Ferguson: Maybe time to start asking the most pertinent questions?

[ShivaFan]

Namaste

In 1968, I watched the Democratic Convention in Chicago, and the Republican Convention in Miami Beach.

Nixon won the election as President.

Before Pat Buchanan published his op-ed on this, I had already expressed my prediction regarding how this violent rioting is going to impact the coming Presidential election.

It would have been much more up in the air in 1968. Could have gone either way.

I recall the riots then. Crime became the issue that tipped it just enough and Nixon won.

Crime and rioting became "one in the same".

Myself, I am sick of the rioting.
If it continues ... it will be just enough to tip it to the Republican candidate.

Leftist outsiders are stoking this. The lunatics are there to be martyrs of mayhem. The problem is no jobs. That is the problem. The economic situation is the fault of the Democrats. Obama has increased poverty and joblessness among black employable males. Yes I say males, of course women deserve and value jobs - but this rioting is about black men and I don't care what you think.

Keep it up leftists. The next president will be a Republican thanks to mayhem. Even Democrat Hillary will come out against the mayhem, she knows the real deal. But she won't win the Dem primary. Every shop that burns is thousands more votes for the next President.

 

[s2a]

Namaste

In 1968, I watched the Democratic Convention in Chicago, and the Republican Convention in Miami Beach.

Nixon won the election as President.

Before Pat Buchanan published his op-ed on this, I had already expressed my prediction regarding how this violent rioting is going to impact the coming Presidential election.

It would have been much more up in the air in 1968. Could have gone either way.

I recall the riots then. Crime became the issue that tipped it just enough and Nixon won.

Crime and rioting became "one in the same".

Myself, I am sick of the rioting.
If it continues ... it will be just enough to tip it to the Republican candidate.

Leftist outsiders are stoking this. The lunatics are there to be martyrs of mayhem. The problem is no jobs. That is the problem. The economic situation is the fault of the Democrats. Obama has increased poverty and joblessness among black employable males. Yes I say males, of course women deserve and value jobs - but this rioting is about black men and I don't care what you think.

Keep it up leftists. The next president will be a Republican thanks to mayhem. Even Democrat Hillary will come out against the mayhem, she knows the real deal. But she won't win the Dem primary. Every shop that burns is thousands more votes for the next President.

"Face palm". Geez.

You do realize there are other threads more appropriate/accepting of your notions, yes?

Even I may visit those political threads from time to time, and may willingly eveicerate your absurdest allegations and claims therein. But not here, OK?

 

[ShivaFan]

"Face palm". Geez.

You do realize there are other threads more appropriate/accepting of your notions, yes?

Even I may visit those political threads from time to time, and may willingly eveicerate your absurdest allegations and claims therein. But not here, OK?

What kind of off the mark statement is that? First, it is appropriate. If the rioting and mayhem continues, it will tip it to the Republican candidate. That is fine with me, the best thing for black male employment is for a Republican victory to turn black unemployment around. Obama has increased black unemployment, Democrats ruin economic urban hope and their welfare state is the underlaying cause of these riots as well.

Outsiders are causing the violence in large part.

Don't tell me where I will post, you don't rule a thread anymore than the violent thugs will rule the street in the end. Because it is going to end.

 

[MysticSang'ha]

Unless you have been in Iceland the last week, or simply not a national news nerd like myself, you are likely aware of the tragic incidents that have transpired in Ferguson, MO. over the last week.

In short, the allegation that a (white) police officer (now known to be Officer Darren Wilson) shot in the back, an 18yo unarmed, (black) man (identified as Michael Brown) in the middle of the street at mid-day while his (the 18yo) arms were raised in a sign of surrender.

The white officer submitted his report that an attempt to seize his service gun, when shoved into his cruiser by the (eventual) victim, was the initial provocation leading to the eventual deadly result. The officer cited his rationale for stopping this 18yo and his friend/partner/cohort...essentially for jaywalking down the middle of a frequented thoroughfare at high noon.

Needless to say, the current and popular narrative within the local community (more than 2/3 black) is that a white cop gunned down, in broad daylight, at high noon, an unarmed black "teenager" with hands raised in surrender. If all true, an inexcusable outrage, of civil rights and liberties and evidence of an egregious abuse of power by the local police.

Hence protests and violence have ensued and demands for (immediate) justice have been expressed.

Regrettably, like so many other latent stories that explode unexpectedly at the feet of major and cable news outlets, the "story", once more is not about "what is known or knowable", but instead about coverage and "in-depth" reporting about the "outrage", anger, fear, and contempt towards the local police.

Some facts are reported and not in dispute. True that 2/3 of this community are black, even more are poor living below the poverty line, and yet the police force only has three black officers...and the overwhelming majority of elected officials and politicians there are white.

But what could, and should matter to professional journalists even more, if the face of all this deserved community outrage, is to ask the right questions of all the law officials involved.

