Riots/Looting/Violence and general post-George Floyd madness

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Comments

  • PJPOWER
    PJPOWER Posts: 6,499
    edited August 2020
    I agree these riots won’t help solve anything. 

    In fairness however, some black athletes tried to peacefully bring attention to this issue a few years back and white America wasn’t having that either, so... 🤷‍♂️
    So because they didn’t get the response desired from “white America”, it totally makes sense to undermine the whole cause...seems logical...
    If organized BLM is supporting these actions, I sure as hell am not going to donate anything to them.
    Black lives matter, but #BLM as an entity, does not to me anymore.  They lost me when they came out in support of the Chiraq riots.
    Post edited by PJPOWER on
  • oftenreading
    oftenreading Victoria, BC Posts: 12,856
    People who are arguing that the money for improved social programs shouldn't come from reducing police budgets are completely missing the point, which is the importance of correcting the vast imbalance in a funding system that prioritizes enforcement and punishment over prevention. Many of these communities are actually over-policed and aggressively policed, with an extreme focus on petty issues that we see flare up into violence far too often. The point of the reallocation is to correct this imbalance, not randomly cut some other area of budget.
    my small self... like a book amongst the many on a shelf
  • Merkin Baller
    Merkin Baller Posts: 12,787
    I agree these riots won’t help solve anything. 

    In fairness however, some black athletes tried to peacefully bring attention to this issue a few years back and white America wasn’t having that either, so... 🤷‍♂️
    Yeah I had no problem with Kaepernick kneeling and didn't really see what the big deal was. My argument in favor of it was that just a month prior to him starting that, a half-dozen or so cops were shot and killed at a BLM demonstration in Texas. So if protest A is killing cops, and protest B is kneeling when it's traditional to stand, obviously protest B is the way to go. That said, whether people accepted it or not, nothing was going to come from athletes kneeling. And nothing will come from anything Lebron James and the NBA does. It would take something more extreme (peaceful, but extreme) like maybe all the black players refusing to play...or something like that...to get people's attention.  

    It sucks that we can't find an adequate way to protest the killings of unarmed citizens by out of control police officers in order to get the rest of America to realize it's a problem that needs to be addressed.

  • gimmesometruth27
    gimmesometruth27 St. Fuckin Louis Posts: 24,097
    I agree these riots won’t help solve anything. 

    In fairness however, some black athletes tried to peacefully bring attention to this issue a few years back and white America wasn’t having that either, so... 🤷‍♂️
    Yeah I had no problem with Kaepernick kneeling and didn't really see what the big deal was. My argument in favor of it was that just a month prior to him starting that, a half-dozen or so cops were shot and killed at a BLM demonstration in Texas. So if protest A is killing cops, and protest B is kneeling when it's traditional to stand, obviously protest B is the way to go. That said, whether people accepted it or not, nothing was going to come from athletes kneeling. And nothing will come from anything Lebron James and the NBA does. It would take something more extreme (peaceful, but extreme) like maybe all the black players refusing to play...or something like that...to get people's attention.  

    It sucks that we can't find an adequate way to protest the killings of unarmed citizens by out of control police officers in order to get the rest of America to realize it's a problem that needs to be addressed.

    riots are the language of the unheard. they are a symptoms of the underlying problem that cops execute unarmed african americans for no reason, and nothing ever changes. it just keeps happening every week. until you address the actual problem, things are going to get burned down.
    "You can tell the greatness of a man by what makes him angry."  - Lincoln

    "Well, you tell him that I don't talk to suckas."
  • cincybearcat
    cincybearcat Posts: 16,836
    I agree these riots won’t help solve anything. 

    In fairness however, some black athletes tried to peacefully bring attention to this issue a few years back and white America wasn’t having that either, so... 🤷‍♂️
    Yeah I had no problem with Kaepernick kneeling and didn't really see what the big deal was. My argument in favor of it was that just a month prior to him starting that, a half-dozen or so cops were shot and killed at a BLM demonstration in Texas. So if protest A is killing cops, and protest B is kneeling when it's traditional to stand, obviously protest B is the way to go. That said, whether people accepted it or not, nothing was going to come from athletes kneeling. And nothing will come from anything Lebron James and the NBA does. It would take something more extreme (peaceful, but extreme) like maybe all the black players refusing to play...or something like that...to get people's attention.  

