" the cyclist for participating in what is basically a rolling act of vandalism, and also for not slowing down/stopping when he could see there were two pedestrians in the street. But that doesn't justify what the cop did.

re: #225 Erik The Red

I don't mind the down ding DF but please comment on why.

An error. It has been corrected.

That cop was well out of line.

I can't believe people can defend him.

He gives a bad name to the 99% of police out there who have a very hard and dangerous job to do.
His actions put his fellow officers at risk.

and people defend him after watching the video?

re: #203 WrathofG-d

I am aware that Charles made this claim (ie: that it could have killed him) but that alone doesn't make it true.

FYI. I knew a girl who was killed in a fall very much like this when she was knocked off her bike by an opening car door.

re: #219 bulwrk

I did read the article where does it say that?

"Morgenthau said Pogan falsified details in the criminal complaint and other paperwork related to Long's arrest, claiming Long steered his bike into the officer and injured him."

re: #220 Sharmuta
I agree with you 100%. That was clearly an attempt by that cop to hurt that cyclist. Period. No excuses, no bullshit - the cop went (or was) crazy.

re: #225 Erik The Red

I don't mind the down ding DF but please comment on why.

You can tell who is dingin' ya? I never knew that

re: #227 WrathofG-d

Amen, Sharmuta!

Sometimes I wonder about the newbies around here.

It isn't just newbies.

re: #59 Charles

Another video taken from a different angle doesn't show the hit, but shows police stopping another cyclist, then the cop running toward the guy right after hitting him.

[Link: www.youtube.com...]

it appears to me that the trigger was the last group was running a red light at a crosswalk.note one biker stops but others keep going. no excuse,but I think that is what triggered the tackle.

re: #218 yma o hyd

Here's a sampling of the bike lane craziness in NYC.

Transportation alternatives in NYC just got more expensive. The MTA passed its doomsday budget. Major fare hikes.

re: #224 WrathofG-d

Sure, but on "could" be killed when using a pencil. My point

Geez, how sharp do you like your pencils?
;)

re: #79 Ben Hur

I have started to see memorials to killed bicyclists put up around the NYC.

Bikes painted white and chained to a sign, with the victim's name, etc.

Yes... There is one on Broadway and 36th Street.

This is old news...

Here is a website by and for Vehicular Cyclists. They are the opposite of Critical Mass cyclists.

re: #229 Dark_Falcon

Thanks. This is a very touchy subject. From the video alone there is no way that it tells the whole story. There is more to this. If all the facts are presented and the LEO is found guilty than the system works.

re: #228 Occasional Reader

To be clear, I do "blame" the cyclist for participating in what is basically a rolling act of vandalism, and also for not slowing down/stopping when he could see there were two pedestrians in the street. But that doesn't justify what the cop did.

Yeah, but ... remember this was an organized protest with hundreds of cyclists/jerks taking over the street. The cops weren't just pedestrians, they were in the street to monitor the protest. And that cop wasn't just crossing the street, he acted in a deliberate way to knock the cyclist off his bike.

re: #241 spinordie

This is old news...

And, what's your problem?

re: #213 Walter L. Newton

Holy shit, are you kidding. So, there is no way in you mind that the rider could not have been killed by that stunt?

For it to be murder, the murderer has to know that his/her action would likely result in death. That is how you can have attempted murder - when the attempt fails, even by chance.

Manslaughter would be more likely - had the cop wanted the guy dead, he had a sidearm (I assume). Not to excuse the cop - he put a member of the public at harm that was completely unwarranted - he could have motioned the guy to stop (he didn't) and then tried to stop him afterward. Seems obvious he wanted to teach the guy a lesson with a little cop-love, probably not realizing the harm he was subjecting the guy to.

re: #231 Charles

FYI. I knew a girl who was killed in a fall very much like this when she was knocked off her bike by an opening car door.

I am very sorry to hear that about the girl.

re: #236 buzzsawmonkey

I think in this case "brutality" is warranted.

re: #203 WrathofG-d

Why does everyone call this "an attempt to commit murder", or state that it could have "killed" someone. I am aware that Charles made this claim (ie: that it could have killed him) but that alone doesn't make it true. Although obviously painful, I highly question anyone that states that the tackle by the cop "could have killed him". It seems like emotional hyperbole to me.

Uncalled for? Most likely. Painful? Definitely! Attempted Murder? Give me a ___'n break!