1) Does it make any sense for an officer with a record of six years of a flawless record (4 years within the very own community in which he was raised); no complaints whatsoever of abusing his authority by anyone; never having discharged his duty weapon, ever....to just, for no apparent reason at all, fire upon an 18yo (shot 6 times by the latest autopsy), for "jaywalking"? Really? Shooting an 18yo, in the back, for raising his hands, falling to his knees in surrender for arrest..for jaywalking? That's the current narrative and accountants from the "dozens" of eyewitnesses. Michael Brown (the "teenager") was shot and killed for no explicable reason at all.

Was Officer Darren Wilson just having a bad day, snapped, and decided to shoot an unarmed man in broad daylight at mid-day, just because he felt like it?

2) Reputedly, there were reported as fact, literally "dozens" of eyewitnesses to the ongoing event or shooting. "Dozens". Yet not one eyewitness had the presence of mind to video this happening on this day's knowable and nearly ubiquitous cellphones? In 2014? No one? Not one? In broad daylight, middle of the day, in the middle of a traveled street. No one? Possible, but highly unlikely in 2014.

3) Is there any cruiser footage to publicly share that may be relevant? Perhaps so, perhaps not. But the question IS relevant if any footage actually exists. A simple "yes" or "no" would help here.

No doubt, the residents of Ferguson have a plethora of more than legitimate gripes regarding this tragedy, and the greater whole of inequality, biased treatment and arrests, general poverty and inequity, and so much more.

But to be fair to the desire for "justice" of a specific "alleged" crime of wanton murder, all citizens are (or should be aware) that all investigations of such matters take time to uncover ALL available facts and evidence first, before any arrest, prosecution, and verdict of a jury of peers takes place.

Otherwise, we may as well go back to the bad ole' days of "lynch mob" mentalities that only dictate an immediate "fair" trial, followed by a righteous hanging.

What is known and is corroborated by protestors, Brown's family, and law enforcement:

- Brown was unarmed
- He was shot at least 6 times in the middle of the street
- There was a struggle between Brown and the officer, location and circumstances have not matched across the board
- All shots were from the front. Dismisses testimony that Brown was shot in the back
- No gunpowder residue on Brown's body, which dismisses testimony of close range (including testimony of execution-style shooting AND shots fired in the police car at close range)
- Fatal wound entry at the top of the head. Brown was at an angle toward officer. Forensics will give more evidence to determine range and angle of entry wound. Because of his unusual height, forensics can give a clearer possibility of what happened with Brown.

----------------

Now on to the media's handling. In short, it's been atrocious. And many of us are beyond angry at how the community and the case is being offered up to the world. What has helped has been social media tweets and pages showing some solidarity for the people who just want their neighborhood back. The community, of which I have family who live right off Florissant Ave and just a few short blocks away from where the world's eyes are, and of which I have friends who have peacefully assembled, cleaned debris, fed the mourners and the residents and the masses....this community has been torn apart.

 

[George-ananda]

The protesters are asking for justice. What can be more just than a thorough investigation by a neutral source? What would appease them; a hanging the next morning without an investigation and a trial?

Racial problem instigators like Sharpton and Jackson are playing the only card in their deck. It's leaving the black community to fester in anger. Even Obama asked them to stop shouting and start listening.

 

[ChristineES]

The media's handling of this is bad because instead of stating "just the facts", they are mostly just giving their opinions. A news agency is supposed to be unbiased in these kinds of stories and remain neutral, but instead, once again, they are choosing sides.

 

[ShivaFan]

This keeps focusing on one thing like staring only at one flower in a painting of a garden.
Of course it is horrible when anyone gets shot.

I suspect BOTH parties were off their minds at the time, not thinking straight and instead full of fear. This isn't "the riot".

In part the problem here is too big, too distant, too self-grandising government. The government class.

But different cultures may react, respond differently to unjustice. The biggest unjustice is stupidity.

And the biggest racist murderers in action has, and always will be, big obese government. But then what does one do, and why? Look at the racist cultural genocide being perpetrated by the communist Chinese government on the people and culture of Tibet.

The same Democrat socialists love big obese government. Can't get enough of it. The bigger the government gets, for some reason the bigger black unemployment. Failure and failure. Government is stupid. Stupid is as stupid does. The rioting was ready before this shooting. It is about black males and jobs. It left their local hands, taken from them for "bigger projects" from Big Brother.

The Bigger the government, the bigger the guns. The bigger the boss, the farther it is from Furgeson. Real far. China far.

The numbers of Tibetan monks and citizens who have now set themselves on fire to protest true racism is in the 100s but only one network, Fox, and two British based news agencies ever even mentions it.

But when a Buddhist monk sets herself on fire (shall I share the video of the Buddhist female nun standing and lit up like a torch in a street in Tibet with you all? They literally drink the gasoline petrol prior because if taken alive the socialists torture them), or a male monk sits down in meditative position while a nun pours gasoline over him and then he lights his own match while chanting a Buddhist mantra, this is not rioting, this is not looting stores, this is not attacking stoked by Jew haters like Sharpton, stoked on to blame and then hate Indian, Korean and Middle Eastern hard working and successful immigrant shop keepers who demonstrate just what freedom can be and who are racially attacked by brainwashed bigots who are enraged purposely with jealousy, stoked on by the likes of antic politicians like Sharpton to be enraged bigotted losers who waste all their time listening to "music" spewing out disgusting lyrics about shooting cops, raping "b" women, glorifying gang life and looting and robbery, and then ... do exactly that? These are not freedom fighters.

