HUR, you're probably right in that the officer didn't roll up to these people, think to himself "i'm gonna kill this black dude because I hate black people" and then proceed to do it.

But I've read (will try to find the articles) that tension between the black community in Ferguson and the predominantly white police had been present for some time before this incident.

And this is absolutely a race issue. I'll link this article again, because it explains it better than I can. But here a few quotes from it.

Quote :

" The worst part of outfitting our police officers as soldiers has been psychological. Give a man access to drones, tanks, and body armor, and he'll reasonably think that his job isn't simply to maintain peace, but to eradicate danger. Instead of protecting and serving, police are searching and destroying. If officers are soldiers, it follows that the neighborhoods they patrol are battlefields. And if they're working battlefields, it follows that the population is the enemy. And because of correlations, rooted in historical injustice, between crime and income and income and race, the enemy population will consist largely of people of color, and especially of black men. Throughout the country, police officers are capturing, imprisoning, and killing black males at a ridiculous clip, waging a very literal war on people like Michael Brown."

Quote :

" To ascribe this entirely to contempt for black men is to miss an essential variable, though—a very real, American fear of them. They—we—are inexplicably seen as a millions-strong army of potential killers, capable and cold enough that any single one could be a threat to a trained police officer in a bulletproof vest. There are reasons why white gun's rights activists can walk into a Chipotle restaurant with assault rifles and be seen as gauche nuisances while unarmed black men are killed for reaching for their wallets or cell phones, or carrying children's toys. Guns aren't for black people, either."

http://deadspin.com/america-is-not-for-black-people-1620169913

[Edited on August 14, 2014 at 11:41 AM. Reason : d]

8/14/2014 11:40:45 AM

....in other news, Palestinians within Gaza were tweeting people in Ferguson, MO telling them how to protect themselves against tear gas.

8/14/2014 11:44:37 AM

i heard the rioters were launching rockets from next to news crews

8/14/2014 11:51:34 AM

Quote :

"Either way there is no evidence that the MO police officer decided to shoot the kid because he didn't like black people. Once again with help from the media the african american community is trying to play the race card since it is suspected that the unknown cop is white and the victim was black. "

Holy shit you have completely missed the point. Impressive...

8/14/2014 12:02:04 PM

BigMan157 doesn't care about black people.

8/14/2014 12:02:21 PM

This will pick up after 4pm when the kiddos get out of school. They are now calling on the National Guard.

http://www.reddit.com/live/tdrph3y49ftn

8/14/2014 12:04:36 PM

^^^ tell me really, are you surprised at all?


There are morons in this very thread who think that the police can do no wrong, who think that the police never lie, and will latch onto any scrap of hope to keep themselves shrouded in this wispy veil of unsubstantiated comfort. Coupled with the fucking idiots who think that minorities bring their own problems on themselves, what did you really fucking expect?

[Edited on August 14, 2014 at 12:09 PM. Reason : nym]

8/14/2014 12:08:57 PM

why dont you say fuck one more time so we really fucking get your point

8/14/2014 12:13:22 PM

I only counted one fuck, I guess he edited?

8/14/2014 12:59:30 PM

what came first, the gestapo police tactics or the burning and looting? It's hard not to justify the police actions right now if the looting and destruction of property came first.

8/14/2014 1:00:14 PM

omg racist

8/14/2014 1:09:45 PM

If the governor brings in National Guard to support the police, and the president calls in Federal agents to support the protestors, who will win?

[Edited on August 14, 2014 at 1:18 PM. Reason : or do I have that backwards]

8/14/2014 1:17:56 PM

racism is how you'd describe the complete abandonment of Koreatown during the LA riots, forcing the residents into shootouts with the rioters.

8/14/2014 1:18:33 PM

Quote :

"There are morons in this very thread who think that the police can do no wrong, who think that the police never lie, and will latch onto any scrap of hope to keep themselves shrouded in this wispy veil of unsubstantiated comfort"

I am no fan of the police. I think there is a serious issue with over-reaching by our police, an overly militarized police force, and a force whose tactics are turning a large part of the public against it.

I'm 100% in support of those in MO who are protesting police brutality in this situation. On the flip side my support wanes when the race card comes out. Perhaps the police officer in this situation did act out racially profiling and shooting
the victim due to his own racial biases. Either way EVERY time there is a white person on black person crime it seems like
the white accused is allegedly acting upon his racist beliefs/biasness until proven otherwise.

Quote :

"what came first, the gestapo police tactics or the burning and looting? It's hard not to justify the police actions right now if the looting and destruction of property came first. "

Agreed.

[Edited on August 14, 2014 at 1:21 PM. Reason : a]

8/14/2014 1:20:29 PM

This is the best thing ever

Palestinians give advice on tear gas to rioters in Ferguson
http://stream.aljazeera.com/story/201408141902-0024060

Quote :

"Isn't that a most interesting development? One of the world's most disenfranchised people expressing solidarity with citizens of the world's most dedicated promoter of rights and democracy. This world never ceases amaze me!"

