Iris lilies, how are things in your hood?

[bae]

I did see the released photos after I had posted, yes, and I though I am no expert on Missouri State Law, perhaps this is a felony now. Though it seems that US law is getting so over the top that sneezing too loud may get you arrested these days.

I think it has always pretty much been the case in this country that laying hands on someone else is considered assault and battery, and when force and intimidation are used like this to steal property, that's robbery.

As to your understanding of use of force, when it is appropriate, and how people are trained, I suspect you are misinformed and lack understanding. (For instance, I'd be curious to hear if there was any struggle before the shooting, or any perception by the officer of an assault on his person. Or did the officer simply decide out of the blue to gun down this young man for fun? It'd be handy if someone had video, for instance, so we could see the body language and movement...)

As to the exact circumstances, the facts matter. Facebook and Twitter aren't facts, or evidence.

[gimmethesimplelife]

I think it has always pretty much been the case in this country that laying hands on someone else is considered assault and battery, and when force and intimidation are used like this to steal property, that's robbery.

As to your understanding of use of force, when it is appropriate, and how people are trained, I suspect you are misinformed and lack understanding. (For instance, I'd be curious to hear if there was any struggle before the shooting, or any perception by the officer of an assault on his person. Or did the officer simply decide out of the blue to gun down this young man for fun? It'd be handy if someone had video, for instance, so we could see the body language and movement...)

As to the exact circumstances, the facts matter. Facebook and Twitter aren't facts, or evidence.

Something interesting here Bae that ties into your last sentence. Today in USA Today there is an article stating that due to social media, the Ferguson police lost control of this story. Thank Goodness. Based as I said above on their behavior back in 2009, I'm glad social media is here to stifle them a bit and put them much more quickly in their place. This amazes me as prior to this I was not a great fan of social media but I'm starting to see what positive uses it can have. It can transfer power and weaken former power bases - in some cases, a very good thing indeed. Were it not for twitter and Facebook and the Internet in general, were we back in 1985 or so, who knows what the police could have gotten away with? Now there can be no real hiding as the world knows.....In this case, a good thing. Though the officer that was involved? Due partly to social media, his life is now ruined, at least the life he's had up to now with stable employment as a law enforcement officer. Rob

[bae]

Due to partly to social media, his life is now ruined, at least the life he's had up to now with stable employment as a law enforcement officer. Rob

And before even the bother of any investigations, hearings, trials, jury deliberations, or anything!

Very efficient, this new social media mob rule thing. Hope it works out for you.

[gimmethesimplelife]

And before even the bother of any investigations, hearings, trials, jury deliberations, or anything!

Very efficient, this new social media mob rule thing. Hope it works out for you.

At least people are aware that something happened, there is international attention/reputation/tourist dollars on the line, and there is a great deal of pressure that wouldn't otherwise be there on the local police to watch their step as the world knows anything they do in an instant. To me this is absolutely wonderful and a great equalizer of power. It also helps those in high command to get the lead out and pick up the pace a bit as situations like this tend to be explosive in general. All in all I'd say the social media mob rule thing? A good thing. Yes indeed. Look at how it managed to get the local police reduced to nothing and how it forced a summary and a released name of the officer involved today - quite powerful and I'm thinking quite a surprise to those who past tense had power that were flattened by social media. I'm guessing they didn't expect this. Let it be a warming to police everywhere - they are not above the law. Rob

[bae]

The tricky thing is that the pace of the justice system and the pace of flash-mobs/uprisings are on very different time scales.

As to the virtues of mob rule, well, read some history. It works both ways.

You seem happy that that officer has been thrown to the mob, before the justice process has even had a chance to begin rolling. Madness.

[gimmethesimplelife]

The tricky thing is that the pace of the justice system and the pace of flash-mobs/uprisings are on very different time scales.

As to the virtues of mob rule, well, read some history. It works both ways.

You seem happy that that officer has been thrown to the mob, before the justice process has even had a chance to begin rolling. Madness.

Had the young man had a weapon at any stage of the process, I'd be much more for slowing down and letting the wheels of justice spin. Murder even though there was no weapon - let the Ferguson police face the world's wrath via social media. It's almost as if social media gives back some power to the people.....and forces others into knuckling under to not being above the law. In this particular case, (so far) I'd say social media has been a blessing. A real blessing. Just think of how much tourism revenue will be lost in this country from abroad over the next few months - you'd better believe there will be high level meetings and pressure placed somewhere due to this. Social media definitely helps here also as it makes the world aware of what's going on and then people abroad can decided if they still want to travel to the US for whatever reason. There will be no shortage of video clips for the world to peruse on this one, either. I'm thinking no unsavory fact is going to be easily buried on either side of this equation, for better or worse. Once again, partly due to social media. Rob

[bae]

Murder even though there was no weapon ...

You have already lept to multiple conclusions there about how events transpired, and what the verdict is.

Without hearing any testimony, or seeing any evidence presented, other than surfing the blogosphere.

[gimmethesimplelife]

You have already lept to multiple conclusions there about how events transpired, and what the verdict is.

Without hearing any testimony, or seeing any evidence presented, other than surfing the blogosphere.

Did not the Ferguson police themselves admit that Brown had no weapon? And he was shot dead by a law enforcement officer, did not the Ferguson police admit to this much? Is shooting someone dead not considered murder if the other party had no weapon? Rob

[bae]

Is shooting someone dead not considered murder if the other party had no weapon? Rob

Not necessarily Rob, it depends entirely on the circumstances. There are all sorts of reasons why a homicide could be "justifiable homicide" and not "murder" - the lack of a weapon on one party's part does not automatically make it murder.

This is why we have trials and jury instructions. Instead of simply lynching people. Efficient though that is.

[gimmethesimplelife]

Not necessarily Rob, it depends entirely on the circumstances. There are all sorts of reasons why a homicide could be "justifiable homicide" and not "murder" - the lack of a weapon on one party's part does not automatically make it murder.

This is why we have trials and jury instructions. Instead of simply lynching people. Efficient though that is.

I guess this distinction will be made by the courts.....fine. I'm ok with that. But I am of the opinion that this social media thing will force the courts to be more objective and more honest in the process and the world now knows and will be following this. Every last movement will be scrutinized and any false moves by the courts, police, or the media, come to think of it - the world will know. How will that impact the US - a country where money rules everything - economically? Basic human rights are going to have to come into play and be respected and this cop - he's not going to be able to hide behind his badge in a good old boy's network and get off scott free - at least not automatically. There will be consequences if this does occur and the perception is such. And maybe this is what social media is good for? Doling out consequences in situations where before the law didn't mean much. Rob