Mayhem in Missouri Breaks Out

[Debra]

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/BuuhXlTIYAATibj.jpg

Reports about the extent of vandalism and looting occurring in Ferguson following the shooting of the young teenager are building with reports that violence it is spreading elsewhere. And talk that the military will be moving in.

Who is on the ground out there who can give a clearer picture?

Mass Riots Breaking out in Ferguson, Missouri
Filed under Emerging Threats, News
August 10, 2014 Posted by: Off The Grid (http://offgridsurvival.com/riotsfergusonmissouri/)

Mass Riots have broke out tonight in Ferguson, Missouri where tensions reached a boiling point following an officer involved shooting that left a local teenager dead. Police officers from every jurisdiction in the St. Louis area have started flooding into Ferguson in an attempt to stop the violence and rioting that have taken over large parts on the city.
The violence, looting and riots broke out shortly after a planned rally and vigil to support the family of the dead 18-year-old Michael Brown.Brown was the unarmed teenager shot to death by an Ferguson police officer on Saturday afternoon.
Witnesses say tensions boiled over tonight as a large number of people took to the streets ans started burning and vandalizing parts of the city. Witnesses say large mobs are roaming the city screaming “kill the police.” All residents near Ferguson need to take precautions to protect themselves.


Photos from Twitter feeds

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/Buup9tTCIAEZnVs.jpg:large


REPORT FROM ABC NEWS (http://abcnews.go.com/US/wireStory/thousands-gather-vigil-missouri-man-24923007)

Looting Reported After Vigil for MO Man Killed by Cop
FERGUSON, Mo. — Aug 11, 2014, 3:01 AM ET
By JIM SALTER Associated Press
Associated Press

A day of anger over a fatal police shooting of an unarmed black man in suburban St. Louis turned to mayhem as people looted businesses, vandalized vehicles and confronted police who sought to block off access to several areas of the city.

The tensions erupted after a candlelight vigil Sunday night for 18-year-old Michael Brown, who police said was shot multiple times the previous afternoon after a scuffle involving the officer, Brown and another person in Ferguson, a predominantly black suburb of the city.

Afterward, a convenience store was looted. Several other stores along a main road near the shooting scene were broken into, including a check-cashing store, a boutique and a small grocery store. People also took items from a sporting goods store and a cellphone retailer, and carted rims away from a tire store.

TV footage showed streams of people walking out of a liquor store carrying bottles of alcohol, and in some cases protesters were standing atop police cars or taunting officers who stood stoic, often in riot gear.

Other witnesses reported seeing people vandalize police cars and kick in windows. Television footage showed windows busted out of a TV station van.

Police were having a hard time catching looters because crimes were happening at several locations in Ferguson and spilling into neighboring communities, Mayor James Knowles told KTVI-TV. It wasn't immediately clear how many arrests were made. Authorities set up some blockades to try to keep people from the most looted areas.

While St. Louis County Executive Charlie Dooley said that there were no reports of injuries as of about 11 p.m., there also were scattered reports of assaults into the early morning. Pat Washington, a spokeswoman for Dooley, there was one instance she knew of in which tear gas was used. There were scattered media reports of gunfire but authorities did not immediately confirm any.

"Right now, the small group of people are creating a huge mess," Knowles told KTVI-TV. "Contributing to the unrest that is going on is not going to help. ... We're only hurting ourselves, only hurting our community, hurting our neighbors. There's nothing productive from this."

As the investigation of Brown's death progresses, "we understand people want to vent their frustrations. We understand they want to speak out," Knowles added. "We're going to obviously try to urge calm."

Earlier in the day, a few hundred protesters had gathered outside Ferguson Police headquarters. At one point, many of them marched into an adjacent police building, some chanting "Don't shoot me" while holding their hands in the air. Officers stood at the top of a staircase, but didn't use force; the crowd eventually left.

County Police Chief Jon Belmar said the shooting occurred after an officer encountered two people — one of whom was Brown — on the street near an apartment complex in Ferguson.

Belmar said one of the men pushed the officer back into his squad car and a struggle began. Belmar said at least one shot was fired from the officer's gun inside the police car. Ferguson Police Chief Tom Jackson said authorities were still sorting out what happened inside the police car. It was not clear if Brown was the man who struggled with the officer.

[panopticon]

I posted a thread earlier here (http://projectavalon.net/forum4/showthread.php?73728-Family-of-Michael-Brown-Teenager-Shot-to-Death-By-Ferguson-Police-Talks-About-His-Life).

-- Pan

[Debra]

Hi panoptican,

I did see your thread, but thought it would be more focused on the case itself and not what seems to have developed - and from what I am gathering, has got well out of hand. I have a couple of friends on Facebook who live in the region, who are very nervous. I thought a thread to track the eruptions might be of interest to see how this is handled by the authorities.

I have also hopped on Twitter for a look around for what is coming from the grassroots .. the situation appears very scary.

However, by all means, if yourself and mods think it would be better to bring the two threads together, that is fine with me too.

Best wishes,
Debra

[panopticon]

Hi Zebra,

Was just linking threads so as to not double post.
I was really surprised that there hadn't been anything posted about the shooting by someone from the US...
Starting to wonder what's going on...

-- Pan

[conk]

When no one will buy anymore of our debt. When the grocery is not stocked. When the welfare and food stamps stop. What will these kinds of people do? More of these insane antics and on a far grander scale. Do not stay in a big urban area when the economic crap storm finally hits for good. Pray for all the innocents that will be caught up in it.

[panopticon]

Video of what is happening in the area (uploaded by Alderman Antonio French of the City of St. Louis [twitter here (https://twitter.com/AntonioFrench), Youtube here (https://www.youtube.com/user/adfrench/videos)]):
cZQ775G03_4
4X7KY0cOwYU
mNeISyz2m50
ibtc8g_9tos
FLI2PDNA5eM
Eye witness says the robbery allegations are false (if I'm understanding what is being said):
tfy5FiqzWHI

-- Pan

[giovonni]

From dutchsinse ...

Heavily Armed Police march in North St. Louis --
Machine guns , Tear Gas + MRAP trucks ...

"Most of my viewers know I live in Saint Louis, some may not know I grew up in Ferguson, MO. This madness in North STL really hits home for me.

A full day after the unrest, NOW we see police armed with machine guns, .50 caliber rifles, MRAP armored vehicles, march on the streets of North St. Louis (Ferguson). Tear gas deployed on local residents, not groups of rioters."

August 11th going into the 12th , 2014


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qLccy9VrqX8

[778 neighbour of some guy]

From dutchsinse ...

Heavily Armed Police march in North St. Louis --
Machine guns , Tear Gas + MRAP trucks ...

