Rudeness Isn't Illegal Says Sixth Circuit, In Case of Flipped-Off Cop Who Issued Ticket

Plus: Can sex workers ever trust Kamala Harris? Why do teens love Google Docs? And how is Tumblr faring without porn?

Sixth Circuit sides with snippy driver. Rest assured, folks: It's still OK to give cops the middle finger. And if a police officer detains and harasses a driver for doing so, that officer could find themselves in trouble. In a March 13 ruling from the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit, judges denied qualified immunity to a Michigan police officer who re-pulled over a driver for flipping him off as she drove off from a traffic stop.

"Fits of rudeness or lack of gratitude may violate the Golden Rule. But that doesn't make them illegal or for that matter punishable or for that matter grounds for seizure," wrote Circuit Judge Jeffrey Sutton for the three-judge panel in Cruise-Gulyas v. Minard.

Initially, Debra Cruise-Gulyas was pulled over for speeding. Officer Matthew Minard gave her a ticket for a lesser offense (called a non-moving violation) and she stuck her middle finger up at him as he drove away.

"That did not make Minard happy," writes Sutton. "He pulled her over again and changed the ticket to a moving violation—a speeding offense and what counts as a more serious violation of Michigan law. Because Cruise-Gulyas did not break any law that would justify the second stop and at most was exercising her free speech rights, we affirm the district court's order denying Officer Minard's Civil Rule 12(c) motion for judgment on the pleadings."

Sutton notes that "Minard moved for judgment on the pleadings based on qualified immunity" and that "qualified immunity protects police from personal liability unless they violate a person's clearly established constitutional or statutory rights." In this case, "the rights asserted by Cruise-Gulyas meet that standard."

ELECTION 2020

Can sex workers ever trust Kamala Harris? asks Gustavo Turner at XBIZ. Recently, California senator and 2020 presidential candidate answered a few interview questions about prostitution. "But if Harris thought her endorsement of 'decriminalization'…would spark joy among sex workers, her alleged 'evolution' on the issue was largely unconvincing," he writes. Here's why.

QUICK HITS

• Forty-nine people were killed in an attack this morning on two New Zealand mosques. The killer "explicitly describes his murders as a terrorist act," notes Joe Setyon. More details here.

• The Taser Lobby would like to talk to you:

lol this garbage "excited delirium is a totally real thing" written by two Taser/Axon board members and a jail doctorhttps://t.co/YPbNPUfG10 pic.twitter.com/eXrqbV12VS

— threat level: beige (@TimCushing) March 15, 2019

• Tumblr traffic reportedly dropped by about 150 million pageviews in the month following its ban on pornographic content.

• Why teens love Google docs.

• Beto O'Rourke, Manic Pixie Dream Candidate?

• Black-market economics:

When cocaine prices rise in either the United States or Europe, homicide rates rise in Colombian municipalities whose trafficking networks serve each market.

New research by Jaime Millán?Quijano of @EconomicsUc3m —> https://t.co/Zk9AnjF9kz pic.twitter.com/IADjFK5sPo

— Michael Clemens (@m_clem) March 14, 2019

Comments

[Bee Tagger]

Rest assured, folks: It's still OK to give cops the middle finger

phew, at least its not the whole hand, that would be draconian

[Rufus The Monocled]

Hello.

HEY! You're not the Penguins fan. Whatever.

Crenshaw on illegal immigration.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7pGXFQL8pkw

[Ray McKigney]

It's OK ... after you've spent a couple hundred grand on lawyers.

[0x1000]

The system works!

[Fist of Etiquette]

Sixth Circuit sides with snippy driver.

There's always drug sniffing dogs.

[Bee Tagger]

snoopy drivers, maybe

[Bee Tagger]

"We don't really pass physical notes anymore," said Skyler, 15, who, like all the other students in this story, is identified by a pseudonym.

the 5 actual skylers in the class have to be annoyed at this

[Longtorso, Johnny]

In 1940, scientists blamed the rise of Hitler on global warming.
But no worries, they later [in 2009] erased the 1940s warmth ? presumably making Hitler disappear.

