The Shooting Gallery: Police Violence MEGATHREAD

[merithyn]

Using their service = supporting them?

Ok look I don't want to get into some kind of semantic discussion. If I was wrong I was wrong. I just see so much media generally supporting first responders as good people you can rely on.

So here's where I'm going to ask you to stop and think about that. First, you live in Texas. Second, MOST of the media that you consume is written, produced, and supplied by white people. (I was going to say men, but I don't want to muddy the waters here. It's white PEOPLE who are the problem, including a hell of a lot of white women.)

You honestly can't say that because what you typically see in media is the overal impression by all Americans. It's a really good picture of what white American wants you to see. It's an incredibly important distinction.

[garbon]

Using their service = supporting them?

Ok look I don't want to get into some kind of semantic discussion. If I was wrong I was wrong. I just see so much media generally supporting first responders as good people you can rely on.

It isn't about semantics. You and white America might be conditioned to support the police and other first responders alike.

I've never had the same feelings of trust for the police as I do other emergency services.

And that isn't a semantic difference.

[Tamas]

We are all conditioned to support the police and other first responders so getting so much of the country turned against them takes some truly shocking tone deafness and inteptitude.

Is the 'we' in this sentence, white people?

White American citizens generally.

FYPFY

You should probably know that it really isn't "all Americans" on this.

Since we are playing trump stereotype, I'll trump yours with white middle class. I know plenty of white males (I'll wash myself after this, don't worry) who are disdainful of the police. But come to think of it, about 50% of them are lower classes, so there.

[Valmy]

Okay, well count me the way fuck out of that.

What? You hate firefighters and EMTs as well?

Do you think that firefighters and EMTs treat black people the same as white people? Because I'm going to go with no, not so much.

It's not about hating. It's about lacking trust, and it's with cause.

Did I say that? I was talking about something totally different. I was talking about how first responders, like the military, are often put forward as heroic figures culturally and talking about how the police have betrayed all that through their tone deafness and how out of touch they are. Suddenly that means I think there is no racism?

Ok I could be wrong. But stop with the strawmen please.

[garbon]

We are all conditioned to support the police and other first responders so getting so much of the country turned against them takes some truly shocking tone deafness and inteptitude.

Is the 'we' in this sentence, white people?

White American citizens generally.

FYPFY

You should probably know that it really isn't "all Americans" on this.

Since we are playing trump stereotype, I'll trump yours with white middle class. I know plenty of white males (I'll wash myself after this, don't worry) who are disdainful of the police. But come to think of it, about 50% of them are lower classes, so there.

I've no idea what is happening with that post.

[merithyn]

From a local reporter:

Dave Greber
@DaveGreber4
#BREAKING: I'm told the entire @BPDAlerts
Emergency Response Team has resigned from the team, a total of 57 officers, as a show of support for the officers who are suspended without pay after shoving Martin Gugino, 75. They are still employed, but no longer on ERT. @news4buffalo

So from what I've understood they are resigning in protest to support police burtality?

Edit: And, incidentally, from what I've seen that elderly man has a serious head injury from this shove.

Last I knew, he was in the ICU because of it.

And yeah, you're surprised? The Thin Blue Line is a big deal. You support your brothers in arms no matter what.

[Barrister]

So from what I've understood they are resigning in protest to support police burtality?

Edit: And, incidentally, from what I've seen that elderly man has a serious head injury from this shove.

I'm sure they think they're showing support for their colleagues, and indicating a displeasure that they've been suspended without pay.

But I don't think they really thought through the optics here...

[merithyn]

We are all conditioned to support the police and other first responders so getting so much of the country turned against them takes some truly shocking tone deafness and inteptitude.

Is the 'we' in this sentence, white people?

White American citizens generally.

FYPFY

You should probably know that it really isn't "all Americans" on this.

Since we are playing trump stereotype, I'll trump yours with white middle class. I know plenty of white males (I'll wash myself after this, don't worry) who are disdainful of the police. But come to think of it, about 50% of them are lower classes, so there.

Even the white trash I grew up with will say they trust the police the same as they trust a firefighter.

Afterall, it's only black folk who get beat up, amIrite?

[Sheilbh]

I'm sure they think they're showing support for their colleagues, and indicating a displeasure that they've been suspended without pay.

