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Post by iamkristinl16 on Aug 16, 2014 2:33:32 GMT
I haven't followed this closely, either, but when they said this morning that they would be revealing the name of the officer who was involved, I felt like that probably wasn't going to end too well for him or his family at this point. It is a sad situation all around.
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Pearl Clutcher
Not my circus, not my monkeys ~refugee pea #59
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Jun 25, 2014 19:51:11 GMT
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Post by back to *pea*ality on Aug 16, 2014 2:34:29 GMT
We know now that MB was unarmed but while the altercation took place how could the police officer know?
This could very well turn out to be a case of excessive force but I think a rush to judgment before the investigation is complete is unfair to all concerned. Eye witness statements, fingerprints on the gun, ballistics, toxicology, etc., will have to line up with either the eye witness or the officers story.
It was reported on CNN that the County is in charge of the investigation and the FBI is running a parallel investigation.
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Post by megop on Aug 16, 2014 2:38:42 GMT
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Post by gryroagain on Aug 16, 2014 2:39:19 GMT
I hope nothing comes down on the officers family due to release of his name, I het why they would want to keep it hidden. But cops are public servants, and it's public record. If it should be released, it should be.
I've only seen a few things on the news, but everything I've seen shows he was 10 feet or more from the officer and car when killed. His friend says he turned and put his hands up and was shot, but even if he was actively running away, clutching stolen goods and yelling obscenities- do we kill people for that here?
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Post by shannoots on Aug 16, 2014 2:42:34 GMT
I am from the St. Louis area and I honestly have no idea what really happened. There is so much speculation about both sides of the story and I wonder if we will ever really know the truth. You can talk to 5 different people and hear 5 different stories/versions of what happened. I think the media needs to leave it alone because I think they are causing a lot of this confusion. There are going to be people that are going to be unhappy with the outcome of the investigation, no matter what it is.
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stittsygirl
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 3,600
Location: In the leaves and rain.
Jun 25, 2014 19:57:33 GMT
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Post by stittsygirl on Aug 16, 2014 2:44:34 GMT
It came out today that the kid had just robbed a store for some cheap cigars just before that with his buddy. It was his "buddy" that said he was retreating. And two other eye witnesses who said the same thing. CNN
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Post by megop on Aug 16, 2014 2:57:09 GMT
I het why they would want to keep it hidden. --------- Sincere question, why do you claim it "hidden?" It was five days after the tragic event within a city that had some pretty hefty stuff going on. I think it makes perfect sense to not release the name right away. I mean really? ? If you or a loved one were a law enforcement officer and you within the course of your job were involved in an action, would you appreciate next day just sharing of your identity before any sort of investigation or inquiry to begin to collect information could happen? Really? ??
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Post by Kymberlee on Aug 16, 2014 11:02:00 GMT
I don't think they were withholding the officer's name for nefarious reasons. It was a safety issue for him and his family. I wish they had been able to withhold it a little longer.
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Post by anxiousmom on Aug 16, 2014 12:25:09 GMT
It is hard to form an educated opinion because all I hear is what is on the news, and a lot of that is speculation and interviews/opinions of people who were NOT THERE. Then we see the images, but sometimes a picture is not worth a thousand words...I can see the videos of the body lying in the street, which seems to be awfully disrespectful, but I don't know why beyond what I am told to believe. I have seen the videos of rubber bullets and tear gas, but I wasn't there to know what prompted that behavior.
News comes out in dribs and drabs which leads to a flurry of speculation in between, then another piece of the puzzle comes out that negates what we heard before.
So I think I am going to stand on the side of being disgusted by the behavior of all involved but to also withhold judgement until I hear more.
I will say this though...I am a bit put out this morning after watching a video that was released from a bystander of the time while the body was laying on the street. There was commentary from the people around the person who was taking the video, which CNN felt like they needed to use a close caption of the conversation. Honestly, if I were one of those people, I would be a little angry that CNN felt that the general public at large would not be able to follow the conversation with out typing it out for us to read. It wasn't garbled, or unclear speech, just colloquial. I thought it insulting and more than a little patronizing.
