Baltimore Police claim 70,000 followers, but they're at least 50% fake!
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Showing posts with label twitter. Show all posts
Showing posts with label twitter. Show all posts
20 February 2015
Baltimore Police Blasted For Dishonesty & Propaganda On Twitter
Baltimore Police claim 70,000 followers, but they're at least 50% fake!
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27 January 2015
Yes, Facebook Really Was Down -- It Wasn't You!
27 January 2015
By A.F. James MacArthur
Agitator-In-Chief
@BaltoSpectator
Users attempting to login to the worlds most popular social media site were unable to early Tuesday morning. For over an hour, beginning shortly after 1:00 a.m. and lasting till sometime after 2:00 a.m. Eastern Time, the site appeared to have been completely inaccessible.
Login was attempted from various devices -- using different independent internet service providers and networks -- at MacArthur Media world headquarters, before it was realized the problem was system wide.
CBS Los Angeles reported Facebook released a statement at 1:55 a.m. that read:
“We’re aware that many people are currently having trouble accessing Facebook and Instagram. We’re working to get things back to normal as quickly as possible.”The full scope and number of users affected was unclear. Instagram is owned by Facebook.
Around 1:00 am, I'd posted a status update on The Baltimore Spectator Facebook page. The post was successful, but within moments when I tried to share it to my personal timeline and several other pages, the site, though still up, appeared to be sluggish and unresponsive.
It went from unresponsive to total blackout.
According to website DownDetector.com -- a site that tracks website service interruptions -- Facebook began having "issues" around 12:10 a.m. There was no information was listed stating exactly when total blackout occurred.
Twitter As A Secondary Source
Thousands of people took to Twitter -- the world's second most popular social media site -- inquiring to see whether it was Facebook that was down, or if the issues problems on their end.
So at the moment @facebook and @instagram are both down and the internet is in panic mode. #facebookdown pic.twitter.com/MWOHSEQtYI
— Geeked Out Nation (@Geekedoutnation) January 27, 2015
Although these sort of total blackouts seem relatively rare, it wasn't too long ago when Twitter had a similar problem.
Hacking History
Online hacking collective Lizard Squad, shutdown Twitter in last December after having first launched a vicious Christmas day attack on the Sony Play Station and Xbox gaming networks. The attack on the gaming networks lasted nearly two days before service was restored.
In 2009 Twitter experienced a "Denial of Service" (Dos) attack. The attacks are also referred to as Distributed Denial of Service (DDoS). That outage lasted about two hours. Facebook and LiveJournal also experienced service interruptions as part of that same attack.
Lizard Lock-down
On 1 January, PCWorld.com reported two men -- including a 17-year-old -- were arrested in connection with the group in response to the December attacks.
At this point there doesn't appear to be any groups taking responsibility for the Facebook blackout, nor is there any indication on precisely what caused the disruption. Citing security concerns, companies are usually vague in their explanations of what vulnerability may have been exploited, causing their systems to fail.
UPDATE: While this story was being written, CBS Los Angeles reported via Twitter, that Lizard Squad was responsible for the outage and that Instagram was also down. Note, claims like this are difficult to verify. Individuals actually responsible may not necessarily be the ones seeking publicity points for claiming so.
The "Lizard Squad" hacker group has claimed responsibility for the #Facebook & #Instagram outages: http://t.co/oJyhPgEVTR
— CBS Los Angeles (@CBSLA) January 27, 2015
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Researcher,
independent investigator, and entrepreneur, A.F. James
MacArthur is Baltimore's most well known independent journalist contributor. A member of the underground news network for over 20
years. During this time, he's been a frequent subject of attack by
government under the guise of law enforcement. Although
closely watched and followed, he's often boycotted from being given any
credit for his work by mainstream media.----------------------------------------------------------------
Get Better Connected With Me
Email MacArthurMedia@gmail.com, @BaltoSpectator on twitter, Spreaker web radio, BlogTalk Radio, Baltimore Spectator on Facebook, YouTube channel
25 January 2015
Police Shoot Man - Killing Him
Baltimore's Second Police Involved Shooting In Two Days
25 January 2015
By A.F. James MacArthur
Agitator-In-Chief
@BaltoSpectator
A man was fatally wounded after being shot in the chest by a Baltimore Police officer Saturday night.