[Longtorso, Johnny]

Every knife sold in the UK should have a gps tracker fitted in the handle. It's time we had a national database like we do with guns. If you're carrying it around you had better have a bloody good explanation, obvious exemptions for fishing etc.

[Leo Kovalensky II]

Nobody is going to take your knives away...

[loveconstitution1789]

Lefties have lost their minds.

This is what they consider "Common Sense Knife Control".

[ace_m82]

They do know I'm aware of how to use a screwdriver, right?

I mean, I know politicians are morons, but I guess they really do think we're all dumber than they are!

[Vernon Depner]

Outlaw metal.

[ace_m82]

Outlaw politicians.

Also, Outlaw metal sounds like a combination of Waylon Jennings and Led Zeppelin.

[Last of the Shitlords]

I can also file down a plastic toothbrush, like prisoners do. In addition, I am skilled in both.the five point exploding palm technique, and the Vulcan death grip. I'm also really good at wishing.

[Longtorso, Johnny]

Let Fauxahontas break them up

Google Manager Said Company Must Stop 'Fake News' Because 'That's How Trump Won'

[loveconstitution1789]

AOC draws ire ripping 'your thoughts and prayers' after Christchurch mosque shootings

"What good are your thoughts & prayers when they don't even keep the pews safe?" she asked.

She must mean Democrat controlled Chicago where violence there is so bad, it actually drags the USA violent crime states up.

[Leo Kovalensky II]

War on Opiates (of the masses)

[Ray McKigney]

ISWYDT

[loveconstitution1789]

+1 Leo (of the jokes)

[Rufus The Monocled]

It's a marvel of humanity she has supporters or votes.

[Red Rocks White Privilege]

That nitwit also mentioned Sutherland Springs--which was stopped by someone with a gun.

[lap83]

"What good are your thoughts & prayers when they don't even keep the pews safe?" she asked.
A Republican would be mocked endlessly for ignorantly suggesting that mosques have pews. I'm guessing she gets a pass though.

[loveconstitution1789]

Prayer mats/rugs....pews....what's the difference!?!

We have GUN CONTROL legislation to push in the House today!

[a ab abc abcd abcde abcdef ahf]

pew - pew - pew - pew - pew

[ace_m82]

Wow, you really are a terrible person!

[chipper me timbers]

Man this would be the perfect tweet if she included a mention of the one armed citizen who drove the attacker away from the first mosque! Sadly, I don't think that was her point...

[Sevo]

Woman claim the cost of tickets to watch them play is entirely too low!

"Entire USA women's team take legal action against American FA over gender discrimination as Carli Lloyd and Co demand equal pay"
[...]
"...The players are unhappy that they are paid less than their male counterparts, despite delivering considerably more success..."
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/spo.....y-gap.html

Does playing kick-ball make you stupid, or do you start that way?

[Ray McKigney]

There should be a law forcing people to like women's sports as much as they like men's sports. That's the only fair way.

[Vernon Depner]

They need more trannies in women's sports to boost the level of competition.

[Rufus The Monocled]

Winning has little to do with it.

That's because the men's field is beyond fiercely competitive. Any of the top 35 teams in the world can beat anyone and any time. Same with the clubs.

Woman's soccer is less competitive so its easier. Add that the U.S. was one of the first programs and it has a leg up. It's worse in hockey where only two countries win.

Hence, the REVENUES reflect that fact.

Woman's soccer is not high enough caliber to pay top dollars for.

Sorry.

[Rufus The Monocled]

I would add the U.S. men's national team has made great strides. It's a pretty successful program if you ask me.

[BigT]

Are men's teams restricted to men? I don't think so. Thus, they are 'open' to those broads who want more money. They should be damned thankful they have a league of their own and get any money at all. Maybe they would prefer to be making sandwiches at the men's games.

[Sevo]

"Hence, the REVENUES reflect that fact."

