Texas Trooper Suspended For Comment To Gay Couple

[Ave Maria]

http://www.wral.com/news/3992004/detail.html?rss=ral&psp=nationalnews

 

[xMinionX]

Carlson also must get more training on state laws.

I'll say.

 

[Ave Maria]

That guy really needs to keep up with the law. I thought it was pretty big news when Texas took it's "anti-sodomy" law off the books last year?

 

[xMinionX]

That guy really needs to keep up with the law. I thought it was pretty big news when Texas took it's "anti-sodomy" law off the books last year?

I'd bet money that he knew darn well what the law was, and figured he could intimidate the couple into moving on to somewhere where he didn't have to see them.

I doubt he actually expected them to file a formal complaint. Sucks for him!

 

[Zackmeister]

I'm preparing to read an avalanche of letters to the editor today. Austinites are going to want this guy's head on a platter, I just know it.

 

[JiveTurkey]

I'm not one that likes to see P.D.A.'s (public displays of affection ie., kissing, groping, ect...) I think nothing is wrong with a small kiss, but people should keep anything beyond that personal affection in their personal lives.

 

[Ave Maria]

I'd bet money that he knew darn well what the law was, and figured he could intimidate the couple into moving on to somewhere where he didn't have to see them.

I doubt he actually expected them to file a formal complaint. Sucks for him!

Hmm, I have no idea. Regardless, he deserves what he got. Even if he didn't know, he's still responsible for his remarks.

I'm preparing to read an avalanche of letters to the editor today. Austinites are going to want this guy's head on a platter, I just know it.

The police officer's?

 

[xMinionX]

I'm not one that likes to see P.D.A.'s (public displays of affection ie., kissing, groping, ect...) I think nothing is wrong with a small kiss, but people should keep anything beyond that personal affection in their personal lives.

Well, feel free to look the other way, then. That's what I would do.

 

[xMinionX]

The police officer's?

Sure! Say what you will about gays and lesbians, but this is just bad police work.

 

[GMRELIC]

This doesn't speak too high of the training of the law, to Texas Troopers, he needed to be placed on probation for making such a statement. Glad the couple filed a formal complaint, maybe will make some people stop and think before they open thier mouths.

 

[Zackmeister]

The police officer's?

Yes. I am really surprised that the cop did this. Austin cops are highly scrutinized by a generally liberal population.

What the cop did was wrong, but I generally don't like big time pda of any persuasion.

 

[mpshiel]

I'm not one that likes to see P.D.A.'s (public displays of affection ie., kissing, groping, ect...) I think nothing is wrong with a small kiss, but people should keep anything beyond that personal affection in their personal lives.

Well, then I guess you would need to get your city to pass an ordinance on kisses longer than one second. But regardless of personal feelings on the subject, one shouldn't be using an official capacity to try and enforce personal reactions to the public in general.

 

[D. Scarlatti]

These people need to get out of the state capitol and leave the sodomy to their elected representatives.

 

[UberLutheran]

I'm preparing to read an avalanche of letters to the editor today. Austinites are going to want this guy's head on a platter, I just know it.

Why do you think people choose to live here, rather than in Midland (our dubious President's hometown)?

One would think that the Republicans (and the Capitol Police) would have realized by now that the State Capitol belongs to ALL Texans -- not just those who are Republican, conservative Christian heterosexuals!

 

[Ave Maria]

Sure! Say what you will about gays and lesbians, but this is just bad police work.

Oh I totally agree. I said that because I didn't realize that Austin was a generally Liberal city.

 

[UberLutheran]

These people need to get out of the state capitol and leave the sodomy to their elected representatives.

...and the interesting women they meet on South Congress (between Oltorf Street and Ben White Boulevard) and in East Austin (between 12th Street and MLK)!

And so MANY of them, on the occasions when they get caught, turn out to be -- Republican, conservative Christian heterosexuals!

Just another reason why I get my local news from Channel 8, and why I'm a fervent reader of The Austin Chronicle!

(Of course -- even with these little scandals, or an occasional DWI -- they keep getting re-elected ANYWAY...)

 

[trunks2k]

(Of course -- even with these little scandals, or an occasional DWI -- they keep getting re-elected ANYWAY...)

After growing up in my town, it really doesn't shock me anymore what an official will do and still be re-elected. My town's first selectman (basically the Mayor). Had done the following while in office (ones with * were done on more than 1 occasion):

1. Threatened a federal tax inspector with a shotgun.
2. Started a brawl at a PTA meeting.*
3. Flipped his car off the road while driving drunk.*
4. Accused his brother in law of being a witch and tried to use that as a means of firing him from his position as the head of parks and recreation.

and those are just the ones I can remember, I swear he did something outrageous on a weekly basis. And this guy was not only reelected, but he was reelected twice!

 

[chalice_thunder]

I am so glad the couple filed a complaint. This was pure harrassment - and it was based either in ignorance (of the law) or in bigotry. Or maybe both. Neither should be allowed in law enforcement.

 

[Kelly]

What he did was incorrect, granted. Isn't 6 months a bit extreme? There are cops who have shot people and had less suspension time.

 

[Vylo]

What he did was incorrect, granted. Isn't 6 months a bit extreme? There are cops who have shot people and had less suspension time.

Not sure on that, I think it might be that they are going to need that time to re-train him.