The incident took place when a resident flagged down a passing officer on the 1900 block of McHenry Street in south Baltimore around 8:30 p.m.
According to police, the citizen told the officer a family member was inside a residence threatening to harm other family members. Family was gathered together for a 3-year-old's birthday party when the incident took place.
Baltimore Police Deputy Commissioner Jerry Rodriguez stated the young veteran officer -- with less than two years on the force -- entered the residence and found the man with a knife in his hand.
After failing to comply with orders to drop the knife, the officer fired a single shot into the man's upper chest. Police say immediate aid was rendered, however the man died as a result of the gunshot wound a short time later at an area hospital.
View full, unedited video of Baltimore Police press conference.
According to Rodriguez, a full investigation is underway, but preliminary investigations did not indicate alcohol or drugs as a factor. No mention was made of the knife wielding individuals mental state, or what precipitated the incident.
No family members, nor the responding officer was injured during the incident.
Officer Involved In Thursday Shooting Identified
On Thursday night, Baltimore Police officer Angel Richardson, 32, a former city firefighter-paramedic, with just about two years on the police force, shot a man after a struggle related to a traffic stop.
Initially attempting to stop the driver of a minivan on Reisterstown Rd in Northwest Baltimore, the man fled from police.
After crashing the minivan, the driver and another occupant bailed out and a foot chase ensued. The other occupant -- a juvenile -- was arrested without incident.
At some point police say the driver "turned on the officer" and got into a physical confrontation with the Richardson. Feeling "overpowered" Richardson feared for her life, and police say as a last resort, opened fire on the individual.
The man shot was transported to an area hospital. At the time of this writing he was said to be recovering from his injuries. Baltimore police have not yet released any information on any criminal charges.
Thursday's shooting prompted The Baltimore Spectator to publish an editorial analysis asking the question of whether Baltimore Police were "Trigger Happy," resorting to lethal force before other means were first attempted. Two days later, police would shoot another man.
To date the editorial has been one of the most widely read stories at The Baltimore Spectator, garnering nearly 10,000 views in less than 24 hours and prompting hundreds of shares on social media, and a steady stream of comments showcasing varying opinions from readers.
Listen to James MacArthur's initial report recorded live on scene.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Researcher,
independent investigator, and entrepreneur, A.F. James
MacArthur is Baltimore's most well known independent journalist contributor. A member of the underground news network for over 20
years. During this time, he's been a frequent subject of attack by
government under the guise of law enforcement. Although
closely watched and followed, he's often boycotted from being given any
credit for his work by mainstream media.
----------------------------------------------------------------
Get Better Connected With Me
Email MacArthurMedia@gmail.com, @BaltoSpectator on twitter, Spreaker web radio, BlogTalk Radio, Baltimore Spectator on Facebook, YouTube channel
25 January 2015
By A.F. James MacArthur
Agitator-In-Chief
@BaltoSpectator
The incident took place when a resident flagged down a passing officer on the 1900 block of McHenry Street in south Baltimore around 8:30 p.m.
According to police, the citizen told the officer a family member was inside a residence threatening to harm other family members. Family was gathered together for a 3-year-old's birthday party when the incident took place.
Baltimore Police Deputy Commissioner Jerry Rodriguez stated the young veteran officer -- with less than two years on the force -- entered the residence and found the man with a knife in his hand.
After failing to comply with orders to drop the knife, the officer fired a single shot into the man's upper chest. Police say immediate aid was rendered, however the man died as a result of the gunshot wound a short time later at an area hospital.
View full, unedited video of Baltimore Police press conference.
No family members, nor the responding officer was injured during the incident.
Officer Involved In Thursday Shooting Identified
On Thursday night, Baltimore Police officer Angel Richardson, 32, a former city firefighter-paramedic, with just about two years on the police force, shot a man after a struggle related to a traffic stop.
Initially attempting to stop the driver of a minivan on Reisterstown Rd in Northwest Baltimore, the man fled from police.
After crashing the minivan, the driver and another occupant bailed out and a foot chase ensued. The other occupant -- a juvenile -- was arrested without incident.
