cannabisnews.com: Former Cop To Sell Video 










  Former Cop To Sell Video 

Posted by CN Staff on December 21, 2006 at 20:40:46 PT
By Kenneth Dean and Roy Maynard, Staff Writers 
Source: Tyler Morning Telegraph  

Tyler, Texas -- "Never get busted again." Law enforcement officers around East Texas were startled to find one of their former brothers of the badge is scheduled to begin selling a video describing how to avoid getting caught when stopped by police looking for illegal substances.
The Tyler Morning Telegraph has learned that Barry Cooper, a former Gladewater and Big Sandy police officer, is scheduled to begin selling his video titled "Never Get Busted Again" Tuesday with the launch of a Web site and a full page advertisement in a national publication targeted toward those interested in illicit drugs.Smith County Deputy Constable Mark Waters, a drug interdiction officer, said he was appalled at the idea of a former officer selling such a video."It's an embarrassment to all law enforcement officers across the United States, who put their life on the line everyday," he said. "This is a slap in the face to all that we do to uphold the laws and keep the public safe."Cooper, once "the best" drug officer in West Texas, according to his former superiors, told the newspaper during an interview Wednesday night, he believes marijuana should be legalized and that the imprisonment of those caught with the drug destroys their families and fills up jails and prisons across the country with non-violent offenders.He added that methamphetamines, cocaine and crack should be eradicated from the earth, because they are dangerous drugs. But he says marijuana is not a dangerous drug."I know I won't be accepted by my peers here in East Texas, but in other areas of the country I will be celebrated," he said sitting in an office in Tyler. "When I was raiding houses and destroying families my conscience was telling me it was wrong, but my need for power, fame and peer acceptance overshadowed my good conscience."A three-minute promotion of the video shows Cooper in West Texas when he was assigned to the Permian Basin Drug Task Force being interviewed by media on large busts he made.The promotion has Cooper saying he is going to show people through actual footage of his busts how to not get caught, how to "conceal their stash (do coffee grounds really work?)," "avoid narcotics profiling" and how to "fool canines every time." Cooper, who has no disciplinary actions in his law enforcement record, left law enforcement to pursue the ministry and a successful business. He said he also felt pressure from other law enforcement agencies, that were jealous of busts he made, and political pressures associated with arresting a mayor's son and a city council member on drug charges.Cooper argues that people are being sentenced to long prison terms for drugs when murderers, child molesters and rapists are getting shorter sentences."The trillions of dollars we're spending in the War on Drugs should be used to protect our children," he said. "Our children are being molested every day and everyone knows we have lost the War on Drugs."Cooper believes marijuana should be legalized and regulated by the government which he says will cause the crime rate to drop. He points to Prohibition, America's failed experiment in outlawing alcoholic beverages. Prohibition merely empowered the criminals, he says, and that's just what's happening now with prohibited drugs."We have cops and other people getting killed and I believe we could end all of that," he said.He said the video would only show footage of how certain things interfered with a search and would not go into details, but the promotion says he will show the viewer how to beat the system.Cooper said he does not condone illegal activity - and does not use drugs himself - but if someone misuses his product, he can't be held responsible."I have attorneys telling me that what I am doing is not illegal," he said. "I'm just selling a product."Local attorney Bobby Mims agrees."I have seen the video, and a lot of people aren't going to like it, but it's my opinion everything he says is protected," Mims said. "And in my experience, the information he's presenting is truthful, as well."When asked what he would have thought about a similar video being released when he was a peace officer, he replied, "At that time I believed what I was taught by our government about marijuana and I would have disagreed with it (the video) until I interviewed the maker of the video."  Lawmen RespondCooper's former commander with the Permian Basin Drug Task Force said he was "completely shocked."Tom Finley, now a private investigator in Midland, said he was Cooper's boss in the 1990s and said Cooper was the best drug interdiction officer he had ever known."He was even better than he says he was," he said. "He had a knack for finding drugs and made more arrests, more seizures than all of the other agents combined. He was probably the best narcotics officer in the state and maybe the country during his time with the task force."However, Finley said he was distraught to learn the video plans of his former "Top Cop.""I'm definitely not in agreement with what he is doing here and I am all for getting the drug offenders off the streets and putting them behind bars," he said.Cooper claims to have made more than 800 drug arrests, seized more than 50 vehicles and more than $500,000 in cash and assets.Richard Sanders, Tyler Drug Enforcement Agency bureau agent in charge, was aggravated by the