Political Roundtable - Part VI

[Chocolate City Jordanaire]

School being out tomorrow in Baltimore seems like a bad, bad decision.

[Chocolate City Jordanaire]

Then again if folks want to loot, they deserve what they get when they are apprehended.

[Induveca]

Talking heads on MSNBC and FoxNews take every situation as an opportunity to spew propaganda and divide/conquer the nation for their respective agendas. Viewers are no longer just viewers, they have become gullible partisan "soldiers" that rally around every sensationalized media hyped "cause".

I'm feeling less and less like a valued viewer to boost ad revenues, and more and more like a radicalized pawn in a partisan game of chess which has spiraled out of control.

[closg00]

Fox News must be loving the riots, it's red meat for their viewers.


#FireErnie ~ Because he believed Stephen Curry couldn't help us and Jan Vesely could.

[fishercob]

It's sad to see how a small pocket of people use the wrongful death of a person for personal gain. I see there are older black men in suites with bow ties trying to reason with younger people on the streets. They are risking their lives to restore order in a mob situation. These people truly value their city.

I'm baffled at how parts of the AA communities think looting and violence will resolve a wrongful death. The nation will be watching and judging how certain leaders in the community defuse this situation. It's situations like this that give the hoodie a bad name.

“Without education, you’re not going anywhere in this world.” — Malcolm X

I don't think people think that looting and violence will resolve wrongful death. The are angry, hopeless, and have nothing to lose.

There are riots around the world every day. They aren't taking place in middle-class communities where there is significant education and employment.

[dckingsfan]

Then again if folks want to loot, they deserve what they get.

Not sure if you remember the Watts riots - you seem about my age. At the time we were living in Huntington Park - not to far from Watts. There were a couple of local businesses that we used to visit - I recall he ice cream shop, although I don't remember the name. It was a pretty vibrant area. After the riots no one wanted to visit those businesses for a variety of reasons. And the price of housing in the area plummeted.

The area never did fully recover - so I think you are way more right that wrong in your statement. Maybe they think it can't get worse, but it definitely does.

[Induveca]

Is there seriously a strategy being floated to "sympathize" with an ignorant marauding horde destroying the city?

Considering options to improve living conditions for the poor is fine, but a weak "socially sympathetic" mentality isn't appropriate when faced with a riot. Neither is a Chinese style response, but mass arrests are certainly *needed*.

[closg00]

White people in affluent areas riot too
http://nymag.com/daily/intelligencer/20 ... eason.html



#FireErnie ~ Because he believed Stephen Curry couldn't help us and Jan Vesely could.

[Zonkerbl]

According to one article I read the "riots" were actually a big brawl started by drunken Orioles fans.

[queridiculo]

This piece was published on September 28th, 2014.

I suggest anyone trying to frame an argument about misplaced aggression in light of a "few isolated incidents" to read it, and to bow their head in shame.

Over the past four years, more than 100 people have won court judgments or settlements related to allegations of brutality and civil rights violations. Victims include a 15-year-old boy riding a dirt bike, a 26-year-old pregnant accountant who had witnessed a beating, a 50-year-old woman selling church raffle tickets, a 65-year-old church deacon rolling a cigarette and an 87-year-old grandmother aiding her wounded grandson.

Those cases detail a frightful human toll. Officers have battered dozens of residents who suffered broken bones — jaws, noses, arms, legs, ankles — head trauma, organ failure, and even death, coming during questionable arrests. Some residents were beaten while handcuffed; others were thrown to the pavement.

And in almost every case, prosecutors or judges dismissed the charges against the victims — if charges were filed at all. In an incident that drew headlines recently, charges against a South Baltimore man were dropped after a video showed an officer repeatedly punching him — a beating that led the police commissioner to say he was “shocked.”

Such beatings, in which the victims are most often African-Americans, carry a hefty cost. They can poison relationships between police and the community, limiting cooperation in the fight against crime, the mayor and police officials say. They also divert money in the city budget — the $5.7 million in taxpayer funds paid out since January 2011 would cover the price of a state-of-the-art rec center or renovations at more than 30 playgrounds. And that doesn’t count the $5.8 million spent by the city on legal fees to defend these claims brought against police.

Keep in mind that local statutes limit award against municipalities to $200,000.

http://data.baltimoresun.com/news/police-settlements/

[dckingsfan]

Not to be picky but... Define "misplaced aggression" do you mean displaced aggression? The cops beat on you so you burn down a CVS would be displaced aggression. You can't do anything about the cops and the store owner can't do anything about you.

But your point is on target. The abuses around the country are numerous and legion.

