I bet you thought it couldn't get any more frustrating. I mean, our sworn protectors have, with disturbing regularity, engaged in fatal shootings under the most questionable circumstances and evaded even the most initial proceedings geared toward *asking those questions*. When the proceedings are initiated, those too take place under the most questionable of circumstances - with sadly predictable outcomes. Every time.
We are now at a place where an *indictment* of our sworn protectors who appear to fail in their duty is a victory. As though the act of *charging* someone who may have committed a crime with that crime is some sort of concession for which we should all be grateful.
Our. Sworn. Protectors. A majority of whom hold that duty sacred. A minority of whom hold *power* sacred. A scarcer minority of whom do not see it as their duty to protect certain *kinds* of human life. The minority is the problem. But the blue line - and let's be clear, that includes the prosecutor's office most of the time - protects those it should cast out. Our sworn protectors.
I bet you thought it couldn't get any more ludicrous. Black men and women are murdered under circumstances in which an arrest is warranted, under which a moving violation is warranted, and we are told that if they didn't want to get *dead* they shouldn't have been breaking the law. As though to sell loose cigarettes or *maybe* roll through a stop sign was the same thing as pulling a weapon on our. Sworn. Protectors.
Black men and women die in police custody. Who conducts the investigation? Those police. I bet you thought it couldn't get any more farcical.
We are now at a place where an *indictment* of our sworn protectors who appear to fail in their duty is a victory. As though the act of *charging* someone who may have committed a crime with that crime is some sort of concession for which we should all be grateful.
Our. Sworn. Protectors. A majority of whom hold that duty sacred. A minority of whom hold *power* sacred. A scarcer minority of whom do not see it as their duty to protect certain *kinds* of human life. The minority is the problem. But the blue line - and let's be clear, that includes the prosecutor's office most of the time - protects those it should cast out. Our sworn protectors.
I bet you thought it couldn't get any more ludicrous. Black men and women are murdered under circumstances in which an arrest is warranted, under which a moving violation is warranted, and we are told that if they didn't want to get *dead* they shouldn't have been breaking the law. As though to sell loose cigarettes or *maybe* roll through a stop sign was the same thing as pulling a weapon on our. Sworn. Protectors.
Black men and women die in police custody. Who conducts the investigation? Those police. I bet you thought it couldn't get any more farcical.
Nope.
Well. Here's the tale of a sick kid who called 911 three times reporting his life was in danger. No officers were dispatched. His father, fearing for his son and seeking emergency psychiatric intervention, called 911.
The officer who was dispatched shot that sick kid six times (four in the back) and that kid died. A stray bullet struck and killed a bystander. And here is what happened next:
1) The medical examiner's office was told this was not a police-involved shooting, and so did not conduct its procedure in such cases.
2) The families of the dead filed wrongful death suits. Because, among other reasons, they have been conditioned not to expect justice in any other form for the lives taken from them.
Okay, now take a deep breath.
The officer who was dispatched shot that sick kid six times (four in the back) and that kid died. A stray bullet struck and killed a bystander. And here is what happened next:
1) The medical examiner's office was told this was not a police-involved shooting, and so did not conduct its procedure in such cases.
2) The families of the dead filed wrongful death suits. Because, among other reasons, they have been conditioned not to expect justice in any other form for the lives taken from them.
Okay, now take a deep breath.
3) The cop involved in the shooting. Who took two lives under *whatever* circumstances. Who took up badge and gun and swore an oath and ostensibly prepared for whatever would come thereafter. Filed a *countersuit*. Against the *estate*. Of the *sick* *kid*.
I was telling someone yesterday that I excel at righteous political fury, but don't *do* interpersonal anger. I wasn't expecting to wake up this morning and prove at least half of that self-assessment.
I was telling someone yesterday that I excel at righteous political fury, but don't *do* interpersonal anger. I wasn't expecting to wake up this morning and prove at least half of that self-assessment.
Yeah, it didn't help me much either.
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