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Just T
Drama Llama
Posts: 5,815
Jun 26, 2014 1:20:09 GMT
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Post by Just T on Aug 16, 2014 13:05:31 GMT
I have a very hard time putting words to how I have been feeling about all this. My heart has been so heavy for all sides this past week. I started a thread about it on Monday I think, but it kind of quickly fell away. I live in suburban STL, and Ferguson is in the area of St. Louis where I grew up. I still know a few people who live there, but no one I'm close to. I have a few friends whose parents still live there, and a friend whose sister lives there. It's just a tragic situation all the way around.
I have no doubt the police are too "strong armed" there, but at the same time, as I mentioned on another thread, Ferguson has one of the highest crime rates in the country. I can't imagine it's an easy place to be on the police force, especially when the police force in most of that area of STL is mostly white while the population is mostly black.
This is just my opinion of course, but I think one of there are several reasons things escalated to the point they did the night the police were tear gassing the crowds. First of all, while the crowd was mostly peaceful protesters and reporters, there were other protesters who weren't so peaceful. Protesters who were throwing bricks and rocks and Molotov cocktails at the police. What exactly were police supposed to do? They were on their bullhorns asking the crowds to disperse, some complied, many did not. On the other hand, arresting reporters eating and working in a McDonalds was absolutely uncalled for. Even a St. Louis Alderman was arrested and spent the night in jail because he didn't leave the area fast enough. Again, ridiculous.
I think another reason things have gotten so out of control is the "call to take it to rich white neighborhoods." My son works at a clothing store at a mall, and one night, the entire mall closed because of the rumors that the mall was going to be burned and looted. It may have just been a rumor, but people all over the city and surrounding areas are on edge and nervous.
Last night, the police supposedly backed off and stayed away from Ferguson. My husband and I were watching the local news, and everything looked calm. The protesters were there with their signs, there was lots of traffic, horns honking, etc, but everything seemed fine and calm. Then, we wake up this morning to discover some stores had been looted, and tv cameras captured it. So, what is the answer? When the police are there, it incites some nastiness and violence and people claim it's their right to gather and protest (and it is!), yet the police back off, and the looting resumes.
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Post by papercrafteradvocate on Aug 16, 2014 14:03:48 GMT
But he was what- 10 feet away when shot? Obviously he didn't get the gun. That is my point- he was fleeing. If he had wrestled with the officer over the gun and been shot at that point, it's different- that is reasonable use of deadly force. But shooting an unarmed 18 year old fleeing the scene- why? What is "deserving" of death in that scenario, regardless of what came before? Dead is dead- you don't come back from dead. Cops can't just be shooting people, even if they commit crimes, in this cow try. That isn't how it works. But according to the residents of Ferguson, that is how it works there, and they are fed up- and rightly so, IMO. Due process is supposed to be colorblind. While I understand what your thoughts are above, I keep being reminded is that the kid started the chain of bad choices and put his fate in motion--Stealing/robbing resisting arrest/fighting a police officer/trying to wrangleaway his weapon. Did he deserve to die? Probably not. Police have split seconds to react, and from where I am from if police tell you to stop you do--you don't try wrestling them!
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Post by papercrafteradvocate on Aug 16, 2014 14:07:40 GMT
I hope nothing comes down on the officers family due to release of his name, I het why they would want to keep it hidden. But cops are public servants, and it's public record. If it should be released, it should be. I've only seen a few things on the news, but everything I've seen shows he was 10 feet or more from the officer and car when killed. His friend says he turned and put his hands up and was shot, but even if he was actively running away, clutching stolen goods and yelling obscenities- do we kill people for that here? At some point in time common sense must kick in and during riots and unrest like was exhibited there I don't think holding back the officers name for safety reasons given that there were death threats against him and his family was a bad idea until they got things under control.
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Post by papercrafteradvocate on Aug 16, 2014 14:30:38 GMT
From a news story this morning:
"FERGUSON, Missouri (CNN) — A fragile peace shattered in Ferguson early Saturday, after armored vehicles, law enforcement officers in riot gear and tactical rifles returned to the streets, and looters robbed neighborhood businesses again.
