Blanks delivers jolting campaign message
I've got to give Berkley Blanks credit for a powerful billboard message.
The text says simply: "Taser a 12-year old?"
There's a picture of four smiling, cute, happy kids.
The political message is next: "Vote Berkley Blanks for Sheriff"
Zap!
You can see the image on his Web site (click on "Taser a 12-year old?").
Of course this refers to the issue of SROs in Guilford County middle schools. Those in the jurisdiction of Sheriff BJ Barnes carry tasers, as do all his deputies.
None, so far, has used a Taser on a 12-year-old or any other child. But it could happen.
Or an SRO could Taser a 15-year-old who is attacking a 12-year-old with a knife. Or an intruder with a gun.
The intricacies of the issue don't fit on a billboard and don't have to. Blanks is using it to score emotional points against Barnes, a heavily favored three-term incumbent who easily defeated Blanks four years ago.
Blanks does explain his view in some detail on his Web site but, interestingly, never says that if he's sheriff his SROs WON'T carry Tasers in middle schools. Basically, he says he would have approached the issue more diplomatically than Barnes did. As I think I understand his position, I believe SROs still could be equipped with Tasers -- which means, theoretically, a Taser still could be used on a 12-year-old if circumstances warranted that. A 12-year-old armed with a gun in school certainly could present such circumstances.
Anyway, there's no maybe or what-if about Blanks' hard-hitting campaign message. Like a stun gun, it delivers a heckuva jolt.
Update, 10:55 a.m.: Just off the phone with Blanks, who clarifies his position. If he is elected, his SROs will NOT carry Tasers in middle schools. But he holds open the possibility that at some future time he might decide they should be equipped with Tasers if security concerns warrant.
Further update, 2 p.m.: Blanks "wants to have it both ways," Barnes says about Blanks' not-now-but-maybe-later position on Tasers for SROs. Barnes reiterates his view that, in some situations, Tasers present a better alternative than a firearm.
We'll have an editorial about this tomorrow.
Comments (14)
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In the seedy world of political advertising, Mr. Blanks has managed to produce an ad that is noteworthy for its dishonesty.
Sheriff Barnes simply gave his officers another tool to keep our schools safe. To imply that his officers are just looking to zap innocent children is unfair, mean-spirited and insulting to our brave men and women in law enforcement.
But since Mr. Blanks is so ignorant on this issue, I would suggest he run for school board - he would fit right in with that crowd.
Posted on October 11, 2006 10:39 AM
Like a stun gun, it delivers a heckuva jolt.* Doug
Shocking! A real candiate with a concern for humanity. Stats for the past 5 years. Over 476
"persons of interest" have die from taser jolts. 42 were teens.
Posted on October 11, 2006 1:12 PM
Connie,
How would you suggest police handle violent criminals, such as the 15-year-old thug in Wisconsin who murdered his principal last month? By throwing spitballs and shooting rubber bands?
As for "concern for humanity", what about the kids in schools who are VICTIMS of violent crime? Personally, I don't have much sympathy for juvenile delinquents who commit violent crimes - my sympathies are reserved for the kids who are tormented by these thugs and bullies.
See, the Guilford County Board of Education has it backwards, too. They are so concerned with the bad kids and being "fair" to them that the well-behaved kids are left to fend for themselves.
But as it stands today in Guilford County, the good kids live in terror while the bullies are free to do what they want without fear of punishment. The school board and GCS administration has sent the word to principals to stop suspending students, particularly black males, so teachers don't have the authority to enforce discipline. And now, the school board wants to take away SROs.
School safety is a major problem in Guilford County right now. Unfortunately, the school board is part of the problem, not part of the solution.
Posted on October 11, 2006 2:15 PM
I am a little busy at the moment with another serious so-called non-violent campaign. But keep it brief with the standard 5 word spin terms. I will comment.
How would you suggest police handle violent criminals, such as the 15-year-old thug in Wisconsin who murdered his principal last month? By throwing spitballs and shooting rubber bands?
As for "concern for humanity", what about the kids in schools who are VICTIMS of violent crime? Personally, I don't have much sympathy for juvenile delinquents who commit violent crimes - my sympathies are reserved for the kids who are tormented by these thugs and bullies.
See, the Guilford County Board of Education has it backwards, too. They are so concerned with the bad kids and being "fair" to them that the well-behaved kids are left to fend for themselves.
But as it stands today in Guilford County, the good kids live in terror while the bullies are free to do what they want without fear of punishment. The school board and GCS administration has sent the word to principals to stop suspending students, particularly black males, so teachers don't have the authority to enforce discipline. And now, the school board wants to take away SROs.
School safety is a major problem in Guilford County right now. Unfortunately, the school board is part of the problem, not part of the solution.*just saying
One other note! My stats on the tazers were taken from a recent Federal Department of Justice study. You can find on-line with the feds should one wish to see how effective the tazer is. Not counting the truck load of lawsuit industry that it has created.
Posted on October 11, 2006 8:43 PM
Sorry! I forgot about the brackets screwing things up
I am a little busy at the moment with another serious so-called non-violent campaign. But keep it brief with the standard 5 word spin terms. I will comment.
How would you suggest police handle violent criminals, such as the 15-year-old thug in Wisconsin who murdered his principal last month? By throwing spitballs and shooting rubber bands?
