Ferguson

[RaleighBlue]

Drug law reform I can see, especially stuff like marijuana. Don't know how you could reform laws against the harder drugs, though, unless you see the government become the dealers by regulating them and controlling the sale. And by demilitarizing the police, what exactly do you mean by that? Surely not by taking away their guns.

Well, just spitballing - regulation over the use of SWAT and SWAT vehicles with oversight. Accountability for the police in situations like Ferguson in the summer. I would also suggest that police do not need to be anti-terrorism units and as such do not require military grade equipment. Police should be there to serve there communities, not to control them. People should not fear the police, they should trust them. And very few people I know, of any color, trust the police.

Harder drug reform? Treatment, not prosecution for users. Dealers of harder drugs can still be prosecuted, but users should be treated. Marijuana? Decriminalize it.

 

[SerenityNigh]

Didn't use mace, didn't carry a tazer to stop it escalating.

Did try and shoot Brown at close quarters and only failed to kill him due to a gun that jammed; did pursue this 'threat on his life' that was running the other direction and away from him, did fail to wait for back up.

Wilson provoked the incident, was out of control when he couldn't handle the situation, then finally snapped and went on a shoot to kill chase.

End of story.

I understand Wilson told George Stephanopolous, "I did my job" and that he has a "clear conscience."

 

[SerenityNigh]

Drug law reform I can see, especially stuff like marijuana. Don't know how you could reform laws against the harder drugs, though, unless you see the government become the dealers by regulating them and controlling the sale. And by demilitarizing the police, what exactly do you mean by that? Surely not by taking away their guns.

On drug law, I think RB wants equal penalties for whites and non-whites. At least, that's a start.

On demilitarization, I'd like to see police trained to do something other than using lethal force. I know how to shoot a gun in such a way to kill someone, but I'm just an untrained asshole. Am I to believe that the average policeman is no better than an untrained asshole?

 

[RaleighBlue]

On drug law, I think RB wants equal penalties for whites and non-whites. At least, that's a start.

On demilitarization, I'd like to see police trained to do something other than using lethal force. I know how to shoot a gun in such a way to kill someone, but I'm just an untrained asshole. Am I to believe that the average policeman is no better than an untrained asshole?

Honestly - I'd rather my police be trained to use any form of violence as an absolute last resort.

Let's train our officers to de-escalate situations with their words...kinda like I'm trying to teach my toddler.

Equal penalties wouldn't hurt...but I think it's a symptom of the large issue of economic disparity and a general disdain for the lower classes.

 

[davek]

provoked the incident is an interesting choice of words for trying to arrest someone who'd just committed a crime

It wasn't about the robbery. He told him to get on the pavement for some reason, and that was the start of it.

This copper made so many errors he shouldn't be in charge of a peashooter. He's obviously a bit thick.

 

[davek]

I understand Wilson told George Stephanopolous, "I did my job" and that he has a "clear conscience."

In a way, he did: 'There's someone black. I'll be ok to fire 10 shots into his blubbery body and head and I'll be sound'.

...and he is.

 

[moyeslovechild]

For which he deserves to die.

It wasn't about the robbery. He told him to get on the pavement for some reason, and that was the start of it.

This copper made so many errors he shouldn't be in charge of a peashooter. He's obviously a bit thick.

Not many people 'deserve to die'

The cop might have handled the situation better

It doesnt make him guilty of murder. In my opinion from what I've read, the incident went down in a way that could have reasonably made Wilson fear for his safety in a big way. I'm not saying he shouldn't lose his job but the man has not murdered anyone.

 

[davek]

http://www.nytimes.com/2014/11/26/u...-of-evidence-much-of-it-conflicting.html?_r=0

Apologies if already posted, but that gives a good idea of the bias in evidence taking/analysis leading to the grand jury decision.

 

[RaleighBlue]

How about better pay for our police? Better training, higher barrier to entry, better pay?

Trained in psychology and trained to deal with people like people. The police in America are often seen as a government sponsored gang. This is partially due to poor training and the sort of people that are drawn to police work.

There are, of course, situations that call for force. I suspect that force is used far more often than is called for.

 

[SerenityNigh]

Not many people 'deserve to die'

The cop might have handled the situation better

It doesnt make him guilty of murder. In my opinion from what I've read, the incident went down in a way that could have reasonably made Wilson fear for his safety in a big way. I'm not saying he shouldn't lose his job but the man has not murdered anyone.

It would be great if he would go to trial for a jury to figure this out, but cops don't go to trial for shooting people

 

[SerenityNigh]

How about better pay for our police? Better training, higher barrier to entry, better pay?

Trained in psychology and trained to deal with people like people. The police in America are often seen as a government sponsored gang. This is partially due to poor training and the sort of people that are drawn to police work.

There are, of course, situations that call for force. I suspect that force is used far more often than is called for.

My brother in law got out of policing because it was too much social work and not enough excitement. He made a good decision.

 

[Tramps_mate]

So what your saying is....






The best thing is to become a cop? lol

 

[RaleighBlue]

My brother in law got out of policing because it was too much social work and not enough excitement. He made a good decision.

Yes. We need more of that.

Police work shouldn't be exciting. Like ever. Firing a gun should be something no cop wants to do. It needs to be a sign that they screwed up, or that there was literally no other option.

We need to recruit people interested in social work. Interested in helping society. That's the first step to healing this distrust amongst the people and law enforcement. I feel that there are too many cops that daydream of Dirty Harry and Martin Riggs. Police work really shouldn't be any of that.

 

[bluemangroup]

Not many people 'deserve to die'

The cop might have handled the situation better

It doesnt make him guilty of murder. In my opinion from what I've read, the incident went down in a way that could have reasonably made Wilson fear for his safety in a big way. I'm not saying he shouldn't lose his job but the man has not murdered anyone.

If a policeman ran at a civilian and got shot, civilian would be facing murder charges, I don't see why a badge makes a difference.

 

[Tramps_mate]

Yes. We need more of that.

Police work shouldn't be exciting. Like ever. Firing a gun should be something no cop wants to do. It needs to be a sign that they screwed up, or that there was literally no other option.

We need to recruit people interested in social work. Interested in helping society. That's the first step to healing this distrust amongst the people and law enforcement. I feel that there are too many cops that daydream of Dirty Harry and Martin Riggs. Police work really shouldn't be any of that.

Martin Riggs would be ace!!