Mission Statement - De-Spinning the Pro-Taser Propaganda

Yeah right, 'Excited Delirium' my ass...

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The primary purpose of this blog is to provide an outlet for my observations and analysis about tasers, taser "associated" deaths, and the behaviour exhibited by the management, employees and minions of Taser International. In general, everything is linked back to external sources, often via previous posts on the same topic, so that readers can fact-check to their heart's content. This blog was started in late-2007 when Canadians were enraged by the taser death of Robert Dziekanski and four others in a short three month period. The cocky attitude exhibited by the Taser International spokespuppet, and his preposterous proposal that Mr. Dziekanski coincidentally died of "excited delirium" at the time of his taser-death, led me to choose the blog name I did and provides my motivation. I have zero financial ties to this issue.



Saturday, May 2, 2009

Proof that tasers (or EIDs) carry 'The Stupidity Virus'

Franklin Correction Institute, Carrabelle, FL - Sgt. Walter Schmidt, 37, arsenal sergeant and 14-year veteran of the Franklin Correctional Institution, was fired because on 24 April 2009 he used a stun gun on several kids during Take Your Sons and Daughters to Work Day. The children, whose ages are not available, yelped, fell to the ground and grabbed red burn marks on their arms. One was taken to a nearby hospital. ... [LINK]


People are not born that stupid; it requires very specialized training.


Update:

The story linked above was "[Last modified: May 04, 2009 03:36 PM]" subsequent to my original post. They've apparently clarified the story to indicate that the stupidity in this case cannot necessarily be attributed to a taser. It was reportedly an "EID", not a taser. As always, and i.a.w. my corrections policy, I'm more than happy to clarify this posting based on this new information.

Electronic Immobilization Devices such as the one Schmidt demonstrated are typically used to subdue unruly or uncooperative inmates. Unlike the Taser, which is fired at a distance and delivers its shock via dart-tipped wires, the EID Schmidt used must be in direct contact with the person to shock them. ... Deaths have been attributed to the devices, though other factors such as drug use and other health problems are often said to play a role. [ibid as updated]

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