Little government, "self government", less government more local, that means their freedom from all of that game they want to put down on you.

Black men, tell the Berkeley old lady leftist to go home. She is an old stupid witch, old school big time. You be your own home. You apply for that police job, don't listen to the lyrics that say otherwise. You open your shop, get the regulators and taxers off your back.

 

[s2a]

What kind of off the mark statement is that? First, it is appropriate. If the rioting and mayhem continues, it will tip it to the Republican candidate. That is fine with me, the best thing for black male employment is for a Republican victory to turn black unemployment around. Obama has increased black unemployment, Democrats ruin economic urban hope and their welfare state is the underlaying cause of these riots as well.

Outsiders are causing the violence in large part.

Don't tell me where I will post, you don't rule a thread anymore than the violent thugs will rule the street in the end. Because it is going to end.

Geez.

I have no interest, and even less "power" to dictate when and where you may post anything, It was offered as a genial suggestion in pondering that you are waaay out of bounds here.

I'm not the boss of you. I invite you to instigate a separate thread that addresses the valid points of distress and outrage, and your suggestions that we all vote "republican" to make the world a happier place.

Just the same,you are still wrong.

I am unlikely to be as generous or forgiving within this thread again with you.

Try again, elsewhere.

This is a big place ya know.

 

[ShivaFan]

No, S2A you are calling out. I am talking about reasons. Reasons why. I am talking about what will be next, doesn't matter that you don't like it. Read my post just above yours. And no, I am not off subject, and too bad. Look beyond the bullet.

 

[ShivaFan]

"A dog is not considered a good dog because he is a good barker."- Daoist quote, from the sayings of Chuang Tzu.

Sharpton should listen to Tzu. Sharpton is the dog of riot.

 

[s2a]

"A dog is not considered a good dog because he is a good barker."- Daoist quote, from the sayings of Chuang Tzu.

Sharpton should listen to Tzu. Sharpton is the dog of riot.

*face palm*

Against my better judgement, and own sense of civility, I will tender more targeted answer in short course.

Note: I did advise a more propitious course..oh well..

This little liberal must rest for now..and perhaps I'll start a new thread of more topical relevance for you to rant away with more "conservative" ideals soon...we shall see. I suppose upon which side of the bed I awake...

and, um, namaste.

 

[s2a]

No, S2A you are calling out. I am talking about reasons. Reasons why. I am talking about what will be next, doesn't matter that you don't like it. Read my post just above yours. And no, I am not off subject, and too bad. Look beyond the bullet.

And thus we discover the utter irrelevancy of your "argument".

"Reasons". What "reasons"?

"Reasons why"..what?

Clarify please?

I've been beyond "the bullet" even before you fired your gun.

Say what you mean to say, plainly.

Remain in context to the thread as presented, or originate another thread suited to your interests.

 

[Wirey]

I posted this in Current Events, but...

Keith Boag: Is Michael Brown's shooting death really about race? - CBC News - Latest Canada, World, Entertainment and Business News

It's worth reading.

 

[Revoltingest]

I posted this in Current Events, but...
Keith Boag: Is Michael Brown's shooting death really about race? - CBC News - Latest Canada, World, Entertainment and Business News
It's worth reading.

This is an abomination!
He's clearly advocating thoughtful consideration of all the possibilities & & evidence before
reaching a position on what happened. This might go against what people know to be true!

 

[Wirey]

I know. I immediately jumped to the conclusion it was racism, but who knows? Maybe this cop just panicked because a man larger than him was beating the crap out of him. He might be a cop, but he's just a person, too.

 

[George-ananda]

I immediately jumped to the conclusion it was racism

This shows your indoctrination in the SHOUTERS mentality presented by the media.

 

[Wirey]

This shows your indoctrination in the SHOUTERS mentality presented by the media.

UP YOURS! I mean, really?

 

[Revoltingest]

UP YOURS! I mean, really?

He might be right.
We all fall prey to indoctrination.
So we must watch for, & guard against it.
This is the point I see you making, ie, be open & thoughtful.
I catch myself leaping to bogus determinations regularly.
(Stupid brain! So I'm skeptical about what that brain does.)

 

[George-ananda]

UP YOURS! I mean, really?

Calm down.....Lets be serious. I'm not one of the trollers...

I am trying to analyze WHY you in your words said....I immediately jumped to the conclusion it was racism


What caused that jump?

 

[Wirey]

Calm down.....Lets be serious. I'm not one of the trollers...

I am trying to analyze WHY you in your words said....I immediately jumped to the conclusion it was racism


What caused that jump?

Exposure to press coverage. That kid was 'black' before he wa s'eighteen'. When a point like that gets stressed, it's usually for a reason.