Man shot by undercover police while trying to defend his property from drug dealers.

More "Drug War" insanity and stupidity.

Reason Magazine - Hit & Run > More on Isaac Singletary:

"Police are now conceding that Singletary was completely innocent. The Jacksonville sheriff describes him in this article as an 'honest citizen trying to do good.'

Which means that two undercover officers trespassed onto Singletary's property. They then invited criminals onto his property to engage in criminal activity with them. Mr. Singletary, recognizing the trespassers as drug dealers, then properly demanded they leave. He brought a gun along to defend himself, not an unreasonable action, given the circumstances. For this, he was shot to death.

Florida Governor Charlie Crist visited Jacksonville yesterday , and when asked about Singletary's death, referred to the 'challenges' of keeping a community safe.

No, governor. Singletary's death isn't a 'challenge.' It's the inevitable, predictable result of a stupid policy whereby politicians attempt to control people's lives. With guns.

...The police in Jacksonville were doing exactly what they were supposed to be doing (save perhaps for the trespassing). They were arranging undercover buys, one of really only two ways to police consensual crimes like drug distribution (the other being the use of informants). They were confronted by a man with a weapon. They fired to defend themselves.

Barring further information that these officers fired too quickly or didn't attempt to announce themselves, this wasn't a case of police misconduct or excessive use of force. It was the direct result of government attempting to enforce a policy it has no business enforcing, and that it can't capably enforce without effecting tragedies like this one.