Ferguson Grand Jury...

[Mountain Man]

I sympathize with the grief of Brown's parents, but I can't sympathize with their denial when, for instance, his mother tearfully claims that he was a good boy who never used his size to threaten, intimidate, or hurt anyone. There's at least one shop owner and one police officer in Ferguson who would adamantly disagree.

[myth]

I sympathize with the grief of Brown's parents, but I can't sympathize with their denial when, for instance, his mother tearfully claims that he was a good boy who never used his size to threaten, intimidate, or hurt anyone. There's at least one shop owner and one police officer in Ferguson who would adamantly disagree.

I do not understand it (probably because I haven't experienced it on such an intimate level), but I have seen it time and again -- grief can make people completely blind to the obvious and wholly unwilling to listen to reason.

I haven't bothered to learn much about Brown's mother or stepfather. I was interested, though, to watch the video CNN was playing where he was screaming at an angry crowd something along the lines of "we're going to burn this %*&^$ down!"...and the angry mob proceeded to burn several businesses. In any other context, he'd have been arrested already. I worry about the precedent they're setting from a public safety standpoint by allowing mob violence to dictate whether or not you enforce the law.

[Cow Poke]

The real tragedy is that Brown was allowed, for whatever reason, to grow up thinking he could take whatever he wanted, intimidate and physically accost smaller people (the store clerk), flaunt the law and have total disrespect for authority. It got him dead. He was on that trajectory long before his encounter with Wilson.

Yes, people do strange things when they're grieving, but it's usually something consistent with what's deep inside.

[Jedidiah]

In any other context, he'd have been arrested already. I worry about the precedent they're setting from a public safety standpoint by allowing mob violence to dictate whether or not you enforce the law.

I too sympathize with loss. But letting a major offense like this go unaddressed simply encourages similar and greater offenses in the future. This is a major part of how we got to the condition our society is in now.

[KingsGambit]

I do not understand it (probably because I haven't experienced it on such an intimate level), but I have seen it time and again -- grief can make people completely blind to the obvious and wholly unwilling to listen to reason.

I haven't bothered to learn much about Brown's mother or stepfather. I was interested, though, to watch the video CNN was playing where he was screaming at an angry crowd something along the lines of "we're going to burn this %*&^$ down!"...and the angry mob proceeded to burn several businesses. In any other context, he'd have been arrested already. I worry about the precedent they're setting from a public safety standpoint by allowing mob violence to dictate whether or not you enforce the law.

I am at least grateful that the Missouri Lieutenant Governor was talking about the possibility of indicting him. You just don't do that.

[Darth Executor]

Calling for someone's death actually is partially protected by the constitution. Unless there's an imminent threat the worst that'll usually happen is a visit from the cops (and possibly Secret Services if you talk about killing the president).

[myth]

Calling for someone's death actually is partially protected by the constitution. Unless there's an imminent threat the worst that'll usually happen is a visit from the cops (and possibly Secret Services if you talk about killing the president).

I don't believe he was advocating murder, but was instead advocating arson and/or riot.

[KingsGambit]

So now the prosecutor is openly admitting that he allowed people to testify whom he knew were not telling the truth. Perhaps he ought to be disbarred.

http://www.buzzfeed.com/mikehayes/st...ied#.ln88wA3P3

[Darth Executor]

So now the prosecutor is openly admitting that he allowed people to testify whom he knew were not telling the truth. Perhaps he ought to be disbarred.

http://www.buzzfeed.com/mikehayes/st...ied#.ln88wA3P3

His explanation sounds reasonable to me. Particularly in light of the fact that he never would have presented that case in the first place if it wasn't for the political pressure.

[Paprika]

So now the prosecutor is openly admitting that he allowed people to testify whom he knew were not telling the truth. Perhaps he ought to be disbarred.

Before you wish him to be disbarred, perhaps you should be agitating for the dismissal of those who pressured him to bring the case to court.

[KingsGambit]

Before you wish him to be disbarred, perhaps you should be agitating for the dismissal of those who pressured him to bring the case to court.

Dismissal from what? The case of licensure to the bar is fairly clear; violation of the cited ethics code is cause for loss of one's license, apart from any occupational considerations.

[Darth Executor]

Dismissal from what? The case of licensure to the bar is fairly clear; violation of the cited ethics code is cause for loss of one's license, apart from any occupational considerations.

Does the code apply to prosecutors? The article is unclear since it's Buzzfeed, and nobody has ever accused Buzzfeed of committing any acts of journalism.

[Paprika]

Dismissal from what?

Their jobs? I'm not sure what the de jure or de facto hierarchy is like; apply my advice mutatis mutandis.

The case of licensure to the bar is fairly clear; violation of the cited ethics code is cause for loss of one's license, apart from any occupational considerations.

I'm pointing out that more likely than not he was used and it might be better not only to go after the small fry but those who were coercing them.

[KingsGambit]

Does the code apply to prosecutors? The article is unclear since it's Buzzfeed, and nobody has ever accused Buzzfeed of committing any acts of journalism.

I dunno, not sure why it wouldn't. But to be fair, stealing from Reddit so shamelessly takes at least some bravado.

[KingsGambit]

Their jobs? I'm not sure what the de jure or de facto hierarchy is like; apply my advice mutatis mutandis.


I'm pointing out that more likely than not he was used and it might be better not only to go after the small fry but those who were coercing them.

No doubt he was pressured from all quarters, but it's not as if he was physically forced. Somebody in such a powerful position should be advised to show some backbone. His stated rationale of not wanting to be criticized is telling for its lack thereof.