So, Who's Blind, Again?

Blind man Tasered after police mistake his white cane for a samurai sword

British police apologized on Wednesday for using a stun gun on a blind man after officers mistook his white cane for a samurai sword.

Officers were responding to “a number of reports that a man was walking through Chorley armed with a samurai sword,” when they confronted Colin Farmer, who was on his way to meet friends in a pub last Friday, in the northern English town.

When Farmer, 61, did not respond to their calls to stop, one of the officers used his taser stun gun, which delivers a 50,000 volt shock.

In what light do you mistake a white cane for a samurai sword?  And why do you taser someone who does not appear to be actually committing an act of violence.

When they realized they'd tasered an innocent blind man, they expressed regret...

“Lancashire Constabulary deeply regrets what has happened. We have clearly put this man through a traumatic experience and we are extremely sorry for that.”

Police later arrested a 27-year-old man in connection with the sword reports but released him without charge.

If I were king of England, I'd order each of the officers involved in the incident to be tasered by surprise while walking down the street unawares.