    It sucks that we can't find an adequate way to protest the killings of unarmed citizens by out of control police officers in order to get the rest of America to realize it's a problem that needs to be addressed.

    riots are the language of the unheard. they are a symptoms of the underlying problem that cops execute unarmed african americans for no reason, and nothing ever changes. it just keeps happening every week. until you address the actual problem, things are going to get burned down.
    I personally think it's ridiculous to think this is all ok.  The lack of leaders speaking against the violence and destruction is not shocking but extremely disappointing.  

    I certainly agree with the premise...that cops stop black too often and they face police violence too often...etc, etc, etc

    But not every situation is the same.  I think some people really just want to burn shit and finding an excuse.  Think they are social justice warriors when really just vandals and criminals.  Seems like we should be able to find the line between doing nothing and burning everything.
    hippiemom = goodness
  • brianlux
    brianlux Moving through All Kinds of Terrain. Posts: 43,662
    I agree these riots won’t help solve anything. 

    In fairness however, some black athletes tried to peacefully bring attention to this issue a few years back and white America wasn’t having that either, so... 🤷‍♂️
    Yeah I had no problem with Kaepernick kneeling and didn't really see what the big deal was. My argument in favor of it was that just a month prior to him starting that, a half-dozen or so cops were shot and killed at a BLM demonstration in Texas. So if protest A is killing cops, and protest B is kneeling when it's traditional to stand, obviously protest B is the way to go. That said, whether people accepted it or not, nothing was going to come from athletes kneeling. And nothing will come from anything Lebron James and the NBA does. It would take something more extreme (peaceful, but extreme) like maybe all the black players refusing to play...or something like that...to get people's attention.  

    It sucks that we can't find an adequate way to protest the killings of unarmed citizens by out of control police officers in order to get the rest of America to realize it's a problem that needs to be addressed.

    riots are the language of the unheard. they are a symptoms of the underlying problem that cops execute unarmed african americans for no reason, and nothing ever changes. it just keeps happening every week. until you address the actual problem, things are going to get burned down.
    I personally think it's ridiculous to think this is all ok.  The lack of leaders speaking against the violence and destruction is not shocking but extremely disappointing.  

    I certainly agree with the premise...that cops stop black too often and they face police violence too often...etc, etc, etc

    But not every situation is the same.  I think some people really just want to burn shit and finding an excuse.  Think they are social justice warriors when really just vandals and criminals.  Seems like we should be able to find the line between doing nothing and burning everything.

    I understand both your perspectives.

    On the one hand, when no one is listening, I can see why the oppressed would lash out.

    On the other hand, random looting and destruction doesn't seem like a very effective means of accomplishing change. 

    And after watching since the early 60's (when I was old enough to care) systemic racism continue despite efforts of all kinds to create change, then I think we have to expect anger to erupt in violence... and that sucks on so many levels.  It leaves me feeling like there is no end to this.  No end to racism.  No end to stupidity.  No end to hate.  No end to oppression.  Fucking humans.  That's how it feels sometimes.  And that sucks because negative attitudes don't do a damn thing.

    So what is the answer?  You got me. 
    "It's a sad and beautiful world"
    -Roberto Benigni

  • Glorified KC
    Glorified KC KCMO Native Posts: 2,814
    edited August 2020
    I understand people becoming incensed when something like this happens. No reason this guy couldn't just be tased. Fortunately he wasn't killed, though I believe he's still in the ICU.


    But this stuff doesn't really help matters. 




    Does looting help the situation, no, but did you watch the video?  After everything that has gone down since George Floyd, there are so many people who are driven to burning down cities because they are tired of this shit.  Fix the systemic problem so people aren't being pushed to the brink.  Fucking ridiculous to shot a man point blank seven times in the back.

