January 3, 2008
While it remains unclear what caused Robert Dziekanski's death in October, there's no disputing that the Polish immigrant was tasered several times by RCMP officers who responded to a disturbance created by Dziekanski at Vancouver International Airport.
Video of the fatal incident was widely broadcast and is available online.
Canada.com reports on a recent YouTube video which parodies the incident using an early version of the Mega Man video game series.
Mega Man vs. Polish immigrant shows Mega Man confronting Dziekanski in the airport. Mega Man is offered three choices of action, including "Use restraint," "Call a translator," or "Tazer mercilessly." A description uploaded with the video reads:
The creator of the parody, Vancouver resident Mike Greenway, said:
Aga Magdolen, a spokeswoman with the Canadian Polish Congress, found the YouTube video offensive:
RCMP Staff Sgt. John Ward was also offended:
However, Marta Grywalska, a spokeswoman for Polish Ambassador Piotr Ogrodzinski, seemed less condemnatory:
Video of the fatal incident was widely broadcast and is available online.
Canada.com reports on a recent YouTube video which parodies the incident using an early version of the Mega Man video game series.
Mega Man vs. Polish immigrant shows Mega Man confronting Dziekanski in the airport. Mega Man is offered three choices of action, including "Use restraint," "Call a translator," or "Tazer mercilessly." A description uploaded with the video reads:
Megaman helps a lost and confused Polish immigrant at Vancouver International Airport; RCMP-style
The creator of the parody, Vancouver resident Mike Greenway, said:
The video was really more of a statement on police Taser use than anything. The video that I made is a tongue-in-cheek parody about the incompetence of everyone involved, not police brutality.
Aga Magdolen, a spokeswoman with the Canadian Polish Congress, found the YouTube video offensive:
This tragedy should not have been portrayed as a game. It is disrespectful to the victim, his family and the Polish community.
RCMP Staff Sgt. John Ward was also offended:
Any right-thinking person who would look at the video would be offended by that. A gentlemen lost his life and it is in extremely poor taste.
However, Marta Grywalska, a spokeswoman for Polish Ambassador Piotr Ogrodzinski, seemed less condemnatory:
The public was disturbed by the event. This is how the subculture reacted to it.
Comments
Perhaps those authority figures complaining would rather shift attention to the form of expression rather than the actual event. As the creator of the game said, it was "...about the incompetence of everyone involved,..".
Nightwng2000
NW2K Software
I am sure that I have seen actual editorial comics on this same event, but I have yet to hear any outrage on that means of expression.
Perhaps people should focus more on preventing these types of events from happening in the futrue rather than shift focus now. After all, those who fail to learn from the past are doomed to repeat it.
E. Zachary Knight
Divine Knight Gaming
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The public was disturbed by the event. This is how the subculture reacted to it."
Truth.
Perhaps I am immune to shcok because of my ... name, but I saw hundreds of parodies of WTC. "Too soon?" Yeah, it's always the same old story.
Sorry for double post and spelling mistakes.
A Canadian friend of mine told me that after this event, public disdain for authority was so high that people were EGGING RCMPs in some areas. As he put it, that's something "Canadians just don't do." That level of disrespect for authority figures is rare in Canada, he tells me. If I recall correctly, when the public tried to raise the issue with the government, the government was more interested in trying to continue "dealing" with some irrelevant scandal--by which I mean the kind that really IS irrelevant. I should see if I can get said Canadian friend to post; he'd remember the aftermath of the tragedy better than I would.
It is a tragedy that the man was killed, but this should not be seen as an offensive parody. If I die in some ridiculous fashion, I can only hope to be immortalized in a youtube parody!
You're offended on behalf of the man the RCMP killed? Yeah, sure.
A "right-thinking person" wouldn't have tasered someone to death either. But apparently, such "right-thinking" people are hired all the time.
Nightwng2000
NW2K Software
ZX Advent came out just a couple of months ago.
Dziekanski, a 40 year old polish immigrant, came to Canada to visit his mother for her birthday, who came to meet him at the airport. His mother was turned away saying her son had missed his flight despite being in baggage claim where the staff failed to call a translator causing him to be stuck there for 10 hours. His mother left thinking her son HAD missed his flight as Dziekanski after being put in the waiting room wasn't allowed to call her. Logically he was agitated further more it was later revealed he'd recently quit smoking only adding to his agitation. This is when he began to really lose it and went to a separate room and started screaming. Airport security called the RCMP while others in the waiting room tried to calm down Dziekanski including a person learned in several languages unfortunately, she didn't Polish. In the time it took the RCMP to arrive no other attempts were made to calm him nor were translators called. The RCMP arrived and within 30 seconds of arrival tasered an unarmed Dziekanski, he ran and was tasered at least once more. Once on the ground two more bolts at most have reported to have been heard but there's controversy. The RCMP proceeded to check his pulse to check if his pulse, which there was none of. The RCMP called the paramedics and made no attempt to revive Dziekanski nor did the airport medical staff which have the capability to be anywhere in an airport within 2-3 minutes rather the 12 minutes reportedly waited for the city's paramedics. The RCMP collected all cell phones with video capabilities saying videos could compromise the investigation and the cell phones would be returned, which they were but without memory cards. The now (in)famous video was reclaimed with a threat to go to court for its return one month later its release caused the media and public backlash particularly since the video revealed the police's official story, which witnesses cried false to from the start, was a lie.
