Comments on: Tell SF Police Commission Wednesday: NO Tasers!

By: J.R.C.

J.R.C. — Thu, 24 Feb 2011 02:52:36 +0000

What utter rubbish. Tasers have been used over a million times in the field and a million times in demonstration shocks. In only fifty field cases have they been cited at a contributing cause (Amnesty now admits this too) and in only three of four cases have coroners attributed the sole cause of death to Taser shock. In not a single demonstration shock has Taser shock led to adverse heart effects – much less, death.

By: Ann_Garrison

Ann_Garrison — Wed, 23 Feb 2011 00:07:34 +0000

"This kind of electrical charge can lead to arrhythmia and even heart attacks. In the largest study of Tasers ever conducted, UCSF doctors found that in 50 California police departments, “sudden deaths” in custody increased an average 544 percent the year after Tasers were adopted. They remained at half again their prior rate in subsequent years: For every two people who died in police custody prior to the introduction of Tasers, 13 died in year one of Taser use, and three died in years two through four." This is the most shocking news I've heard about Tasers yet.

By: Robert Ransdel

Robert Ransdel — Tue, 22 Feb 2011 16:50:22 +0000

Absolutely not. And I'm sorry that he shares my name. I just recently discovered that he even exists. He is a shameful scar on the family name. Thanks for asking.

By: C.A.R.

C.A.R. — Tue, 22 Feb 2011 08:17:00 +0000

These stats are not cherry picked. The problem is that most of the research on Tasers has been conducted by Taser International, the company that manufacturers the Tasers, or by researchers on the payroll of Taser international. The unbiased research that is available clearly shows that Tasers are lethal. Anyone who asks the question "wouldn't you rather be tased than shot with a gun" misses the point. Tasers are lethal, especially when used on thin people, youth, women, people who are intoxicated, and people with mental illness. I want a police force who can deal with mentally ill and intoxicated people who are not an imminent danger to themselves or others in TRULY non-lethal ways.

By: Bob Offer-Westort

Bob Offer-Westort — Tue, 22 Feb 2011 08:14:10 +0000

Is this the same Robert Ransdell who writes white supremacist articles like "Even Liberal San Francisco Getting Tired Of Living Among Negroes"?

A second question: I've cited the source of my statistics such that you can easily look them up yourself. How are they "out of context"?

As for Bob Smith: The study is the largest of its kind. By far. Ever. Period. If you've got a comparable study by medical professionals that isn't funded by Taser International that gives stats that counter these, I'd love to read it. Relying on unbiased data isn't cherry-picking: It's a good basis for public policy.

By: Werwolf

Werwolf — Tue, 22 Feb 2011 07:04:40 +0000

Here's what's going on in Libya. Can anyone condone such barbarity?
http://english.aljazeera.net/news/africa/2011/02/…

By: Werwolf

Werwolf — Tue, 22 Feb 2011 06:18:59 +0000

Also: pray for the people of Libya tonight. I have family connections there.

Their leaders are scum, but the Libyan people themselves are a deeply gracious, civilized people, who are being bombed and shot by one of the world's worst tyrants — a tyrant supported by this newspaper.

Ir you're wondering why I'm so angry, SF Bay View readers it's because I know the truth about Qadafi and his oppression of the Libyan people and the destruction of their beautiful culture.

By: Robert

Robert — Tue, 22 Feb 2011 05:42:18 +0000

let's just shoot them with bullets instead!

By: Robert Ransdell

Robert Ransdell — Tue, 22 Feb 2011 03:29:30 +0000

I love so called reporters like this author who would never dream of trying to improve law enforcement by becoming a police officer. He's great at standing on the sideline and throwing out of context stats as if everything he writes is a fact. The truth is exactly as Bob Smith previously stated. The author should try using his pen to do something worthwhile, like maybe helping the mentally ill or supporting youth education to deter our youth from getting involved in violence.

By: Bob Smith

Bob Smith — Tue, 22 Feb 2011 02:05:06 +0000

eidTasers Save Lives. The author has cherry picked statistics; there is no doubt that tasers save li ves, reduce injuries to officners and suspects, prevent "suicide by cop", save ataxpayers big bucks in lower workman's ccomp rates and fewer lawsuits. The only way someone can die from a Taser is if they fall and hit their head. There are numerous studies and reports to support all of the above.