soon-to-be-released video. "It outrages me personally as I'm sure it does any officer that has sworn an oath to uphold the laws of this state, and nation," he said. "It is clear that his whole deal is to make money and he has found some sort of scheme, but for him to go to the dark side and do this is infuriating."Sanders said there is no formal investigation currently, but that might change."I'm sure we will make time to look into this as quickly as possible and there could be an investigation." he said. Big Sandy Chief of Police Tim Scott said he could not believe anyone with former experience in the War on Drugs would give any help to criminals."He's going to tell all the ones we have been fighting how to get away with it and that makes me mad," he said.Texas Department of Public Safety Narcotics Service Capt. Mark Milanovich said he was going to wait and see what the video showed, but added he has serious problems with the idea."I think this guy needs to take a look at himself morally," he said. Scare TacticsCooper, who raised his voice and became animated, said the government tells children that marijuana is a gateway to other illegal narcotics, but that's false."It's a scare tactic and it's untrue," he said.Cooper said the public has been educated to believe that people who smoke marijuana are responsible for crimes."Marijuana makes you happy, then intoxicated then sleepy," he said. "It doesn't make you crazy."The "gateway drug" label is a fallacy, he said."If there was a gateway drug it would be alcohol," he said.Cooper said he does not agree with the current laws and hopes they change through legislation and sees this as a way to truly combat the nation's drug problems. "My main motivation in all of this is to teach Americans their civil liberties and what drives me in this is injustice and unfairness in our system," he said. "I'm just teaching them how to not ruin their lives by being put in a cage. I'm not creating the problem; it is already there."Cooper said he knows there will be backlash by some while others will agree with him."I challenge anyone who doesn't agree with me to a public debate to hear what I have to say and I bet some people will change their minds," he said. "But I'm sure some will think of me as the Devil." Roy Maynard covers county government and politics. He can be reached at 903.596.6291. e-mail: roymaynardtmt gmail.comKenneth Dean covers police, fire, public safety organizations. He can be reached at 903.596.6353. e-mail: news tylerpaper.comComplete Title: Former Cop To Sell Video Showing Drug Users How To Avoid Police DetectionSource: Tyler Morning Telegraph (TX)Author: Kenneth Dean and Roy Maynard, Staff WritersPublished: Thursday, December 21, 2006Copyright: 2006 Tyler Morning TelegraphContact: opinion tylerpaper.comWebsite: http://www.tylerpaper.com/Related Article: Ex-Cop Plans 'Don't Get Busted' Videohttp://cannabisnews.com/news/thread22469.shtmlCannabisNews Justice Archiveshttp://cannabisnews.com/news/list/justice.shtml 

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Comment #35 posted by Toker00 on December 23, 2006 at 06:17:56 PT
laduncon, FoM
No problem. I may make one or two, myself. Perhaps we'll see each other, and never know it. Drat!FoM, that is one of our catch phrases here. Big Sky Country. That is mainly out from Central Texas and to the West.The Sun has Rose, and the Sun has Set, and you ain't crossed Texas, yet!Toke.
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Comment #34 posted by laduncon on December 22, 2006 at 21:53:37 PT
Thanks for those TMM meeting times Toker
I hope to make one of 'em, as the meeting spot is right near my neighborhood.
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Comment #33 posted by laduncon on December 22, 2006 at 21:42:14 PT
My bad on mixing up the policemen's names
Gotta check the sources, checkin' 'em twiceMixing up names is naughty, not niceNext time I'll be sure to name-check :)
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Comment #32 posted by mayan on December 22, 2006 at 17:10:37 PT
The Dark Side
Those who would cage another human being for growing or possessing a plant which thrives under the light are on the dark side. We have truth on our side. The prohibitionists have lies. Lies are darkness. 
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Comment #31 posted by FoM on December 22, 2006 at 13:29:19 PT
Toker00
Texas to me is big sky country. That's what I remember most about driving thru Texas a number of times years ago. 
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Comment #30 posted by Toker00 on December 22, 2006 at 13:25:53 PT
Yep. Everything in Texas is Big.
Even our posts.Toke.
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Comment #29 posted by Toker00 on December 22, 2006 at 13:23:57 PT
And while we're in the Lone Star State,
any a you Texans who might want to attend one these fancy meetin's, here's the Trail Signs.Dear Toker,Wishing you and yours a joyful and peaceful holiday season! When you break out your new 2007 calendars be sure to mark the dates for our regional meetings around the state in preparation for TMM’s February 21st lobby day. Please pass on the invitation to your friends and family to join us at one of the following regional meetings: 
HoustonWhen –Thursday, January 11, 2007 - 6:30p – 8pWhere - Oak Forest Branch Library    1349 West 43rd Street Houston, 77018Directions - From the intersection of 610 and Ella go north on Ella. Take a left on 43 streets. The library is on the left about 2 blocks from the intersection.  