At some point police say the driver "turned on the officer" and got into a physical confrontation with the Richardson. Feeling "overpowered" Richardson feared for her life, and police say as a last resort, opened fire on the individual.
The man shot was transported to an area hospital. At the time of this writing he was said to be recovering from his injuries. Baltimore police have not yet released any information on any criminal charges.
Thursday's shooting prompted The Baltimore Spectator to publish an editorial analysis asking the question of whether Baltimore Police were "Trigger Happy," resorting to lethal force before other means were first attempted. Two days later, police would shoot another man.
To date the editorial has been one of the most widely read stories at The Baltimore Spectator, garnering nearly 10,000 views in less than 24 hours and prompting hundreds of shares on social media, and a steady stream of comments showcasing varying opinions from readers.
Listen to James MacArthur's initial report recorded live on scene.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Researcher,
independent investigator, and entrepreneur, A.F. James
MacArthur is Baltimore's most well known independent journalist contributor. A member of the underground news network for over 20
years. During this time, he's been a frequent subject of attack by
government under the guise of law enforcement. Although
closely watched and followed, he's often boycotted from being given any
credit for his work by mainstream media.----------------------------------------------------------------
Get Better Connected With Me
Email MacArthurMedia@gmail.com, @BaltoSpectator on twitter, Spreaker web radio, BlogTalk Radio, Baltimore Spectator on Facebook, YouTube channel
23 January 2015
Trigger Happy? -- Baltimore Police Shoot Unarmed Man... AGAIN
Second Police Involved Shooting In Less Than A Month
23 January 2015
By A.F. James MacArthur
Agitator-In-Chief
@BaltoSpectator
NOTE: A previous photo appearing here was used for illustrative purposes only. The decision was made to remove it. It is NOT owned by The Baltimore Spectator, nor is it directly or indirectly connected to this article. The picture showed an interaction between police and suspect. That's it. It's not intended to do anything other than show correlation between Baltimore Police and suspects. The incident described in the story is all that matters. Taken by Baltimore Sun Photographer Andre F. Chung, 6 June 6 1997. Police Officer Raymond Cook is seen arresting 16-year-old Lance Tate on an armed carjacking charge at the corner of Edmondson Avenue and Allendale. Sadly, weeks after the photo was taken, in an unrelated incident, Tate was shot to death in what police called a fight between rival gangs.
Shoot first, and figure out justification later seems to be the current, standard use-of-force operating procedure in Baltimore City these days.
The latest incident, happening Thursday night in Park Heights, involves an unarmed subject who police attempted to perform a traffic stop on. The man sped off, evading capture before crashing the vehicle. At that point the suspect bailed out, and police gave chase.
Although police state there was some sort of physical struggle that ensued, there was no word of any weapon being found on the scene, or on the suspect, nor was there any other articulation of a life threatening situation. We're simply told the suspect struggled with police, so the officer shot him.
At this point, it's clear that Baltimore Police can virtually shoot anyone at anytime, and some how, some way, no matter what, it'll inevitably be ruled a good shoot. Although we weren't there, logic has it that most every arrest involves a physical struggle.
With people getting into fist fights everyday, and no one dying, a mere "physical struggle" is hardly ever considered life threatening, particularly in a situation where the suspect was likely greatly outnumbered by police officers.
There is nothing unusual about a police officer having to get into a physical confrontation as a routine part of his or her job. However it seems now the bar for using lethal force is awfully low in Baltimore.
Police Given A Pass
It's not clear how or even why we've arrived at the current sad state of media affairs in Baltimore. If reporters won't ask tough questions of the public servants who's job it is to keep us safe, then who will?
By their lack of a willingness to ask tough questions, and show any inkling of wanting to hold police accountable, Baltimore media has virtually given an "anything goes" pass to the Baltimore Police Department.
The last time Baltimore police shot a man was a few weeks ago near the end of December. He toowas unarmed. Nothing about the police explanation of events even remotely suggests the burglary suspect posed an immediate threat to responding officers. Desperately seeking justification, the best police could come up with at the time was; the man who they'd caught coming out of an unoccupied store that was closed for the day, had a "shiny object" in his hand. End of story.
