jason

Reread his original statement. With that as the precursor for the rest of the post, the rest of his personal experience(s), however valid and/or true they may be, become something that should be ignored.

As soon as you posted the following, you lost credibility: That's the conspiracy theory, painting the picture as if every black man is just free game for widespread police abuse. Racism exists from all races, but your opening statement is ignorant.

I see Williams playing the entire year. Forte will get carries, but not significant carries. Bennett will play sparingly, fighting a log-jam at WR to get PT. All others will play ST or ride the pine.

I'm not saying he was asleep. My point was that he was in the boat, and according to the cops, had alcohol in his system. There are gray areas here, and I don't claim to know them all. However, your flat statement of "drinking on the deck of a parked boat is not illegal" does not even allow for gray areas. It's not illegal to drink at a bar, but if you walk outside and act stupid, you sure as hell can get a public intox. Gray areas. I suspect that in the end, that is what it will all come down to.

I think where you comparison fails is that Benson is the owner of the boat, and he was on the boat at the time. I believe my comparison to be much more realistic. In the car, in the boat...it's fairly similar. As for whether a driver gets charged with possession or anything like that, my main purpose was to show that it's very likely to get in trouble in the driving world if someone is simply in their vehicle while drunk, and the keys are in the ignition. Or, similarly, if there are open containers in the car at a passenger's feet. IF the laws between DUI and BUI are similar, simply because the boat was anchored does preclude someone on that boat from the problems related to BUI.

Hass? C'mon, man. I like the idea of us finding a steal, too, but there is no way in hell the guy starts. I could give you a hundred reasons why it's not going to happen.

Thank you for at least showing you are far beyond reason, and far too deep into conspiracy theories, to actually look at anything from this point on without being ridiculous. It's specifically this line of thought that causes more problems than it fixes, blaming everything on racism, the man, and the system. I'd suggest listening to the ideas of Chris Rock before posting something so stupid again: Aside from the "white friend" part (because white people NEVER get arrested ) , the rest is a fairly safe set of rules to follow.

Have you never heard of a guy being arrested for "sleeping it off" while in his car with keys in the ignition? Have you never heard of the owner of a car being charged when someone in the car has possession of something illegal, or is otherwise doing something illegal? I don't claim to know the law on boating ordinances that well, but it seems like a fairly easy and logical step to compare DUI-related laws to BUI-related laws.

I was just wondering what players everyone wanted to start? I hope that the following comes true: -QB: Kyle Orton -RB: Cedric Benson -WR: Bradley, Booker, Bennett -TE: Olsen Other thoughts about who you want to start?

I obviously don't bite the bullet on big price things like that. Nobody who isn't rich does that. And I agree it's not against the law to get pissed at cops. But it is against the law to resist them in any capacity, and I wouldn't do it. I was once cuffed and it took about 2 seconds. I just think that people tend to complain and jump to conclusions too quickly nowadays. It's typical in our culture. Nobody is to blame for their actions any more, and the first thing most people do is start blaming.

It's odd. I see where you are coming from, and see how you could think that about me. I'm quite outspoken, and very vocal. However, I know when trouble is brewing. I wouldn't say a word, believe it or not, if put in Benson's situation. I never send food back that sucks. I almost never say anything about bad service, a bad product, etc. I just chalk it up to a loss and choose not to frequent the places that screw me over. About a year and a half ago I was at a bar, didn't say a word to anyone all night outside of my few friends, was very quiet, and when I walked out that night I got sucker-punched in the eye. I didn't say a word. Nothing was wrong medically after the black eye went away, and I didn't even press charges.

The highlighted part is the entire issue. I have no problem with people bringing up new evidence, and if she has it, then more power to her. I believe what I see. Until then, I think it just makes a lot more sense to side with officers serving in any legal capacity, than it does to side with Benson. Also, think of this...what do the officers have to gain from this? What do the officers really get out of this? I can easily see how someone would side with their friend, even lie, in order to get their friend out of trouble. After all, snitches get stitches. Why wouldn't someone say something? Furthermore, if there were that many people on the boat, why is it that there is just this lone voice supporting Benson. Other than the fact that Benson disagrees with the officers' side of the story - which isn't all that surprising since nearly every person in prison will tell you they are innocent - and Benson has a single "witness" come out to talk about what she heard, I don't see the "few issues at play that are (at minimum) questionable". Hell, I'd say that's par for the course.