    Post edited by Glorified KC on
    I wish I was a sacrifice, but somehow still lived on.
  • Glorified KC
    Glorified KC KCMO Native Posts: 2,814
    People who are arguing that the money for improved social programs shouldn't come from reducing police budgets are completely missing the point, which is the importance of correcting the vast imbalance in a funding system that prioritizes enforcement and punishment over prevention. Many of these communities are actually over-policed and aggressively policed, with an extreme focus on petty issues that we see flare up into violence far too often. The point of the reallocation is to correct this imbalance, not randomly cut some other area of budget.
    Yes, yes, yes.  Well said.

    I wish I was a sacrifice, but somehow still lived on.
  • mcgruff10
    mcgruff10 New Jersey Posts: 29,117
    bbiggs said:
    mcgruff10 said:
    brianlux said:
    mcgruff10 said:
    bbiggs said:
    cutz said:
    Wait until law enforcement budget cuts are really felt. The party is just getting started. 
    Cutting law enforcement budgets could possibly be the dumbest idea I have ever heard. Why would you want to cut from them? Same with firefighters and emt, don’t cut from them.  Cut from somewhere else. 

    I mostly agree as well.  However, I have heard some good arguments for redistributing the money that goes to police forces by shifting resources to drug rehabilitation, etc.  The idea is that if we could reduce crime through effective human services agencies, we would need less law enforcement.
    Don’t take from the police, find the money somewhere else.   

    These cities could be operating with a budget surplus and still want to cut from law enforcement. They don’t like cops; hence the de-funding movement. 
    100% agree.   
    I'll ride the wave where it takes me......
  • gimmesometruth27
    gimmesometruth27 St. Fuckin Louis Posts: 24,097
    I agree these riots won’t help solve anything. 

    In fairness however, some black athletes tried to peacefully bring attention to this issue a few years back and white America wasn’t having that either, so... 🤷‍♂️
    Yeah I had no problem with Kaepernick kneeling and didn't really see what the big deal was. My argument in favor of it was that just a month prior to him starting that, a half-dozen or so cops were shot and killed at a BLM demonstration in Texas. So if protest A is killing cops, and protest B is kneeling when it's traditional to stand, obviously protest B is the way to go. That said, whether people accepted it or not, nothing was going to come from athletes kneeling. And nothing will come from anything Lebron James and the NBA does. It would take something more extreme (peaceful, but extreme) like maybe all the black players refusing to play...or something like that...to get people's attention.  

    It sucks that we can't find an adequate way to protest the killings of unarmed citizens by out of control police officers in order to get the rest of America to realize it's a problem that needs to be addressed.

    riots are the language of the unheard. they are a symptoms of the underlying problem that cops execute unarmed african americans for no reason, and nothing ever changes. it just keeps happening every week. until you address the actual problem, things are going to get burned down.
    I personally think it's ridiculous to think this is all ok.  The lack of leaders speaking against the violence and destruction is not shocking but extremely disappointing.  

    I certainly agree with the premise...that cops stop black too often and they face police violence too often...etc, etc, etc

    But not every situation is the same.  I think some people really just want to burn shit and finding an excuse.  Think they are social justice warriors when really just vandals and criminals.  Seems like we should be able to find the line between doing nothing and burning everything.
    i don't think anybody thinks that it is ok. but if we keep doing what we have been doing since Rodney King, which is absolutely nothing, then be prepared for shit to burn down. people are sick and tired of being sick and tired at nothing ever changing. at some point, systemic changes need to be made, and we are way past that point.

    how many bodies is it going to take before we make a change?
    "You can tell the greatness of a man by what makes him angry."  - Lincoln

    "Well, you tell him that I don't talk to suckas."
  • dankind
    dankind Posts: 20,841
    I've never lived in a city that didn't like cops, and I've lived in two of the most liberal cities on the East Coast. This just seems like another choose-a-side issue that they've got folks taking the bait on.