"Most of my viewers know I live in Saint Louis, some may not know I grew up in Ferguson, MO. This madness in North STL really hits home for me.

A full day after the unrest, NOW we see police armed with machine guns, .50 caliber rifles, MRAP armored vehicles, march on the streets of North St. Louis (Ferguson). Tear gas deployed on local residents, not groups of rioters."

August 11th going into the 12th , 2014


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qLccy9VrqX8

The US is under martial law for almost 70 years isn't it?

[panopticon]

Interview with City of St. Louis Alderman, Antonio French:

KMfvpoDBKds
-- Pan

[seeker/reader]

I saw this young man, Dorian Johnson, interviewed by Chris Hayes on the MSNBC last night. Apparently, he was the other person that was with Michael Brown when the incident occurred. He gave his account of what happened. Please read the article for the details.

http://www.msnbc.com/msnbc/eyewitness-michael-brown-fatal-shooting-missouri

I found this part very interesting (quote from the MSNBC article)


Freeman Bosley, Johnson’s attorney, told MSNBC that the police have yet to interview Johnson. Bosley said that he offered the police an opportunity to speak with Johnson, but they declined.

“They didn't even want to talk to him,” said Bosley, a former mayor of St. Louis. “They don’t want the facts. What they want is to justify what happened … what they are trying to do now is justify what happened instead of trying to point out the wrong. Something is wrong here and that’s what it is.”


**post edit**

I found a link to the video interview


http://on.msnbc.com/1pLJDnb

[Snowflower]

I am finding myself remembering what Shoghi Effendi, the Great Grandson of Baha'u'llah and the Guardian of the Baha'i Faith had to say about race relations in America:


No less serious is the stress and strain imposed on the fabric of American society through the fundamental and persistent neglect, by the governed and governors alike, of the supreme, the inescapable and urgent duty - so repeatedly and graphically represented and stressed by 'Abdu'l-Baha in His arraignment of the basic weaknesses in the social fabric of the nation - of remedying, while there is yet time, through a revolutionary change in the concept and attitude of the average white American toward his Negro fellow citizen, a situation which, if allowed to drift, will, in the words of 'Abdu'l-Baha, cause the streets of American cities to run with blood, aggravating thereby the havoc which the fearful weapons of destruction, raining from the air, and amassed by a ruthless, a vigilant, a powerful and inveterate enemy, will wreak Upon those same cities.

The American nation, of which the community of the Most Great Name forms as yet a negligible and infinitesimal part, stands, indeed, from whichever angle one observes its immediate fortunes, in grave peril. The woes and tribulations which threaten it are partly avoidable, but mostly inevitable and God-sent, for by reason of them a government and people clinging tenaciously to the obsolescent doctrine of absolute sovereignty and upholding a political system, manifestly at variance with the needs of a world already contracted into a neighborhood and crying out for unity, will find itself purged of its anachronistic conceptions, and prepared to play a preponderating role, as foretold by 'Abdu'l-Baha, in the hoisting of the standard of the Lesser peace, in the unification of mankind, and in the establishment of a world federal government on this planet. These same fiery tribulations will not only firmly weld the American nation to its sister nations in both hemispheres, but will through their cleansing effect, purge it thoroughly of the accumulated dross which ingrained racial prejudice, rampant materialism, widespread ungodliness and moral laxity have combined, in the course of successive generations, to produce, and which have prevented her thus far from assuming the role of world spiritual leadership forecast by 'Abdu'l-Baha's unerring pen - a role which she is bound to fulfill through travail and sorrow. (126:2)

He's a challenge to understand sometimes, because his sentence structure is somewhat complex. My understanding of it is that there will be massive violence between black and white races, and that it will be happening in conjunction with some form of bomb (WMD's anyone?)

Then there is the question of a "world federal government." Baha'is support the UN and all apparent efforts toward world unity. The problem of course becomes whether that "world government" would be a lord and serf system run by the illuminati or a unification of the people of the world. Right now it's headed in the wrong direction. But something that seems pretty definite is that America is going to go through some serious suffering before coming out of it cleansed and ready to assume a leadership role in a return to spiritual values.

[panopticon]

Protesters use hands-up gesture defiantly after Michael Brown shooting (http://www.latimes.com/nation/la-na-hands-up-20140813-story.html)
By Matt Pearce, August 12th, 2014

http://www.trbimg.com/img-53eacbb7/turbine/la-la-na-missouri-handsup02-jpg-20140812/750/16x9

Yet again, the protesters took to the sidewalks and streets, facing a row of police guarding the St. Louis County prosecutor's office. "Hands up!" they chanted, their arms aloft. "Don't shoot."

"This is how the boy died!" Kendrick Strong, 42, hollered at police officers Tuesday morning. "This is how the boy died! With his hands up in the air!"

As St. Louis' predominantly black northern quarter has teetered toward chaos the last four days after police in the suburb of Ferguson killed an unarmed black 18-year-old, the chant has been one inescapable constant amid the worry and confusion and clamor.

The hands-up — a sign of surrender and submission black men and boys here say they learn early on when dealing with police — has been transformed into a different kind of weapon.

"If you're angry, throw your arms up," said the Rev. Al Sharpton, who traveled to St. Louis in the wake of the death of Michael Brown. "If you want justice, throw your arms up. Because that's the sign Michael was using. He had a surrender sign. That's the sign you have to deal with. Use the sign he last showed. We want answers why that last sign was not respected."

Brown was shot and killed by an officer Saturday while Brown, according to witnesses, was running away with his hands up. Police say the shooting occurred after a struggle between Brown and a policeman over the officer's gun.

In the days since the shooting, riot police have been sweeping the streets in scenes that might be more recognizable in the Middle East. Stores have been looted, a gas station burned, a Catholic charity's window smashed. Teens have hurled rocks at cops. Officers have launched tear gas.

Benjamin Crump, a lawyer representing Brown's parents, has demanded that police identify the officer who shot Brown, but the Ferguson police chief declined to do so, citing death threats.

President Obama, noting the Justice Department is aiding local officials in investigating the shooting, said in a statement Tuesday, "I know the events of the past few days have prompted strong passions, but as details unfold, I urge everyone in Ferguson, Missouri, and across the country, to remember this young man through reflection and understanding."

Local and national black community organizations have begun deliberating their roles in how to respond to Brown's death. And everyone wonders when the convulsive nighttime violence that has turned Ferguson into an unpredictable "war zone" — as some officers have put it — will end.

Just as "Ferguson" has transformed into instantly recognizable shorthand signifying the latest juncture in an unsettled national conversation over race and policing, the "hands up, don't shoot" chant has joined a long line of activist slogans that crystallize the heart of a community's moral outrage: Hell no, we won't go. No justice, no peace.

