Do you think it was those protesters that committed violence against buildings that brought about the Civil Rights Act signing by LBJ or the escalating violence against Civili Rights marchers and everyday persons of color by police departments and individuals that moved LBJ to make the CRA Law.
I think that there would have never been [real] change if there had never been the uprising of the public. There would have just been talk, talk, and more talk.
So it is today. Politicans talk, promise, propose, consult, posture, but never any real change. Until the Rich & Powerful find themselves threatened, there will never be any significant change.
Law Enforcement has no accountability (except to itself). My barber is under more State regulation that my local, county, or state law enforcement officer. My kids' school bus driver is under phenomenally more regulation than a cop. (And there should be such regulation to protect kids from a potential predator.) The system of "checks & balances" in law enforcement is conducted by law enforcement itself. Internal Affairs. You have a complaint about Ferguson Police Department you file a complaint with (GUESS WHO?) -- Ferguson Police Department. Just like doctors, cops will not "rat out" another cop. (As a result the medical community suffers from exhorbitant malpractice insurance rates and seeks to have govenment impose limits on their liability.) If you don't like the determination that the Ferguson Police Department makes about your complaint against it, you're f&&ked. You have NOWHERE to turn.
At the very worst, a "bad cop" is allowed to resign and move on to another jurisdiction. This is NOT the exception. It is the typical response to a bad cop situation that cannot be covered over or overlooked. Some departments have installed dash cameras which often "fail" when there is a case of abuse. The cameras always are working when the Police Dept needs evidence for the drunken driver, but they always fail when they are subpoenaed against the officer. Cop wins again for "lack of evidence" against him.
There needs to be some kind of ACCOUNTABILITY.
The Michael Brown incident is an extreme case. Similar abuse happens in 100s of munincipalities in every state across the US on a regular basis. It's only the exteme case, like Michael Brown, that generates enough media attention to be a potential for creating meaningful change. Yet, you can see that no one is really suggesting any meaning ful change in policy. Politicians are posturing (at best). Most politicans are keep clear of it as they do not want to take a stand that can be politicized as being "against" law enforcement. Cops have a huge Political Action Committee. They can win/lose elections. Cops do NOT want change. They do not want to be scrutinized. They do NOT want to be held accountable. Sadly, they will probably get their status quo to continue.
BTW -- ALPHA MAN: Forensic evidence and eye witnesses back up the officer.
I don't think you've got the whole story. I think you're buying one set of "facts".
Doc
