It’s hard not to despair when you read stories like this:

Three Seattle police officers were justified when they used a stun gun on a pregnant mother who refused to sign a traffic ticket, a federal appeals court ruled Friday in a case that prompted an incredulous dissent.

As Taser use is normalized, the police seem more and more happy to forcibly shock you for inconveniencing them. Chicago recently extended Tasers to all of their squad cars. I e-mailed the department to inquire about the terms of their use; I haven’t heard back nor do I expect to.