The "shiny object" was never identified nor shown to the public. The story was all but completely ignored by media. It seemed no one reporting news in Baltimore found it peculiar that police shot a man who; A) had no weapon, nor even threatened or feigned having one, B) did not engage officers in even the slightest bit of physical struggle.
Strangely in that case, despite the narrative being laid out clearly by Baltimore Police; in a blatant display of the type of statist propaganda mainstream media does best, several news outlets altered the facts, taking the story from a man standing there with a "shiny object" in his hand, to a man "charging" at officers with said shiny object in his hand. The police never made mention of any charging. Where the news got this from we will never know.
Dangerous Suspects Able To Be Apprehended Without Lethal Force
In anticipation of the inevitable usual police apologists and those who habitually justify use of excessive force (because police can do no wrong), the following incidents are placed here for comparative perspective:
Trigger Happy Track Record
Let's face it, Baltimore Police love to shoot their guns. There have been so many cases, more than any other area agency, of Baltimore Police shooting their guns, when it simply made no sense at all. Here are just a few.
Officer William Kern shot police officer trainee, Raymond Gray in the head, nearly killing him dead. IN A TRAINING INCIDENT. At the time of the incident, few grasped the significance.
Prosecutors stated the police trainer had an "unhealthy relationship" and fixation with his gun. These guys LOVE to shoot.
If a veteran trainer of police could be as sloppy, cavalier and dangerous with his gun as Kern was, how much worse are his legions of former students and trainees likely to be?
Kern was one of the organizers of an illegal, unauthorized, highly dangerous training exercise which involved trespassing on state property.
Not only was Kern a dangerously reckless individual, responsible for showing others how to properly use firearms -- a lesson which he obviously never mastered -- but for the observant, he also provides a vivid view of the careless culture of the department. It's no wonder they shoot any time for any reason. It's how they were trained. They don't know any better.
When Officer William Torbit was gunned down in a hail of bullets outside a downtown night club, The Baltimore Spectator was first on the scene, putting out live updates via twitter.
Although deemed a tragic mistake, with no one being charged, punished, or even reprimanded, anyone living in Baltimore should be highly disturbed by the incident.
When a police department can fire 41 shots at one of their own, a veteran well known, well loved officer no less; the rest of us are doomed. Citizens of the city should realize we simply don't stand a chance. These wanna be jackass cowboys will shoot at anything that moves.
BPD = Bullsh*t Police Department
When an escaped steer attempted to go for one last stroll of freedom before becoming hamburger, the last thing any reasonable person expected was the blunted horn, castrated male cow, minding his own business, simply strutting down the street, would be blasted to bovine heaven to hang with the great herd in the sky.
But, despite the congested urban environment, filled with bystanders, despite the fact that it's against policy, safety protocol, and common sense to shoot from a moving vehicle, that's exactly what Baltimore Police did.
No One Is Innocent
20 year-old Dameatrice Moore had stopped off at a carry out food spot on York Rd., when Baltimore Police officer Quinton Smith, attempting to arrest a suspect, opened fire. Moore - an innocent bystander - and another man having nothing to do with anything, were both shot.
With this kind of a track record, which we've only examined briefly, one must wonder why every time there's a police involved shooting here, Baltimore Police aren't met with a phalanx of reporters demanding answers and details as to just what happened.
Instead, it's as if they've been given consent by a complicit silence from a media, who seems to have lost sight of their purpose and ability in protecting citizens from danger. Even if that danger is the police.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Researcher,
independent investigator, and entrepreneur, A.F. James
MacArthur is Baltimore's most well known independent journalist contributor. A member of the underground news network for over 20
years. During this time, he's been a frequent subject of attack by
government under the guise of law enforcement. Although
closely watched and followed, he's often boycotted from being given any
credit for his work by mainstream media.
----------------------------------------------------------------
Get Better Connected With Me
Email MacArthurMedia@gmail.com, @BaltoSpectator on twitter, Spreaker web radio, BlogTalk Radio, Baltimore Spectator on Facebook, YouTube channel
By A.F. James MacArthur
Agitator-In-Chief
@BaltoSpectator
NOTE: A previous photo appearing here was used for illustrative purposes only. The decision was made to remove it. It is NOT owned by The Baltimore Spectator, nor is it directly or indirectly connected to this article. The picture showed an interaction between police and suspect. That's it. It's not intended to do anything other than show correlation between Baltimore Police and suspects. The incident described in the story is all that matters. Taken by Baltimore Sun Photographer Andre F. Chung, 6 June 6 1997. Police Officer Raymond Cook is seen arresting 16-year-old Lance Tate on an armed carjacking charge at the corner of Edmondson Avenue and Allendale. Sadly, weeks after the photo was taken, in an unrelated incident, Tate was shot to death in what police called a fight between rival gangs.