@AM
Are you talking about the Schreiber thing in which the German immigrant who lobbied for Mulroney sued due to some type of falling out with money? If so you're right that was a pathetic farce of a scandal Schreiber was using to stay in Canada so he couldn't be returned to Germany where he committed political crimes and had a dark fate. I would call this irrelevant nothing was found to be illegal, at the time, and it involves MULRONEY our 18th Prime minister whose time in office ran from 1984-1993. Come to think of it, because of the investigations and stalling by Schreiber it did slow the investigation of the tasering incident...thats it I'm egging some RCMP which, as AM's friend said, is something "Canadians just don't do."
Welcome to the real world. Not everyone kows English. Besides, French is also an official language in Canada, why can't they know a little bit of that too.
The point made here is that some people in authority are too quick on the trigger finger. Either with a gun or taser it is the same. You should never "shoot first ask questions later". That is not how it should be. Just as the video shows, they had at least three options:
“Use restraint,” “Call a translator,” or “Tazer mercilessly.”
Why did they choose the last one, when the other two were more effective and safe.
I would also like to point out part of the Wiki article:
How a video shows only one person's view is beyond me. A video is subjective and without bias. Where did they get the idea that it held a single point of view?
Perhaps you would like to be tasered 2 to four times in succession without provocation? Would you hold the same opinion afterwards?
E. Zachary Knight
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Maybe Megaman killed Mounty Man to acquire the Tazer. Did he get a new weapon from killing Polish Man?
"Get equipped with: Polka!"
I laughed.. sue me.
"How a video shows only one person’s view is beyond me. A video is subjective and without bias. Where did they get the idea that it held a single point of view?"
I think you mean that it's an objective point of view.
Well, I really hope you go visit a relative in a country where the predominant language is not English, so the police there have a justifiable reason to taser you to death too...
@Jormungand
An addendum to the story. Customs HAD a translator on hand, and he had helped to process Mr Dziekanski through normal customs. But nobody escorted him to immigration to finish his processing until he had been wandering around for 6 hours. This translator of course was not told by the agents on the other side of the wall that the woman that Dziekanski was trying to phone (his mother) was there and looking for him. The agents she was talking to denied he was there at all. The translator was not informed of the incident until after Mr Dziekanski was dead, so obviously nobody bothered to fetch him.
As for the RCMP showing up, Dziekanski appeared relieved that someone had shown up, almost like he was looking for a policeman to help him. And then, they shot him. Twice. Some "rescue"...
---
Yeah, it's a tasteless video. But so was the incident. I believe the whole idea of Megaman is to suggest that to the RCMP, tazers are just a game, a toy. Something you pull out when someone is misbehaving. Instead of their real purpose, which is as a last resort before you use deadly force, ie the 9mm... The RCMP have no right to bitch.
Yeah I noticed that after I posted. (how do you do embarassed smileys here?)
E. Zachary Knight
Divine Knight Gaming
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Whilst they are infinitely better than guns, officers need to have it drummed into them that these are NOT toys, there are coppers out there who are just itching for a chance to shoot something with their taser because they think its' safe to do.
Police Officers need to be disavowed of that impression very quickly, a taser is not for shooting someone with because they are loud, or even panicked or jittery, there are 4 years of training on how to deal with those situations, it's to be used to protect yourself and the public, and should only be used when either are at real risk, it's a weapon, it's not spidey-silk.
That would help reduce the number of incedents like this one.
E. Zachary Knight
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I believe that most law enforcement officers are tased and tear gassed as a part of normal training.
Everyone,
Normally, I'm one to stand on the side of law enforcement whenever possible, becaause they do have one of the most difficult jobs. But, in this instance, there is no recourse for repeatedly tasing, at least twice (and up to 4 depending on what reports) a man that was, by all accounts, just upset for being stuck at the airport for half a day. And how was he a danger to the public? He's at an airport! He had no weapons and was through the security there.
There's enough blame to go around, for sure: lazy, incompetant airport staff (no suprise for those familiar with air travel), the overwhelming force used by responding officers (who didn't asses the situation, they just went in shooting), and the inability (or lack of will to) attempt CPR/first aid.