***LIVE UPDATES here on the situation from sister station KTVI in St.Louis***
Saturday marks one week since Michael Brown died from police gunfire, and protesters plan to commemorate the moment he died with a vigil across from the Ferguson police station.
At noon, near the hour that Officer Darren Wilson shot Brown, 18, in the Missouri town, protesters will silently raise their hands into the air.
That’s what Brown did before he died, witnesses say, while Wilson kept firing at him.
A second rally is planned for 3 p.m. (4 p.m. ET) near St. Louis’ Gateway Arch, with members of Brown’s family expected to attend.
More stores looted
Looters began Saturday’s pillage at the Ferguson Market and Liquor store, which has become part of the case surrounding Brown, after a young man fitting his description allegedly stole cigars and roughed up a store clerk as surveillance cameras recorded.
Release of the video on Friday angered some, who say police were using it to distract from Brown’s killing and make him look bad.
A group of more than two dozen people blocked off the store with cars early Saturday, then officers commanded them through loudspeakers to free it up.
Instead, bottles flew, mayhem erupted, and looters ransacked the store, which the owner had boarded up. It was the first of at least three stores raided.
Looters ran out of shops with boxes stacked in their arms up to their chins. Behind them lay overturned shelves, spilled goods and wrecked displays.
All the while, police stayed back by their armored vehicles and observed but did not intervene.
Hopeful mood sunk
Three Molotov cocktails pummeled the roof of a Domino’s Pizza, burning a hole, before firefighters put the flames out.
Over an hour later, calm returned, and about a dozen people lined up to block the entrance to Ferguson Market and Liquor, putting their hands in the air. They said they had come to keep the looters out, to stop them from ruining their protest.
In vain.
Before sunrise, looters returned for a second round.
Prior to the bedlam, protests had been peaceful late Friday, continuing the mood that taken hold the previous night, when quiet had returned to the Missouri town after consecutive nights of violence between protesters and police.
New security arrangements led by Missouri State Highway Patrol Capt. Ron Johnson seemed to have calmed tensions that day. He had bonded with the community, becoming the figurehead of softer crowd policing and unblemished protests.
That harmony has been replaced by store owners holding semi-automatic rifles and handguns and sweeping up ruins.
Police announcement controversy
Brown’s family and protesters in Ferguson demanded, for nearly a week, to learn the name of the officer who pulled the trigger. Ferguson police delayed the release, citing safety concerns and saying that police had received death threats.
On Friday they conceded, revealing Wilson’s identity.
But their announcement triggered disappointment and criticism, because it was coupled with the surveillance camera video and other material incriminating Brown.
Documents fingered the teen as the “primary suspect,” who walked off with a box of cigars valued at $48.99. They also named a key witness in his shooting case, Dorian Johnson, as the “second suspect” in the theft.
Companion committed no crime
But Ferguson Police Chief Thomas Jackson later said Dorian Johnson neither committed nor was complicit in any crime.
Johnson said he was with Brown at the time of the shooting and that Wilson shot Brown without provocation.
“We wasn’t committing any crime, bringing no harm to nobody, but my friend was murdered in cold blood,” he told CNN affiliate KMOV.
Two witnesses say Wilson, 28, shot Brown multiple times, as he tried to break away from the officer. The same two witnesses have contradicted the claim by police that Brown had fought with Wilson in his patrol vehicle and groped for his gun.
No one has disputed witness accounts that Brown was unarmed when he died.
One side of Wilson’s face was left swollen after the confrontation, police said.
Hours after the material was made public, Chief Jackson told reporters that the robbery wasn’t the reason Wilson stopped Brown.
It was because he was “walking down the middle of the street blocking traffic.”
Jackson expressed “every confidence” in Wilson, who has been a police officer for six years, four of those spent on Ferguson’s force.
Police have said that evidence and testimony in the shooting will be presented to a grand jury, which will decide whether Wilson should be tried.
Timing of disclosure criticized
The tall, sturdy young man in the video “appears to be” Brown, said his family’s lawyer Benjamin Crump. But the family wasn’t informed of the robbery or store surveillance video ahead of time, he said.