Shoot first, and figure out justification later seems to be the current, standard use-of-force operating procedure in Baltimore City these days.
The latest incident, happening Thursday night in Park Heights, involves an unarmed subject who police attempted to perform a traffic stop on. The man sped off, evading capture before crashing the vehicle. At that point the suspect bailed out, and police gave chase.
Although police state there was some sort of physical struggle that ensued, there was no word of any weapon being found on the scene, or on the suspect, nor was there any other articulation of a life threatening situation. We're simply told the suspect struggled with police, so the officer shot him.
At this point, it's clear that Baltimore Police can virtually shoot anyone at anytime, and some how, some way, no matter what, it'll inevitably be ruled a good shoot. Although we weren't there, logic has it that most every arrest involves a physical struggle.
With people getting into fist fights everyday, and no one dying, a mere "physical struggle" is hardly ever considered life threatening, particularly in a situation where the suspect was likely greatly outnumbered by police officers.
There is nothing unusual about a police officer having to get into a physical confrontation as a routine part of his or her job. However it seems now the bar for using lethal force is awfully low in Baltimore.
Police Given A Pass
It's not clear how or even why we've arrived at the current sad state of media affairs in Baltimore. If reporters won't ask tough questions of the public servants who's job it is to keep us safe, then who will?
By their lack of a willingness to ask tough questions, and show any inkling of wanting to hold police accountable, Baltimore media has virtually given an "anything goes" pass to the Baltimore Police Department.
The last time Baltimore police shot a man was a few weeks ago near the end of December. He toowas unarmed. Nothing about the police explanation of events even remotely suggests the burglary suspect posed an immediate threat to responding officers. Desperately seeking justification, the best police could come up with at the time was; the man who they'd caught coming out of an unoccupied store that was closed for the day, had a "shiny object" in his hand. End of story.
The "shiny object" was never identified nor shown to the public. The story was all but completely ignored by media. It seemed no one reporting news in Baltimore found it peculiar that police shot a man who; A) had no weapon, nor even threatened or feigned having one, B) did not engage officers in even the slightest bit of physical struggle.
Strangely in that case, despite the narrative being laid out clearly by Baltimore Police; in a blatant display of the type of statist propaganda mainstream media does best, several news outlets altered the facts, taking the story from a man standing there with a "shiny object" in his hand, to a man "charging" at officers with said shiny object in his hand. The police never made mention of any charging. Where the news got this from we will never know.
Dangerous Suspects Able To Be Apprehended Without Lethal Force
In anticipation of the inevitable usual police apologists and those who habitually justify use of excessive force (because police can do no wrong), the following incidents are placed here for comparative perspective:
- An armed man who attempted to rob a Toys R Us store in Towson Wednesday, was captured alive by Baltimore County Police. Note; HE HAD A GUN, yet no shots were fired. It's hard to imagine a situation more dangerous, and actually justifying use of lethal force, yet Baltimore County Police demonstrated, arrest of armed subjects is sometimes possible without opening fire. How much more possible should it then be to take down unarmed suspects without shooting them?
- Christopher Todd Jackson pulled out a knife when deputies tried to arrest him. He wasn't shot either. Although it didn't happen in Baltimore, the story of the possibly deranged man, attempting to throw a knife at the police in struck me. Here you have a man, actually clearly intent on doing potentially lethal harm to police, yet in he's not shot. Police are able to arrest him. No one is hurt.
Trigger Happy Track Record
Let's face it, Baltimore Police love to shoot their guns. There have been so many cases, more than any other area agency, of Baltimore Police shooting their guns, when it simply made no sense at all. Here are just a few.
Officer William Kern shot police officer trainee, Raymond Gray in the head, nearly killing him dead. IN A TRAINING INCIDENT. At the time of the incident, few grasped the significance.
