Rude Jaywalker is Fined. It's Bush's Fault. [Updated]

Here's the deal...a left-wing British history professor who teaches in Boston was in Atlanta for a conference and had a run-in with a policeman over jaywalking, and you won't believe (or, maybe you will) the professor's snotty reaction in a letter to the AJC compared to what really happened. Here's a selection from his letter with emphasis mine.

'Atlanta police are barbaric, brutal, out of control'
By FELIPE FERNANDEZ-ARMESTO (Snotty, Jaywalking Professor)

"I have long known, as any reasonable person must, that the courts are the citizen's only protection against a rogue executive and rationally uncontrolled security forces. Though my own misadventure was trivial – and in perspective laughable – it resembles what is happening to the world in the era of George W. Bush. The planet is policed by a violent, arbitrary, stupid and dangerous force. Within the USA, the courts struggle to maintain individual rights under the bludgeons of the "war on terror," defending Guantanamo victims and striving to curb the excesses of the system. We need global institutions of justice, and judges of Judge Jackson's level of humanity and wisdom, to help protect the world."

He also compared himself to Nelson Mandella!

Then, I heard the other side of the story in a lengthy radio interview with the policeman who arrested him. The policeman stopped this man and others because another pedestrian had recently been killed by a bus while illegally crossing at that very place. He was trying to help and to do his job. He did not slam the jaywalker to the ground and gave him every chance.

But, it was clear that the professor had no respect for our police and refused to cooperate. He kept trying to walk away when being addressed and would not provide any identification when repeatedly requested. The policeman said that he had to see some personal identitification or that he would be forced to take him in to establish identity, which would be ridiculous for something like jay walking. The policeman remained calm and polite.

The professor not only refused, but he demanded to see the driver's license of the policeman! Thus, he went to jail for a hearing--his choice. But, we have learned that this "violent, arbitrary, stupid and dangerous force" trying to protect people was brought on by George W. Bush. I guess this has to do with Iraq, too, like everything else.

Don 't you get tired of socialist, European snobs who "know more than us?" Just pay your fine and shut-up.

If the jaywalker who was killed by the bus could talk, I bet that he would say that he wished that the policeman had stopped him, and he sure wouldn't have written a snotty letter in response.

via Nealz Nuze

[Update]

Here's one other version of the story that gives the policeman's account, which is essentially what I had heard on the radio.

Officer says he used discretion before arresting prof

The Atlanta police officer being investigated for his treatment of a prominent British historian said Tuesday that Felipe Fernandez-Armesto is not the innocent abroad he claims to be.

Additional Discussion at DADvocate: Egocentric Professor, Jaywalking and Bush