And it’s immaterial, said Eric Davis, who is related to Brown.
“It’s a diversion, and it’s an attempt to smear Michael’s character,” he said. “It (should be) more about what happened on Canfield Drive, where Michael was executed.”
Johnson, the Highway Patrol captain, also was sour on the information release. The robbery and Brown’s shooting “are separate issues,” he said.
“I told (Chief Jackson) I think both of those being released today was not needed and was not the way that we needed to go,” he said.
Protest in Oakland
The full, complicated story of Brown’s shooting and the aftermath has stirred an intense, nationwide discussion on race in the United States, and on the shooting itself, as well as on law enforcement response to demonstrators.
On the other side of the country, in Oakland, California, protests on Brown’s behalf late Friday were met with police in riot gear and pepper spray. Protesters hindered traffic, and at least one protester was seen spraying graffiti.
Peaceful protesters held up signs and raised their hands crying what has become the recurring protest chant: “Hands up! Don’t shoot!”"
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Post by yoursweetwhimsy on Aug 16, 2014 14:49:09 GMT
They are burning down their own house.. it makes no sense. I understand wanting to investigate the incident and if the officer is found to have used too much force, he needs to be held accountable. Also, the chief said that the officer had to be treated for injuries so their was a scuffle.
About a week before this, a grandmother was shot and killed while walking her grandchildren. Where is the outrage over that death? Why isn't Al Sharpton demanding justice for her and her family. I am ok with standing up against the violence but stop the hypocrisy!! This is a rough neighborhood of St.Louis that is riddled with crime. These businesses that have been looted are most likely not returning, making the neighborhood much worse. Why isn't the media bringing up this point? Seems like the media is tiptoeing around the issue afraid of insulting someone. These people looting and burning down businesses, and there are many, are criminals and deserve to be put in jail and prosecuted.
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stittsygirl
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 3,600
Location: In the leaves and rain.
Jun 25, 2014 19:57:33 GMT
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Post by stittsygirl on Aug 16, 2014 15:33:29 GMT
I'm following Wesley Lowery, a journalist, and Antonio French, a St. Louis alderman, on Twitter now. They've both been there since at least Sunday, reporting, tweeting, taking photos and video from the middle of everything. I just don't trust the mainstream media much. There is a lot of frustration from the good people of Ferguson that the smaller groups of looters are ramping up the danger and anger again, even though several groups of peaceful protesters have been able to protect some of the businesses.
There is a bigger police presence again, but at least now they are going after those making the trouble, not those trying to peacefully protest or stop the looting. The media is able to report now too, without fear of being arrested. I'm still glad they put they state police in charge.
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Just T
Drama Llama
Posts: 5,815
Jun 26, 2014 1:20:09 GMT
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Post by Just T on Aug 16, 2014 15:37:11 GMT
They may not be addressing this on the national news, but just a bit ago, I was watching the CBS St. Louis station, and they did. They had an extensive interview with the editor of the St. Louis Business Journal, and she talked about this very thing. She talked about how some of these small businesses who were looted, one was looted twice in the past week, may not be able to recover and reopen. She said this will have a big impact on the community as many in that community don't have transportation to other areas of the city and depend on Ferguson businesses for employment. She also talked about how this whole incident may also have a long-term impact on whether or not business owners will add franchises, open new business etc, not only in Ferguson, but in the St. Louis area in general.
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Post by Skellinton on Aug 16, 2014 16:36:14 GMT
It came out today that the kid had just robbed a store for some cheap cigars just before that with his buddy. It was his "buddy" that said he was retreating. And two other eye witnesses who said the same thing. CNNThat is part of the problem, people are rioting over the witnesses statements because the police aren't releasing their version of events. Witnesses are notoriously unreliable, and let's face it, many of them just want their 15 minutes. I remember when we had a mall shooting 2 years ago one nitwit was describing the shooter's outfit in great detail because he opened fire right in front of her. Yet when all the info came out later that night not one thing she said matched what he was wearing, and not one thing she said was true. Several other people were describing someone wearing a skull mask fleeing the scene, but that was false too. Witnesses can hinder investigations because they can be inaccurate. No no matter what happened to the boy shot, nothing justifies the looting and rioting that is occurring.