I guess that's where I differ from you, and others. I'd be pissed, but I wouldn't get lippy or give attitude. I'd simply go along with what was happening, and then calmly report it up the chain when given the opportunity. If that didn't work and the same thing happened the next time, I'd go one step up the chain. Eventually, I'd reach someone who cared enough to do something about it. Your thoughts add another question in my mind... If this happened so frequently, why did the officers go after him on this day, when there were people all throughout his boat, when his mother was there? Wouldn't it have made more sense to get him on a day with less witnesses? I mean, if that's the conspiracy theory, it sure seems like these guys picked one of the worst days ever to start trouble. Furthermore, if this happened as frequently as Benson has stated, why is this the first time someone has heard of this issue? Surely if he were that perturbed, then he would have spoken up before now.

My point is, this kind of thing happens all the time. It happens even more when professional athletes, or high-profile people are involved. It gets to be more about the people arresting than the people being arrested. Plain and simple, the girl said she didn't see anything. I don't give a shit what she heard. It's perfectly normal for someone to make a scream of some kind when getting pepper sprayed. The other thing that sounds odd to me, and others, is that she randomly threw in the "black friend" thing. Why didn't she just say friend? As for the 911 call, I don't care about that either. People call 911 for everything nowadays. And as far as situations like this go, all you have to do is go to youtube and look at the "don't taze me bro" videos to hear morons yelling at the cops, and claiming abuse/brutality. This is especially true of college-aged kids who think they have a grasp on the law, and believe themselves to be precious little snowflakes who can't be touched/harmed/apprehended, and generally above the law. Your sequence of events is beyond what I think or propose. A)She was probably just a friend on the boat. B)The spraying happened, and she didn't see it. It had nothing to do with her being there. C)Since she said that she didn't see it, I don't see why she thought her friend was being "beat up". Sounds to me like a person who cries wolf the first time they hear anything that disturbs their delicate ears. This is especially true, and understandable, when it's a friend. D)Once again, the digging up of dirt has nothing to do with her being there. In fact, it has nothing to do with her. However, it will not surprise me in the least if race becomes a factor very soon in this case, as it often does, as a way of confusing the issue. Last but not least, I admit that my dislike for Benson factors into my opinion on the subject; although, I was just about the only one on board (and nfo) saying that the Bears shouldn't draft a RB early. Conversely, I think that the general disdain for police officers, and those in similar positions, by many on this board heavily clouds judgement on the other side.

The first part I agree with. It won't get past the beginning stages of anything serious. This got big in a hurry, and I'm sure that all involved want to sweep it under the rug. You are correct on the second part as well. Neither drinking or getting mouthy with a cop is illegal. However, I'm sure that there is some sort of loophole in there like public intoxication. I don't buy the two drinks garbage, and it seems unlikely that they would say all the things they said about Benson unless they had something to back it up. The last part is where I think there is the wiggle room. Your "what if" of the boat being anchored could end up making the officers' case moot, but until it's known that the boat was anchored, then I don't think the case can be tossed. Furthermore, people can get DWI/DUI or something similar if they are drunk, sitting in the car, and their keys are in the ignition. I'm sure there has to be something similar for boating. Additionarlly, there is a reason to board the boat and test Benson. There is also a reason to take him off of his boat to administer the tests. If he resisted either, then there is an easy case for resisting arrest, and I have no problem with the officers giving him the pepper-face.

I don't claim to be a Constitutional scholar, but I'm 100% you are wrong on this one. Amendment 4 - Search and Seizure. Ratified 12/15/1791. The right of the people to be secure in their persons, houses, papers, and effects, against unreasonable searches and seizures, shall not be violated, and no Warrants shall issue, but upon probable cause, supported by Oath or affirmation, and particularly describing the place to be searched, and the persons or things to be seized. Case closed, your honor.

