I don't disagree with you stating that this was very sad and senseless destruction. There's a BUT coming but before I deliver it I'm hoping you will understand that I agree with your point here to some degree. BUT.....this did not happen in a vacuum for no reason whatsoever and maybe, just maybe if these officers in Baltimore had not seemingly behaved in a way that was completely against the laws they are sworn to uphold.......GEE MAYBE this didn't have to happen? Ummmmmmm.....maybe?Originally Posted by flowerseverywhere
I'm not thrilled with the rioting and looting and burning, most especially the burning - the burning really turns me off much more than the rioting or looting. Burning to me seems very senseless. BUT having lived in fear of America and having learned how little human life truly means in this country, I can understand the anger that leads to such behavior. I sure can. This is why I often refer to Mexico as a safety valve - the closeness of Mexico keeps things much calmer here than if Phoenix were located a great distance from the border. It's not like people in Baltimore can easily get to Mexico for medical/dental/inexpensive time away from insanely turbo charged American capitalism. Here at least people can run to the border and chill and get their acts together. Baltimore is far from such a safety valve. AT any rate, I'm not thrilled with what took place in Baltimore but I also believe those six officers would not have been held accountable to the law had Baltimore not gone nuts. The blame for this I have no trouble placing at the doorstep of this citizenship, either. How does one forgive America for the need to conduct such behavior for police officers to be accountable to the law? I'm not a saint, I can't forgive America for this, nor can I ever forget it. I am however hoping that such drama repeats itself this summer (if police officers blatantly break the law in such instances with the assumption that they are above the law). It's very sad America is like this but if this is what it takes for residents of low income neighborhoods to not be vulnerable to illegal and overzealous behavior on the part of the police, it's like I said before. It takes what it takes. Just remember that this is America's fault the next time the media images of such startle or disgust you. I won't be startled and disgusted, however. I will be depressed that such acts are necessary in the United States to level and equalize the playing field - so that all are more equal under the law.
To summarize - I agree that the need for this behavior is sad - I wish this were not the case - We all deserve to be equal under the law and America itself creates this situation where such behavior is necessary to more level the playing field under the law. It takes what it takes. Rob
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