The criticism of Pat Wright's behavior (ie picking up a knife) lacks a common sense understanding of modern life. An instinctive defensive reaction when someone breaks down your door is pretty reasonable. In light of recently publicized police atrocities (the Diallo case, Rampart, the broomhandle sodomization of Abner Louima, etc, ad nauseum), why is it so surprising to some FMLers that a citizen might respond to a police raid as if it were a home invasion by crazed thugs in uniforms? Let's not forget that the cops raided his home because he owned a FORBIDDEN PET for goddsakes! That sounds pretty crazy right off the bat. Now, Pat really was fortunate that he was not murdered in his own home by some twitchy nutcase with a badge when he picked up that knife. No argument there. But hey, defending your home is still a natural reaction, as well as a legitimate one. The real point is the cops should not have been there at all. By removing a stupid law like the CA ferret ban, we reduce the mountain of ridiculous pretexts allowing (and yes, occasionally obligating) the police to break down doors, thereby making everybody (cops and citizens) that much safer. [WL] [Posted in FML issue 2974]