1. Are you suggesting that like some law and order types on the right that the teacher be arm to the teeth to blow away the child with hard cultural issues? The problem lays within the security system of the school. Not the kid. Are you aware that 100 % of the prison systems in this county do not allow their correction officers to be armed with guns while on duty among the inmates. Why is that? Simple! Jump a guard and what do you have, his club and mace....period! The rest should be easy to fiqure out, if the inmates have a little thing called superior firepower in their hands, than it becomes in war terms, a balance of power transfer.
As for "concern for humanity", what about the kids in schools who are VICTIMS of violent crime? Personally, I don't have much sympathy for juvenile delinquents who commit violent crimes - my sympathies are reserved for the kids who are tormented by these thugs and bullies.
2.So society should lock up the parnets for their failure to raise the little thugs because of the failure of the school eduational system and the culture?
See, the Guilford County Board of Education has it backwards, too. They are so concerned with the bad kids and being "fair" to them that the well-behaved kids are left to fend for themselves.
3. Why shouldn't they be concern about the bad apples and trying to show them the straight and narrow path toward civilzation with non-violent training
But as it stands today in Guilford County, the good kids live in terror while the bullies are free to do what they want without fear of punishment. The school board and GCS administration has sent the word to principals to stop suspending students, particularly black males, so teachers don't have the authority to enforce discipline. And now, the school board wants to take away SROs.
4.This simply a major cultural problem. Where do you put the bad apples? Back on the streets or simply pack the prison system with more recycle apples to be more rotten after leaving the prison system.
School safety is a major problem in Guilford County right now. Unfortunately, the school board is part of the problem, not part of the solution.*just saying
6.I suggest you try a flight and go though the check in system to understand how security can keep the weapons of choice out
One other note! My stats on the tazers were taken from a recent Federal Department of Justice study. You can find on-line with the feds should one wish to see how effective the tazer is. Not counting the truck load of lawsuit industry that it has created.
Posted on October 11, 2006 8:51 PM
Connie-girl,
I can't ever make heads or tails of your posts.
Posted on October 11, 2006 11:27 PM
Tasers give officers another tool and another level of non-lethal force. It gives the officer more options between verbal commands and use of deadly force.
Would we rather the officers had little option but to SHOOT those presenting a threat on school grounds? I think not. The more tools an officer has in his toolbox the less likely he is to have to employ deadly force.
Posted on October 11, 2006 11:55 PM
But John,
Tasers, (unlike guns somehow), are like heat-seeking missiles and they seek out ONLY black butts. It's common knowledge. Just ask Deena Hayes.
Posted on October 12, 2006 9:02 AM
Agreed, John.
Connie, I have to take issue with the following:
"The problem lays within the security system of the school. Not the kid." So you are saying that when a juvenile delinquent commits a violent crime against another student, it's the school's fault.
That's a classic (and wrong-headed) liberal argument right there: criminals shouldn't be blamed for their actions. It's all society's fault. If only these poor misunderstood cherubs didn't have those "hard cultural issues" to deal with....
Sorry; I'm not buying it. I say schools need to worry more about protecting the good kids and not get so wrapped up in coddling the troublemakers.
As it stands now, the "bad apples" are allowed to intimidate, assault and disrupt the learning of their classmates. That just isn't right.
Posted on October 12, 2006 9:19 AM
That's a classic (and wrong-headed) liberal argument right there: criminals shouldn't be blamed for their actions. It's all society's fault. If only these poor misunderstood cherubs didn't have those "hard cultural issues" to deal with....* Just saying
Sorry! But I am a not liberal or whatever that means in genric politics to the so-called law and order types. I use this quote all the time to make a impression on the law and order types.
" The degree of Civilzation can be judge by observing it's prisoners" * Dostoyevsky after doing a little time in a Imperial Russia Gulag
Sorry; I'm not buying it.* Just Saying
Good for you! Nobody has put a hard sell on you nor force you to give up your first amendment rights and opinions
Posted on October 12, 2006 1:28 PM
Connie-girl,
I can't ever make heads or tails of your posts.* Girl Gone Mad aka Conniegirl'saLUNATIC@aol.com
Maybe you should consider a new job or career about your unknown head or tails obession by applying as a political adviser in a San Francisco Bath House?
Posted on October 12, 2006 1:32 PM
SRO's are POLICE OFFICERS AND DEPUTY SHERIFF'S. Why does GCS have a say in what "tools" or weapons they carry? If any of our children were "making trouble" outside of school-the officer's would have their guns-they would have their tasers. GCS butt out of LE issues and worry about educating our children!
Posted on October 13, 2006 8:45 AM
I agree 100 percent. The board should concentrate on education and let law-enforcement professionals help them keep schools safe.
Posted on October 13, 2006 9:10 AM
Guilford County needs a change....BJ Barnes has held the office too long...In 2004 he refused to speak to anyone about a trespassing and break in on Sherfield Road ...Needless to say an order came from BJ Barnes for an officer to assist or stand by while the person or persons trespassed on a property and broke into a residence and removed items without any knowledge of the owners of the property being contacted...there was a No Trespassing Sign on the property but no one bothered to check out the story which was presented to BJ Barnes about the property before he sent an officer to assist....THIS WAS A COVERUP....FROM THE ENTIRE SYSTEM OF GUILFORD COUNTY....from the DA and the sherriff's attorney down to the people who were driving the moving van which took the items away....Again...GUILFORD COUNTY NEEDS A CHANGE....I hope if you are reading this you will BE WISE AND VOTE FOR BLANKS FOR SHERIFF.....WHAT DO THE CITIZENS HAVE TO LOSE? The next property might belong to YOU.........
Posted on October 25, 2006 6:57 PM