Before this even starts, this post is not about race, religion, gender, or favorite ice cream flavor. And it should not be. It doesn't matter. The manufactured and very convenient racial Cold War in this country is the single greatest impediment to justice, liberty, and change we have. Violence begets violence, and even the famous "Black Panthers" were really "The Black Panther Party for Self-Defense".
Having said that, this stinks. I have covered or followed many of the recent Officer Involved Shootings that have gained such stupefyingly out of proportion publicity, on both sides. I can say that this is one of the most obvious bad shoots I've seen. I also worked in Public Safety for years and grew up in a strong Military/Public Safety family. I have discussed this problem with many of them and the theme, even amongst LEOs, seems pretty consistent. Lack of training, lack of leadership, too much hardware and testosterone. Too many "War On...." whatevers. Racism is an issue everywhere, so of course it will live in a Police Dept. or Sherrif's Office. It's inevitable. It is also not the most important problem.
Police are essential in this world. Constables in some form have been present through much of human civilization. Oddly, their presence was so innocuous that in spite of their ubiquity, history rarely encounters them. This is how it should be. When police are a regular fixture of daily life, in the news, in your face, on every corner, there is a problem.
But we are digressing. With regard to this story, here is what we know.
Justine Damond was shot by this officer, Mohamed Noor
We know that in his time on the job, he had generated three complaints, one unsustained and two pending, and one lawsuit which was, perhaps coincidentally, for excessive force in dealing with a female subject, as well as possible civil rights violations, according to the SFgate
Rumors are flying around about connections to ISIS and the Sharia observant Somali community which is established in the area. So far, they are just that. I have attempted to confirm and found myself in dubious company.
We also know, according to the Daily Mail that Officer Noor's partner was "stunned" when he opened fire. This indicates to an investigator that Officer Harrity did not perceive a threat when his partner opened fire. This is damaging but not damning. The following is a timeline, also from the Mail, that provides more information better than I can.
And that's what we know. Ms, soon to be Mrs. Damond, who had already taken her fiance's name, was a spiritual guide and meditation teacher, beloved of her family; admired by many. By all accounts, she was trying to do good. She heard what sounded like sexual noises coming from outside her home and to her obviously empathetic mind it did not sound Consensual. She called 911, twice. Finally, tired of waiting, she went outside. That's when the Cops showed up.
--M.Ely, Earth 2017
I don't think it is one of the most "obvious bad shots" in recent history. There's the black guy in South Carolina who was RUNNING AWAY from a police officer and was shot in the back.
It was all on tape. Yet, the court couldn't convict him cause one juror refused to budge even though it was clear the guy was a murderer.
There also the social worker who was shot with his hands up, while helping a white disabled kid.
Notice how I don't even have to bring up the controversial ones like Mike Brown etc. There's no need, there are too many cases of police officers murdering minorities and you get nothing but silence from the majority.
Don't expect others to give a fuck now that you're uncomfortable with who the victim is.
You said it yourself:
Violence begets violence
Hatred begets hatred
Indifference begets indifference
I wouldn't be surprised to see the Black Lives Matter types supporting the police on this one and demonizing the victim.
That's exactly what society does when the victim is a minority.
While I wasn't here, I voiced loud support for Philando Castille, Trayvon Martin, and Sam Dubose (a friend of a friend). I think this is one of the most obvious not because of race. I think I made that clear. It's obviously "bad" from a procedural, investigative standpoint. Video disabled, no explanation, partner "stunned", type of call they were responding to, and the amount of information they had. If you read the transcripts, they were responding to a possible female subject being raped. They had every reason to see her as the possible victim and no reason to suspect her, based on what we know.
I'm not saying that none of this is about race, and I'm not apologizing for racists. What I'm saying is if you focus on an obvious issue, and a hot button one, you create argument instead of discussion, which is not productive. Police departments need to reform their hiring, training, and leadership processes. No department, or person, will ever be perfectly free of racism until the world is, which isn't happening any time soon.
I still post updates about Trayvon, Philando and Sam on my twitter. I have nothing but disgust for their killers, regardless of the melanin content of their skin or genetic makeup. But when oppressed people, and I believe we all are, worldwide, fight amongst themselves, the really heinous stuff goes on unnoticed.
@mmaartmartial30
You're just an individual, I was talking about society as a whole.
It's hard to take your social justice warrior claims that you were just as bothered by all the minorities being shot when you're still holding on to a stance that this shooting was somehow more egregious.
It wasn't. There have been lots of cases where people where murdered by cops on video, yet no outrage by the majority.
You're just more empathetic towards this victim because she looks more like you, you mother, and those you care about.
Here are the facts:
Where's the All Lives Matter crowd? Where is the Blue Lives Matter crowd?
You really think this hypocrisy goes unnoticed?
Unfortunately, I think the time for discussion has since passed. Hard to see anyone fixing this mess.
I don't think the shooting is the most egregious at all. I think the case will be the easiest to convict based on the facts. The point of the article which everyone else seems to get is that arguing about the racial implications of a case like this makes it harder for justice to be done. All you have to do is read up on the Sam Dubose/Ray Tensing case in my hometown to see what impact of social media and racial tension has on the justice system. Nearly every legal mind that evaluated that case called it a clear cut case of manslaughter and possibly murder depending on the testimony and evidence presented in court. And he walked, due a mistrial mind you, twice because of a hung jury. That should not happen in a court of law.
With regard to your specific points:
Its already on record that the shot came from the car as she approached and that his partner was "stunned". See what I did there? Its called reading.
I haven't heard that he said he was "scared for his life" . His only statement that I've heard is that he expressed his "condolences" through his attorney and asked people to respect his privacy, and also has refused to cooperate with the investigation. Generally when you cite new information in a discussion like this you provide a source, like this
I agree with you that discussions about racism are not fixing the issue but you cannot say that the time for discussion has passed. That leaves only one option and we only have to look at history and the current state of many nations all over the world to see that the alternative is just as pointless and far more destructive.
Your implication that I'm more empathetic to this victim is baseless and insulting and reveals your true purpose which is to troll people who don't agree with your specific viewpoint without actually stating what that viewpoint is. You provide judgement and criticism with no reliable point of view or research. You couldn't even be bothered to find the names of the PEOPLE KILLED in your first post. "What about that one?" is nothing. It means your purpose is to churn the chum that others are dumping in the waters to get the sharks excited. You would do well to read more and talk less until you gain a bit of perspective. @mmaartmartial
You keep running away from the truth.
The cop will likely be convicted because he is a black (enemy number one), Somalian (damn immigrants), Muslim (terrorist) who shot a white female (angel who can't do any wrong).
I'm sorry if my bluntness offends you. Not really...
Well you are entitled to your opinion.Pre-judgment is the root of the problem so this has been the perfect example of the point I was trying to make. Thanks for being you. @mmaartmartial
No need for personal attacks because the truth frightens you guy.
Me too :)
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