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pyccku
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 2,817
Jun 27, 2014 23:12:07 GMT
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Post by pyccku on Aug 16, 2014 16:46:30 GMT
You know what makes you "look bad"? Robbing a store makes you look bad.
Every time something like this happens, the family tries to paint the victim as a poor, innocent saint who was just the victim of awful people.
If you liked to smoke weed before you died, it will come out after you die. If you happened to rob a store before you died, it will come out afterwards.
Yes, it happens sometimes that completely innocent honors students who were minding their own business end up the victims of bad police who are racist. But most of the time, we find out that the 'angels' who are involved with the police in a criminal capacity aren't really such angels.
It may turn out that the cop was a scumbag who shot the kid because he doesn't like Black kids, or some other stupid reason. But it also shouldn't be a surprise to anyone if it comes out that he WAS belligerent, that there WAS a scuffle, that he DID try to take away the gun, and the cop DID feel that there was a threat to his life. No, those things aren't necessarily worth getting killed over - but that's how it ends up a lot of times.
Play stupid games, win stupid prizes.
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Aug 16, 2014 16:48:19 GMT
And no matter what happened arresting, using rubber bullets and tear gassing members of the media and peaceful protestors is not acceptable or right. The ferguson police acted way out of hand. And it makes me question them as a whole.
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stittsygirl
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 3,600
Location: In the leaves and rain.
Jun 25, 2014 19:57:33 GMT
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Post by stittsygirl on Aug 16, 2014 17:01:05 GMT
And two other eye witnesses who said the same thing. CNNThat is part of the problem, people are rioting over the witnesses statements because the police aren't releasing their version of events. Witnesses are notoriously unreliable, and let's face it, many of them just want their 15 minutes. I remember when we had a mall shooting 2 years ago one nitwit was describing the shooter's outfit in great detail because he opened fire right in front of her. Yet when all the info came out later that night not one thing she said matched what he was wearing, and not one thing she said was true. Several other people were describing someone wearing a skull mask fleeing the scene, but that was false too. Witnesses can hinder investigations because they can be inaccurate. No no matter what happened to the boy shot, nothing justifies the looting and rioting that is occurring. It's up to those investigating the case, and those who care about what is going on, to decide if the witnesses and their stories, combined with evidence, seem credible. For me, the corroborating accounts of the two young women I linked above do sound credible to me. Their's matches the account given by Brown's "buddy", but an account I know will be written off by many because of the association of the two men and because he is a young black man who appeared to be involved in the hold up (but who was not charged with anything). I don't trust what little the police have said about the account at all at this point, which sounds far more sketchy and changeable at any time, nor should I trust them just because they are the police. I'm glad an investigation is being run by the FBI as well as the local authorities, and we'll see what the official report says when it comes out.
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Post by papercrafteradvocate on Aug 16, 2014 17:50:07 GMT
You know what makes you "look bad"? Robbing a store makes you look bad. Every time something like this happens, the family tries to paint the victim as a poor, innocent saint who was just the victim of awful people. If you liked to smoke weed before you died, it will come out after you die. If you happened to rob a store before you died, it will come out afterwards. Yes, it happens sometimes that completely innocent honors students who were minding their own business end up the victims of bad police who are racist. But most of the time, we find out that the 'angels' who are involved with the police in a criminal capacity aren't really such angels. It may turn out that the cop was a scumbag who shot the kid because he doesn't like Black kids, or some other stupid reason. But it also shouldn't be a surprise to anyone if it comes out that he WAS belligerent, that there WAS a scuffle, that he DID try to take away the gun, and the cop DID feel that there was a threat to his life. No, those things aren't necessarily worth getting killed over - but that's how it ends up a lot of times. Play stupid games, win stupid prizes. this^^^ exactly! Perfectly said
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Pearl Clutcher
Not my circus, not my monkeys ~refugee pea #59
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Jun 25, 2014 19:51:11 GMT
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Post by back to *pea*ality on Aug 16, 2014 18:08:14 GMT
Several years ago my husband and I decided to take a walk and we found drugs, drug paraphernalia and a box of cigars on our property. We called the police, they came and took it away. My husband spoke with an officer to follow up and it was pcp and pot. The police said that they use cigars to smoke pot laced with pcp in cigar wrappers.