DallasWhen – Tuesday, January 16, 2007 – 6:30p – 9pWhere – Lakewood Branch Library     6121 Worth St. Dallas, 75214Directions- Check this link for map directions - http://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&hl=en&q=6121+Worth+St.+75214&ie=UTF8&ll=32.810758,-96.752729&spn=0.017277,0.042915&om=1 
San AntonioWhen – Wednesday,January 17, 2007 – 6:30p – 9pWhere – Landa Branch Library     233 Bushnell San Antonio, TX 78212Directions - Via IH-10: Exit Hildebrand Ave. East on Hildebrand to McCullough Ave. South on McCullough to Bushnell. East on Bushnell for two blocks. Library is on left side of road.Via US-281: Exit Hildebrand Ave. West on Hildebrand to Shook Ave. Left on Shook, 0.3 miles to Bushnell Ave. Right on Bushnell. Library is on the right.AustinWhen – Thursday, January 18, 2007 – 7p – 9pWhere – 1210 Rosewood Ave. Austin, 78702Directions – Traveling on E. 11th St. off of IH 35, go straight past the first light onto Rosewood Ave. Turn left into the first driveway on Rosewood. Park in the parking lot and come on in the front door.Best Wishes,Karen and Noellewww.TexansforMedicalMarijuana.orgToke.
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Comment #28 posted by FoM on December 22, 2006 at 13:09:45 PT
Tucker
He was just on Tucker and he even mentioned LEAP! Good going again Ekim!
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Comment #27 posted by Max Flowers on December 22, 2006 at 13:05:38 PT
Yes, laduncon
Note that Waters is the current narc, and Cooper is the former narc selling the video. Of course, these boards don't let you edit your posts, so you can't go and correct them. Bummer...If someone wants to REALLY do the country a favor, they should buy this video, then put up a free download of it online so that everyone can have it. I say "someone" because I have a feeling that Cooper won't do this at any point, even though he knows the info belongs to everyone, not just those who can afford $29.95 or whatever he's charging for the video.I'll probably buy it, not because I have things to hide, but because in the chess game called the "war on drugs", I am viewed as being on the black team simply by being a medical cannabis patient; and if it's war, then either side wants all the intelligence it can get on the other.My hope is that this will be a critical tipping point in things, and will make the so-called "drug warriors" lose a truckload of morale.
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Comment #26 posted by FoM on December 22, 2006 at 12:54:23 PT
Ekim
Good job! Merry Christmas to you and everyone!
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Comment #25 posted by ekim on December 22, 2006 at 12:48:39 PT
i sent this story to Leap 
got a response that Barry is now a Leap speaker.so if you are in Texas and want to hear him 
go to the Leap site and book a date.or blog.leap.cc/
http://www.leap.cc/events
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Comment #24 posted by Hope on December 22, 2006 at 12:04:50 PT
Barry Cooper
is the guy selling the video, I think.Waters is the guy that's "appalled".
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Comment #23 posted by Hope on December 22, 2006 at 12:02:58 PT
Money and the WoD hog trough.
If he'd tried to give it away...probably no one would notice. If he offered to make speaking engagements to people who need to know these things, he'd likely been ignored. He's got a product he's promoting and he's getting attention and he's trying...whatever his reasons...to end an injustice.I don't think anyone will buy it either except those who want to "investigate" and pen him up and take his power.
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Comment #22 posted by user123 on December 22, 2006 at 11:16:53 PT:
Get off your High Horse
Texas Department of Public Safety Narcotics Service Capt. Mark Milanovich said he was going to wait and see what the video showed, but added he has serious problems with the idea."I think this guy needs to take a look at himself morally," he said.He has, and now he's trying to make amends. Unlike all the others out there who rely on maintaining the status quo, just so they can pick up a paycheck.
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Comment #21 posted by Toker00 on December 22, 2006 at 11:08:48 PT
It's ALL about Money.
Not just this guy. The opportunist is inevitable, no matter what the opportunity. It's just that his opportunities came with the cost paid mostly by innocents. I agree, he has simply moved to other end of the trough. The word Traitor comes to mind. Too bad for their side. (Sarcasm)I doubt much will come of this. Most people I know are already educated in Cop Foolery. I wouldn't buy the video. Would any of you? I bet he sells more copies to the Legal world than to illegal drug users. They seem to be the most anxious to see his video. Looks like what goes around, came around.Toke. 