Prosecutors stated the police trainer had an "unhealthy relationship" and fixation with his gun. These guys LOVE to shoot.
If a veteran trainer of police could be as sloppy, cavalier and dangerous with his gun as Kern was, how much worse are his legions of former students and trainees likely to be?
Kern was one of the organizers of an illegal, unauthorized, highly dangerous training exercise which involved trespassing on state property.
Not only was Kern a dangerously reckless individual, responsible for showing others how to properly use firearms -- a lesson which he obviously never mastered -- but for the observant, he also provides a vivid view of the careless culture of the department. It's no wonder they shoot any time for any reason. It's how they were trained. They don't know any better.When Officer William Torbit was gunned down in a hail of bullets outside a downtown night club, The Baltimore Spectator was first on the scene, putting out live updates via twitter.
Although deemed a tragic mistake, with no one being charged, punished, or even reprimanded, anyone living in Baltimore should be highly disturbed by the incident.
When a police department can fire 41 shots at one of their own, a veteran well known, well loved officer no less; the rest of us are doomed. Citizens of the city should realize we simply don't stand a chance. These wanna be jackass cowboys will shoot at anything that moves.
BPD = Bullsh*t Police Department
When an escaped steer attempted to go for one last stroll of freedom before becoming hamburger, the last thing any reasonable person expected was the blunted horn, castrated male cow, minding his own business, simply strutting down the street, would be blasted to bovine heaven to hang with the great herd in the sky.
No One Is Innocent
20 year-old Dameatrice Moore had stopped off at a carry out food spot on York Rd., when Baltimore Police officer Quinton Smith, attempting to arrest a suspect, opened fire. Moore - an innocent bystander - and another man having nothing to do with anything, were both shot.
With this kind of a track record, which we've only examined briefly, one must wonder why every time there's a police involved shooting here, Baltimore Police aren't met with a phalanx of reporters demanding answers and details as to just what happened.
Instead, it's as if they've been given consent by a complicit silence from a media, who seems to have lost sight of their purpose and ability in protecting citizens from danger. Even if that danger is the police.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Researcher,
independent investigator, and entrepreneur, A.F. James
MacArthur is Baltimore's most well known independent journalist contributor. A member of the underground news network for over 20
years. During this time, he's been a frequent subject of attack by
government under the guise of law enforcement. Although
closely watched and followed, he's often boycotted from being given any
credit for his work by mainstream media.----------------------------------------------------------------
Get Better Connected With Me
Email MacArthurMedia@gmail.com, @BaltoSpectator on twitter, Spreaker web radio, BlogTalk Radio, Baltimore Spectator on Facebook, YouTube channel
07 January 2015
UNBLOCKED - Baltimore Police Grows Up On Twitter
Baltimore Police Decide To Abandon Ethically Questionable Practice
8 January 2015
By A.F. James MacArthur
Agitator-In-Chief
@BaltoSpectator
In a shocking and unexpected announcement Wednesday, Baltimore Police decided on a reversal of one of the most controversial and ethically challenged social media policies a government agency could have. Blocking citizens on Twitter. Long known for their thin skinned, immature, extreme reaction to criticism on social media, the department has repeatedly claimed their reasons for blocking individuals was limited to users who've expressed profanity.
Of course, considering the way Baltimore Police often addresses citizens, one wonders if theirs was not a hypocritical position.
On one hand the department states their support of free speech. Particularly in response to mass demonstrations against police brutality. The department permits officers to address citizens in derogatory, disrespectful terms. So to attempt to silence citizens, claiming they've uttered profanity -- when in many cases there doesn't appear to be any evidence of such -- calls into question the integrity of an organization who's actions often betray it's words.
The truth is, a quick survey of many individuals blocked by Baltimore Police on Twitter, reveal the only offense being that of asking critical questions of the agency. It is a well established fact that this agency just doesn't respond well to being called out. Ask me how I know?
Persistent Public Pressure Brings Results
Although we know they'd never admit it, we know the continual onslaught of criticism for the decision to block users has taken it's toll on Baltimore Police. Some users haven't been too kind in their criticism.