When I heard they stole cigars I remembered this and I wonder what the toxicology report will show.
I admit, that I am pro-law enforcement. Having officers in the family and many friends in law enforcement, we hear stories of what they have to deal with on the job. It is not easy. That being said, I acknowledge that excessive use of force is a reality too.
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Post by Kymberlee on Aug 16, 2014 19:14:00 GMT
I will repeat what I said on the other thread that people absolutely have a right to protest, but what they don't have a right to do is loot, shoot at police helicopters and throw molotov cocktails at officers. I don't care how mad you are or how terribly you think you have been wronged. I'm not exactly sure what the police are supposed to do when peaceful protest turns into violent and dangerous behavior. It really sucks that others have been caught in the line of fire so to speak, but until you have walked in the shoes of the law enforcement officers that were in the midst of the rioting, I think you (global you) should give the police a little latitude. Hell, the police even backed off last night and looting started again.
I am so sick of the media manipulating stories in the way this one seems to have been. The story in the beginning was this innocent black kid was shot down in cold blood which is a horrible thing. Now, the story seems to be that he wasn't all that innocent. He was suspected of strong armed robbery (a whole different ballgame than shoplifting, imo), and he, along with some of his buddies, assaulted a police officer who stopped to question them. Where is the truth? We have no idea right now, and I don't think we will ever know since emotions are running so high and it seems that no one wants to get to the truth. The truth doesn't sell newspapers. Bring in Big Al and his sidekick Jesse J, and now we have race riots on our hands. Disgusting.
At the end of the day, we have two lives that have been changed irrevocably. A young man who made bad choices and a police officer who reacted in a way that may or may not have been justified. One man is dead and the other will have to live with that for the rest of his life.
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Deleted
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Oct 10, 2024 18:17:56 GMT
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Post by Deleted on Aug 16, 2014 19:33:38 GMT
I will repeat what I said on the other thread that people absolutely have a right to protest, but what they don't have a right to do is loot, shoot at police helicopters and throw molotov cocktails at officers. I don't care how mad you are or how terribly you think you have been wronged. I'm not exactly sure what the police are supposed to do when peaceful protest turns into violent and dangerous behavior. It really sucks that others have been caught in the line of fire so to speak, but until you have walked in the shoes of the law enforcement officers that were in the midst of the rioting, I think you (global you) should give the police a little latitude. Hell, the police even backed off last night and looting started again.
I am so sick of the media manipulating stories in the way this one seems to have been. The story in the beginning was this innocent black kid was shot down in cold blood which is a horrible thing. Now, the story seems to be that he wasn't all that innocent. He was suspected of strong armed robbery (a whole different ballgame than shoplifting, imo), and he, along with some of his buddies, assaulted a police officer who stopped to question them. Where is the truth? We have no idea right now, and I don't think we will ever know since emotions are running so high and it seems that no one wants to get to the truth. The truth doesn't sell newspapers. Bring in Big Al and his sidekick Jesse J, and now we have race riots on our hands. Disgusting.
At the end of the day, we have two lives that have been changed irrevocably. A young man who made bad choices and a police officer who reacted in a way that may or may not have been justified. One man is dead and the other will have to live with that for the rest of his life. And I disagree. The Ferguson police have been out of control. The governor had to call in the state troopers because of their horrific actions. I will not give them latitude for their actions. I am not a cop hater. Nor am I justifying looting or burglary. But they were doing things that should not be happening in the US.
