OT: Cops kill George Floyd

[Fat Kat]

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[HarthorneWingo]

These riots won't end anytime soon because this is not about George Floyd or police brutality.
This is about millions of unemployed and out of school young people with no opportunities for the foreseeable future. Martial law is the only solution.

Things were looking SO GOOD with black and minority unemployment B4 the Rona came.
Now, to add to Rona, we gotz Antifa thugs infiltratin peaceful protests.
Lot o black folk speakin out on that though, so I hope it calm down soon ya'll. (Great videos B on Twitter there.)
Wizer heads will (eventually) win I think.

Are you sure it was ANTIFA and not some alt-right groups?

[GONYK]

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[RHODEY]

I hear you. Is there a black leader in your opinion that is capable of leading this cause or one that you think should lead going forward. Everybody's in power right now is shook and is just trying to figure out a way to calm things but it's still all too raw and combustible. Or do you think that let the anarchy play out and build it up from after the dust settles? Mad Max shyt.

Even before Mr. Floyd's death and this virus, the system was breaking down. Now, there seems to be no other way forward other than to admit that the prior systems failed and that we need to rebuild in a new way going forward.

No. Not because they don't exist but because it's a flawed model. Take down the leader and you take down the cause. Also, public movements can be infiltrated and taken down from within. I think a leader less movement works best or rather one where everyone is their own leader acting in concert for their "cause", ie Justice , civil rights, reparations etc.

As far as moving forward, I agree with Glendon Cameron, we are going to be in for a very tough 3-5 years. I wouldn't wait for the "leaders' to admit to conning the public. Americans are just going to have to come to the conclusion themselves and adapt. No more living in credit , no more expecting big daddy government to take care of us. We'll need to re-learn how to PRODUCE.

But looking at the big picture, I think we need to be concerned with China as well. Whether you believe they intentionally set all this stuff into motion (by allowing known infected citizens out of their country) , they are poised to dominate us if we don't get our **** together soon.

And based on how they have historically dealt with their own protestors, and their own black residents, I think they would make what's going on here look like a picnic - if they were running things.

But I'm talking specifically about cops abusing their powers to commit crimes against citizens, particularly black citizens, who do no pose a threat to them. We have to enact laws which establish Special Prosecutors Offices specifically designed to investigate and charge/prosecute - with transparency - crimes committed by law enforcement. I also believe, as I've previously stated, that police unions are out of control and have to be better balanced with the goals of law enforcement.

Perhaps they do pose a threat....hence the mistreatment. We need to get to the TRUTH of that perceived threat before creating laws that may only be arbitrary enforced.

The police are just tools for the people controlling things and all the focus is on the police - exactly where they want it to be.

[E-Balla]

Glad they soon B labelled a terrorist organization.
Watch these riots stop quick like.

Antifa isn't an organization. It just means anti fascists and of course they stand for nothing they're just a bunch of individual anarchists against fascism.

B certain of one thing - Antifa has been watched and infiltrated since at least Back to 2016 ya'll. We gots their top level people.
But I got you, they are loosely organized, a bit like other terrorist groups. But the organizers will do down, give et sum time.

They say they are against facism but right now you gots white Antifa infiltrating peaceful protests and burnin shizz down.
That B WRONG!

They're not "loosely organized". They're not an organization. Like not at all on any level.

All that said, insurance exists for a reason. Hell call it job creation, I really don't give a single damn about stores burning. As long as homes and shelters are safe, it's all good.

[DOT]

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I never understood why they're so adamant on using the "bad apples" phrase

Cause the whole phrase is "a few bad apples spoil the bunch," which is directly opposite of the message they're trying to convey

[Nazrmohamed]

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I never understood why they're so adamant on using the "bad apples" phrase

Cause the whole phrase is "a few bad apples spoil the bunch," which is directly opposite of the message they're trying to convey

What do you mean by this? Opposite of what they are trying to convey

[ellobo]

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I never understood why they're so adamant on using the "bad apples" phrase

Cause the whole phrase is "a few bad apples spoil the bunch," which is directly opposite of the message they're trying to convey

Actually, it's ONE bad apple spoils the bunch. But you're right, they seem to be implying that the problem is a few rogue officers and not systemic.

Maybe they're fans of the Osmond Brothers, who sang "One bad apple DON'T spoil the whole bunch."

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[DOT]

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?s=19

I never understood why they're so adamant on using the "bad apples" phrase

Cause the whole phrase is "a few bad apples spoil the bunch," which is directly opposite of the message they're trying to convey

What do you mean by this? Opposite of what they are trying to convey

Whenever a cop does something like this, they say they're just a bad apple, that they're not indicative of the police as a whole

But the phrase "a few bad apples spoil the bunch" means that if there are some bad apples, that means they're all bad

[Nazrmohamed]

I never understood why they're so adamant on using the "bad apples" phrase

Cause the whole phrase is "a few bad apples spoil the bunch," which is directly opposite of the message they're trying to convey

What do you mean by this? Opposite of what they are trying to convey

Whenever a cop does something like this, they say they're just a bad apple, that they're not indicative of the police as a whole

But the phrase "a few bad apples spoil the bunch" means that if there are some bad apples, that means they're all bad

Oh I see. That is true and its true for cops like I think you're eluding to if I'm hearing you right. Regardless of my opinion the fact is that the officer involved was arrested and charged and many cops around the country have chimed in against that officer and department and even in some cases joined peaceful protests.

That doesn't mean anything for the families affected and its not to say that bad apples won't continue to exist but it is a change from what we've seen in the past where police all stood united in thier defiance of scrutiny or oversight. I think that is the first step in gaining the trust of communities. People need to know that when bad apples are identified, that accountability is swift and harsh.

