[aldo_14]

http://www.thesmokinggun.com/archive/0411061foot1.html

[Fineus]

Y'know.. at first I thought he was an idiot for sueing them because he shot himself in the foot.

Then I read it again and realised he's not. He's sueing them because the tape was released.. that said I don't know the particulars of it.

He's still an idiot for shooting himself in the foot. But he's not an idiot for being upset if the tape was released for no good reason by the DEA... especially if he was an undercover operative.

If the tape was released as an educational video for other DEA operatives/police etc. then that's fair enough - it's a great example of how dangerous guns can be - even in the "right" hands. But since its found its way onto the net then I think I can appreciate that he's upset at how it has apparently affected his career/life.

[Rictor]

Y'know, there's a metaphor in here somewhere.

[Polpolion]

I'm the only one in this room professinal enough to use this Glock .40. *BLAM ... oops

[aldo_14]

Y'know, there's a methaphor in here somewhere.

Definately some meth, at least.

[karajorma]

The question though has to be why on Earth an undercover agent is speaking in schools? Kids grow up and become criminals too you know

Hell some of them don't even need to grow up first.

[Rictor]

Definately some meth, at least.

Apparently so.

*yoink*

[aldo_14]

Definately some meth, at least.

Apparently so.

*yoink*

Y'know, you could have bluffed that.

[Nuclear1]

Y'know.. at first I thought he was an idiot for sueing them because he shot himself in the foot.

Then I read it again and realised he's not. He's sueing them because the tape was released.. that said I don't know the particulars of it.

He's still an idiot for shooting himself in the foot. But he's not an idiot for being upset if the tape was released for no good reason by the DEA... especially if he was an undercover operative.

If the tape was released as an educational video for other DEA operatives/police etc. then that's fair enough - it's a great example of how dangerous guns can be - even in the "right" hands. But since its found its way onto the net then I think I can appreciate that he's upset at how it has apparently affected his career/life.

Exactly what I was thinking when I first read the article. Frankly, if he wins the lawsuit, then that's excellent--people have to show some reponsibility with which videos to release and which not to. Releasing a video that's not only undeservingly humiliating to the person being taped, but also worth little more than a cheap laugh, shows irresponsibility on the DEA's part, and it's right that he have it taken off the web.

Of course, like you said, it could also serve as a training video; sure it's humiliating, but it's also a good warning to police officers (and especially young people) to make sure that the safety is in the right place when handling a gun.  Otherwise, the results could actually be much more tragic than a shot in the foot. What's unfortunate is that people on the web who see this will hardly see this as a warning, but just as a laugh.

[karajorma]

It still doesn't answer my fundemental questions though

a) Why was an undercover agent openly teaching in a classroom?
b) Why was an audience member taping it if his identity is so secret?
c) Unless he had asked the audience member to tape his demonstration for him the tape isn't the property of the DEA or himself. It belongs to whoever was filming.  So who released it?

[aldo_14]

The question though has to be why on Earth an undercover agent is speaking in schools? Kids grow up and become criminals too you know

Hell some of them don't even need to grow up first.

youth group, actually.

Although the other question is why was there an audience member with a video camera allowed there?

[WMCoolmon]

Considering the tape was turned over to the DEA, could it be that the audience member was noticed and forced to give the tape up?

[karajorma]

It's possible but it's also possible that the tape was turned over as part of an investigation into the shooting.

[Prophet]

I can see why the guy would do this. IMO the only dumb thing he did was to take a loaded gun in to  a room full of children (if hes so experienced, he should know better). But everyone can have accidents. Even seasoned veterans, not that I claim him to be one 'cos I simply can't know. Shooting himself in the foot, thought sounds ridiculous, doesn't mean he's stupid. All it takes is one second (or more) of carelesness. And with a loaded one should not be careless, human being is allways unreliable.
Now if shooting himself in the foot wasn't embarressing enought, the video of this incident is released to circulate in the net. Yes he should be compensated for such monumental embarresment. Especially if it indeed has ruined his career. And yes it is up to the owner of said tape to do with it what he wants, but he should at least blurred the agents face.

I'd think shooting oneself in the foot is enought teach a lesson to be more careful. I think the tape is funny as hell. And I really think the poor guy has suffered enought.