Demonstrators had taken up the chant Monday when hundreds of demonstrators, many older, marched in the streets in front of the Ferguson Police Department, their arms raised toward the blazing sun. About two-thirds of Ferguson's 21,000 residents are African American, but police and city officials are predominantly white.

The black teens and twentysomethings who took to the streets in Ferguson on Monday night did the same, lifting their hands to the glaring lights of a police chopper and the line of police vehicles — with officers in front — trying to keep them at bay.

But they also used the hands-up sign as a tool for provocation, drifting toward the police with their arms up, as if daring for a response. They mixed the hands-up chant with a taunting, obscene anti-police chant. The police eventually drove the group away with tear gas.

In Clayton the following morning, the hands-up protest was deployed again to confront police officers, but with more peaceful intentions. For several black men who looked on as a line of demonstrators held up their hands, some while on their knees, the symbol had powerful and even painful personal resonance.

Mark Sutton, 24, of St. Louis recalled an incident when he was 18. He had gone to the Saint Louis Galleria Mall with his little brother to pick out a prom suit, but ID checkers at the entrance wouldn't let him in.

Sutton said that as he walked away with a cellphone to his ear, a police officer grabbed his hand; surprised, he yanked his arm away and then was thrown to the ground, handcuffed and Tasered.

"That could have been me in '08," Sutton said of Brown's fate. "I wouldn't be here to tell this story. I wouldn't be here to protest."

Other men at the Clayton rally, young and old, shared similar stories.

"See this dent?" said Aha Sen Piankhy, 38, tapping a finger to a scar on his face. "I got smacked in the head with a flashlight because I didn't say, 'Yes, sir.'"

He added, "I was 14 years old."

Aha Sen said the hands-up chant was "a good tool" because it showed that police apparently violated the covenant not to shoot when hands are up — a gesture resented among black boys and men in the first place.

Brown, he said, "knew to put his hands in the air, and they still killed him."

But Strong said he detests the new symbol.

"You're showing yourself as weak. It says, 'I give up, I surrender to your authority,'" he said. "Whether his hands were up, if they were down, it doesn't matter."

But when a police officer smirked at protesters Tuesday morning, Strong decided, the gesture seemed the best way to express displeasure.

Colbi Drake, 22, a student at the University of Missouri, had a different outlook on holding her hands up, citing other cases of young unarmed black men around the country who were killed.

"This is a very peaceful way of representing the people who aren't able to do this themselves," she said. "That was always the symbol of surrendering. 'I have nothing! My hands are up!' Why would you still shoot? It makes no sense."

And then Drake went back to watching the demonstrators facing police, with their arms raised to the sky.

Source (http://www.latimes.com/nation/la-na-hands-up-20140813-story.html)

[Siegfried The 7]

I hate the fact that everyone focuses on the looting instead of realizing that there is a serious problem in the united states. I don't think anyone believes looting is right, but simply having equality in justice could have prevented this. People deflect and say things like what about "black on black crime" , but people are arrested and convicted in these situations. Police are killing the youth and even adults in general in these urban areas and because people are brainwashed to believe that ALL the people in these areas are uneducated, lazy, or criminal prone, they will quickly accept anything said to justify the actions that take place. They will rationalize that these people aren't contributing anything to society so who cares if they die? SMH Then after they see justice fail them repeatedly, peaceful protest end with no changes or charges for wrongdoing, and the same acts continue, all who have been silent then have something to say condemning them.

With that being said, I read something on this forum a few years back about the government possibly trying to incite racial conflict with hopes of implementing martial law and by some of the comments I have seen online with people in fear talking about purchasing guns etc over this riot, I would say everything appears to be right on schedule. Movies like "The Purge" (which shows a black man running for his life from some group/militia of whites while seeking shelter, is allowed into the home of a white family by their son and in turn the family inherits the wrath of the attackers) have already put out the subliminals which is kind of a "look the other way when this happens and you'll be fine" sort of thing. Americans have yet to realize that we cant ignore certain problems that happen in our country because eventually they will become problems that will impact all of us. The media uses the riot situation to play on the fear of others to aggravate the situation. White Americans are fed irrelevant and sometimes false information so that they believe there was justification for a "killing". Their condemning comments and bias are fed to black Americans to incite more anger which gets used to fuel white Americans into believing that black Americans want to kill them etc.

To be honest I believe these urban areas are being singled out because they have a stigma that can be easily used to cover up any wrongdoing that takes place. When people were protesting peacefully, dogs and military equipment were brought out and the riot ensued after tear gas was thrown into the crowd. Why do that to people protesting peacefully? People in MO have stated that police were smirking and telling them "..bring it, you animals!" of course these type of things the media are not going to inform the public of. I often wonder sometimes if these unnecessarily fatal situations are being done to provoke unrest given the ridiculous amounts of force and reasons why police felt the need to kill instead of apprehend. On top of that, the officers walk free or receive little to no condemning for their actions which has to be a slap in the face to the people constantly dealing with their behavior. Could the government be using these people to test out new gear and tactics for future situations that may include us all? We look the other way, but when this begins to happen to us all what will we do then? I wonder sometimes...

[Snowflower]

I don't think the people of Ferguson, Missouri are going to "get over it." The question posed in one of the articles, "when will the rioting stop," suggests that the riots are like a child's tantrum. When they "get over it," then they will stop rioting (tantrumming.) I think the time has come that the streets of American cities will run with blood. Another "episode" here, then another over there, then it becomes a new way of beingness - everywhere. It is too late. That quote I copied from the Baha'i Writings was written back in the mid 20th century. It said, "while there is still time" to remedy the situation. Today, I believe we are out of time.

I think this specific time in Ferguson is the catalyst because 1. It's the right timing in the process of the disintegration of civilization, 2. They will not tell the boy's parents who killed their son, and 3. The boy was killed when he had his hands in the air as a sign of surrender. The rioting is not a tantrum, it is the final scream of a people who see no other option.

[panopticon]

Some reporters have been arrested and the police have told the remaining media in Ferguson to turn off their cameras...

Gas, sound bursts dispersals, bullets (rubber coated), wooden plugs, exploding non-lethal canisters (big bang etc)...

All developed in the West Bank.