Surely could have killed him, depending on fall if not wearing a helmet.

re: #231 Charles

FYI. I knew a girl who was killed in a fall very much like this when she was knocked off her bike by an opening car door.

Okay, but it's true that the bar for attempted "murder" is quite high. I mean, in theory, every time someone falls over, they could hit their head on the pavement and die. But it's very unlikely you'd see murder (or attempted murder) charges filed against someone for merely tripping a person.

re: #202 rawmuse
Yeah, I know - but you know you DO have a right to protect your property and, more importantly, yourself.
Had you a justifiable reason to fear for your life (like if one or more had tried to open your car door) I think you'd have been justified in shooting.

re: #220 Sharmuta

Wow! I know the lefties like to claim police brutality too often- perhaps it's a boy who cried wolf phenomenon, but when actual police brutality occurs- I don't think it should be excused simply because it happened to a leftist.

WTH is wrong with some of you?

DING!

re: #2 Dark_Falcon

I don't care. Those cyclists are obnoxious and hostile. Pounding them is a public service.

I have been a road biker for almost 35 years (off and on) and have done some racing as well, when I was a kid. Cycling is far more dangerous than you might expect, the cyclist is the most vulnerable participant in traffic. Over the years I escaped a lot of hairy situations, being passed by trucks with an inch to spare, forced off the road onto a soft shoulder, (dramatic deceleration most likely to result in head over handlebar) , dooring (car door flings open suddenly, leaving you to chose either hitting it, or veering into traffic) pedestrians who can't make up their minds ( going back and forth, crossing a road, making it difficult to navigate by them) etc.
A friend broke his collar bone, thanks to a Lady crossing the road in the park with her dog on a 20 feet leash.
What this cop did, was blatantly putting that biker up for a serious injury, (collar bone, head injury, or spinal injury).
While I do not support critical mass and would never take part in it, I find your statement obnoxious and absolutely careless.
That cop doesn't deserve to be on duty in my city at all.

re: #205 Occasional Reader

Heh.

re: #219 bulwrk

I did read the article where does it say that?

Did you get your answer to your question?

re: #234 Desert Dog

You can tell who is dingin' ya? I never knew that

In order for you to see who dings you, you must subscribe to my Super Dinger Vision service. Only $50/month.

(Seriously...just click the number of dings...it will show you a list of who did the dinging).

re: #237 beens21

it appears to me that the trigger was the last group was running a red light at a crosswalk.note one biker stops but others keep going. no excuse,but I think that is what triggered the tackle.

Wonderful addition to this conversation!

re: #183 Walter L. Newton

I read the article. This happened during "a bike ride". Technically true I guess, but hardly accurate.
Still, it looks like the cop nailed him. Then again, sometimes a football penalty looks perfectly clear until you see a completely different angle.

re: #256 eschew_obfuscation

In order for you to see who dings you, you must subscribe to my Super Dinger Vision service. Only $50/month.

(Seriously...just click the number of dings...it will show you a list of who did the dinging).

Wow, I never knew that! Thank you

re: #258 Lincolntf

I read the article. This happened during "a bike ride". Technically true I guess, but hardly accurate.
Still, it looks like the cop nailed him. Then again, sometimes a football penalty looks perfectly clear until you see a completely different angle.

Did you read his fucking statement...

"Morgenthau said Pogan falsified details in the criminal complaint and other paperwork related to Long's arrest, claiming Long steered his bike into the officer and injured him."

re: #13 Charles

You can see the cop zero in on the approaching rider, then position himself and shove him right onto the sidewalk. He could easily have killed that guy.

No doubt involved. Wonder why he picked that particular cyclist?

re: #253 2by2

Cycling is far more dangerous than you might expect, the cyclist is the most vulnerable participant in traffic.

Practically every time I ride, I seem to have at least one "near miss". The odds are bound to catch up with you from time to time. (So far, worst I've suffered is a small fracture in my right elbow, based on a novice rollerblader in Central Park suddenly getting nervous and deciding that my passing bike and I would be a good thing to grab for stability.)

re: #251 realwest

The attack broke off when I took my (huge) Colt 1911 out of the glove box and chambered a round. The attackers decided that they should find better targets for their political statements.

At that point, had I fired, I am the bad guy, according to the laws of the state of CA.

California has some very precise and restrictive gun laws. And some pretty fucked up ones, too.