Saturday, November 20, 2010

Who Watches the Watchmen?

Yesterday I posted an article from the Wall Street Journal in which US military officials were practically giddy over their new alliance with a CIA-backed, Afghan drug lord.

Now we have another interesting development on the law front back home -apparently honest-to-goodness masked heroes have descended on the streets of Seattle to battle crime. Seriously:

"Seattle seems to have a preponderance of self-styled Real Life Super Heroes. And it’s causing problems for the local police.

"Seattle PI reports that on one occasion 'police say a caped crusader dressed in black was nearly shot when he came running out of a dark park...'

"The Rain City Superhero Movement includes the likes of Thorn, Buster Doe, Green Reaper, Gemini, No Name, Catastrophe, Thunder 88, Penelope and Phoenix Jones the Guardian of Seattle. All masked, they carry Tasers, nightsticks, pepper spray, but no firearms...

"Phoenix Jones (pictured) has now identified as a local 22-year-old black man who is driven around by a female friend who stays in the car when he gets out in his black cape, black fedora, blue tights, white belt and mask.

"After being interviewed by police, he arrived at the station only partly dressed, the rest was being repaired after he says he was stabbed by a drug dealer. The bulletin mentioned that he’s now wearing body armour."


Police are naturally already worried about 'vigilante justice.' From the SeattlePI:

" 'There's nothing wrong with citizens getting involved with the criminal justice process -- as long as they follow it all the way through,' Kappel said, adding they want people to call 911 and be good witnesses, even if a case goes to court.

"Police say they don't want people who aren't sworn officers putting themselves in danger...

"Police say they hope the self-proclaimed superheroes act as good witnesses instead of putting themselves in danger...

"According to the national superhero website, the characters don't have to engage in violent fights to be a crime fighter, but should embody the values presented in super heroic comic books."
If these folks pose a threat of 'vigilante justice' then what exactly does 'Col' Abdul Razzik and his posse constitute?

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