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Deleted
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Oct 10, 2024 18:17:56 GMT
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Post by Deleted on Aug 16, 2014 19:41:22 GMT
I will repeat what I said on the other thread that people absolutely have a right to protest, but what they don't have a right to do is loot, shoot at police helicopters and throw molotov cocktails at officers. I don't care how mad you are or how terribly you think you have been wronged. I'm not exactly sure what the police are supposed to do when peaceful protest turns into violent and dangerous behavior. It really sucks that others have been caught in the line of fire so to speak, but until you have walked in the shoes of the law enforcement officers that were in the midst of the rioting, I think you (global you) should give the police a little latitude. Hell, the police even backed off last night and looting started again.
I am so sick of the media manipulating stories in the way this one seems to have been. The story in the beginning was this innocent black kid was shot down in cold blood which is a horrible thing. Now, the story seems to be that he wasn't all that innocent. He was suspected of strong armed robbery (a whole different ballgame than shoplifting, imo), and he, along with some of his buddies, assaulted a police officer who stopped to question them. Where is the truth? We have no idea right now, and I don't think we will ever know since emotions are running so high and it seems that no one wants to get to the truth. The truth doesn't sell newspapers. Bring in Big Al and his sidekick Jesse J, and now we have race riots on our hands. Disgusting.
At the end of the day, we have two lives that have been changed irrevocably. A young man who made bad choices and a police officer who reacted in a way that may or may not have been justified. One man is dead and the other will have to live with that for the rest of his life. And I disagree. The Ferguson police have been out of control. The governor had to call in the state troopers because of their horrific actions. I will not give them latitude for their actions. I am not a cop hater. Nor am I justifying looting or burglary. But they were doing things that should not be happening in the US. IMO, once you start shooting at police helicopters and lobbing Molotov cocktails at the police, all bets should be off. THOSE actions should not be happening in the US.
Edited to add...taking the high road and doing the right thing is one thing. Trying to play by the rules, or expecting one "side" to play by the rules, while the other side has no rules is not realistic.
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Deleted
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Oct 10, 2024 18:17:56 GMT
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Post by Deleted on Aug 16, 2014 19:42:57 GMT
And I disagree. The Ferguson police have been out of control. The governor had to call in the state troopers because of their horrific actions. I will not give them latitude for their actions. I am not a cop hater. Nor am I justifying looting or burglary. But they were doing things that should not be happening in the US. IMO, once you start shooting at police helicopters and lobbing Molotov cocktails at the police, all bets should be off. THOSE actions should not be happening in the US. And the members of Huffington Post, Washington Post and Al Jazeera news that got gassed and arrested were not doing those things. So yeah.
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Deleted
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Oct 10, 2024 18:17:56 GMT
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Post by Deleted on Aug 16, 2014 19:48:21 GMT
From a news story this morning: Two witnesses say Wilson, 28, shot Brown multiple times, as he tried to break away from the officer. The same two witnesses have contradicted the claim by police that Brown had fought with Wilson in his patrol vehicle and groped for his gun. When I was listening to the girl witness she was saying they WERE fighting. How can that news story claim her story contradicted the officer's claim? I heard the words coming out of her mouth. This is a rough neighborhood of St.Louis that is riddled with crime. These businesses that have been looted are most likely not returning, making the neighborhood much worse. Why isn't the media bringing up this point? Seems like the media is tiptoeing around the issue afraid of insulting someone. Fox News did. I happened to hear them make that exact point.
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stittsygirl
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 3,600
Location: In the leaves and rain.
Jun 25, 2014 19:57:33 GMT
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Post by stittsygirl on Aug 16, 2014 20:06:41 GMT
I'm stepping away from this thread. It's giving me a stomach ache. I'm going to continue watching for accurate information, including from those on the ground in Ferguson, and wait for the official police and FBI reports. I believe we still have a huge problem with racism in this country, including racial profiling by the authorities and police corruption (by some, not all). I hope something good can come from all of this.
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Post by I-95 on Aug 16, 2014 20:09:33 GMT
Hi Danid
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back to *pea*ality
Pearl Clutcher
Not my circus, not my monkeys ~refugee pea #59
Posts: 3,149
Jun 25, 2014 19:51:11 GMT
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Post by back to *pea*ality on Aug 16, 2014 20:34:26 GMT
Just heard the Governor declared a state of emergency and a curfew in Ferguson tonight.
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