Video: http://new.livestream.com/accounts/9035483/events/3271930

###

Ferguson police arrest reporters amid rage over Michael Brown shooting (http://www.theguardian.com/world/2014/aug/14/ferguson-police-arrest-reporters-as-unrest-continues-over-michael-brown-shooting)
14 August 2014

http://static.guim.co.uk/sys-images/Guardian/Pix/pictures/2014/8/14/1407984581770/26eece9a-a396-4839-abcc-c6c246ad955e-460x276.jpeg
Protesters raise their hands in front of armed police in Ferguson. Photograph: JB Forbes/AP

Washington Post and Huffington Post journalists detained amid continuing fraught situation on streets

Five nights after an unarmed black teenager was shot dead in Ferguson, Missouri by an officer from the town’s predominantly white police force, tensions were once again running high on Wednesday. Two reporters were arrested.

Groups of protesters, demonstrating over the killing of 18-year-old Michael Brown, faced off with armed police in riot and military gear who responded with teargas.

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/Bu9ovoICAAAUuhY.jpg

Pictures taken by photographers and TV camera crews showed police snipers overlooking protesters.

http://static.guim.co.uk/sys-images/Guardian/Pix/pictures/2014/8/14/1407984339150/f84bf311-1146-4e9e-9f2d-d2285129e085-460x276.jpeg
A police officer watches over demonstrators protesting the killing of teenager Michael Brown on 13 August in Ferguson, Missouri. Photograph: Scott Olson/Getty Images

The Guardian’s Jon Swaine witnessed the arrest of two reporters: Wesley Lowery of the Washington Post and Ryan J Reilly of the Huffington Post.

Jon writes:


The two reporters were taken in cuffs from a McDonald’s in downtown Ferguson and placed in an unmarked white police van.

“They’re reporters,” shouted one member of the public, who had also been in the restaurant. Another customer confirmed seeing the pair at work inside. Lowery and Reilly both tweeted about being asked to leave the restaurant moments before the pair were seen being arrested.

Asked why he was being detained, the first reporter shouted: “For videotaping them.” When I approached a police line in an effort to confirm the reporters’ identities, I was threatened with arrest and told to retreat.

The arrests came as a line of police in riot gear swept eastward along West Florissant street, the main drag in downtown Ferguson where demonstrations have flared for the past three nights. Residents were forced out of the street as they tried to return to their homes.

###

For more of this article including video & images see here:
http://www.theguardian.com/world/2014/aug/14/ferguson-police-arrest-reporters-as-unrest-continues-over-michael-brown-shooting

Buy or learn how to make a gas mask (it ain't hard).

1st amendment superseded by enforced 5th amendment?

-- Pan

[jagman]

People should protest but they are tearing up their own community and some are
using this tradgey to steal and tear up property. The nation is watching Ferguson
and what the black population of Ferguson needs to understand is that this was
the work of one man! I'm praying for that young man who was lost and his family
and I'm also praying for swift justice to be delivered.

[panopticon]

People should protest but they are tearing up their own community and some are
using this tradgey to steal and tear up property. The nation is watching Ferguson
and what the black population of Ferguson needs to understand is that this was
the work of one man! I'm praying for that young man who was lost and his family
and I'm also praying for swift justice to be delivered.
This is systemic, not an isolated problem due to one man.

The statistics to do with arrests vs population demographics and vehicle stops vs demographics are telling in themselves.

See here for an indicator:
http://www.washingtonpost.com/news/post-nation/wp/2014/08/12/the-breaking-point-for-ferguson/

There are many voices from Ferguson who have said that the looting by some persons in the area did nothing but hinder the peaceful protests. It makes me wonder whether the well known use of undercover police to start a disturbance was used... The reason that police dept's make use of this technique is that when a peaceful protest can be shown to be a violent protest then the crowd can be justifiably dispersed to "protect the community". Notice the loaded language. The police who instigate the violence can then protect the "community" (warm and fuzzy subconscious feelings) from a "bad element" (which Others the persons who are peacefully protesting by association).

In actual fact the bad element is often the police or lackies of "upstanding members of society". See here for one example where they admitted it:
gAfzUOx53Rg
These protests are in response to repression/oppression.

I am unsure as to whether the spark that lit this was a "murder" but the aftermath is a sure sign that something is wrong within this area.

-- Pan

[panopticon]

How surreal is this. Imagine getting arrested and the police car arrives with someone like this in it...


Eventually a police car arrived. A woman — with a collar identifying her as a member of the clergy — sat in the back. Ryan and I crammed in next to her, and we took the three-minute ride to the Ferguson Police Department. The woman sang hymns throughout the ride.
:hurt:

I just don't get it. :shocked:

Not just some sheila singin' hymns on the way to the jail house (which I'm still not able to negotiate at the moment, had she been arrested earlier or is this a new thing that the Ferguson polise have introduced to freak people out!!!) but I'm also having trouble with the entire "arrest a reporter" thing... :twitch:

Which part of their tiny little brain (I think they must be sharing it) made them think this was going to end up being a good idea?

-- Pan :tsk:

###

In Ferguson, Washington Post reporter Wesley Lowery gives account of his arrest (http://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/in-ferguson-washington-post-reporter-wesley-lowery-gives-account-of-his-arrest/2014/08/13/0fe25c0e-2359-11e4-86ca-6f03cbd15c1a_story.html)
By Wesley Lowery, August 14th, 2014

[Videos, Images and links are in the original article (http://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/in-ferguson-washington-post-reporter-wesley-lowery-gives-account-of-his-arrest/2014/08/13/0fe25c0e-2359-11e4-86ca-6f03cbd15c1a_story.html), it is not paywalled]

FERGUSON, Mo. — For the past week in Ferguson, reporters have been using the McDonald’s a few blocks from the scene of Michael Brown’s shooting (http://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/even-before-teen-michael-browns-slaying-in-mo-racial-questions-have-hung-over-police/2014/08/13/78b3c5c6-2307-11e4-86ca-6f03cbd15c1a_story.html) as a staging area. Demonstrations have blown up each night nearby. But inside there’s WiFi and outlets, so it’s common for reporters to gather there.

That was the case Wednesday. My phone was just about to die, so as I charged it, I used the time to respond to people on Twitter and do a little bit of a Q&A since I wasn’t out there covering the protests.

As I sat there, many armed officers came in — some who were dressed as normal officers, others who were dressed with more gear.

Initially, both Ryan Reilly of the Huffington Post and I were asked for identification. I was wearing my lanyard, but Ryan asked why he had to show his ID. They didn’t press the point, but one added that if we called 911, no one would answer.

Then they walked away. Moments later, the police reemerged, telling us that we had to leave. I pulled my phone out and began recording video (http://www.washingtonpost.com/posttv/national/post-reporter-detained-in-ferguson/2014/08/13/b0fc5720-2354-11e4-8b10-7db129976abb_video.html).

An officer with a large weapon came up to me and said, “Stop recording.”

I said, “Officer, do I not have the right to record you?”

