I witnessed in 2004 the brutal use of motor scooters by the NYPD to "control" a crowd (which was perfectly peaceful at the time). I predicted then that they were likely to hurt someone some day if they continued such a stupid (yes, it is STUPID) and brutal tactic. Take scooters up to a crowd and push them into it and you will one day hurt someone needlessly. And this last week that is exactly what happened when one such scooter cop ran over the leg of a NEUTRAL LEGAL OBSERVER.

Again let me emphasize the absolute stupidity of this tactic. And I assure you Bloomberg, who in 2004 called us protesters, (my wife and I included) the equivalent of terrorists. In my mind Bloomberg and those among the NYPD who use these tactics on peaceful protesters are themselves all too close to being terrorists. Certainly they are using terror to suppress First Amendment rights.

Let me be clear. I have spoken in support of cops, police unions and police running for office many times in the past. But these stupid, brutal tactics Bloomberg and the NYPD are using make it damned hard for me to support them. Let me say that the net time the New York City Police Foundation calls me they are going to get an earful from me about First Amendment rights and police brutality.

Here is the latest stupid and brutal action by the NYPD: (from Daily Kos)

What I notice is that the protesters are BEHIND THE POLICE BARRIERS and the horse cops CROSS THAT BARRIER into the crowd.

Here's another view, showing how determined and deliberate the cops are at forcing their horses into a crowd that is doing NOTHING except exercising its American Constitutional rights:

Are Bloomberg, Kelly and the leadership of the NYPD complete idiots? This is unnecessary and counterproductive. From what I have seen the average cop isn't like this. This is the leadership forcing brutal tactics on the police force.

Are the cops really proud of this? Using motor scooters and horses to brutalize unarmed, peaceful New Yorkers? Attacking their own neighbors? This is Bloomberg's deliberate policy. He has screwed over the cops countless times, trying to break the Police Union. New Yorkers supported the cops. Bloomberg then orders the cops to deliberately attack peaceful protesters. I can only assume that Bloomberg is using this to deliberately drive a wedge between two groups who oppose him. And the cops are following their orders.