To the larger issue, I'm glad taser use is on the rise, because accidental deaths by tasers are far, far more rare than firearms, but whoever said "Tasers are weapons, too" is dead nuts on target. Too many officers are of the attitude, "Take a ride on the taser, buddy!" Instead of using similar restraint to using a firearm.
Also, this video game video is a very relevant piece of satire - it's message is quite clear - tasers use isn't a game.
~~All Knowledge is Worth Having~~
It's the current procedure in France. (I think Sarkozy made a point of bieng hit by one but I can't confirm that yet, the guy is too mediatical to check that, too much fluff.)
Anyway, I laughed.
As far as the video, I wasn't offended. I suppose I'm not a "right-thinking" person. I found the video an excellent reproduction of a classic Megaman game. I was impressed to see that the level looked like a pixcelled airport. You can tell it took some time to produce. The "boss's fighting style" seemed similar to Mr. Dziekanski's reaction to the RCMP officers. In the end, it made a statement about unnecessary force. It’s the kind of video you should find unpleasant.
@ GoodRobotUs
Too true. Nothing is 100% safe. Airbags and seatbelts can kill you under the right circumstances. In my school, I always made the point that pencils and pens can be used as a weapon just as easily as a knife (not to mention the scattered pay phones).
"Non-lethal" force can be lethal, but it’s better than lethal force. A taser can kill you if it’s abused, a gun will kill you if it’s used properly. I'll take my chances with the taser.
@ EZK
My friend works in law enforcement. I know its policy that all officers are hit with pepper spray after training for it's use, and I'm pretty sure that runs true with tasers as well (at least in the states). The general policy of police training is to make sure the officers know what's happening when they use such tools. What better way than experiencing it first hand?
Any right-thinking person who would look at the video would be offended by that. A gentlemen lost his life and it is in extremely poor taste.
What about the REAL guy who died? Why does there seem to be more of an outrage on the video game than the REAL death? I guess it's ok for cops to Taze people, just try not to bring it to anyone's attention...
As reported at Game Politics , a Vancouver man has created a video based on the popular Mega Man series that comments on the tragic taser killing of Polish immigrant Robert Dziekánski at the Vancouver airport.
...For one, despite both the Canad...
It's true, a person lost their life. Now, if we just sweep it under the rug, more people will lose their lives. Let's bring it out, stick it in the light, and show it for what it really is. Then, maybe through the embarrasment caused by everyone seeing how you reacted, you can begen to make changes so that it doesn't happen again.
Well, to bring it out into the light, we can make a realistic reenactment, with a serious, somber note. Most people will ignore that. Or you can make an embarrasing parody. I didn't even hear of this incident until this came out. Maybe it's point IS to be ofensive, especially to the people who were wrong.
Amazing the difference eight months makes, eh? It's nice that we can cherry-pick our level of indignation based on the quality of someone's work, rather than the actual subject matter. We went from "using controversy to get people's attention is wrong! What a tasteless idea!" to "Oh, shucks, it's just an expression of how people feel about this incident, specifically their feeling that cops are fascists," and as near as I can tell, it's because the former was "stupid" whereas the latter is "funny."
The only difference I can see between these two examples is that Greenway explains himself as "making a statement," whereas Lambourn was up-front about wanting to kick up dust clouds. To me, that means we're also making judgments based on PR statements. But the ultimate impact on the public is the same: the permanent attachment of the terms "video games" and "offensive" in the mind. Yes, I'm angry at the RCMP for the way they handled the situation, but this isn't the way to express that anger.
Fangamer
GTFO. Racist bastard. My parents don't know any English either, wanna tazer them too?
I've had it with people like you, "wah wah wah, multiculturalism is destroying the Canadian identity... wah...". Fuck off. I'll celebrate whatever holidays I want, and speak whatever language I want. You and your xenophobia can blow me, asshat.
Moving on...
The taser is clearly NOT a safe weapon, at least as currently employed in Canada. According to the CBC, there have been 17 deaths resulting from the use of tasers (all at the hands of the police) since they began using them in 1999.
"Amazing the difference eight months makes, eh? It’s nice that we can cherry-pick our level of indignation based on the quality of someone’s work, rather than the actual subject matter. We went from “using controversy to get people’s attention is wrong! What a tasteless idea!” to “Oh, shucks, it’s just an expression of how people feel about this incident, specifically their feeling that cops are fascists,” and as near as I can tell, it’s because the former was “stupid” whereas the latter is “funny.”"
That's not why I cherry-pick my level of indignation. VA-Tech was a "game" where you walk around shooting people. It wasn't parodying ANYTHING. This, on the other hand, is making the statement that the police were treating tasers as toys, instead of the "less than lethal but still potentially lethal" tools that they are. In effect, they were treating it like in a video game, where choosing the extreme option really has no consequences. MegaMan never thinks twice about pulling out the big guns, so as a metaphor for the RCMP, it works.