These idiots do not understand that they are in the entertainment business; sell tickets, make money.
Gabor Szabo was far better at making music than Paul McCartney could ever hope to be, but nobody scalped tickets to his concerts.

[Vernon Depner]

They could make women's sports more entertaining without becoming better athletes. Look at how well women's beach volleyball does on TV.

[ace_m82]

I keep trying to tell people this about (most) women's sports, it's supply and DEMAND that determine price and quantity. The DEMAND to watch most women's sports is less than most men's sports. That means the price and quantity is LESS!

This isn't hard, it's Econ 101, even Keynes/Krugman would agree!

[Sevo]

"What if top vote-getter became president? Plan would bypass Electoral College"
[...]
"A national effort to bypass the Electoral College and pick the president by popular vote ? which may or may not be constitutional ? is picking up new support and moving closer to success."
http://www.sfchronicle.com/pol.....ate-result

Caught this in the dead-tree version of the Chron today, and (given the Chron's tendency to capsize to port0, give it a search a bit later.
Seems to be a "national effort" in that someone in another state spoke to the CA guy who's trying to get it moving.

[Longtorso, Johnny]

If this ever happens, and Trump wins reelection with 50+% of the popular vote, CA will immediately repeal the law to keep their EC votes from going to him, saying that CA voters have spoken.

[Longtorso, Johnny]

Is there a reliable GOP leaning state that is supporting this?

[loveconstitution1789]

National Popular Vote Interstate Compact

Quite a few Red states have this Compact pending. Congress still gets a say as per Article I, Section 4:

US Constitution, Article I, Section 4.
The times, places and manner of holding elections for Senators and Representatives, shall be prescribed in each state by the legislature thereof; but the Congress may at any time by law make or alter such regulations, except as to the places of choosing Senators.
[...]

[MiloMinderbinder]

Under the NPV what's to stop a state like California from dropping it's voting age to 16 (or lower) to run up their vote totals?

[Longtorso, Johnny]

Hence the EC - corrupt state/local officials can only impact the election so much.

[loveconstitution1789]

Once again, Article I, Section 4.

Congress gets a say on how states conduct federal elections.

I would guessimate that was intentional to prevent certain states from changing the election rules to benefit them alone. The Electoral College is clearly a check to that state scheme.

[$park? is the Worst]

Yeah! The Constitution is sure to save us this time.

[loveconstitution1789]

SparkY will work to undermine the USA anyway.

[$park? is the Worst]

You better believe it, every day.

[loveconstitution1789]

MAGA!

[Diane Reynolds (Paul.)]

Does the article contain tweets?

[loveconstitution1789]

Reason considers twatters Primary Sources now.

[Fist of Etiquette]

Can sex workers ever trust Kamala Harris?

Why should they get that special privilege?

[Leo Kovalensky II]

Can sex workers ever trust Kamala Harris?

Doesn't she have a lawyer that can pay them to shut up?

Oh wait, that's the answer to the question "Can Kamala Harris ever trust sex workers?"

[Anomalous]

They can trust that she will stab them in the back.

[BigT]

Back door woman??

[Fist of Etiquette]

Tumblr traffic reportedly dropped by about 150 million pageviews in the month following its ban on pornographic content.

I doubt it's a blip on Verizon's radar.

[Fist of Etiquette]

:The killer "explicitly describes his murders as a terrorist act," notes Joe Setyon.

Are we going to take a terrorist's word on it?

[Ryan (formally HFTO)]

" Beto O'Rourke, Manic Pixie Dream Candidate?"

Yes, ENB! Spot on...

Liberals are having a tough time of it these days, with Trump pushing half their agenda and no sign of Mueller stopping him. What they need is a wandering free spirit to briefly enter their lives, make them enjoy the little things, and then leaves (because life with a MPDBro is unsustainable)

[Rufus The Monocled]

30 comments? That's it?

[chemjeff radical individualist]

Well those orphans aren't going to beat themselves, now, are they?