8/14/2014 1:24:25 PM

Quote :

"what came first, the gestapo police tactics or the burning and looting? It's hard not to justify the police actions right now if the looting and destruction of property came first. "

Straight from an article that's been linked multiple times in the thread:

Quote :

"Sunday was Brown's vigil, and several hundred people congregated in Ferguson. They began to march toward the Ferguson police station in protest. Police met them in full riot gear, with rifles, shields, helmets, dogs, and gas masks. Protesters yelled, "No justice, no peace!" They called the police murderers. They raised their hands in mock surrender, saying, "Don't shoot, I'm unarmed." And then the protest turned violent, as some citizens began to break into, loot, and set fire to storefronts in their own community."

The police have obviously ramped up since then, but still...looks like police skipped a few steps and went straight to "full riot gear, with rifles, shields, helmets, dogs, and gas masks"



[Edited on August 14, 2014 at 1:29 PM. Reason : \/ that's also a really valid point NYM. the police reaction does not match the amount of looting]

8/14/2014 1:25:50 PM

That's fine but unless I've missed something there has been very little actual rioting and looting (thats not to say there has been none)...

8/14/2014 1:28:24 PM

Quote :

"abandonment of Koreatown during the LA riots"

No problem, they handled the situation fine. Sometimes abandonment is preferable.

Name/photo/address of police officer has been discovered.


[Edited on August 14, 2014 at 1:36 PM. Reason : .]

8/14/2014 1:34:47 PM

When people protest government overreach non-violently out west, they're called right wing terrorists.

When people protest violently like they are in Ferguson, they aren't the ones to blame? It's their circumstances? And we should empathetic?

8/14/2014 1:43:03 PM

When people protest government overreach non-violently out west with guns, the government gives in and gives them what they want.

8/14/2014 1:45:41 PM

it's blatantly obvious who has and has not been following this story at all

those who haven't are the ones thinking that there are violent protests going on. here's a hint: there aren't.

8/14/2014 1:47:31 PM

^^^ affluent white males are always the victim. It's a tough life.

And in general no one criticized Bundy until he started saying asinine things.

[Edited on August 14, 2014 at 1:48 PM. Reason : Exactly where are the mass lootings?]

8/14/2014 1:47:56 PM

Arrested WaPo reported unloads on Joe Scarborough:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3NBBHucAkMA

Comparison of white vs. black suspects in headlines:
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2014/08/14/media-black-victims_n_5673291.html

8/14/2014 1:53:30 PM

Quote :

"When people protest government overreach non-violently out west, they're called right wing terrorists. When people protest violently like they are in Ferguson, they aren't the ones to blame? It's their circumstances? And we should empathetic?"

As is frequently that case, I'm asking myself "Is he serious?" Surely you see the differences. For one, bundy was protesting paying taxes that he owed because he'd been allowing his cattle to graze on land that he didn't own. He'd knowingly been doing this for 20 years. This is the protest of the killing and coer-up of an unarmed kid by what seems like a power-hungry police force that is paid by the citizen's taxes to protect the citizens. Do you really think they're comparable?

[Edited on August 14, 2014 at 2:03 PM. Reason : ]

8/14/2014 1:54:27 PM

and in the Bundy case, there were supporters with rifles aimed at government officials

nothing like that is happening in Ferguson

8/14/2014 1:57:44 PM

That would be an interesting thought experiment as to what would happen if Bundy and his crew were black lol.

By the way I don't agree with Bundy. Think he is a right-wing nut job. He didn't pay his taxes/fees and was allowing his cattle do craze on government land. Laws exist for a reason. If he didn't agree or wanted to make a change than he should do so via legal channels.

If everyone held in disregard the law the same way as Bundy our civilization would fall apart. Perhaps I should be able to grow my vegetable garden in the easeway next to the freeway that the state owns. Free Country damnit!!!!!

8/14/2014 2:24:13 PM

Quote :

"No problem, they handled the situation fine. Sometimes abandonment is preferable. "

they suffered about half of the billion dollars in damages caused by the riots, and thousands of them suffered from PTSD. At least 4 deaths are attributed to shootouts with store owners. not sure I'd consider that a fine handling of the situation.

8/14/2014 2:26:23 PM

hopefully that works because his face is priceless

8/14/2014 3:36:10 PM

8/14/2014 3:50:15 PM

In the case of the Bundy ranch white guys pointed guns in defense of a deadbeat at officers and they were never arrested, nevermind shot at

8/14/2014 3:53:46 PM

Quote :

"they suffered about half of the billion dollars in damages caused by the riots, and thousands of them suffered from PTSD. At least 4 deaths are attributed to shootouts with store owners. not sure I'd consider that a fine handling of the situation."