From the time it began to become well known that Baltimore Police adopted the cowardly strategy to respond to critics, an ad hoc Twitter People's Resistance Movement formed. Not a day could pass without legions of individuals decrying the stupidity of a public agency, blocking members of the public, from it's social media feed. How unsociable.
I can now reveal to you that there has been active planning, of soon to be launched, direct action against the police department and it's social media accounts, should the policy not have been revised. A dry run was briefly launched several months ago, but few noticed.
Could it be, that fearing the potential embarrassing and irreversible outcomes of an attack, Baltimore Police decided to come out in front of a potentially looming public relations crisis and reverse course?
Any modern cooperation, or organization should know, there are individuals and collectives out there, far more powerful and agile in the cyber world, than they are even remotely prepared to defend against. Ask Sony Pictures.
After a great piece on local media blowhard Dan Rodricks and his infamous Twitter block list, it seemed the Baltimore City Paper was poised to take on the police department in the same way. An article published Wednesday was a bit off-putting in it's notable omissions however. My response to it can be seen here.
We are glad the Baltimore Police Department has decided to fully embrace a more enlightened and mature social media strategy in dealing with critics and dissenters. They chose the less offensive "mute" option over the draconian "block."
At least now users could actually readily view and retweet timely, useful, relevant public safety information. Now if only Baltimore Police would actually use Twitter and provide more of that. They could be of inestimable value to their over 65,000 followers, and perhaps be seen as a source, not just a sore source of mostly meaningless trivial tweets.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Researcher,
independent investigative journalist, and entrepreneur, A.F. James
MacArthur has been a member of the underground news network for over 20
years. During this time, he's been a frequent subject of attack by
government officials under the guise of law enforcement. Although
closely watched and followed, he's often boycotted from being given any
credit for his work by mainstream media.
----------------------------------------------------------------
Get Better Connected With Me
By A.F. James MacArthur
Agitator-In-Chief
@BaltoSpectator
In a shocking and unexpected announcement Wednesday, Baltimore Police decided on a reversal of one of the most controversial and ethically challenged social media policies a government agency could have. Blocking citizens on Twitter. Long known for their thin skinned, immature, extreme reaction to criticism on social media, the department has repeatedly claimed their reasons for blocking individuals was limited to users who've expressed profanity.
@LEOHallOfShame @justin_fenton @BaltoSpectator I believe he was blocked a year ago for using profanity. Keep it clean
— Baltimore Police (@BaltimorePolice) September 30, 2014
Of course, considering the way Baltimore Police often addresses citizens, one wonders if theirs was not a hypocritical position.
On one hand the department states their support of free speech. Particularly in response to mass demonstrations against police brutality. The department permits officers to address citizens in derogatory, disrespectful terms. So to attempt to silence citizens, claiming they've uttered profanity -- when in many cases there doesn't appear to be any evidence of such -- calls into question the integrity of an organization who's actions often betray it's words.
Persistent Public Pressure Brings Results
.@BaltimorePolice unblock all blocked citizens of baltimore now
— Ellis Anders Sr. (@bmoreconnected) December 26, 2014
Although we know they'd never admit it, we know the continual onslaught of criticism for the decision to block users has taken it's toll on Baltimore Police. Some users haven't been too kind in their criticism.
From the time it began to become well known that Baltimore Police adopted the cowardly strategy to respond to critics, an ad hoc Twitter People's Resistance Movement formed. Not a day could pass without legions of individuals decrying the stupidity of a public agency, blocking members of the public, from it's social media feed. How unsociable.
Are you blocked by the @BaltimorePolice ? Let me know your story!
— Ellis Anders Sr. (@bmoreconnected) December 14, 2014
I can now reveal to you that there has been active planning, of soon to be launched, direct action against the police department and it's social media accounts, should the policy not have been revised. A dry run was briefly launched several months ago, but few noticed.
Could it be, that fearing the potential embarrassing and irreversible outcomes of an attack, Baltimore Police decided to come out in front of a potentially looming public relations crisis and reverse course?Any modern cooperation, or organization should know, there are individuals and collectives out there, far more powerful and agile in the cyber world, than they are even remotely prepared to defend against. Ask Sony Pictures.
After a great piece on local media blowhard Dan Rodricks and his infamous Twitter block list, it seemed the Baltimore City Paper was poised to take on the police department in the same way. An article published Wednesday was a bit off-putting in it's notable omissions however. My response to it can be seen here.