    Just walking to work, I always see cops on the corner dressed and armed as though they're in a damn war zone. No riots or other unrest really at the time. 

    I can also confirm that the public schools in both of these cities are beyond awful.

    There's what's real, and there's what's propagandized. I would say and never the twain shall meet, but....
    I SAW PEARL JAM
  • mcgruff10
    mcgruff10 New Jersey Posts: 29,117
    Unreal:
    https://www.yahoo.com/news/driver-pulled-truck-beaten-black-144628849.html

    Driver Pulled from Truck, Beaten by Black Lives Matter Crowd in Portland Speaks Out

    Adam Haner, the driver who was dragged from his pick-up truck and beaten by rioters in Portland last week, is questioning the motives of protestors, saying “they’re exhibiting the same behavior that they’re trying to stop.”

    Haner’s comments came during a Saturday appearance on Fox News’ “Watters World” during which he explained that he and his girlfriend, Tammie Martin, had been attempting to aid a woman they saw being robbed when the attack occurred. His good deed left him with black eyes, head lacerations and injuries to his ribs and legs last Sunday.

    A crowd of Black Lives Matter and Antifia rioters surrounded Haner’s truck around 10:30 p.m. after he crashed into a light pole at Southwest Broadway and Taylor Street. At least one individual punched him as he sat inside before he was pulled out of the vehicle and attacked.

    “I warned everyone to get out of my way when I did start my truck,” Haner said. “I’d been down there long enough. They knew when my truck started, to get out of the way. I was down there for a lengthy amount of time. I managed not to hurt anyone while I was down there, but myself, evidently. I can’t say the same for them.”

    Haner called out Democratic mayor Ted Wheeler, who has given into protestors’ demands to defund the police, for the police’s slow response time. He said it took 10 minutes for help to arrive, “kind of a long response time for my issue down there.”

    Police had deployed a large law enforcement response and encountered “a hostile crowd,” at the scene, the department said earlier.

    Haner then took aim at the rioters, saying, “I thought that’s what they were down there trying to fight, was this kind of behavior toward them, but they’re exhibiting the same behavior that they’re trying to stop.”

    He was attacked by a mob of rioters, but the man who allegedly delivered a final crushing kick to Haner, 25-year-old Marquise Love, was arrested Friday and charged with felonious assault, riot participation, and coercion. A video appears to show Love punching Haner several times before kicking his head from behind, knocking him out and causing his head to bleed after it hit the street.

    Haner’s attack is the latest in a series of violent demonstrations that have plagued the city and led to the deployment of federal agents — who have since been withdrawn — following the death of George Floyd in Minneapolis police custody earlier this summer.

    I'll ride the wave where it takes me......
  • dankind
    dankind Posts: 20,841
    edited August 2020
    mcgruff10 said:
    Unreal:
    https://www.yahoo.com/news/driver-pulled-truck-beaten-black-144628849.html

    Driver Pulled from Truck, Beaten by Black Lives Matter Crowd in Portland Speaks Out

    Adam Haner, the driver who was dragged from his pick-up truck and beaten by rioters in Portland last week, is questioning the motives of protestors, saying “they’re exhibiting the same behavior that they’re trying to stop.”

    Haner’s comments came during a Saturday appearance on Fox News’ “Watters World” during which he explained that he and his girlfriend, Tammie Martin, had been attempting to aid a woman they saw being robbed when the attack occurred. His good deed left him with black eyes, head lacerations and injuries to his ribs and legs last Sunday.

    A crowd of Black Lives Matter and Antifia rioters surrounded Haner’s truck around 10:30 p.m. after he crashed into a light pole at Southwest Broadway and Taylor Street. At least one individual punched him as he sat inside before he was pulled out of the vehicle and attacked.

    “I warned everyone to get out of my way when I did start my truck,” Haner said. “I’d been down there long enough. They knew when my truck started, to get out of the way. I was down there for a lengthy amount of time. I managed not to hurt anyone while I was down there, but myself, evidently. I can’t say the same for them.”