[Zonkerbl]

I think the cops are doing their jobs the way they have been instructed to. It's the system that's racist and we're the ones ultimately responsible for that.

[miller31time]

Is there seriously a strategy being floated to "sympathize" with an ignorant marauding horde destroying the city?

I have a few friends on Facebook who have been in support of the riots, shockingly enough. Good people, mind you. Educated people. I just don't get it.

I understand taking the position that those involved in these riots aren't just inherently bad but rather a byproduct of an underserved part of the Baltimore area. I understand they're angry (and rightfully so - we have a race-relation problem in America and it needs attention).

THAT I understand. But there is no excuse for the looting, injuring and destruction taking place. Even taking into account socioeconomic situations, there's just no excuse for that. There are peaceful protests happening now (and for the past week, plus) that they can partake in. These peaceful protests include the same members of the disenfranchised portion of the population but THEY were able to take their frustration and anger and put it to good use.

The people I mentioned on Facebook are saying that it's easy to fix a window and not as easy to fix a severed spine. Well, yeah, I agree. But how about we not have either? They're saying that no police should be trusted and to "F the police." How is that a productive position to take? Isn't grouping ALL policemen and women together as "bad" and "dirty" and "murderers" similar to people grouping all African Americans as "lazy welfare recipients"? Neither stance does anything positive and neither are true for the majority of the population.

Sorry for the rant. This has just gotten to me.

[Zonkerbl]

I don't support the riots but I understand them. It's not like they are based on nothing. The institutionalized racism in the system is real and has a real impact on the people allegedly rioting. They're a sign that something is really wrong with the system and needs to be fixed.

[crackhed]

I don't support the riots but I understand them. It's not like they are based on nothing. The institutionalized racism in the system is real and has a real impact on the people allegedly rioting. They're a sign that something is really wrong with the system and needs to be fixed.

agree, and would like to add that besides canada, just about every nation i can think of in the northern hemisphere has a problem with racism.. some even more serious than what we have here in the US. eastern europe, russia and many arab nations come to mind.

[miller31time]

I don't support the riots but I understand them. It's not like they are based on nothing. The institutionalized racism in the system is real and has a real impact on the people allegedly rioting. They're a sign that something is really wrong with the system and needs to be fixed.

I understand the civil unrest and I understand the protests - and am sympathetic and in support of both. I do not understand the riots yesterday because, to me, it has no connection to Freddie nor the cause.

The cause of yesterday's riots was opportunism, youth and a lack of education. If we want to get into a national discussion about how to effectively combat poverty and under-education, I'll fully support that cause. But I disagree vehemently that yesterday's riot had anything to do with police backlash or Freddie Gray.

[Chocolate City Jordanaire]

I don't support the riots but I understand them. It's not like they are based on nothing. The institutionalized racism in the system is real and has a real impact on the people allegedly rioting. They're a sign that something is really wrong with the system and needs to be fixed.

agree, and would like to add that besides canada, just about every nation i can think of in the northern hemisphere has a problem with racism.. some even more serious than what we have here in the US. eastern europe, russia and many arab nations come to mind.

I chuckle...

I went to college briefly in Michigan. One weekend a couple of my buddies wanted to take a drive to Detroit and check out Windsor, Ontario.

My welcome to Canada was a guy who yelled, "Turn yer lights on, ****!".

It was kind of surreal.

That same freshman year a Canadian dorm advisor asked me if I wanted a "kick in the tail".

I don't know about racism in Canada but I'm guessing that it is present big time.

[FreeBalling]

I don't support the riots but I understand them. It's not like they are based on nothing. The institutionalized racism in the system is real and has a real impact on the people allegedly rioting. They're a sign that something is really wrong with the system and needs to be fixed.

I understand the civil unrest and I understand the protests - and am sympathetic and in support of both. I do not understand the riots yesterday because, to me, it has no connection to Freddie nor the cause.

The cause of yesterday's riots was opportunism, youth and a lack of education. If we want to get into a national discussion about how to effectively combat poverty and under-education, I'll fully support that cause. But I disagree vehemently that yesterday's riot had anything to do with police backlash or Freddie Gray.

I am very surprised at how little information has been put out in regards to how Freddie Gray suffered his fatal injury. The people of Baltimore were asking at first for information, then yelling, followed by demanding. Baltimore city officials were aware of how delicate race related issues are in the country right now. SPECIFICALLY BETWEEN WHITE OFFICERS and black males. Instead of being proactive and giving details about the death of Freddie Gray. The city hid behind paperwork and delay tactics. Now city leaders are being reactive to looting and riots.

