Iris lilies, how are things in your hood?

[gimmethesimplelife]

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.

The problem in your post above is that you obviously believe in and have faith in the police and the courts. Great, I don't have a problem with that, good for you. You get to see things as you wish in my book. The problem with your post is that not everyone has faith or trust in the police or the courts, and once you don't, there doesn't seem to be any going back to having this faith or trust. Honestly, for me the police and the courts really don't work and the best thing one can do is to avoid them as much as possible. Which is a concept that unfortunately Michael Brown did not understand as proven by his actions in the convenience store, I'll give you that. For me the system is broken and corrupt and needs a huge overhaul and I find the status quo repulsive and of great concern. To put it civilly and mildly. YMMV. Something else - just because something is so and is a law and is how things have been done for a long time does not make it right. This does not mean we should all go out and break laws - this means we might want to consider that for some people in this country, the courts and police work against them and not for them. A case in point would be young children in schools in Texas being arrested for flying a paper airplane in class, or spraying perfume on themselves in class, or for writing on their desks. This is indeed going on and it serves to show police and courts working against us and not for us. I'm of the opinion the only way to fight this is a 625K minimum settlement for each such arrest and the parents and children involved starting over in another country and voting with their feet with their settlements. Not going to happen, I realize this, but imagine the line of people that would want to get out of this nightmare we live under these days....I think you'd be surprised how many would leap at the chance to get out of the US for good once they have seen and dealt with what I am talking about. Rob

[gimmethesimplelife]

Here's something that makes me smile - the cop who arrested and assaulted the two journalists at the McDonald's in Ferguson? Justin Cozma? (I'm not sure I spelled his last name right). He finds himself named on the $40 million dollar lawsuit (which to me is selling out too cheaply) against the Ferguson police. I am so relieved. Even if this lawsuit should not be successful, this officer's stress levels probably just ratcheted up a bit and I say good. He needs to suffer consequences for his actions if there is to be any positive social change and any faith and/or trust in the police or courts for certain segments of the population going forward. I'm glad and grateful to see this officer named in the lawsuit, I only wish they had asked for a higher amount. Rob

[Alan]

....imagine the line of people that would want to get out of this nightmare we live under these days....I think you'd be surprised how many would leap at the chance to get out of the US for good once they have seen and dealt with what I am talking about. Rob

I don't know Rob, those of you who continually (and proudly) vote for bigger and bigger government with more and more intrusions into citizens lives shouldn't be surprised. When you create a monster, you have no right to criticize its actions.

[CathyA]

That's fine Rob, but saying the same thing over and over here isn't going to change anyone's mind, and probably just increase your anxiety. Maybe it's time to let it go..........at least
on this forum. ??

[gimmethesimplelife]

I don't know Rob, those of you who continually (and proudly) vote for bigger and bigger government with more and more intrusions into citizens lives shouldn't be surprised. When you create a monster, you have no right to criticize it's actions.

With all due respect, I completely disagree. The police have been behaving this way for years before Obama ever came along. Even under Republicans the police and courts have been this way. Perhaps now there can be some social change and perhaps what's left of Middle America - some of them, anyway - may wake up to some bitter and unpleasant truths about America. I sure hope so and I cheer and applaud this if it does indeed happen. Rob

[gimmethesimplelife]

That's fine Rob, but saying the same thing over and over here isn't going to change anyone's mind, and probably just increase your anxiety. Maybe it's time to let it go..........and least on this forum. ??

Perhaps you have a point. The reason I have been continuing is that I feel I can shed some light on this where no one else here can or will. But by now you'all know how I feel and what my outlook is here - without some pretty damning evidence - along the lines of the 99.9999999 percent in the OJ Simpson case that made me side with the prosecution - I am not going to change my mind. And even if there is damning evidence to this degree and I do change my mind - which I would be glad to come back and post if and when I do - I still have HUGE legal issues with police behavior AFTER the shooting death of Michael Brown. That is not going to go away regardless of indictment or no indictment - watch the lawsuits roll on in.....But yes, on this one you all know where I stand and have for some time. True. Rob

[LDAHL]

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

The glory of our system is that it doesn't matter how you or I or anyone else "sees it". You are innocent until proven guilty, and the burden of proof beyond a reasonable doubt is on the accusers and not the accused. If we ever change that, and start convicting people based on sentiment, we will deserve the serfdom that would inevitably result.

[gimmethesimplelife]

Some good news - the cop who had his gun trained on innocent law compliant protestors was threatening to kill them? Lt Ray Albers is his name. Resigned. Good riddance to such trash. I'm glad he's off the payroll but depressed as I'm not sure but I'm thinking his resigning allows him to keep his pension? What a travesty of justice if so. But at least no more penion building for him, I'll take some solace in that. Rob

[gimmethesimplelife]

Here is something else positive that I think all of us can agree with regardless of where we stand - the Ferguson police are getting body cameras now - donated from two companies apparently as a freebie, and are being trained in the use of them. Good. Maybe the cameras will lead to more rational and sane behavior on the part of police and keep them in check a bit. Also, great evidence if being accused of excessive force - having situations on video is good CYA. I'm pleased with this development and I hope it spreads. Something positive here anyway. Rob

[gimmethesimplelife]

Today is just an amazing day for Ferguson news.....all good news too in my book. It seems as if the UN has stepped up to the plate and is now saying the US police brutality against minorities "is an ongoing issue of concern". Google if interested, I found the story on The Raw Story website. I'm grateful to have the UN take this stance as it is pretty damning to me and I think the rest of world will file it away and won't hesitate to use it against us when convenient. Finally some consequences in this ongoing complete and total disrespect for the basic human rights of a certain segment of the US population.....I never thought I'd live to see this! I still think as horrible as this all is and how it shows some of what America is all about - I still think some good may very well come of this. About time. Rob