We have spent years trying to drum into Police Officers that 'Just because they are complete bastards, doesn't mean you can put the boot in', trial by jury has been the cornerstone the US system, and it is one of the very few things that survive from the Magna Carta here in the UK, all of a sudden officers have been given 'pain-bringers', basically, permission to put the 'boot in' and hurt people without serious come-back, and believe me, those things [i]hurt[/i], I've never received a shock, but I'm been present one someone has.
Giving an officer the ability to basically try, convict and punish by pain is a dangerous move, and needs to be monitored very very carefully.
Yes we certainly want to have street judges. (Judge Dred reference there)
@ Simon Roberts
VA Tech Rampage was a tastless game made to cause a stir and offend. It had no redeming qualities what so ever.
This video was made to be a political/social commentary on the use of tasers by police officers. The message that it portrays far out weighs any "offending" animations.
Had the VA Tech game had some redeming qualities, such as touching on the lack of medical help, the lack of thorough documentation and research done before he got his guns, them it would have been a better social commentary. But it had none of that. It was simply Cho runnign around gunning down people.
I think that you do not understand what political/social commentary and parody is. I recommend that you do some research on the subject and then come back and tell us what your opinion of the VA Tech game and this video are.
E. Zachary Knight
Divine Knight Gaming
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I agree with Overcast. Those crying foul on this should shift their outrage to the fact that officers resorted to tasers first and killing an innocent man who couldn't understand the language instead of getting a translator.
I really hate the fact that the original video was posted on youtube. The video has crappy audio, doesn't give you a good idea on what Dziekanski’s deal is, or show decent detail. You can't properly judge the actions of the RCMP based on the video. This game is just the result of someone posting a polarizing video.
But no, this really isn't much about the video, is it? Because the people getting upset have political reasons to do so.
Ken Said: "Oh boo hoo. When you come to a country like Canada, you should know at least a little bit of English in order to get by. Maybe if he wasn’t acting insane, he wouldn’t have been tased. Besides, he probably had a heart condition nobody knew about, not even him."
Yes, because if you don't speak the predominant language of Canada...you're likely to get killed by law enforcement. While you're in a secure building with good access to translators and medical staff.
Gameboy Said: "Why would the immediate reaction of the RCMP officers’ first reaction be to taser someone? Was it because of the location and some misguided attempt at protecting national security? There’s no excuse for attempting to taser or even restrain a person immediately, unless they are fleeing or violent."
Well, if the event took place in any of the states I have lived in, I'd say, "racism" or "nationalism"--kissin' cousins, those two. Can't comment on that situation in Canada.
岩「…」
How dare they portray Mega Man as a fascist..
;p
He was Polish though, so it should be
"Robi nie taze ja bro!"
I should've thought about this before I made my first post because it's exactly the kind of thing that could sneak up on me and turn me into a hypocrite, but it's obviously just as bad to totally denounce offensive content as it is to accept all of it out of hand. At the furthest extreme, if there was a zero tolerance rule in effect, Resistance: Fall of Man would've gone under the second the Manchester Cathedral controversy broke out. I wouldn't suggest that anyone go that far, but there has to be a ratio of how much we're willing to let by versus the impact its statements can make. I guess I draw the line a little closer to the chest than most, because I'm extremely concerned about the public reaction becoming "Mega Man shoots immigrants." I'm all for games and gaming-related media that puts commentary before contention. This video just seems to have them the other way around.
Fangamer
"I’m extremely concerned about the public reaction becoming “Mega Man shoots immigrants.”"
Would it have been better if it had been Judge Dred doing a "Welcome to Canada" type thing?
I'm guessing the MegaMan choice was likely because MegaMan uses energy weapons. So if you're going with the parody character, MegaMan is a good choice. Easily recognizable, you certainly wouldn't mistake his weapon for something else. And plus it allows the use of things like the energy cost comparison, where it's made clear he's going for the "highest cost per use" weapon without any second thought...
The object of Political commentary and parody is to take a political figure (in this case the RCMP) when they are most vulnerable and express that weakness in its entirity and glory.
This creator chose to represent them with Megaman He could have done the same thing with a characature of a mounty, but he chose Megaman to more closely bring out the point of the "tasers are toy/games" that many of the police have.
Had he not shown the weapon select screen with the other options that were available to the police, it would have lost all of its redeaming qualities. That menu was the most important part of the video.
It was not the tasing or the characters. It was who t he characters represent and the message about alternatives to tasing.
If you are having a problem seeing this, I am sorry.
E. Zachary Knight
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I like Jabrwock's point. You do seem more concerned about how games are going to be perceived after this video. It is not about the game, no matter how much the RCMP wants it to be.
E. Zachary Knight
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