Via various paths: a story of what happens when an idealized right meets up with the real world. On reading all of the various accounts, the only thing I can say for sure the guy did wrong was he didn't keep his mouth shut. A small but significant number of cops are (what was described to me as) "badge heavy". They are jerks, and they seek out this job because it is the only one that allows them to point guns at people who don't like them being jerks.

I sincerely believe most cops aren't like this. That said, it is also my opinion that Mr. "Fishorman" is probably not the type who suffers fools quietly. The problem is this fool has a loaded gun. In a situation like this the police are the law, and the only good way out is to stay as quiet as possible. You can't win on the street, and trying just lands you in jail.

To be honest, I'm not going to get too upset by this entire thing. Black men have been putting up with this crap for at least thirty years, for far weaker reasons. I'd be taking the right's cries of "oppression" more seriously if they had a better track record holding the police accountable for profiling. They don't, so I don't.