But I don't think they really thought through the optics here...

Yeah. I mean from what I can see they've got about 700 members. So about, what 7.5% are resigning in protest over this, plus the two officers who were suspended (not fired).

It's tough not to argue that that's such a systemic problem they need to be torn down and built again.

It's like the real meaning of bad apples shining through - bad apples ruin the rest of the barrel, you need to get rid of them. The solution isn't to just focus on the good apples.

Edit: Incidentally about 170 MPs from all parties are calling on the government to block the export of tear gas and rubber bullets to the US. I feel like this also belongs in the failed/failing/coup threads.

[Syt]

"A few bad apples"

https://www.rawstory.com/2020/06/57-buffalo-cops-resign-to-support-suspended-officers-who-pushed-down-elderly-man/

57 Buffalo cops resign to support suspended officers who pushed down elderly man

The entire Buffalo Police Department Emergency Response Team — a total of 57 officers — has resigned from the team in support of the two officers who pushed 75-year-old Martin Gugino to the ground, seriously injuring him.

They are still employed, but no longer on ERT.

According to Buffalo Police Benevolent Association president John Evans, the cops who pushed Gugino down were just following orders.

"Fifty-seven resigned in disgust because of the treatment of two of their members, who were simply executing orders," Evans, said in a statement.

This is a developing story. Check WIVB4 for updates.

[Tamas]

"A few bad apples"

https://www.rawstory.com/2020/06/57-buffalo-cops-resign-to-support-suspended-officers-who-pushed-down-elderly-man/

57 Buffalo cops resign to support suspended officers who pushed down elderly man

The entire Buffalo Police Department Emergency Response Team — a total of 57 officers — has resigned from the team in support of the two officers who pushed 75-year-old Martin Gugino to the ground, seriously injuring him.

They are still employed, but no longer on ERT.

According to Buffalo Police Benevolent Association president John Evans, the cops who pushed Gugino down were just following orders.

"Fifty-seven resigned in disgust because of the treatment of two of their members, who were simply executing orders," Evans, said in a statement.

This is a developing story. Check WIVB4 for updates.

FFS

[Barrister]

I'm sure they think they're showing support for their colleagues, and indicating a displeasure that they've been suspended without pay.

But I don't think they really thought through the optics here...

Yeah. I mean from what I can see they've got about 700 members. So about, what 7.5% are resigning in protest over this, plus the two officers who were suspended (not fired).

It's tough not to argue that that's such a systemic problem they need to be torn down and built again.

It's like the real meaning of bad apples shining through - bad apples ruin the rest of the barrel, you need to get rid of them. The solution isn't to just focus on the good apples.

They're not resigning from the force, just from this one particular unit.

[Tamas]

I'm sure they think they're showing support for their colleagues, and indicating a displeasure that they've been suspended without pay.

But I don't think they really thought through the optics here...

Yeah. I mean from what I can see they've got about 700 members. So about, what 7.5% are resigning in protest over this, plus the two officers who were suspended (not fired).

It's tough not to argue that that's such a systemic problem they need to be torn down and built again.

It's like the real meaning of bad apples shining through - bad apples ruin the rest of the barrel, you need to get rid of them. The solution isn't to just focus on the good apples.

They're not resigning from the force, just from this one particular unit.

It's the thought that matters! The whole unit though it it is ok to shove an old man to the pavement when he approaches you alone, unarmed, to talk to you.

[Tamas]

Also makes me wonder just what kind of orders do they have.

[Valmy]

"A few bad apples"

https://www.rawstory.com/2020/06/57-buffalo-cops-resign-to-support-suspended-officers-who-pushed-down-elderly-man/

57 Buffalo cops resign to support suspended officers who pushed down elderly man

The entire Buffalo Police Department Emergency Response Team — a total of 57 officers — has resigned from the team in support of the two officers who pushed 75-year-old Martin Gugino to the ground, seriously injuring him.

They are still employed, but no longer on ERT.

According to Buffalo Police Benevolent Association president John Evans, the cops who pushed Gugino down were just following orders.

"Fifty-seven resigned in disgust because of the treatment of two of their members, who were simply executing orders," Evans, said in a statement.

This is a developing story. Check WIVB4 for updates.

Jesus Christ. Talk about tone deaf. Circle the wagons!