I think the fundamental root of racism in the US today is now poverty.
I think it could be argued that the reverse causation is actually at hand: That racism causes a lot of poverty for black people Personally I think there is a vicious circle between the two.
The weirdest thing I am seeing is people going full 9/11 Truther with the robbery footage. Like literal "let's zoom in on this part of the footage and record it with my phone to show something." anomaly hunting bullshit.
I think the fundamental root of racism in the US today is now poverty.
You don't think the crazy slant that US media exacerbates the situation to ridiculous levels?
The media that then bolsters the opinions of uneducated fools who feel they have the right to think, write, propagate racism due to the blanket freedom of speech they can hide behind?
Every time I see pictures/video of Ferguson LE suited up, they look like big boys playing with their toys.
I'm starting to wonder if some of them are enjoying themselves out there.
You're not the only one who feels that way. As I posted earlier, a bunch of real military veterans have basically said the same thing. They lack the proper training and discipline to use that military-grade hardware properly and responsibly. If they tried to pull some of the shit they were pulling while serving in the actual Army, they'd be reprimanded, court-martialed, or even worse.
I'm hoping that the fact that the National Guard was brought in will be a bit of an improvement, at least when it comes to handling the minority of protesters there doing stuff like looting, arson, firing off guns, and throwing Molotov cocktails. I'm basing this on the assumption that since the National Guard often has to serve overseas with the regular Army, they'd have the same training and discipline as well as follow the rules in the Army Field Manual (which basically lists much of what Ferguson LE was doing as total no-nos).
So apparently my earlier post got entirely swallowed. A video surfaced about Kajieme Powell shooting in St. Louis earlier this week. Essentially the guy stole two cans of soda, then started pacing erratically back and forth on the sidewalk with a knife in his hand. The police showed up, guns raised. He came closer and they and essentially shot him on the spot. No effort of non-lethal resolution whatsoever.
It was a "suicide by cop" case. But fuck, that doesn't mean that you have to oblige.
pacing erratically back and forth on the sidewalk with a knife in his hand. ... No effort of non-lethal resolution whatsoever.
Well, there you go.
You realize that there are more things on an officer's belt than just cuffs and a gun, right? Basically two officers emptied a magazine in the guy. Neither attempted to taze the guy, use pepper spray, or disarm him in any manner. The very first reaction of both was gun up, shoot him down if he moves a step closer.
In a similar vain: LAPD Officers refused to provide medical attention for a suspect in handcuffs who was having an asthma attack, him telling them as much and pleading for help.
Comments
Poverty is cyclical.
Despite reforms, poverty persists, leading to new racism.
I'm starting to wonder if some of them are enjoying themselves out there.
The media that then bolsters the opinions of uneducated fools who feel they have the right to think, write, propagate racism due to the blanket freedom of speech they can hide behind?
My problem with the media is comedy shows like Last Week Tonight with John Oliver imparts more information in 30 minutes than the MSM does all week.
I'm hoping that the fact that the National Guard was brought in will be a bit of an improvement, at least when it comes to handling the minority of protesters there doing stuff like looting, arson, firing off guns, and throwing Molotov cocktails. I'm basing this on the assumption that since the National Guard often has to serve overseas with the regular Army, they'd have the same training and discipline as well as follow the rules in the Army Field Manual (which basically lists much of what Ferguson LE was doing as total no-nos).
This particular petition will require all officers to wear body cameras so they can be monitored while on duty.
It was a "suicide by cop" case. But fuck, that doesn't mean that you have to oblige.
#Ferguson
I'd like to get off this planet now.