Think before you fire

That Taser! They are not harmless. (my bold)

A new proposal to increase the number of stun guns in police hands is hitting a series of public relations hurdles, with a Brooklyn man dying this week after being shocked by a Taser and Amnesty International warning the police department to reconsider.

Since 2001, more than 300 people — including the Brooklyn man who was shocked by Suffolk County police officers Monday — have died after the guns were used on them, a statement Amnesty International sent yesterday to New York reporters said.

"Given their questionable safety record, TASERs should be used with extreme caution and not become a weapon of first resort for the NYPD," the group's director, Larry Cox, said.

According to Amnesty's records, the number of fatal Taser shocks has gradually increased as more police departments seeking less lethal alternatives to firearms have bought up the stun guns. Nationwide, 69 people died last year, compared with 13 in 2002, according to the group.

Amnesty said 90% of the 300 victims were unarmed.

Police sergeants on patrol are carrying stun guns in their holsters starting yesterday. Officers in specialty units already carry Tasers with them.

Lovely. Who on earth is encouraging police to regard Tasers as a quick and easy solution for dealing with irritating people? Don't answer that...

Good for them.

Thank you Amnesty International. Some day someone will explain why a bunch of celibate or pedophile priests would try to deny the use of condoms to prevent AIDS or the right to an abortion for women who have been raped:

Mexico City, Mexico (AHN) - The human rights organization Amnesty International has reiterated its support for a woman's right to abortion. It did during its annual meeting in Mexico City. The decision has triggered an outcry from Christian organizations.

The human rights group operates across the world, including conflict-torn countries where rape is used as war weapon. It had decided to support the right for women to have access to abortion in case of rape and health risk to mother or child in April during its executive committee meeting.

However, the resolution adopted on the concluding day of its annual meeting by the human rights group on Friday drew a quick response from religious organizations.

Accusing the human rights group of betraying its commitment to human rights, religious organizations have threatened to withdraw support. The Vatican has called on Catholics to stop funds to the group.

Supporting the God of Love and Understanding

Rorschach of No Capital notes the excellent diplomacy of the Catholic church:

A senior Vatican cardinal said yesterday that Catholics should stop donating to human rights group Amnesty International because of its new policy advocating abortion rights for women if they had been raped, were a victim of incest or faced health risks.

Cardinal Renato Martino, president of the Vatican's Pontifical Council for Justice and Peace, accused Amnesty of turning its back on its mission to defend human rights.

"The inevitable consequence of this decision, according to the cardinal, will be the suspension of any financing to Amnesty on the part of Catholic organisations and also individual Catholics," said a statement from Cardinal Martino's office yesterday.

Not being Catholic, I have never understood why it would be acceptable or even logical that a bunch of repressed anti-social celibate closet cases should be advising people on sexual matters. So... just who listens to these guys anymore? Anyone?

Update: Echidne of the Snakes says it best.