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Comment #20 posted by Had Enough on December 22, 2006 at 10:59:57 PT
Kaptinemo #15
How can you dis Flounder like that?Everyone knows any self-respecting slug would never want to be seen next to, or compared with a prohibitionist. :)
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Comment #19 posted by FoM on December 22, 2006 at 10:46:06 PT
Talent
We all are given a special talent and when we find it we should use it and use it wisely. That's what makes the world go round!I love being a Choir director since I can't hold a tune in a bucket! LOL!PS: I think my Christmas music has gone to my head a little today! TSO does that to me!
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Comment #18 posted by kaptinemo on December 22, 2006 at 10:41:06 PT:
Well, I never had a decent voice for singing 
As anyone forced to listen to my cadence calls (that's military marching chants for those scratching their heads) would attest. I only stick my virtual head in here from time to time to keep current. Holding prohibs' feet to the fire in these (very widely-read!) forums has taken a lot of my time lately, but it's been worth it. As I said, it's been fun...and no doubt educational, for both the lurkers and our opponents. A lot of the latter wish I'd just shut up. (Snicker) Fat chance...
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Comment #17 posted by laduncon on December 22, 2006 at 10:33:31 PT
He used to get a cut for each guy that he arrested
Now, he wants a cut for keeping you from getting arrested. Seems to me the one thing that hasn't changed over the years is Mark Waters getting his cut of the profits.Money, money, money.....MONEY!Used to put people in the slammer for dough
Now he's spillin' secrets to the people who don't know
Its not about the drugs its not about the crime
Its not about gettin' arrested and spendin' time
Its all about the money, its all about the dough
Prohibition is the mission for illegitimate cash flowPrisons, correctional facilities, forced treatment
They'll tell you your behavior makes you a delinquent
We didn't relinquish our innate rights of conscience
To some dumb, numb Shrub sitting on our Consti...
Tution, now they've got us broodin'
Its about time for cultural revolution...
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Comment #16 posted by FoM on December 22, 2006 at 10:28:22 PT
kaptinemo
Yes we are the Choir here. I kinda love it too! I don't sharpen my carving knife very well! LOL! 
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Comment #15 posted by kaptinemo on December 22, 2006 at 10:23:14 PT:
Hi, Stick and FoM
And a Merry Christmas to you and yours...and to all our friends here.I haven't been around like I used to, as I felt I had been preaching to the choir too much here, and needed to take the fight to our opponent's camp. Which I've been doing here 
http://www.politicalcrossfire.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=67933&highlight= and here 
 http://www.politicalcrossfire.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=56447&highlight=and here http://www.politicalcrossfire.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=70745&highlight=I usually have a lot of fun, as the curious will see for themselves. The only prohibs I normally encounter are the propagandized lemmings, not the ones further up the food chain, but it's still 'good training' as they used to say in the Army. Keeps one's mental turkey carving knives sharp for the day when they can be used on juicier fare...if it's foolish enough to wander into range, that is. So far, it's only been the bottom-feeders; I call them 'flounders' because of their station in the DrugWarrior food chain (for those who don't know, the real fish is indeed a bottom feeder) for the way they flip-flop around and dissemble when skewered. (Wolf's grin) Good clean fun!
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Comment #14 posted by laduncon on December 22, 2006 at 09:57:15 PT
Barge up the stream he already made first...
I think CONSCIENCE is often what keeps anybody from flipping... cops, cabdrivers, prisoners, homeless, priests, congressman, soldiers, and the forgotten etc.. They are all people, and are equally accountable for their actions, regardless of the unnatural authority that has been bestowed upon them (and they chased or accepted), or been taken from them.I'm sorry if its tough to admit to destroying someone's life (not my words), but not as sorry as I am for the lives that have been 'destroyed'.As for Mark Waters being an opportunist; given the available evidence included in this article, I would say that is right on. Remember, he is SELLING the video; it isn't a public service, no matter how much he plays it up to be. This man has been making money off of the illegality of drugs one way or another for years. Keep the gravy train rolling, I suppose. The reason he can SELL these secrets today is because he profited/benefited from them for years while exploiting his knowlegeable advantage over those less fortunate and unlucky enough to cross his plotting path.This man is not a martyr, nor a villian, just a man.
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Comment #13 posted by FoM on December 22, 2006 at 09:47:40 PT
kaptinemo 
You have really been on our minds. Merry Christmas to you. Stick and I were just talking about you while we were sitting around the kitchen table. Our power went out and the silence was sort of nice. We could hear the rain drops softly falling and our neighbors rooster crowing. Now I have my music cranked up and my Christmas lights flashing away. Back to normal I say! Ho Ho Ho!
