Please read the report below from NetRight Nation on Gil Kerikowske's involvement in the Seattle Mardi Gras riots.In 2001, a riot broke out on Mardi Gras at Seattle's Pioneer Square. Rather than send his officers in to break up the riot, Kerlikowske ordered them to stand by. So police officers stood at the edge of the crowd while the victims pleaded for help. Scores were injured, several women were sexually assaulted, and Kris Kime died amid the violence. Kris Kime, a 20-year-old college student and construction worker, was violently attacked after attempting to aid a woman who had been knocked to the ground.
Kime's family sued, and Seattle settled out of court for $1,750,000 and acknowledged that its police strategy had presented a public safety threat.
Kerlikowske, however, felt that he had made the right decision. "I think we moved in at the proper time given the size of that crowd, the mob mentality that existed and what I saw. And I take responsibility, and I stand by that decision. Every police decision, especially in this particular situation, is that we are damned if we do and damned if we don't." He added, “The criticism has been just unbelievable.”
Apparently his officers felt otherwise. Officer Ken Saucier, a member of the Seattle Police Guild board, said that if it's a damned-if-you-do, damned-if-you-don't situation, "our contention is ... you might as well be damned if you do. We're paid to do. That's why most of the people get into [police work]."
"Police officers are sworn to do a duty, and they want to do that," he said. "When they`re held back, they're not able to do what they got into the job to do,” said Mike Edwards, Seattle Police Guild president.
Get the rest of the story and photos.
Now this is yet another of the losers Obama wants in his cabinet? Personally, I think a DRUG CZAR is a wasted position.. However, if you are the Obama administration and want to fill seats you start at the bottom to be sure.
