A Stitch in Haste

So a college student decides, as college students often do, to be an idiot:

A college student whose friend was being questioned in a hit and run found himself charged with assaulting an officer with a curious choice of weapons: M&Ms.

Sean McGuire was arrested early Sunday at a convenience store after Drake University security guards noticed the colored candies falling on the ground around the officer. When the officer turned around, an M&M hit his shoulder, according to a police report.

McGuire claimed he threw the candy because he was "sticking up for his friend," who apparently was the man suspected in the accident, the report states.

So a libertarian decides, as libertarians often do, to complain:

Okay, throwing M&Ms at anyone is uncalled for. Throwing them at a cop is just stupid. But, this college student winding up in jail, and having to post a $1,000 bond for throwing candy? What was this all about? Was it really about "assault," or was it a case of "you must respect my authoritah!"

So I decide, as I often do, to leave a comment:

Why does it have to be a question of "respect my authoritah" rather than one of not being a law-breaking jerk by throwing stuff at people?

Last time I checked, respecting people's space and bodily integrity was one of the higher-ranking libertarian tenets. If that's changed, then I didn't get the memo.

I know many libertarians like to pretend that all police are unstable maniacs just waiting for an excuse to don their jackboots and charge up their tasers. And a few are.

But sometimes people simply break the law — sometimes quite stupidly, immaturely or obnoxiously — and if they get caught, they get caught.

Sympathy is a scarce resource, and I don't squander it on fools.

Speaking of squandering, I also note that this is a terrible waste of perfectly good M&Ms. Next time, throw beef jerky or some other inedible product.

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For the uninitiated: