How does vandalism and looting accomplish anything???

[Airship Ariadne]

In the interest of full disclosure, I confess I AM a racist. I believe the best qualified person, regardless of race, sex, sexual orientation, etc. should get the job or admission to college, or what ever position they are aspiring to.

It would be great if that happened, but never does. Here in Texas, to combat affirmative action, the GOP legislature created the "Top 10" rule...basically saying if you were in the top 10% of your graduating class, you got the first slots at state schools, and the schools could use whatever factors they wanted to fill the few remaining slots. The idea was to let merit win out...sounds great right? Should make everyone happy right? I liked it, but parents in the affluent suburbs have been lobbying to create a tiered system saying their schools shouldn't be limited to the top 10% because their kids work harder.

With that I am going to remove myself from the rest of the thread...I should have avoided it to start with, I didn't sign up on DIS for these discussions, I'll save those for family holidays... hope I avoided personally attacking anyone here...but I am going to stick to vacation planning tips and movies and video games.

 

[plumsiren]

There was no reason to release the video... anyone with a whits worth of sense would have told the police chief that it would make things worse... evidence is not tabloid fodder, OF COURSE it should be part of the investigation. But lets be honest about motivation...the video release was done specifically to sway public opinion about the background of the victim... public release was not a critical part of the investigation. The character assassination of the victim is in my opinion, not that disimilar to the "**** shaming" (rymes with "glut shaming") that occurs with victims of sexual assault: "Did you see what was she wearing... she was only a stripper and really was asking for it... did you know she was dating half the school".

Of course I do not agree with looting and rioting, but I understand why it is happening... it is an expression of rage that has been fueled by the actions of the police chief. I feel he has mishandled this situation from the start, and the release of the video had no other purpose than to inflame the situation... it is his job on the line. Coincidence that after his replacement (State Trooper Johnson) comes on the mob job and there is a night of calm, then the local police chief decides lets release the video? I would be willing to bet that the decision to release the video was not discussed with State Trooper Johnson. Local police generally hate it when outside entities... State Troopers, FBI etc... start messing with THEIR jurisdiction.

 

[OurBigTrip]

Do you also give a to the real character assassination that has been happening since day 1, and has been aimed at the officer involved?

 

[OurBigTrip]

Oh, and Capt Feelgood from the state troopers has stated that it was not discussed with him prior to releasing the video.

No need to, since it wasn't his call to make. He may be in charge of security for the town (at which he failed miserably last night), but the police chief doesn't work for him.

 

[Suger Mag]

Oh, and Capt Feelgood from the state troopers has stated that it was not discussed with him prior to releasing the video.

No need to, since it wasn't his call to make. He may be in charge of security for the town (at which he failed miserably last night), but the police chief doesn't work for him.

Really? Juvenile name calling? Capt. Feelgood? The guy is trying to do his job, he was brought on the scene because it is a mess... not of his creation. He is a police officer and deserves much more respect from you.

 

[plumsiren]

Do you also give a to the real character assassination that has been happening since day 1, and has been aimed at the officer involved?

Interesting how you're more concerned with what's happening to the character of the guy who killed the victim (yes, that's what he is) than with what's happening to the character of the guy who's no longer alive. And didn't have a gun. And was running away when he died.

Also interesting is why you felt the need to try to start something with someone whose comment was literally nothing but a thumbs-up, essentially saying to someone else, yes, I agree with you. Sounds like classic pot-stirring to me.

Really? Juvenile name calling? Capt. Feelgood? The guy is trying to do his job, he was brought on the scene because it is a mess... not of his creation. He is a police officer and deserves much more respect from you.

Once again: Amazing how the cop who shot an unarmed man has to be protected from character assassination, but the guy who came in to clean up the mess local authorities made of the situation - and did a damn fine job of it through calm and professionalism - is totally okay to attack.

 

[OurBigTrip]

Really? Juvenile name calling? Capt. Feelgood? The guy is trying to do his job, he was brought on the scene because it is a mess not of his creation. He is a police officer and deserves much more respect from you.

How about I show him the same kind of respect that has been shown to the police chief? Or to the officer involved in the shooting?

Any police officer that marches with protesters and sides with looters deserves no respect.

 

[Luvchefmic]

Do you also give a to the real character assassination that has been happening since day 1, and has been aimed at the officer involved?

This reminds me of the Tawana Brawley case where people take to the streets, violenting protesting, destroying property, and reputations, WITHOUT THE FACTS, reacting on pure emotions.

It turns into a black vs white, pro-cops vs con-cops. Absolutely sickening. This is nothing new in our country. A disgrace.

Meanwhile when the dust settles and truth comes out people have to pick up what is left of their lives. For example:assistant district attorney Steven Pagones at the time of the case.

 

[plumsiren]

How about I show him the same kind of respect that has been shown to the police chief? Or to the officer involved in the shooting?

Any police officer that marches with protesters and sides with looters deserves no respect.

It's clear you have no idea what's actually going on here. Try getting your information somewhere other than Fox News. I refuse to engage further with someone so blatantly ignorant.

 

[OurBigTrip]

Interesting how you're more concerned with what's happening to the character of the guy who killed the victim (yes, that's what he is) than with what's happening to the character of the guy who's no longer alive. And didn't have a gun. And was running away when he died.

I'm interested in fairness to both sides, so I find it ironic that people who have been denigrating the police officer involved in the shooting since day one are upset about the truth coming out about Michael Brown.

If you feel that character assassination aimed at the officer is OK, then you should be fine with what you perceive as character assassination about Michael Brown being brought to light.

I personally don't feel that the video is character assassination - it's just bringing out the fact that this young man didn't fit the narrative that has been put out about him.

Also interesting is why you felt the need to try to start something with someone whose comment was literally nothing but a thumbs-up, essentially saying to someone else, yes, I agree with you. Sounds like classic pot-stirring to me.

Actually, I've been involved in this thread for some time, so I don't see how responding to a post is pot stirring.

YMMV.

 

[OurBigTrip]

It's clear you have no idea what's actually going on here. Try getting your information somewhere other than Fox News. I refuse to engage further with someone so blatantly ignorant.

Ah yes, anyone that doesn't agree with you must be watching Fox News.

No, actually I'm a CNN fan. And the fact is that Capt Feelgood did indeed march with the protesters when he arrived on scene a couple of days ago. And he did in fact allow the looting to go on for hours last night.

 

[Wendy31]

Volunteers coming together to clean up their community -

http://http://fox2now.com/2014/08/12/volunteers-sending-a-positive-message-by-cleaning-up-ferguson/

“I’m all for justice and I want justice to prevail, don’t get me wrong. But it’s the way you go about it.” said Erica Hampton.

She wants people to know there is still plenty of a good in this community, despite the graphic images they’ve seen on TV.

“I had to teach my son that this is just not what we do. When we want to get something done, we do it right. It’s not about destroying...” said Erica Hampton.

http://http://www.stltoday.com/lifestyles/faith-and-values/volunteers-clean-up-ferguson-after-protests-and-looting/article_c05a2794-710b-5944-873c-7d57206ffaa6.html

Larry Fellows, 28, of Ferguson, said since the shooting he’s been doing what he can to spread a little cheer. Together with a group of friends, Fellows walks the neighborhood’s roads, handing out free water, snacks and cleaning supplies.

http://http://www.freep.com/videonetwork/3729290098001/Ferguson-community-tries-to-clean-up-tarnished-image

"The media has portrayed & shown the violent side of it, but I think this side needs to be shown too because people can work together, not just black people, but people can work together..."

"There are good people here... black and white."

What was it that Mr. Rogers said that his mother once told him?

"When I was a boy & I would see scary things in the news, my mother would say to me, 'Look for the helpers. You will always find people who are helping.' " - Fred Rogers

And we can go back & forth about justice & injustice & speculations & accusations, but, in the end, it's the people who put all that aside, come together, & do good that make a real difference.

 

[TLSnell1981]

This reminds me of the Tawana Brawley case where people take to the streets, violenting protesting, destroying property, and reputations, WITHOUT THE FACTS, reacting on pure emotions.

It turns into a black vs white, pro-cops vs con-cops. Absolutely sickening. This is nothing new in our country. A disgrace.

Meanwhile when the dust settles and truth comes out people have to pick up what is left of their lives. For example:assistant district attorney Steven Pagones at the time of the case.

It's just an opportunity to whip folks into a frenzy, push an agenda and promote perpetual victimhood.

 

[OurBigTrip]

It's just an opportunity to whip folks into a frenzy, push an agenda and promote perpetual victimhood.

Yep.

Let the investigations go on, the facts come out, and the chips fall where they may.

 

[LBIJim]

Yea, its kind of like saying ALL cops are bad.

From everything I've read, it's accurate to state that virtually all Ferguson cops are bad, and have been for decades.

 

[OurBigTrip]

From everything I've read, it's accurate to state that virtually all Ferguson cops are bad, and have been for decades.

Interesting...based on what, if I may ask?

 

[Jedana]

Would there have been a more acceptable time to release said video?

And his friend who was with him validated the accusation, btw. So he was indeed guilty.

Ken Lay was found guilty, was he not? Or do we sentence people before trial now? Not sure he legal reasons the family got to keep millions. But it didn't make the man less guilty because his death preceded the opportunity for jail time.

The people said they wanted transparency in the investigation.

In my view, that means not only the name of the officer, but everything found during the investigation. Which includes that video. Whatever the autopsy shows, whatever witnesses say, etc.

Am I disappointed that the officers stood by and let the looters do their thing last night? Yes, absolutely. Do I understand why they did so? Yes, yes I do.

 

[sunshinehighway]

Ah yes, anyone that doesn't agree with you must be watching Fox News.

No, actually I'm a CNN fan. And the fact is that Capt Feelgood did indeed march with the protesters when he arrived on scene a couple of days ago. And he did in fact allow the looting to go on for hours last night.

You keep taking opposing view and making them an extreme when they are not and go to an extreme yourself. They brought this guy in to help. Something has to be done to show the community that they do mattee and this is still America. What does helping to keep the protests peaceful by walking with the protestors have to do with the looters? You seem to be continually grouping all those people together. They are not. Law enforcement needs to walk a delicate line. They need to show the good people of the area that they do hear their concerns. They need to build a trust that is completely broken. Walking with the protestors was a way to do that. You seem to have this idea that they are all (citizen of the area) a bunch of criminals so the police should either drop the hammer on them or let them burn their city to the ground. It's so wrong to think like that.

 

[nugov2]

Interesting how you're more concerned with what's happening to the character of the guy who killed the victim (yes, that's what he is) than with what's happening to the character of the guy who's no longer alive. And didn't have a gun. And was running away when he died.

Also interesting is why you felt the need to try to start something with someone whose comment was literally nothing but a thumbs-up, essentially saying to someone else, yes, I agree with you. Sounds like classic pot-stirring to me.



Once again: Amazing how the cop who shot an unarmed man has to be protected from character assassination, but the guy who came in to clean up the mess local authorities made of the situation - and did a damn fine job of it through calm and professionalism - is totally okay to attack.

In a perfect world none of this would be playing out in the court of public opinion, but at is not the world we live in. They should BOTH be protected from character assassination, but in fairness since that isn't going to happen the video is fair game and should be out there to show why the officer may have been justified. It shows that he may have been afraid of being arrested, reacted inappropriately and assaulted the officer. He may have tried to grab his gun and then started to flee the scene causing the officer to fire. Now why he shot so many times is what makes no sense. For that he should be scrutinized. Fear may have played a role or revenge. Regardless he most likely has no leg to stand on when it comes to that, but it doesn't make him a racist who profiled an innocent child. People react out of fear without thinking, doesn't make it right just what it is. The bottom line is Brown does have some accountability for what when wrong from the evidence presented. If he would have acted in a way that was appropriate it wouldn't have happened, but still we don't truly know if the cop is at fault we don't know if Brown is at fault. The reality is they both have strikes against them and things that just don't add up. I think the video IS relevant though if they are going to release stuff about the officer, especially when he has a family that are completely innocent now who will be targeted. I feel that is probably the most horrible thing they have done so far. They are the ones who have no blood on their hands and should not be subjected to fearing for their lives.

 

[OurBigTrip]

You keep taking opposing view and making them an extreme when they are not and go to an extreme yourself. They brought this guy in to help. Something has to be done to show the community that they do mattee and this is still America. What does helping to keep the protests peaceful by walking with the protestors have to do with the looters? You seem to be continually grouping all those people together. They are not. Law enforcement needs to walk a delicate line. They need to show the good people of the area that they do hear their concerns. They need to build a trust that is completely broken. Walking with the protestors was a way to do that. You seem to have this idea that they are all (citizen of the area) a bunch of criminals so the police should either drop the hammer on them or let them burn their city to the ground. It's so wrong to think like that.

The "good people" of Ferguson need to step up then, because I haven't seen any.