Story Archive

The Influence

“City council,” said the man Anadarko, Okla., police had stopped. “What about city council?” an officer asked. “Nothing,” said J.J. Vance, according to bodycam footage. “I’m on city council.” He was arrested anyway: according to the police report, his breath smelled of alcohol and he failed a sobriety test. He tried to strike a deal for an $800 fine or to give up his car, but the police weren’t having it — even when he invoked his record. “If you all can just fine me and let me go home, I will [expletive] raise all kinds of money for your [body part],” the councilman said. “I’ve been raising all kinds of money from the police department, for the police department. For the dogs. I [expletive] raised like $1,000 for the [expletive] dogs. I’m not [barnyard term for lying], I did do that.” (AC/KFOR Oklahoma City) ...Well, that speech was obscene in more ways than one.