Conspiracy blamed in arrest over late video (Antiwar protester sees link)

[Bozita]

http://freep.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20060831/NEWS03/608310417/1005/NEWS

Conspiracy blamed in arrest over late video

Antiwar protester sees a connection

BY FRANK WITSIL
FREE PRESS STAFF WRITER

August 31, 2006

If you enjoy conspiracy theories, here's one:

Monica Legg, a 43-year-old antiwar protester arrested last Thursday at her home in Lewiston, in Montmorency County, and charged with failing to return a rented video, says the Man -- as in the government -- is prosecuting her because of her political views.

The connection: The same day she was arrested, she said, her photo appeared in the Free Press with a report about protests in Ferndale. Moreover, she said Wednesday, her 45-year-old husband, Donald Legg -- who has a bumper sticker on his car that criticizes Vice President Dick Cheney -- was charged, too.

Both are scheduled to be arraigned Friday in 88th District Court in Atlanta.

more...

Link to story and photo about anti-war protests in Ferndale:
http://www.freep.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20060824/NEWS03/608240389/1005/NEWS

[seriousstan]

1. Did she rent the videos? Not return them? Not pay for them?

Still have them? Being an anti-war protester does not shield you from results of irresponsible actions. I highly doubt the video store owner cares about anything other than getting her videos back and getting paid. Nowhere in the article does she dispute the claim of not returning the videos.

But just the same, Rove made the local carryout stop stocking my favorite beer. :tinfoilhat:

[FiveGoodMen]

6. Are you out of your mind? ARRESTED for THAT?!??!

[seriousstan]

9. I had a uniform police officer and a library rep at my door for a book.

I checked the book out as a senior in high school for a report and never returned it. I checked it out of the Columbus Public Library. 2 years later I had a knock on my door and was told they wanted the book or I had to go downtown and be charged for theft. Luckily I found the book in a box of books upstairs. So I know this stuff happens.

BTW, the book was "Unsafe at Any Speed" by Ralph Nader. Paperback at that even.

[FiveGoodMen]

11. I'm not denying that this happened to you.

But don't you think it's an outrageous over-reaction?

[shadowknows69]

15. Yikes

I "borrowed" several books once while I worked at the library for workfare. Never went back because I didn't want to see the people I used to work with. Hopefully social services only has my old address.

[slampoet]

16. in 1990 it cost $300 per hour to maintain a Police Officer.

That means if the officer was at your house for even 2 minutes, the government lost LOADS of money.

But GOP'ers don't mind 'cause this money goes on the books to pay law enforcement and not on the budget to purchase new books for schools.

[Taoschick]

13. I believe

It's considered theft. Lewiston's population was less than 1,000 in the 2000 census. In a small town like that, there's a greater chance of having police involvement in what we'd consider petty disputes.

[Ragin_mad]

14. Um yeah

it's called THEFT.

[rinsd]

8. Ehhhhhh its kind of weird

The place strikes me as a mom and pop type store. Perhaps the woman let her rent without a credit card and only had her contact info. Considering how much it costs a mom and pop video store vs. say Blockbuster, its not completely surprising she eventually contacted the police.

"Suzanne Cronk, who owns the Timbertown Video store in Lewiston, said that she let the Leggs rent videos on faith, and that when the tapes didn't come back, she tried to contact them but didn't get a response"

Finally, Cronk said, she called the police.

[MsKandice01]

2. Failing to return a rented video?!?!

For fucks sakes. That doesn't sound like a wacky conspiracy at all to me. Sounds like a very plausible possibility. I find it hard to believe that any cop in his right mind would go to someone's house and arrest them for failing to return a rented movie if there wasn't an ulterior motive.

[coalition_unwilling]

10. Don't the cops have anything better to do? (n/t)

[Supply Side Jesus]

12. I asure you, we do.

not to mention wasting Detention resources on this shit.

[Blue_Tires]

3. "If you enjoy conspiracy theories, here's one:"???

what in fuck's name kind of people are getting hired at the Free Press? That has to be the worst lead i've ever seen in a major daily....

[Robb]

4. Well, it's better than the unedited version:

"If you enjoy theories that sound like conspiracy theories, here's a conspiracy theory you'll enjoy." :rofl:

[Blue_Tires]

5. lol

both the writer and copy editor need to be sent out on a rail...I've had an interview with the Free Press once, and I know for a fact they are better than this....

[booley]

7. Don't know if it's a conspiracy but..

Police coming to your home ot arrest you for not returtnign videos?

How the hell is that not over kill?

I admit I have had videos that were late. WAAAY LATE. And yet no police. Numerouse calls and charges and threats to my credit rating. But the police here would laugh if they were called to retrieve late video rentals. Ot get angry at people wasting thier time.

Conspiracy? Political persecution? I have no idea. But something wierd is going on here.