I hate to say it but the community gets the police force that the community votes for, and has to deal with the consequences. If a local government allows its police dept to go rogue and riots result the community has to deal with the fallout. Its not fair, but its how things are.

8/14/2014 3:53:54 PM

so do you apply that same logic to St. Louis then, that these cops are going paramilitary because that's what the residents voted for?

8/14/2014 3:56:58 PM

Here's a good article by Rand Paul: http://time.com/3111474/rand-paul-ferguson-police/

Quote :

"Why armored vehicles in a Midwestern inner suburb? Why would cops wear camouflage gear against a terrain patterned by convenience stores and beauty parlors? Why are the authorities in Ferguson, Mo. so given to quasi-martial crowd control methods (such as bans on walking on the street) and, per the reporting of Riverfront Times, the firing of tear gas at people in their own yards? (“‘This my property!’ he shouted, prompting police to fire a tear gas canister directly at his face.”) Why would someone identifying himself as an 82nd Airborne Army veteran, observing the Ferguson police scene, comment that “We rolled lighter than that in an actual warzone”?"

8/14/2014 4:17:48 PM

Quote :

"what came first, the gestapo police tactics or the burning and looting? It's hard not to justify the police actions right now if the looting and destruction of property came first."

The police escalated first you god damn fucking moron

8/14/2014 4:25:14 PM

yeah, they should just stand by while molotov cocktails are thrown at them.

8/14/2014 4:31:02 PM

are you serious? you think basically occupying the town by military tactics is justified by a few molotov cocktails from a few individuals? read the article.

8/14/2014 4:34:41 PM

^^That didn't happen first you fat fuck, police escalated the situation in the immediate aftermath


Black communities need to start defending themselves Bundy Ranch style. 2nd amendment patriots should be lining the streets of Ferguson with their tacticool equipment slung over their shoulders, this is the type of shit they claim to want to defend against.

[Edited on August 14, 2014 at 4:37 PM. Reason : .]

8/14/2014 4:37:11 PM

there should be a Smath74 entry on Urban Dictionary with the definition "purposely obtuse"

8/14/2014 4:38:25 PM

you are serious aren't you? you think citizens should be allowed to loot and run amok and have no police intervention?

8/14/2014 4:38:29 PM

i guess it's ok if those people are just looting their own shit, right?

8/14/2014 4:39:31 PM

dude, stopping some individuals from looting and occupying the town military-style are two completely different things and i can't see how you don't see the difference and the police are over-reacting and making the situation much worse.. and i don't understand why you're making the assumption that the whole town is looting and rioting. and i guess you are being serious. and it's ridiculous.


[Edited on August 14, 2014 at 4:40 PM. Reason : ]

8/14/2014 4:39:51 PM

from what i've read, the cops have let them congregate per their constitutional right to peacefully assemble, but once they start looting, etc (becoming un-peaceful), they break it up

[Edited on August 14, 2014 at 4:42 PM. Reason : ]

8/14/2014 4:41:45 PM

Yep, looks peaceful to me..

8/14/2014 4:50:13 PM

Again, individuals. And do you not understand their anger? Would you be peaceful if a cop killed your son or brother or dad?

8/14/2014 4:52:20 PM

Rolling out such extreme police measures before the looting, etc took place created an atmosphere for violence. It creates an us vs them mentality. And that's gonna drive some individuals to extreme measures.

I'm not at all excusing the looting and violence. Those folks broke the law. But I can see how the militarization of the police led to a more violent mentality from some of the community.

8/14/2014 4:58:50 PM

pro-cop narc bitches ITT

they were probably narc businesses, too

catch a brick for offering cop discounts

put a "remember michael brown" sign out front and you're safe

8/14/2014 5:00:39 PM

sometimes i wonder how so many of our civil liberties have been eroded, how we have found ourselves in a society of militarized police, but then I read what people like Smath and eluesis are saying and it makes a lot more sense

you people shouldn't be allowed to raise children

8/14/2014 5:05:58 PM

http://www.vox.com/2014/8/11/5988925/mike-brown-killing-shooting-case-ferguson-police-riots-st-louis

Nice collection of information here for those interested in catching up. Breaks down what we do know. What is in dispute. And how things have escalated since the shooting.

8/14/2014 5:10:05 PM

people are getting tear-gassed while standing in their yard, shot with rubber/wooden bullets while peacefully protesting, arrested for taking pictures of cops while standing in a McDonalds, all of which would be absolutely insane had those darn scoundrels not looted those few stores

8/14/2014 5:13:23 PM

Rand Paul: We Must Demilitarize the Police

http://time.com/3111474/rand-paul-ferguson-police/

If Smath doesn't watch his fucking mouth he'll be looking for a job

[Edited on August 14, 2014 at 5:24 PM. Reason : y]

8/14/2014 5:20:40 PM