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The problem in Ferguson is that the protest is now being overshadowed by those who want to vandalize and possibly loot, and the focus has moved from the original problem - a militarized police force - to vandalism and destruction by individuals who could probably care less about the Brown family and their loss.
Couldn't agree more. The looters aren't even from Ferguson. These people don't want to lose their access to what these stores sell. There's a lot of old people without vehicles that rely on these stores.
The thieves and morons are coming from all other areas of the region. Two arrested were from Kansas City and Dallas.
There's no excuse for looting and Molotov cocktails - ever.
I also don't want to paint all police with a broad brush. Most are very honorable. I certainly would never consider that difficult job. I know several of the police men and women that work my area and I have the utmost respect for them. But, over my life, I've also known those in these small municipalities that I wouldn't trust any farther than I could throw them. As in every walk of life, there are honorable people and dishonest, despicable people.
When I was in my teens and early 20s I was a wrecker driver for a company that contracted with about half of the cities in North County as well as the farthest north district of the city of St. Louis. I worked midnight to 8 and we were the only place open then. I've been to a lot of accidents and police incidents. I've personally witnessed some police make disparaging remarks about ethnicities that had me doubting their objectivity.
The following is not a race issue but one that shows unfairness. I had to tow two vehicles from an accident in Jennings late one night. One was a police car, the other was an MG. There were a lot of witnesses. The MG had been travelling west on West Florissant (the same street with the current rioting). The police car came out from between two buildings with no lights. The MG hit the front of the police car. I don't know if he survived but he was hospitalized. The policeman claimed he had not only headlights but also his red lights on. Everyone at the scene said that wasn't true. Nothing ever came of it.
That said, if there were true transparency, we wouldn't have had to wait for the family to fly in a second forensic scientist to re-autopsy the body. And based on witness testimony from 3 different people and the autopsy the officer should at least be in custody.
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Fabulous coffee table book, especially for chicken aficionados.