    Haner called out Democratic mayor Ted Wheeler, who has given into protestors’ demands to defund the police, for the police’s slow response time. He said it took 10 minutes for help to arrive, “kind of a long response time for my issue down there.”

    Police had deployed a large law enforcement response and encountered “a hostile crowd,” at the scene, the department said earlier.

    Haner then took aim at the rioters, saying, “I thought that’s what they were down there trying to fight, was this kind of behavior toward them, but they’re exhibiting the same behavior that they’re trying to stop.”

    He was attacked by a mob of rioters, but the man who allegedly delivered a final crushing kick to Haner, 25-year-old Marquise Love, was arrested Friday and charged with felonious assault, riot participation, and coercion. A video appears to show Love punching Haner several times before kicking his head from behind, knocking him out and causing his head to bleed after it hit the street.

    Haner’s attack is the latest in a series of violent demonstrations that have plagued the city and led to the deployment of federal agents — who have since been withdrawn — following the death of George Floyd in Minneapolis police custody earlier this summer.

    Click and then read the link in the section you bolded. 

    It sounds like one of the programs he defunded had already been labeled a failure for years, including by the community and two commissioners, and was already earmarked for a slash. The other program was transit cops, who basically enforce fares. The commissioner had also already recommended it for cuts. 

    Oh no! 
    Post edited by dankind on
    I SAW PEARL JAM
  • bbiggs
    bbiggs Posts: 6,964
    ^ Beating up innocent, elderly business owners while destructing cities is all part of the process for necessary change.  Didn’t you know? 

    In case this needs to be said, yes, I’m being sarcastic. 
  • dignin
    dignin Posts: 9,478
    bbiggs said:
    ^ Beating up innocent, elderly business owners while destructing cities is all part of the process for necessary change.  Didn’t you know? 

    In case this needs to be said, yes, I’m being sarcastic. 
    You're not going to find anyone here who thinks that okay, so why the strawman?
  • PJPOWER
    PJPOWER Posts: 6,499
    edited August 2020
    cutz said:
    Fucking deplorable asshats, hope they get assaulted in a similar manner when they are 70.  At least there were a few good people there to help him.
    Post edited by PJPOWER on
  • bbiggs
    bbiggs Posts: 6,964
    dignin said:
    bbiggs said:
    ^ Beating up innocent, elderly business owners while destructing cities is all part of the process for necessary change.  Didn’t you know? 

    In case this needs to be said, yes, I’m being sarcastic. 
    You're not going to find anyone here who thinks that okay, so why the strawman?
    Looting, burning buildings and destructing is condoned and rationalized all the time here.  
  • dignin
    dignin Posts: 9,478
    bbiggs said:
    dignin said:
    bbiggs said:
    ^ Beating up innocent, elderly business owners while destructing cities is all part of the process for necessary change.  Didn’t you know? 

    In case this needs to be said, yes, I’m being sarcastic. 
    You're not going to find anyone here who thinks that okay, so why the strawman?
    Looting, burning buildings and destructing is condoned and rationalized all the time here.  
    I missed the ones about beating up 70 year olds. Maybe point me to those ones, the ones you were making reference too.
  • bbiggs
    bbiggs Posts: 6,964
    dignin said:
    bbiggs said:
    dignin said:
    bbiggs said:
    ^ Beating up innocent, elderly business owners while destructing cities is all part of the process for necessary change.  Didn’t you know? 

    In case this needs to be said, yes, I’m being sarcastic. 
    You're not going to find anyone here who thinks that okay, so why the strawman?
    Looting, burning buildings and destructing is condoned and rationalized all the time here.  
    I missed the ones about beating up 70 year olds. Maybe point me to those ones, the ones you were making reference too.
    Well, maybe if you read my comment, you'd understand that I didn't say anything about "finding anyone here who thinks that's okay."  The point is that if necessary change is the objective, looting, burning, destructing and beating is not the way to accomplish it.  They all go hand in hand these days.

This discussion has been closed.