He backed off but told me to hurry up. So I gathered my notebook and pens with one hand while recording him with the other hand.

As I exited, I saw Ryan to my left, having a similar argument with two officers. I recorded him, too, and that angered the officer. As I made my way toward the door, the officers gave me conflicting information.

One instructed me to exit to my left. As I turned left, another officer emerged, blocking my path.

“Go another way,” he said.

As I turned, my backpack, which was slung over one shoulder, began to slip. I said, “Officers, let me just gather my bag.” As I did, one of them said, “Okay, let’s take him.”

Multiple officers grabbed me. I tried to turn my back to them to assist them in arresting me. I dropped the things from my hands.

“My hands are behind my back,” I said. “I’m not resisting. I’m not resisting.” At which point one officer said: “You’re resisting. Stop resisting.”

That was when I was most afraid — more afraid than of the tear gas and rubber bullets.

As they took me into custody, the officers slammed me into a soda machine, at one point setting off the Coke dispenser. They put plastic cuffs on me, then they led me out the door.

I could see Ryan still talking to an officer. I said: “Ryan, tweet that they’re arresting me, tweet that they’re arresting me.”

He didn’t have an opportunity, because he was arrested as well.

The officers led us outside to a police van. Inside, there was a large man sitting on the floor between the two benches. He began screaming: “I can’t breathe! Call a paramedic! Call a paramedic!”

Ryan and I asked the officers if they intended to help the man. They said he was fine. The screaming went on for the 10 to 15 minutes we stood outside the van.

“I’m going to die!” he screamed. “I’m going to die! I can’t breathe! I’m going to die!”

Eventually a police car arrived. A woman — with a collar identifying her as a member of the clergy — sat in the back. Ryan and I crammed in next to her, and we took the three-minute ride to the Ferguson Police Department. The woman sang hymns throughout the ride.

During this time, we asked the officers for badge numbers. We asked to speak to a supervising officer. We asked why we were being detained. We were told: trespassing in a McDonald’s.

“I hope you’re happy with yourself,” one officer told me. And I responded: “This story’s going to get out there. It’s going to be on the front page of The Washington Post tomorrow.”

And he said, “Yeah, well, you’re going to be in my jail cell tonight.”

Once at the station, we were processed, our pockets emptied. No mug shots. They removed our restraints and put us in a holding cell. Ryan was able to get ahold of his dad. I called my mom, but I couldn’t get through. I couldn’t remember any phone numbers.

We were in there for what felt like 10 or 15 minutes. Then the processing officer came in.

“Who’s media?” he asked.

We said we were. And the officer said we were both free to go. We asked to speak to a commanding officer. We asked to see an arrest report. No report, the officer told us, and no, they wouldn’t provide any names.

I asked if there would ever be a report. He came back with a case number and said a report would be available in a week or two.

“The chief thought he was doing you two a favor,” he said.

The Ferguson Police Department did not immediately respond to a request for comment on Lowery’s detention.

The following is a statement on the incident from Washington Post Executive Editor Martin D. Baron:


Wesley has briefed us on what occurred, and there was absolutely no justification for his arrest.

He was illegally instructed to stop taking video of officers. Then he followed officers’ instructions to leave a McDonald’s — and after contradictory instructions on how to exit, he was slammed against a soda machine and then handcuffed. That behavior was wholly unwarranted and an assault on the freedom of the press to cover the news. The physical risk to Wesley himself is obvious and outrageous.

After being placed in a holding cell, he was released with no charges and no explanation. He was denied information about the names and badge numbers of those who arrested him.

We are relieved that Wesley is going to be OK. We are appalled by the conduct of police officers involved.


Source (http://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/in-ferguson-washington-post-reporter-wesley-lowery-gives-account-of-his-arrest/2014/08/13/0fe25c0e-2359-11e4-86ca-6f03cbd15c1a_story.html)

[panopticon]

There is a variation on the agent provocateur (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Agent_provocateur) technique I mentioned above.

In every crowd there are those who have a greater influence on how the crowd moves. The agent provocateur tries to defy this, often by direct violent action.

Another way to try to make a crowd behave in a violent manner is to remove those who are controlling the crowds anger and who are channelling it into something less destructive.

Sometimes people who are able to influence protests (eg organisers, spokespersons) make use of non-violent direct-action with participants demanding arrest for their violation of a law that symbolises what they are protesting against (similar to Gandhi's 1930 Salt March (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Salt_March)).

Anyway, the removal of these "moderate" voices in a crowd then leave those with a more "direct" approach to control the way in which the protest progresses. It is not easy for some people, who may feel that they are not being listened to, especially if they are hurting over a personal loss. They may be very angry and express that anger through physical outburst. Without the moderates there to "talk them down" a protest can deteriorate quickly.

I mentioned Alderman French in a previous post in this thread.

He was arrested along with the reporters.


French said he should never have been locked up, nor should the dozen or so others he shared cell space with overnight.

"Inside that jail is nothing but peacekeepers," he said. "They rounded up the wrong people ... reverends, young people organizing the peace effort."
Source (http://www.stltoday.com/news/local/crime-and-courts/st-louis-alderman-released-from-jail-after-arrest-during-ferguson/article_0806541b-ed48-5d06-9267-323531ad6cf1.html)
I say they rounded up exactly who they were aiming to.

Not only did this give the opportunity for angry protesters to attack police over the injustices of these "good people" being arrested but maybe a night in the cells might make those "good people" have second thoughts about protesting again.

It's all about control and power...

-- Pan

[panopticon]

This would have to be my favourite photo to come out of Ferguson that I've seen.

It depicts a young protester throwing a dispersal device back at the police who had shot it into the crowd.

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/Bu7bY0KCMAAVTkM.jpg

Says more than words.

I reckon this will become an iconic photo.

-- Pan

[panopticon]

The St Louis County Police are being removed from Ferguson.


Missouri Governor Jay Nixon will announce that St. Louis County law enforcement will be relieved of duty in Ferguson, which has been roiled by protests after the shooting death by police of an unarmed teenager, according to Representative William Lacy Clay.
...
Clay said that he has been urging U.S. Attorney General Eric Holder to “take over the entire situation because we will not get justice for Michael Brown and his family and friends if the St. Louis County police and prosecutor have a say.”
Source (http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2014-08-14/st-louis-county-police-to-be-removed-from-ferguson-clay.html)
-- Pan

[panopticon]

Now this is an interesting twist on a recycling program in the US.

###


The Law Enforcement Support Office (LESO), the facilitators of 1033 program, originated from the National Defense Authorization Act of Fiscal Year 1997 (FY 97). This law allows for the office to transfer excess Department of Defense property to law enforcement agencies across the United States and its territories.

