Iris lilies, how are things in your hood?

[bae]

You are entitled to your own opinions, Rob, but not your own facts. That is simply not how things work.

[jp1]

Why should the cop be immune from the jail cell? Rob

Because he's expected to carry a gun and potentially use it as part of his job.

[LDAHL]

There seems to be a presumption of innocence for the cop that I would not enjoy had I shot the cop in legitimate self defense.

There is a presumption of innocence for everyone. Even cops. Even you.

[CathyA]

Well, nothing's going to change here........even with the "verdict", I suspect.

[gimmethesimplelife]

There is a presumption of innocence for everyone. Even cops. Even you.

I disagree. Darren Wilson, at the moment, although in hiding is a free man. As I said before, I'd be in a jail cell right now had I shot the cop in legitimate self defense. I see Mr. Wilson as getting a free pass in the sense that he is worth freedom at the moment and I would not be. I don't see the presumption of innocence working both ways here - I see huge gaps in how the system works based on Mr. Wilson being a cop. Doesn't work for me or most people I know, sorry. Rob

[gimmethesimplelife]

Well, nothing's going to change here........even with the "verdict", I suspect.

My guess is there is no making everyone happy here. If Mr. Wilson is not indicted, there is the risk of a racially charged powder keg going off. If he is indicted, what remains of Middle America and above is not going to be happy. This is explosive as it is delineated by race and by social class for the most part, though I will say that this is not true for every single last person out there. I know a few people with money that surprisingly enough are siding against the Ferguson police and I'm quite impressed with them for seeing what they see. It will be interesting to see what the verdict is and then what the consequences are. Something that has not been discussed here that I ran across online is economic fallout for St. Louis - apparently they have already lost several large conventions and I read some "expert" online stating that St. Louis is going to have a harder time now attracting businesses to relocate and/or start up in their area. There already is economic fallout. Interesting to see the level of fallout and the level of denial after the verdict is read regardless of how it plays out. Rob

[gimmethesimplelife]

Because he's expected to carry a gun and potentially use it as part of his job.

I think this too is a problem. Were Mr. Wilson in a jail cell right now awaiting the verdict and were this standard procedure, there would probably be fewer such incidents and it would serve to flatten the police and their heavy handedness. If there was a jail cell awaiting until their verdict is read they would think a little more before shooting I would guess and maybe work on deescalating the situation a bit. My belief is that the courts and the police are seriously flawed as is and some pretty extensive repairs need to be made to the current system. Though I have seen and thought this for years now - since I was 17 and what I have seen since then has only solidified this for me. Rob

[LDAHL]

I disagree. Darren Wilson, at the moment, although in hiding is a free man. As I said before, I'd be in a jail cell right now had I shot the cop in legitimate self defense. I see Mr. Wilson as getting a free pass in the sense that he is worth freedom at the moment and I would not be. I don't see the presumption of innocence working both ways here - I see huge gaps in how the system works based on Mr. Wilson being a cop. Doesn't work for me or most people I know, sorry. Rob

He's a free man because he hasn't as yet been charged with anything. The same would apply to you. I'm not hearing any evidence for your view of cops as unaccountable thugs other than your feelings on the matter.

[Alan]

Rob, It seems apparent to me that you have no understanding of any of the issues related to this case, just an emotional response grounded in who-knows-what. Your desire to try the case in social media, assume guilt without evidence and destroy peoples lives based upon nothing more than a desire to send a convoluted message are troubling, especially considering how many people share different aspects of your views.

I thing a primer in the universally accepted use of force guidelines and the legal system would lead to a more rational outlook.

[gimmethesimplelife]

He's a free man because he hasn't as yet been charged with anything. The same would apply to you. I'm not hearing any evidence for your view of cops as unaccountable thugs other than your feelings on the matter.

I disagree. If I shot a cop in legitimate self defense, I would be charged pretty quickly and sitting in a jail cell. Until this wide gap in human rights is addressed, there really can be no faith in the police or courts for many, especially lower income folks and minorities. It's not right that Darren Wilson is under investigation and free when I or most others would be sitting in a cell. The presumption of innocence that Mr. Wilson enjoys at the moment mocks everyday people and is quite excessive and extreme. I'm not the only one out there who sees it this way, either. Rob