Very poor leadership and management if you ask me.

I believe police officers should be held accountable for their actions. Lets get cameras on all of the police. The officer who shot the black man in the back for a broken tail light should be put to death. He went directly to jail when the video was shown, as he should.

I think there was more going on with Freddie Gray and the police than people know. I found in an article today showing his arrest record. Should this information be true it does not justify breaking his spine. However, how does a person get a good job with an arrest record like below. This kid never had a chance to enter into the civil workforce, he was doomed before he got out of high school. He's not even going to get finical aid for college with that criminal record. I have to wonder if his parents were providing guidance for his moral compass (discipline).

The United States outsources lots of jobs, it time to bring these jobs back to America and give the people a self worth in the community. It's not a fix but it''s a start to employing more Americans.

Gray had a lengthy arrest record with convictions dating back until at least 2007, according to the Maryland Department of Justice. Not all of the arrests led to convictions, in many of the cases he pleaded guilty to one charge while the others were dropped. Details of when he spent time in prison were not immediately available. His arrest record includes at least 18 arrests:

March 20, 2015: Possession of a Controlled Dangerous Substance
March 13, 2015: Malicious destruction of property, second-degree assault
January 20, 2015: Fourth-degree burglary, trespassing
January 14, 2015: Possession of a controlled dangerous substance, possession of a controlled dangerous substance with intent to distribute
December 31, 2014: Possession of narcotics with intent to distribute
December 14, 2014: Possession of a controlled dangerous substance
August 31, 2014: Illegal gambling, trespassing
January 25, 2014: Possession of marijuana
September 28, 2013: Distribution of narcotics, unlawful possession of a controlled dangerous substance, second-degree assault, second-degree escape
April 13, 2012: Possession of a controlled dangerous substance with intent to distribute, unlawful possession of a controlled dangerous substance, violation of probation
July 16, 2008: Possession of a controlled dangerous substance, possession with intent to distribute
March 28, 2008: Unlawful possession of a controlled dangerous substance
March 14, 2008: Possession of a controlled dangerous substance with intent to manufacture and distribute
February 11, 2008: Unlawful possession of a controlled dangerous substance, possession of a controlled dangerous substance
August 29, 2007: Possession of a controlled dangerous substance with intent to distribute, violation of probation
August 28, 2007: Possession of marijuana
August 23, 2007: False statement to a peace officer, unlawful possession of a controlled dangerous substance
July 16, 2007: Possession of a controlled dangerous substance with intent to distribute, unlawful possession of a controlled dangerous substance (2 counts)

http://heavy.com/news/2015/04/freddie-g ... -arrested/

http://casesearch.courts.state.md.us/ca ... &company=N

[crackhed]

I don't support the riots but I understand them. It's not like they are based on nothing. The institutionalized racism in the system is real and has a real impact on the people allegedly rioting. They're a sign that something is really wrong with the system and needs to be fixed.

agree, and would like to add that besides canada, just about every nation i can think of in the northern hemisphere has a problem with racism.. some even more serious than what we have here in the US. eastern europe, russia and many arab nations come to mind.

I chuckle...

I went to college briefly in Michigan. One weekend a couple of my buddies wanted to take a drive to Detroit and check out Windsor, Ontario.

My welcome to Canada was a guy who yelled, "Turn yer lights on, ****!".

It was kind of surreal.

That same freshman year a Canadian dorm advisor asked me if I wanted a "kick in the tail".

I don't know about racism in Canada but I'm guessing that it is present big time.

i stand corrected. haven't been there myself but the impression i get from friends who have is it is a very tolerant diverse society

[Revived]

I don't support the riots but I understand them. It's not like they are based on nothing. The institutionalized racism in the system is real and has a real impact on the people allegedly rioting. They're a sign that something is really wrong with the system and needs to be fixed.

People keep saying this but isn't that what affirmative action is for?

Minorities, especially African Americans and Latinos, already get priority and preference in many things over whites and other races.

For example, my brother (not black) and his black friend recently applied to the same medical school. My brother has a 3.8 gpa along with various published research and many extra curricular activities including a pretty high mcat score. His friend has a 3.3 GPA, no where close to as many extra curricular activities and a slightly lower mcat score.

Guess who the school choose to grant an interview? My brother's friend. My brother was rejected. My brother called the school to get s better idea and was told by a staff member on the board of admissions that the school is looking for more diversity and that's the reason they turned my brother down.

So don't tell me that the law and rules are set up against them or something. If your willing to work hard instead of being a drug addict and having a record before even starting college, then you can be successful regardless of your skin color.