Since its inception, the 1033 program has transferred more than $4.3 billion worth of property. In 2013 alone, $449,309,003.71 worth of property was transferred to law enforcement.
Source (http://www.dispositionservices.dla.mil/leso/pages/default.aspx)

Lovin' the MRAP:

http://wlbt.images.worldnow.com/images/26155696_BG4.jpg

-- Pan :painkiller:

[panopticon]

I wonder if Obama listens to some of the rhetoric he spouts some times and wonders why he carries on...

All is well, the bureaucrats will save us!

After his wonderful "We tortured some folks" how can he say this with a straight face...
kC3j2k4rw7w
Yes, right to free speech, protest & association etc.
Yes to press freedoms.

But in his opener he might as well be saying that if a police officer hits you you should not defend yourself...

That's as bad as the "people" who say "well if there's a problem you should just walk away, don't get involved".

I hear a woman screaming that she's being attacked. I don't walk away.
I hear a child screaming because he's getting a beating from a drunk parent. I don't walk away.
I see a police "man" intimidating or attacking peaceful protesters. I don't walk away.

If you think that there's a difference because the person doing the hitting is wearing a uniform and is representing the "State" then remember:
One day the person getting attacked could be you.

-- Pan

[spiritguide]

Martial law has been declared .....

YOUTUBE]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d_TyUuTbuK8[/YOUTUBE]

Need to follow this closely. IMO. Good place to start to rid the country of corruption!

Peace!

[Daphne]

The article says 1861....

[meeradas]

"Published: August 15, 1861"

[link spells: nytimes. com/1861/08/15/news/...]

---

http://www.civilwarstlouis.com/history/McKinstry.htm

---

nevermind.

[spiritguide]

Here is another link..... sorry for the outdated one, should have noticed that.

https://www.facebook.com/DutchsinseOfficial/posts/782373798481713

[PurpleLama]

So, martial law has not been declared. At least, yet.

[Debra]

I wonder if Obama listens to some of the rhetoric he spouts some times and wonders why he carries on...

All is well, the bureaucrats will save us!

After his wonderful "We tortured some folks" how can he say this with a straight face...
kC3j2k4rw7w
Yes, right to free speech, protest & association etc.
Yes to press freedoms.

But in his opener he might as well be saying that if a police officer hits you you should not defend yourself...

That's as bad as the "people" who say "well if there's a problem you should just walk away, don't get involved".

I hear a woman screaming that she's being attacked. I don't walk away.
I hear a child screaming because he's getting a beating from a drunk parent. I don't walk away.
I see a police "man" intimidating or attacking peaceful protesters. I don't walk away.

If you think that there's a difference because the person doing the hitting is wearing a uniform and is representing the "State" then remember:
One day the person getting attacked could be you.

-- Pan

Well said Pan. Bumping this. I think your evaluations are shaping up … there is more to what's been going on here. What a shifty world.

From Senator Claire McCaskill (http://www.mccaskill.senate.gov/media-center/news-releases/mccaskill-in-ferguson-time-to-de-militarize-this-situation):


We need to de-militarize this situation—this kind of response by the police has become the problem instead of the solution. I obviously respect law enforcement’s work to provide public safety, but my constituents are allowed to have peaceful protests, and the police need to respect that right and protect that right. Today is going to be a new start, we can and need to do better.”

Is this view being shared by others in the Senate or Government, so prominently? I wish.

Welcome to the United Police States of America

https://scontent-a-pao.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xaf1/t1.0-9/10610688_751989918180126_8399263823045689198_n.jpg
Photo posted in FB today.

[Billy]

I am not sure if martial law is officially declared, but looks like it is being implemented.

http://www.ksdk.com/story/news/local/2014/08/11/ferguson-police-crowds-reports-tear-gas/13933883/

If it is not official, Then the title can be change. . :rolleyes:

Can someone find out.

Peace.

[PurpleLama]

I am not sure if martial law is officially declared, but looks like it is being implemented.

http://www.ksdk.com/story/news/local/2014/08/11/ferguson-police-crowds-reports-tear-gas/13933883/

If it is not official, Then the title can be change. . :rolleyes:

Can someone find out.

Peace.

That report is from 3 days ago, just as had been reported on the other thread.
(http://projectavalon.net/forum4/showthread.php?73733-Mayhem-in-Missouri-Breaks-Out)

Oh, and congratulations on your red letter status!

EDIT: Thank you. Threads merged.

And thanks again.

[avid]

Please stop panicking!!! Digest lots of takes on the 'news' both MSM and alternative, and be intuitive - talk to neighbours and friendly 'forces', and keep good vibes amongst everyone as long as possible.

[Humble Janitor]

What's the ulterior motive of the person who started this thread?

Instead of images of police tear-gassing protesters, we get images of people looting.

You'd best do well to focus on the actual problem instead of trying to blame blacks.

[Humble Janitor]

For those dragging Obama into this, PLEASE ****ING KNOCK IT OFF!

Seriously.

A young, unarmed man was slaughtered by a bunch of white, racist pigs.

And we get threads with people crying about Obama and looting?

To those making such threads/comments: YOU ARE THE PROBLEM

[Debra]

For those dragging Obama into this, PLEASE ****ING KNOCK IT OFF!

Seriously.

A young, unarmed man was slaughtered by a bunch of white, racist pigs.

And we get threads with people crying about Obama and looting?

To those making such threads/comments: YOU ARE THE PROBLEM

Humble Janitor, I really do not think that anyone one is actually disputing what happened to start this particular series of events. I am the one who started this thread. If you read down the first page you will see why ... . I thought a thread to track the eruptions might be of interest to see how this is handled by the authorities. To gather all info .. Whether it is from mainstream or social media, it is there to be sorted through.

Isn't that part of what we do on PA?

Your voice, your opinion is as valid as anyone's in offering perspective. And there are some very interesting perspectives we all need to at least give space for. I certainly value what others bring to this table. I don't have all the answers. That's why I'm here.

Thank you
Zeb

[Referee]

Police Radio of the evening in question.......from anon

http://aattp.org/breaking-anonymous-releases-police-recordings-from-day-of-ferguson-shooting/

[Dennis Leahy]

Someone publicly asked me to comment on the situation, specifically as to whether I predict this will be a unifying/galvenizing event, or another racial dividing one.

Dennis Leahy, I'd love to hear your thoughts on the situation in Missouri. Is it likely to destabilize race relations or will it unite Americans against a militarized police? Your predictions are usually pretty good.