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Comment #12 posted by kaptinemo on December 22, 2006 at 09:36:18 PT:
The most important part
"Cooper said he knows there will be backlash by some while others will agree with him."I challenge anyone who doesn't agree with me to a public debate to hear what I have to say and I bet some people will change their minds," he said. "But I'm sure some will think of me as the Devil."And there it is: the word most feared by prohibs. DEBATE The one word that makes them feel a sudden need to urinate, the one word that makes the blood run from their faces, the one word that prompts stammering and makes their eyes look reflexively to the nearest exit. It strikes terror in their hearts like nothing else can, for they know they can never win a public discourse on the issue. Especially if their opponent brings up the racist origins of the laws and quotes those laws first supporters verbatim. We've got your number, all you prohibs reading this. It's long past time to, as one of my favorite authors puts it, "Come, let us reason together." The problem being the reason resides in our court, and nothing but lies and propaganda resides in yours.
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Comment #11 posted by Toker00 on December 22, 2006 at 09:31:37 PT
laduncon
That is a good point, but it's probably CONSCIENCE that keeps most cops from flipping. If they have to admit they have destroyed someone's life instead of protecting it like they were brain washed to believe, it's tough. But sooner or later, that ole Conscience is gonna get to 'em. He may be an opportunist, which is yet to be seen, but what he is doing could turn a drip into a stream.Toke.
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Comment #10 posted by laduncon on December 22, 2006 at 08:54:06 PT
Agreed with John Tyler about Karma... much needed
"When I was raiding houses and destroying families my conscience was telling me it was wrong, but my need for power, fame and peer acceptance overshadowed my good conscience." This man smells like an opportunist. He exploited his power as a 'drug interdiction officer' for many years when that was easy; now that he's retired, he's gonna make money off the other end of the equation. A little thing called hypocrisy comes to mind. 
 I bet when he testified against those he'd arrested he didn't speak his mind about how marijuana should be legal. I bet those family members still stuck in prison to this day wish his change of heart (or conscience, or whatever) had occurred about a decade or so earlier. I bet he isn't actively trying to get those people paroled by testifying at their parole hearings or helping them appeal their convictions. Nope, he's SELLING a video."A three-minute promotion of the video shows Cooper in West Texas when he was assigned to the Permian Basin Drug Task Force being interviewed by media on large busts he made."Ex-drug interdiction officer Mark Waters won't be able to use the clip of himself goading over his "large busts" in his "promotional" video if he is pictured in his police uniform (unless the police dept. gives him permission... yea right).No, Mark Waters has much more to do before his karmic slate is clear, balanced, emptied ..... but who am I to judge?
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Comment #9 posted by John Tyler on December 22, 2006 at 06:49:54 PT
correcting his Karma
Sounds like he has realized what he has been doing in the past has been very wrong and he wants to do something that will correct his Karma.
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Comment #8 posted by Hope on December 22, 2006 at 06:25:18 PT
comment 6
He has my prayers, too, FoM.I'm very thankful for him. Maybe he will do a lot to help restore justice and sanity to this country.
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Comment #7 posted by Hope on December 22, 2006 at 06:20:06 PT
The "Dark side"? 
"It is clear that his whole deal is to make money and he has found some sort of scheme, but for him to go to the dark side and do this is infuriating."I hate that these guys with guns and ways to ruin people's lives and call us "the dark side" don't have a better realization of reality than this. It's very alarming. The light's much brighter where we are than where they are. We aren't the dark side! His isn't the side of light...he must be on the "dim" side.
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Comment #6 posted by FoM on December 21, 2006 at 21:56:24 PT
Hope
I hope you are right because he could really get attacked for doing this. I'll say a little prayer for him tonight.
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Comment #5 posted by Hope on December 21, 2006 at 21:53:09 PT
He sounds strong.
He sounds like he can hold up to the onslaught that is already started. He sounds like he knows what he's talking about. I certainly wish him well and much success.
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Comment #4 posted by FoM on December 21, 2006 at 21:49:01 PT

Marijuana and Prohibition
This is truly an amazing story to me. The lies are becoming so obvious and the harm that Marijuana Prohibition is causing is surfacing more and more and people feel a strong need to speak out. This policeman gives me hope. 
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Comment #3 posted by SoberStoner on December 21, 2006 at 21:34:32 PT

Good for him!
I'm curious to see what he says. Information is power, and if the video is actually good, I know I'll be showing it to all my friends.I'm sure this isnt the last we'll see of this, at least I sure hope it isnt.
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Comment #2 posted by Hope on December 21, 2006 at 21:30:31 PT

Stunning!
It's wonderful!
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Comment #1 posted by FoM on December 21, 2006 at 20:50:05 PT

He is Brave
And from Texas too which must make it even harder to stand up. 
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