The original reason for taking the knee during the National Anthem was to call attention to the number of people of color who were being shot under suspicious circumstances by police officers. With the increased aggressiveness and militarization of law enforcement, there have been recent fears that America is degenerating into a police state. This trend seems to go against the general principle of living in the "Land of the Free and the Home of the Brave." These cops are going around with fear and loathing of their own people in their own communities. Cops have such a profound hatred and contempt of the common people that they're the ones who come across as unpatriotic. They hate Americans. They're constantly afraid and go around thinking that every honest citizen could have a gun ready to shoot them down, so the cops are trained to fire first solely out of fear.
Absolute nonsense. "suspicious circumstances ?" The circumstances are only suspicious because people want it so.
The tenor of your post is pure bulls**t. I have known more Police Officers and interacted with more Police agencies than most Americans. I spent my years on the street doing the job, and your accusations are ludicrous.
Police are not "trained to shoot first", whatever that means. They are trained to recognize certain acts that result in an immediate threat to them or others. If I tell a subject 5 times to put his hands where I can see them and not move, and a hand suddenly comes down toward a pocket, the subject will be shot. I am not waiting to see what he pulls out of his pocket before I drop him, be it a pack of gum, or a gun.
I only personally know of one violent act of police violence fueled by race. That Officer was later shot by a WHITE guy on a domestic call.
The "increased aggressiveness and militarization" of the Police.
Blame the society for this, not the Police. The Police react as need be to crimes, violence, attitudes etc. The new attitude of disobedience and violence, which has turned into a law hating ad violent culture.
In my day a baton ad six shot revolver was adequate for protection. However, though guns were as available as today, armed suspects were few and far between. People generally obeyed instructions given.
Today in some areas you know that a high percentage of people are carrying guns, you know that most will refuse to co operate, and you know some want to kill you.
In my day we didn't NEED a semi auto pistol with 18 rounds, or an M-16 in the trunk, or protective vests. These came into use because of the actions of citizens.
I don't know what you mean by "increased aggressiveness". If you mean more violent incidents involving the Police, it is because they are responding to increased violence in the community.
Instead of pontificating about something you seem to know little about, your time would be much better served if you did a few police ride alongs on the 1600 - 0000 hrs. shift, in the worst areas of Tucson, and see for yourself what occurs.
The statistics express clearly the actual facts.
In NY for example, this "aggression" resulted in a vastly lowered murder rate. Today under a "benevolent" mayor, the murder rate is climbing, why I wonder ?
