Find Your Valentine
Slog
News & ArtsWednesday, January 13, 2010
City Tom Carr's Last Stand
Posted by Dominic Holden on Wed, Jan 13, 2010 at 10:20 AM
I'd really like to say something nice about former City Attorney Tom Carr. I mean, the guy has good intentions and he's smart and all... but this post on West Seattle Blog screams, "Don't let the door hit you on the way out." As WSB reports, Carr decided to take a last stand against a man who—back in September—organized a naked bike ride. Carr filed charges days before his term expired:
[T]he indecent-exposure charge against West Seattle “World Naked Bike Ride“ organizer Daniel Johnson has been dismissed: We just verified via Municipal Court records that the case, scheduled for a hearing this morning, was “dismissed with prejudice,” on a motion made by the city. The ride was last September; the case wasn’t filed until late December (reported here 12/30), which was before former City Attorney Tom Carr left office.
This settles two things: (1) Riding a bike naked isn't illegal, and (2) Carr really was, up to his final moments in office, willing to ignore the law on his crusade against civic fun.
1
The main problem is one of definition.
Carr saw himself as working for the Mayor and the Executive Directors and stakeholders such as the Police and Federal Government.
Holmes sees himself as working for the City of Seattle and the Citizens of the City.
Therein lies the difference. We the voters have been quite clear about who is boss - we are. Which is why we fired our attorney, who thought he worked for another one of our employees, not us.
Carr saw himself as working for the Mayor and the Executive Directors and stakeholders such as the Police and Federal Government.
Holmes sees himself as working for the City of Seattle and the Citizens of the City.
Therein lies the difference. We the voters have been quite clear about who is boss - we are. Which is why we fired our attorney, who thought he worked for another one of our employees, not us.
4
Dismissal doesn't mean it's legal. It's more likely that an assistant city attorney decided it's not worth pursuing.
5
it's probably just an initiation ritual for him before he goes to work for discovery institute in his new life.
wow, real class tom carr.
wow, real class tom carr.
6
Reminds me of Thomas Cromwell. On the other hand, I'm reading Wolf Hall, and everything makes me think of Thomas Cromwell at the moment.
7
Nudity in Seattle is fine.
Just make sure that:
1) You're a dude
2) You're not selling espresso while nude
Then you will be welcome.
Nudity in Seattle is fine.
Just make sure that:
1) You're a dude
2) You're not selling espresso while nude
Then you will be welcome.
8
@3 - Seattle once had a puritanical streak, but the passing of the pot referendum, rejection of the 4-foot stripper rule, and the overwhelming rejection of Carr suggest those days are over.
@7 - the naked barista busts happened in Everett, not Seattle.
@7 - the naked barista busts happened in Everett, not Seattle.
11
That is certainly not what it means, in any sense.
First of all, "dismissal with prejudice" means that it was a judge who made this decision, not an attorney. And second, "with prejudice" means that the judge found the charges brought by the city to be entirely without merit, and specifically barred the city from reinstating them.
Dismissal doesn't mean it's legal. It's more likely that an assistant city attorney decided it's not worth pursuing.
That is certainly not what it means, in any sense.
First of all, "dismissal with prejudice" means that it was a judge who made this decision, not an attorney. And second, "with prejudice" means that the judge found the charges brought by the city to be entirely without merit, and specifically barred the city from reinstating them.
12
The only thing remaining in my mind is how can this true waste of tax payer money be avoided in the future. I fully expect some citizen to call 911 or the non-emergency number to complain the next time they spot some naked neighbors / cyclists.
The problem is that when someone reports "I see naked people" the reply from the police should be the same sort of triage that is done when some reports anything else. There should be some education and some questions made to clarify. Like....
"Simply being nude, while sunbathing or cycling, for example, is not illegal in Seattle. If you are simply offended by this sight, you should just turn away, like avoiding too much sugar or fatty foods or like when you see a clash of stripes and paisley. Now, what exactly are these people doing in the nude? What is their action which has you calling 911 Emergency?"
911 operators do this sort of thing with other calls, why not do the same with these to help educate citizens and to keep our police officers busy with more important business of dealing with illegal activities.
By all means, nab the flashers, the pervert -peepers, but leave the ever-so-benign nude cyclists, sunbathers and nude walkers alone.
In my experience, the position of officers has varied too. Some, understand that the citizen complaint about public nudity deserves some education and sometimes a taking of a police report. Others do not agree with the law that sunbathing is lawful and so avoid the discussion with citizens about what is illegal and what is not. That doesn't serve the public safety, nor keep the peace amongst citizens.
The problem is that when someone reports "I see naked people" the reply from the police should be the same sort of triage that is done when some reports anything else. There should be some education and some questions made to clarify. Like....
"Simply being nude, while sunbathing or cycling, for example, is not illegal in Seattle. If you are simply offended by this sight, you should just turn away, like avoiding too much sugar or fatty foods or like when you see a clash of stripes and paisley. Now, what exactly are these people doing in the nude? What is their action which has you calling 911 Emergency?"
911 operators do this sort of thing with other calls, why not do the same with these to help educate citizens and to keep our police officers busy with more important business of dealing with illegal activities.
By all means, nab the flashers, the pervert -peepers, but leave the ever-so-benign nude cyclists, sunbathers and nude walkers alone.
In my experience, the position of officers has varied too. Some, understand that the citizen complaint about public nudity deserves some education and sometimes a taking of a police report. Others do not agree with the law that sunbathing is lawful and so avoid the discussion with citizens about what is illegal and what is not. That doesn't serve the public safety, nor keep the peace amongst citizens.
13
Sunbathing au natural is healthy especially as we grow older and need more sun to process Vitamin D. Why do we feel so relaxed and renewed? Exposing more of the body has warranted discussions with radiation on the breast as to remedial effects. Why do my guests come away so relaxed and thanking me for the freedom to be? Why should something so natural need to be legislated, be ridiculed, or be pursued as those practicing this relaxation be touted as evil wrong-doers. Yes, in my 15 years operating a clothing optional getaway, I have seen a lessening of public puritan sentiment and more people seeking out the good life in WA a greater share now traveling from Seattle, Portland and Vancouver. We need the sun in the Pacific Northwest! Kathy arcadianaturally.com
Advertisement
Most Commented on Slog
-
SL Letter of the Day: Daddy Loves Who? by Dan Savage
-
SL Letter of the Day: Life Sentence by Dan Savage
-
Crowdsourcing Uncut Police Video from the Dec. 12 Occupy Protest at the Port of Seattle by Eli Sanders
-
Slog Bible Study: Deuteronomy 21:10-14 by Goldy
-
The AP Is Reporting That Whitney Houston Is Dead by Paul Constant
-
The Onion Is on a Roll: "Iran Worried U.S. Might Be Building 8,500th Nuclear Weapon" by Charles Mudede
-
Announcing The Stranger's Tournament of Dunces! Who's the Dumbest Representative in the State House? by Christopher Frizzelle
-
Survey Says: Cyclists Would Rather Give Up Sex Than Their Bikes by Bethany Jean Clement
-
Stranger Tournament of Dunces, Match 3: Rep. Mark Hargrove vs. Rep. Norma Smith by Eli Sanders
-
Rachel Maddow Uncovered the Secret Ron Paul Strategy by Paul Constant
RSS
Facebook
Twitter
Comments (14) RSS