We are glad the Baltimore Police Department has decided to fully embrace a more enlightened and mature social media strategy in dealing with critics and dissenters. They chose the less offensive "mute" option over the draconian "block."
At least now users could actually readily view and retweet timely, useful, relevant public safety information. Now if only Baltimore Police would actually use Twitter and provide more of that. They could be of inestimable value to their over 65,000 followers, and perhaps be seen as a source, not just a sore source of mostly meaningless trivial tweets.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Researcher,
independent investigative journalist, and entrepreneur, A.F. James
MacArthur has been a member of the underground news network for over 20
years. During this time, he's been a frequent subject of attack by
government officials under the guise of law enforcement. Although
closely watched and followed, he's often boycotted from being given any
credit for his work by mainstream media.----------------------------------------------------------------
Get Better Connected With Me
Email MacArthurMedia@gmail.com, @BaltoSpectator on twitter, Spreaker web radio, BlogTalk Radio, Baltimore Spectator on Facebook, YouTube channel
City Paper Omits Crediting Twitter Activists
By A.F. James MacArthur
Agitator-In-Chief
@BaltoSpectator
Seen below is the full response by A.F. James MacArthur on Twitter, to the Baltimore City Paper piece by Edward Ericson Jr., regarding Baltimore Police Department reversing the practice of blocking users on Twitter.
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Researcher,
independent investigative journalist, and entrepreneur, A.F. James
MacArthur has been a member of the underground news network for over 20
years. During this time, he's been a frequent subject of attack by
government officials under the guise of law enforcement. Although
closely watched and followed, he's often boycotted from being given any
credit for his work by mainstream media.
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Get Better Connected With Me
Agitator-In-Chief
@BaltoSpectator
Seen below is the full response by A.F. James MacArthur on Twitter, to the Baltimore City Paper piece by Edward Ericson Jr., regarding Baltimore Police Department reversing the practice of blocking users on Twitter.
1) There was an article written about @BaltimorePolice's sudden epiphany on how disingenuous blocking folk on Twitter makes them look.
— Agitator In Chief (@BaltoSpectator) January 7, 2015
2) The article failed to give any context, choosing to omit mentioning the ceaseless pressure put on the department by so many users.
— Agitator In Chief (@BaltoSpectator) January 7, 2015
3) It almost infers the move was sporadic, having been prompted only as a result of the papers inquiry. This simply isn't the case.
— Agitator In Chief (@BaltoSpectator) January 7, 2015
4) I reject the attempt by @city_paper to try to claim all the credit for raising the issue & getting people unblocked by @BaltimorePolice
— Agitator In Chief (@BaltoSpectator) January 7, 2015
5) At the same time, I'd like to thank @city_paper for joining in the effort, of a well known, long established campaign for truth from BPD.
— Agitator In Chief (@BaltoSpectator) January 7, 2015
6) Many of us had long been calling for @BaltimorePolice to unblock people. I even personally brought up the issue, face to face with Batts.
— Agitator In Chief (@BaltoSpectator) January 7, 2015
7) By joining the ongoing efforts of many others & myself, @city_paper very well could have been the straw that broke the camels back..
— Agitator In Chief (@BaltoSpectator) January 7, 2015
8) We are thankful for their work, & hope in the future they will continue being a voice demanding accountability from @BaltimorePolice.
— Agitator In Chief (@BaltoSpectator) January 7, 2015
9) Finally, a rewrite or update by @city_paper acknowledging the collective efforts of twitter users on this issue would be appreciated.
— Agitator In Chief (@BaltoSpectator) January 7, 2015
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Researcher,
independent investigative journalist, and entrepreneur, A.F. James
MacArthur has been a member of the underground news network for over 20
years. During this time, he's been a frequent subject of attack by
government officials under the guise of law enforcement. Although
closely watched and followed, he's often boycotted from being given any
credit for his work by mainstream media.----------------------------------------------------------------
Get Better Connected With Me
Email MacArthurMedia@gmail.com, @BaltoSpectator on twitter, Spreaker web radio, BlogTalk Radio, Baltimore Spectator on Facebook, YouTube channel
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