Seems odd to me also. I think they are colluding to set up some sort of racial case to get Benson out of trouble. Expect to find out some allegedly shady stuff about the arresting officer, and the probability that he dropped the "N-Bomb", allegedly, when in private. Sounds like a bunch of BS to me. "It's more what I heard than what I saw. I have never heard or seen Cedric that scared." So, in other words, STFU, you didn't see anything. The arrival of LCRA police perturbed Benson because of the frequency of the checks on his 30-foot boat, Cartwright said. When Benson's boat passed the safety inspection, Cartwright said she and her fiance were surprised the officer then required a sobriety test for Benson. Perturbed? Sounds to me like it's very possible that someone had an attitude. If the officers have been on his boat numerous times, then that also needs to be addressed. However, it sounds very likely that Benson had an attitude; his biggest defender even says so. As for why they took him off the boat, an easy answer for me is from the police report. They smelled alcohol on him. Once this was true (if true), then it makes more sense to remove him from his boat, around his friends and family, and in a more controlled environment.

As someone who has been pepper sprayed, as well as hit with CS gas on numerous occassions, I'll back Benson up on this one. Gas = crying Now, if he was sobbing, then that's a different story, and he's a sissy. It sucks, and you can't help crying, but it doesn't really hurt. One positive is that it cleans out the sinuses in seconds, dropping every ounce of snot you have out onto your shoes.

Yeah...wasn't sure if you were making the connection or not.

I won't sit idly by while people make comments that disparage cops - men and women who give more on a daily basis than probably any profession. If it's not the topic, it was introduced into the topic.

"In a surprising move, the Chicago Bears released safety Adam Archuleta, a little more than a year after they acquired him in a trade." This is a clear indication that the media has no clue and just bases their "reporting" on highlight reels. Every diehard Chicago fan knows that Arch sucked last year, and with the addition of Steltz, the writing was on the wall.

And I would counter that I could find more articles showing bravery and self-sacrifice. Not only that, I'm willing to bet that the majority of "police officer corruption" found online will be people acting stupid and then blaming police, shaky video not showing the entire picture, lopsided editorials, and an overall slanted point of view from an age group from 18-26 or so. I'm simply amazed at how many here are so willing to take the word of Cedric Benson, by nearly all accounts a complete turd, over a police officer. I can see why someone would be hesitant to believe either side fully, since they are so far apart, but it's simply baffling to me. Miami BEAR I don't necessarily think that your example fits the case with Benson (if you were even trying to make that connection). The topic of racial profiling aside, I'm quite sure that there weren't too many black guys with massive party boats out on the water that day. There's a pretty good chance that the cops went directly to the guy for whom they were searching.

I agree that the past history of the Bears (Rex, Bradley, etc.) seems to say that Benson will get another chance. I would like to note, however, that Terrell was only the full-time starter for one year. He had to split starts with Dez "Stone Hands" White at other times.

Since Benson was already on thin ice, and clearly not living up to expectations, is this arrest the opportunity the coaches needed to supplant him as training camp #1? Will there be a "RB Battle" similar to the "QB Battle"? I could easily see the coaches going with the rookie from day one, saying that he just plain ol' beat out Cedric Benson in camp. Is this a possibility? Would it be wise?

So the cop's supposed to wait until Benson acts on those aggressive, non-cooperative actions in a confined area? I've seen enough videos of massive guys who are the size of professional athletes, but probably with less dexterity, speed, and strength, just mercilessly beating a cop. Benson is a pro football player, and until more information is let out proving otherwise, I think the cop had every right to blast Benson with spray if he was acting hostile. I've been cuffed before, and it's a 2-second process if complicit. There would be no inclination whatsoever to spray someone unless the someone was acting stupid. Until we find out otherwise, and since his past lines up nicely with the idea, I tend to believe that Benson was asking for it.