[Rich Rane]

2016: I alone can fix it.

2020:

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Do you think he called from the underground bunker to tell the mayors and governors that they're weak?

[K_ick_God]

Maybe besides the point but it is kind of crazy and unsettling that Trump was, in part, given the job because people were sick of a lack of leadership and game playing and the same old politics. Trump is about as self-protectionist, covering his ass and shifting blame as a human can be.

Like with the virus and testing, he is now saying keeping violence in check is the governors' job. Yeah I'm sure he'd say nothing that happens is Obama's fault because it was at the state level ... which is by the way most everything.

Neither here nor there I guess, and nothing new that we didn't know, but it's absolutely comical that he is like a caricature of a weak, finger-pointing politician who prefers distractions and games to solutions. That part ... I can't even.

If there was a spat of racial violence and Obama labeled the NRA a terrorist organization, I'm sure the Republicans would immediately begin impeachment and removal rhetoric/process.

[Capn'O]

I never understood why they're so adamant on using the "bad apples" phrase

Cause the whole phrase is "a few bad apples spoil the bunch," which is directly opposite of the message they're trying to convey

I hadn't thought about it that way but this is spot on.

You have to reform departments to aggressively weed out (fire, prosecute, and convict) bad apples and the efforts to cover their actions up. And, of course, train towards de-escalation to begin with. In many departments, escalating behaviors are still encouraged. Being an accomplice can't be viewed as the safer action to intervening in criminal activity on the force.

[3toheadmelo]

Was there really a blackout in DC last night?

[HEZI]

https://ftw.usatoday.com/2020/05/kareem-abdul-jabbar-pens-eloquent-essay-defending-george-floyd-protesters

Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, a retired Lakers star and a political activist, published an essay in the L.A. Times on Sunday, and it was an excellent conversation-starter amid the George Floyd protests.
Abdul-Jabbar urged people not to rush to judgement of protestors. He pointed out that perhaps there are more important — or more complicated — issues at hand than social distancing. He also urged people not to judge those committing vandalism. He understood the reaction that those destroying buildings and businesses are “putting the cause backward.” But he knows it’s not that simple. Here’s a powerful passage from his essay:

“You’re not wrong — but you’re not right, either. The black community is used to the institutional racism inherent in education, the justice system and jobs. And even though we do all the conventional things to raise public and political awareness — write articulate and insightful pieces in the Atlantic, explain the continued devastation on CNN, support candidates who promise change — the needle hardly budges.

“But COVID-19 has been slamming the consequences of all that home as we die at a significantly higher rate than whites, are the first to lose our jobs, and watch helplessly as Republicans try to keep us from voting. Just as the slimy underbelly of institutional racism is being exposed, it feels like hunting season is open on blacks. If there was any doubt, President Trump’s recent tweets confirm the national zeitgeist as he calls protesters ‘thugs’ and looters fair game to be shot.
“Yes, protests often are used as an excuse for some to take advantage, just as when fans celebrating a hometown sports team championship burn cars and destroy storefronts. I don’t want to see stores looted or even buildings burn. But African Americans have been living in a burning building for many years, choking on the smoke as the flames burn closer and closer. Racism in America is like dust in the air. It seems invisible — even if you’re choking on it — until you let the sun in.”

It’s a poetic and important argument that should help people ask more questions about the protests — before providing their own answers. There’s no easy solution to end racism and stop the injustices happening to black people in America. And so Abdul-Jabbar put together this beautiful essay, which you should read in full, while others continue to protest to express their anger and sadness at the loss of George Floyd.

[thebuzzardman]

Damn, this is incredibly spot on.
I can break it out into quotes if anyone has paywall issues, though generally WP lets you read 5 free a month

https://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/2020/05/29/how-western-media-would-cover-minneapolis-if-it-happened-another-country/

[HEZI]

Damn, this is incredibly spot on.
I can break it out into quotes if anyone has paywall issues, though generally WP lets you read 5 free a month

https://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/2020/05/29/how-western-media-would-cover-minneapolis-if-it-happened-another-country/

Oof

How would Donald Trump look at Donald Trump if this America was another country? American Donald Trump would call foreign Donald Trump a dictator who has lost control of his country, put his people in danger, has put lives of other countries in danger, has given birth to terrorist organizations, doesn't care for its citizens. He might call for the UN to interfere and probably even deploy troops to overthrow the regime

Oh yeah and sanctions can't forget sanctions

[Capn'O]

Diverse groups in on the protest:

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[robillionaire]

Damn, this is incredibly spot on.
I can break it out into quotes if anyone has paywall issues, though generally WP lets you read 5 free a month

https://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/2020/05/29/how-western-media-would-cover-minneapolis-if-it-happened-another-country/

Oof

How would Donald Trump look at Donald Trump if this America was another country? American Donald Trump would call foreign Donald Trump a dictator who has lost control of his country, put his people in danger, has put lives of other countries in danger, has given birth to terrorist organizations, doesn't care for its citizens. He might call for the UN to interfere and probably even deploy troops to overthrow the regime

Oh yeah and sanctions can't forget sanctions

Depends. I think he (and the media) would support that regime and help them squash the “terrorist” uprising as long as it was a regime in power that is friendly to US corporate interests. If it was a regime opposed to US corporate interests he would be helping the “freedom fighters” and “rebels” with the coup attempt to remove the “dictator” of the “rogue state” and install one friendly to US corporate interests. And yes of course sanctions.

[GONYK]

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This is clearly the problem that needs addressing at this time