General Discussion
Related: Editorials & Other Articles, Issue Forums, Alliance Forums, Region ForumsThe thing is, any argument that tries to exonerate Michael Brown starts off wrong.
There is no need to explain why shooting an unarmed teenager with his hands in the air is a horrific act. There is no need to cite police rules of engagement, or to explain Michael Brown's history, or to figure out whether he stole a box of cigars, or to defend Michael Brown in any way at all. Nothing Brown did or could have done in the past justifies a cop shooting an unarmed person with his hands in the air. Every other argument is a diversion.
cyberswede
(26,117 posts)BaggersRDumb
(186 posts)In all 3 instances the murderer did not need to have any interaction with the victim.
Think about it.
world wide wally
(21,743 posts)But don't fear...more guns will make us all safe
BaggersRDumb
(186 posts)I think the Koch bros and their friends want us to kill each other; the police exist, ultimately, to protect a few thousand rich people from the rest of us.
While I am the most anti-gun person I know, the last people I would take them away from are minorities and GAY people.
As they are targeted, daily, by the racists and bigots.
brer cat
(24,565 posts)BaggersRDumb
(186 posts)Shemp Howard
(889 posts)I wish I could remember where I read it, but awhile back I read an article about how isolated southern blacks were able to keep the KKK at bay. The author's point was that many rural black households kept a hunting shotgun by the front door. And that often deterred the KKK from house attacks.
As I noted above, I can't remember where I read that. It could have been an NRA propaganda piece, for all I know. Or it could have been from a respected historian's book.
Regardless, it is something worth thinking about.
Iggo
(47,554 posts)Response to Iggo (Reply #3)
Maedhros This message was self-deleted by its author.
cyberswede
(26,117 posts)Iggo
(47,554 posts)But yeah, I thought the sarcasm would be obvious. I see now it wasn't. Sorry about that.
Maedhros
(10,007 posts)and my sarcasm detector is broken.
I stand chastised.
Iggo
(47,554 posts)The CCC
(463 posts)The presumption of innocence applies to Michael Brown and Darren Wilson.
Response to The CCC (Reply #11)
meathead This message was self-deleted by its author.
AlbertCat
(17,505 posts)The things you then list seem to be excuses for exonerating Darrell Wilson. (there's certainly no need for that!)
There's certainly nothing Brown did to be even wounded, much less killed.
jobycom
(49,038 posts)That was the point. Anyone trying to offer excuses that exonerate him of blame in the encounter are playing the diversion game of the cops and wingers. The other side is trying to put us on the defense, and when we start saying he was a good kid, or shoplifting doesn't deserve execution, or whatever, we are allowing them to divert us. He doesn't need to be defended. The facts are offense enough. We need to press the case, not let them make us defend Brown.
That's exactly how Trayvon Martin's murderer went free. They made the case about clearing Martin. The facts of the acts of aggression are all that we need to push.
seveneyes
(4,631 posts)"hands in the air" has not been proven a fact.
jobycom
(49,038 posts)Nt