[$park? is the Worst]

Everyone is too busy arguing that the New Zealand shooter(s) was absolutely not a right wing anything and that fascism is right and left but that doesn't mean anything because this guy wasn't a fascist unless maybe he was a fascist but in any case the Reason writers are stupid and don't know what fascist and right wing even mean anyway.

[Crusty Juggler - Lawbertarian]

Sparky the Lefty thinks words don't have meanings.

[Crusty Juggler - Lawbertarian]

Rosario Dawson Cory Booker Rumors are True ... We're Dating and In Love!!!

The actress was at the Reagan National Airport in D.C. Thursday when our guy quizzed her on what's been widely rumored -- she's the woman Booker referred to last month on the Breakfast Club when he said he was dating someone very special, while adding, "I got a boo."

She a smoke, yo.

[loveconstitution1789]

Clerk II

[loveconstitution1789]

But will she dump Booker when he loses the Primary?

[Tony]

What odd timing to start a relationship. It must be beard. I mean love.

[Crusty Juggler - Lawbertarian]

In Fatberg Fight, NYC Goes to War Against Flushable Wipes

Rise up, clean assholed friends, rise up against this travesty!

[Aloysious]

Bidets > asshole wipes.

[Crusty Juggler - Lawbertarian]

You just outed yourself as Eurotrash.

[loveconstitution1789]

True Europeans don't bathe. They cover their stank with perfume and cologne and carry bouquets.

[Diane Reynolds (Paul.)]

The Atlantic Google Docs story has more tweets than Carter's got little liver pills. Irony? You decide.

[Diane Reynolds (Paul.)]

Oh, looks like New Zealand just discovered what happens when you open your borders to dirty foreigners.

[BigT]

Damned Aussie!

[loveconstitution1789]

[phone]

[Ken Shultz]

Referring to everyone who's anti-immigration as "right-wing" is both tedious and wrong. It's like referring to pro-choice people as "pro-death" or pro-life people as "anti-choice".

The left is about socialism, and it's been that way for hundreds of years. The right is about capitalism, and it's been that way since . . . 1848, when the two main parties in the French parliament were the "democratic socialists" on the left and the "reactionaries" on the right.

"Conservatives" in the west have tended to gravitate towards capitalism (or against socialists), but that is by no means universal. When you're reading about "conservatives" in the former Soviet Bloc or China, you're probably not reading about capitalists. Further, even as recently as the Reagan administration here in the U.S., people used to complain that the conservative wings of the two parties had more in common than the parties did internally. It's hard to think of someone who could be described as conservative in the Democratic Party today, but that's a relatively recent development.

If right and left aren't talking about capitalism and socialism, the terms are probably being used in a meaningless way or, in the case of immigration, it's being used in a way that's intended to be horseshit. There isn't anything about restricting immigration that makes anyone more capitalist than socialist. In fact, left/socialist countries can be more restrictive in their immigration policies than what we have.

[Tony]

Strict immigration laws do deprive capitalists of efficiency in the labor market.

But then there is no relevance to the supposed socialist/capitalist divide in America and the rest of the civilized world, where everyone believes in a mixed economy, nobody believes in total government control of industry, and nobody really believes in laissez-faire either. If you do, that makes you the only radicals in the room.

[BigT]

"nobody believes in total government control of industry, "

Not familiar with Cuba, Venezuela, North Korea? Even China, which appears capitalist in many ways, is still really under government control when the chips are down.

[Leo Kovalensky II]

In terms of China, neglecting to point out that they've become more reliant on markets tends to confuse the role of command vs market-based economies in their recent growth. China has grown significantly since the 1970s (and especially in the 1990s) because they've relied more and more on markets and private capital/investors.

[dowson]

Start working at home with Google! It's by-far the best job I've had. Last Wednesday I got a brand new BMW since getting a check for $6474 this - 4 weeks past. I began this 8-months ago and immediately was bringing home at least $77 per hour. I work through this link, go to tech tab for work detail.
>>>>>>>>>> http://www.GeoSalary.com