My answer:

If it was "organic" (coming from the people), it would lean toward being a uniting event - plenty of "melanin-challenged" people like myself hate racism - especially officially sanctioned racism - and are enraged by militarized cops and no justice. Unfortunately, there are not enough "white" faces in the crowd of protesters, at least not in the published shots, and that may make the (approximately two-thirds) of the locals who are black wonder where the white support is. And the nearly all-white police force is gasoline on the fire.

A (black) state trooper has been given the task of defusing the situation and is doing an amazing job.

Probably the most powerful thing "white" citizens can do is to: publicly and loudly state that this was a racist execution, that we are outraged, and that we want justice. Hopefully, images like the following will be seen:
https://fbcdn-sphotos-e-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-xap1/t1.0-9/10414520_10204680827439928_5419581733240449516_n.jpg

[778 neighbour of some guy]

I am not sure if martial law is officially declared, but looks like it is being implemented.

US is under martial law since its been taken of the gold standard.


On June 5, 1933, the United States went off the gold standard, a monetary system in which currency is backed by gold, when Congress enacted a joint resolution nullifying the right of creditors to demand payment in gold. The United States had been on a gold standard since 1879, except for an embargo on gold exports during World War I, but bank failures during the Great Depression of the 1930s frightened the public into hoarding gold, making the policy untenable.

Soon after taking office in March 1933, Roosevelt declared a nationwide bank moratorium in order to prevent a run on the banks by consumers lacking confidence in the economy. He also forbade banks to pay out gold or to export it. According to Keynesian economic theory, one of the best ways to fight off an economic downturn is to inflate the money supply. And increasing the amount of gold held by the Federal Reserve would in turn increase its power to inflate the money supply. Facing similar pressures, Britain had dropped the gold standard in 1931, and Roosevelt had taken note.

On April 5, 1933, Roosevelt ordered all gold coins and gold certificates in denominations of more than $100 turned in for other money. It required all persons to deliver all gold coin, gold bullion and gold certificates owned by them to the Federal Reserve by May 1 for the set price of $20.67 per ounce. By May 10, the government had taken in $300 million of gold coin and $470 million of gold certificates. Two months later, a joint resolution of Congress abrogated the gold clauses in many public and private obligations that required the debtor to repay the creditor in gold dollars of the same weight and fineness as those borrowed. In 1934, the government price of gold was increased to $35 per ounce, effectively increasing the gold on the Federal Reserve's balance sheets by 69 percent. This increase in assets allowed the Federal Reserve to further inflate the money supply.

The government held the $35 per ounce price until August 15, 1971, when President Richard Nixon announced that the United States would no longer convert dollars to gold at a fixed value, thus completely abandoning the gold standard. In 1974, President Gerald Ford signed legislation that permitted Americans again to own gold bullion.

[panopticon]

For those dragging Obama into this, PLEASE ****ING KNOCK IT OFF!

Seriously.

A young, unarmed man was slaughtered by a bunch of white, racist pigs.

And we get threads with people crying about Obama and looting?

To those making such threads/comments: YOU ARE THE PROBLEM

G'day HJ,

You are correct. I AM THE PROBLEM.

There are many other people like myself who are also problems throughout the world.

I'm glad you picked up that it is me, posting a brief critique of a speech given by the head of the USA's executive branch, that is the problem and not the fact that the speech was targeted at certain persons within Ferguson.

I and the other trouble makers are the problem because we periodically evaluate what is said and interpret underlying messages that are prominent in speeches from persons in positions of power.

Listen to the meter of Obama's voice his emphasis on certain words to carry a point to the listeners subconscious mind, his phraseology, there are so many things to listen/watch for.

Let's briefly examine the "who" & "what" questions in relation to this speech.

Who is it aimed at in general? Citizens of the US who are angered at this attack by police on peaceful protesters and journalists.

Who is it aimed at specifically? The people I mentioned earlier who were locked up in jail with Alderman French. You know: the people running the peaceful protests. By and large the support for Obama comes from these very same people and, as I said earlier, this strategy is well known. When there is civil unrest those trying to disperse that unrest speak to the moderate voices who are sympathetic to the position of the persons in power. The persons trying to disperse a protest try to make these moderates believe that they are doing the right thing in trying stop or limit the protests. If this is unsuccessful then they use other means (bribery, blackmail, threats/intimidation, assassination). As I said earlier in relation to Alderman French's detention:




French said he should never have been locked up, nor should the dozen or so others he shared cell space with overnight.

"Inside that jail is nothing but peacekeepers," he said. "They rounded up the wrong people ... reverends, young people organizing the peace effort."
Source (http://www.stltoday.com/news/local/crime-and-courts/st-louis-alderman-released-from-jail-after-arrest-during-ferguson/article_0806541b-ed48-5d06-9267-323531ad6cf1.html)
I say they rounded up exactly who they were aiming to.

Not only did this give the opportunity for angry protesters to attack police over the injustices of these "good people" being arrested but maybe a night in the cells might make those "good people" have second thoughts about protesting again.

It's all about control and power...

So, enough of the "who", time for examining "what" was said...

I'll deconstruct a part of Obama's speech segment because it is a classic example of some well used techniques. I'll not fully deconstruct it because that would take days and I don't personally need to. I'll do enough though to indicate what I'm talking about.


I know that many American’s have been deeply disturbed by the images we’ve seen in the heartland of our country, as police have clashed with people protesting.
Notice that this speech segment starts with the use of "joiner" words and "heartland" is classic Nation-State reinforcement. The use of "joiner" words makes the speaker part of the audience. Use of "we", "our", "us" are classic examples of this.

Obama is saying: "I've been seeing the same images as you are, we are all upset".

Also it is police "clashed" with protesters. Not assaulted, not attacked, but "clashed". That's what being shot with rubber bullets & wooden plugs is. That's what unlawful detention is. That's what hi-vis intimidation by armed police in a suburb is. That's what the use of percussion grenades, smoke bombs & tear gas on civilians is. "Clashed". Poppycock. Also notice how it is aimed at the subconscious by placing "clashed" in the past tense? Control the discourse.

Then we move into influencing the subconscious with this statement:

Today I’d like us all to take a step back and think about how we’re going to be moving forward.
This is aimed towards at least 2 separate audiences that are part of this discourse creation moment (if you don't know what that is then please read some of my earlier posts in other threads on discourse creation and minority control of concensus opinion and/or try these papers: 2011 - 'Social Consensus Through the Influence of Committed Minorities (http://arxiv.org/pdf/1102.3931.pdf)' and 2013 -'Role of committed minorities in times of crisis (http://www.nature.com/srep/2013/130304/srep01371/full/srep01371.html)').

