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Originally posted by sticky
I feel stupid for not knowing the complete background to the story, and the reason that riots would break out.
Originally posted by Druidae
I live in Oakland, and have a few things to say about this.
1. Quit calling Oscar Grant innocent. If he would not have been fighting on the BART train, it would have never happened. He put himself in that situation to be arrested. If he would not have gotten in the original fight on the train, none of this would have happened.
2. Involuntary manslaughter is a fair sentence. I also agree with the gun enhancement charge that Mehserle was found guilty of as well. Do you really believe Mehserle woke up that morning and thought to himself "I am going to shoot someone in the back today"?
3. Have you ever been to Oakland? Downtown is not pretty. I'd love to see some of you walk through downtown at night. Especially the vocal people on here. You would not make it a block with out losing your shoes, Ipod, any jewelry you were wearing and your wallet, if not your life.
4. Jdills - He was CONVICTED today, not charged. What and why would you have liked to seen him get a greater charge? And did the evidence support the greater charge?
5. Zroth - I'd like to know what you think about all the other homicides that go on in Oakland, and why people are not out protesting those. There are a hell of a lot more murders in Oakland than this one. It is not Mayberry. This was an unfortunate accident and someone lost their life. How is it a double standard, was he not convicted? I will ask you too, What and why would you have liked to seen him get a greater charge? And did the evidence support the greater charge?
5. Did you see the stunned look on the officers face right after he shot him, or the daze he was in 20 minutes later in even more video footage?
6. Anyone care to comment on Oscar Grants buddies who were also getting arrested for fighting on the BART train. Or how the police that were there, had to control an overwhelming new years eve crowd of intoxicated people yelling, shouting, and trying to interfere BEFORE O.G. unfortunately got shot?
People really need to step back, and examine the whole situation. Today was a mostly peaceful protest, and I hope it continues in to the night peacefully as well. The original riots that that occurred after the initial shooting were not pretty, and we are lucky more people did not get killed, be it a protester or an officer. I have seen a lot of ignorant comments about the entire mess, and that is what it is.. a mess. Both for the Grant family and for the Mehserle family. My heart goes out to both families, as both have now been torn apart by this unfortunate accident.
I really think that if people want to protest this one incident, they should protest EVERY MURDER that happens during the year in the same manner. Only then will there truly be the change that is needed in Oakland.
~Druidae
[edit on 8-7-2010 by Druidae]
Originally posted by jerico65
Originally posted by adifferentbreed
Wonder when Obama will stop this and explain to his voter base that this is wrong?
This is part of his "spread the wealth" plan!
The U.S. Department of Justice will conduct an independent review of the Johannes Mehserle case in order to determine whether or not the shooting merits federal prosecution, according the department. "The Justice Department has been closely monitoring the state's investigation and prosecution," the department said in a statement.
"The Civil Rights Division, the U.S. Attorney's Office, and the FBI have an open investigation into the fatal shooting and, at the conclusion of the state's prosecution, will conduct an independent review of the facts and circumstances to determine whether the evidence warrants federal prosecution."
Lee said she stands with Oakland Mayor Ron Dellums, the City Council and community leaders in supporting people who want to express themselves.
Originally posted by mordant1
reply to post by centurion1211
Your premise is a bit off. I've spent plenty of time in the hood
There is no 'their' their. If you've spent any time in the hood,what burns is owned by those with lesser degrees of pigmentation, most of the housing is rentals/section 8 and as such, given what I've seen in them, hold nothing of value other than various quantities of intoxicants, some weaponry and entertainment centers of varying quality. No need to worry about books or anything of quality burning, there isnt any.
One needs no riot to destroy the neighborhoods, once the subsidies stop, or rent stops coming in, after 6 months of procedure you finally get to go in and find everything of intrinsic value destroyed as a now traditional thank you to the actual landlord, who gets to replace all the wood, copper, glass and procelain products that have been destroyed or stolen for sport..
Originally posted by mordant1
reply to post by Druidae
Wow, reading your missive suggests that there are some/enough that are incapable of self restraint or recognizing what is beneficial for their own good. What's the matter with destroying property if the majority feel it's appropriate? Democracy in action I say, especially with obvious to all proof of police provocateurs dressed up to look like real hoodrats breaking things up. Some pretty good makeup and wardrobe, wot? Keep it up and you could be the next venue for a million man march and the rev's Sharpton and Jackson all up in yer grills with righteous indignation.
Clearly a thought-criminal in our midst. You must make amentds stat, send them more of your money...
Originally posted by centurion1211
Originally posted by jerico65
Originally posted by adifferentbreed
Wonder when Obama will stop this and explain to his voter base that this is wrong?
This is part of his "spread the wealth" plan!
The obama administration is planning to feed the flames, not stop it.
On Drudge the headline is that Atty. General Holder is planning to review the case to see if the state of CA didn't go far enough with it's prosecution of this guy and so maybe the feds need to step in. Tried to post a link, but too many people are trying to access that link now.
Here it is.
The U.S. Department of Justice will conduct an independent review of the Johannes Mehserle case in order to determine whether or not the shooting merits federal prosecution, according the department. "The Justice Department has been closely monitoring the state's investigation and prosecution," the department said in a statement.
"The Civil Rights Division, the U.S. Attorney's Office, and the FBI have an open investigation into the fatal shooting and, at the conclusion of the state's prosecution, will conduct an independent review of the facts and circumstances to determine whether the evidence warrants federal prosecution."
And this is where congresswoman lee and the mayor of Oakland say they support the rioters ...
Lee said she stands with Oakland Mayor Ron Dellums, the City Council and community leaders in supporting people who want to express themselves.
So, what about government officials being in favor of law and order instead of rioters?
What about the constitutional protections against "double jeopardy" - being tried twice for the same crime?
Is it because the defendant is white, while obama, holder and local congresswoman lee are black that means we don't need to pay attention to the constitution?
What a surprise - not ...
[edit on 7/9/2010 by centurion1211]
Originally posted by centurion1211
No, by "theirs" I meant their homes and their businesses. Regardless of who owns them, it is where their own people live and work that the rioters are destroying.
Originally posted by PsychoX42
As long as people like you blindly support an insane and corrupt justice system, you can count on more stuff like this happening randomly. And some day, it might happen to you. And when it does...
I will be right there supporting the police for taking another "drone" off the planet so that way we can move forward with our evolution as a society.
There is always some nitwit supporting something that they don't fully understand. Forgive the aggression in this post, but, I've about had it with conformists always backing the system. Maybe if you do it long enough, the system will take you in as a pet rather than a slave like the rest of us.
And you pretend like Oakland is so tough. You guys wouldn't even survive a night in Gary, Indiana. And even they have more sense than you to know when the police have gotten out of line. Case in point, the police who unfairly shot this suspect wouldn't even have survived in Gary after something like that was witnessed. They would have been shot right along side the person that they victimized. You guys have no sense of community in California which is the reason why an earthquake will do what should have been done long ago.
Originally posted by adifferentbreed
reply to post by LieBuster
I don't see anyone turning it into a black and white issue.