Those 2 primary groups are:

The people "on the ground" in Ferguson and
Those who are actively involved in public discourse creation/control at a Nation-State level (eg media representative, senators, members of congress, governors, lobby groups/think tank spokespersons, corporations, members of the judiciary, police).


Again, this illustrates the way this short extract makes use of a "multi-audience" approach through its construction. Levels & layers are being targeted within the same extract. Message to Ferguson moderates: 'us all to take a step back and think about how we’re going to be moving forward'. There are "joiners" used to encourage sympathy etc for the person giving the message.

The very first thing said after this sends a message to the listeners mind. That message is:

There is never an excuse for violence against police
Poppycock I say. Others may well be happy with being beaten by "protectors" but I will never give up my personal sovereignty for the rights of the Nation-State.

Next Obama is saying that police shouldn't do "this, that and the other" to protesters or journalists and I wont analyse that because it's fairly pedestrian "I understand what you're saying" "I'm on your side" me-too-ism that is used by politicians all the time...

What is interesting is the use of "we are one family" rhetoric for almost half of the excerpt as a means of trying to control the way discussion is framed around this.

I'll highlight key words/phrases and notes/points in parenthesis:


I know that emotions are raw right now in Ferguson, [errr], and there certainly passionate differences about what has happened. [er], There are going to be different accounts of how this tragedy occurred. There are going to be differences in terms of what needs to happen in going forward. [Notice the re-use of the "going forward" motif from earlier? This is to direct discourse in a specific way leading to the end of protests. Emphasis placed on "accounts" & "forward"]

That’s part of our democracy. [joining word "our" & emphasis on "democracy"]

Let’s remember that we are part of one American family. [This is a "joining phrase" with the joining words "us", "we", "our", "one" & "family" all incorporated. Incredibly saturated construction used primarily for media quotes. Emphasis placed on "family"]

We are united in common values and that includes: [joining words "we", "united" "common" & lesser "includes"]

belief in equality under the law, [slowed phrase meter down for clarity and emphasis "belief -- in -- equality under the law", slight emphasis on word "equality" -- talking almost specifically to the Ferguson moderates here]
a basic respect for public order, and [talking to Ferguson moderates with the term "basic respect", they view themselves as having respect so linking "basic respect" with "public order" might create cognitive dissonance in some moderate protest organisers -- which is one key aim of this speech]
the right to peaceful public protest. [Removes the cognitive dissonance by promoting "peaceful public protests" which can be dispersed as I've mentioned earlier and/or limited to "daytime protests" limiting those who participate to those able to take time off work or those unemployed. Traditionally a way of moving a protest into a violent protest by removing of moderate voices and allowing for dispersal to be justified. Alternatively might move protests to weekends in specific "approved" locations.]


So, now’s the time for healing.
Now’s the time for peace and calm on the streets of Ferguson.
Now’s the time for an open and transparent process to see that justice is done.

I hope the last 3 lines can be understood as being aimed at controlling the way the discourse around the events leading up to and including the protests are constructed and is aimed specifically at moderates in Ferguson and more generally at the lobbyists/media etc for discourse control.

Notice the over-arching theme is about "moving forward". I'll leave the reader to work out what that is aimed at doing...

So, yes. I am the problem.

Always have been. Hope to be for a bloody long time yet.

I will always write about how money, control and power is exerted as a means of oppression. Have most of my life and see no reason to stop now.

-- Pan

[panopticon]

Marches and vigils replace riots in Ferguson after shooting of Michael Brown (http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/northamerica/usa/11035926/Marches-and-vigils-replace-riots-in-Ferguson-after-shooting-of-Michael-Brown.html)
Olivia Bolton and agencies, August 15th, 2014

UAvRq17rP5s
Hundreds of people hold vigils and peaceful marches in the Missouri town after the fatal shooting of a black teenager prompted four days of riotting

Hundreds of people demonstrated peacefully on Thursday in a Missouri town rocked by days of protests over the fatal shooting of a black teenager, hours after state police were ordered to replace local forces.

Police shot and killed unarmed 18-year-old Michael Brown on Saturday in the St. Louis suburb of Ferguson, triggering protests and then a police crackdown in which authorities fired tear gas and rubber bullets and arrested reporters, sparking complaints led by President Barack Obama.

Brown's death and the subsequent action by a mainly white police force in a majority black town led to allegations of racism and stirred comparisons with the February 2012 fatal shooting of unarmed teenager Trayvon Martin in Florida by a member of a civilian neighborhood security patrol.

State Governor Jay Nixon said the decision to draft in the Missouri Highway Patrol had been taken after Ferguson was left looking "like a war zone" after four days of rioting - and there was an altogether different atmosphere on the streets after the governor's move.

The county police response to daily, and nightly, protests since the shooting had been aggressive, with rifle-toting police in military-style fatigues and body armor deployed to crush dissent.

Source (http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/northamerica/usa/11035926/Marches-and-vigils-replace-riots-in-Ferguson-after-shooting-of-Michael-Brown.html)

[The Truth Is In There]

the multi-culti madness of the usa. coming soon...to a city near you. just throw people from all kinds of races and religions into one large melting pot and then watch as it begins to boil.

[panopticon]

So, who'd have thought that removing militarised, heavily armed police would defuse a volatile situation.

Imagine that. :tsk:


Gov. Jay Nixon's announcement that state Highway Patrol Capt. Ron Johnson, who is black, will now be in charge of policing efforts at the protests came after the local police response drew heavy criticism. The fact that Brown, an unarmed black teenager, was shot multiple times by a white policeman was just the first spark. The aggressive response from the local police force has so far only added to the community's anger.
Source (http://www.cbc.ca/news/world/michael-brown-shooting-how-a-police-tactical-shift-can-de-escalate-aftermath-1.2736719)


Meanwhile, in Missouri, a black police chief who is now in charge of policing the protests in St Louis over the death of a black teenager walked among the crowd as he began the 'shift' away from military style policing.
Captain Ron Johnson said: 'I'm not afraid to be in this crowd today' as he marched with 1,000 people in the suburb of Ferguson.

The Missouri Highway Patrol chief said he wanted a 'new day' and an end to the violence.
Protests are planned for a fifth night in Ferguson, the once quiet suburb of St Louis, where Missouri Governor Jay Nixon said today that State Highway Patrol will take over supervision of security.
Source (http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2725535/Times-Square-SHUT-DOWN-thousands-marching-Ferguson-protests-spin-country-fifth-night-tensions-gunned-teen.html)

http://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2014/08/14/article-2725108-20890A8E00000578-99_634x414.jpg

Maybe I'm just cynical, but I'll leave that to someone else (if they see fit) to comment on in relation to suddenly bringing in an African American to run protest control...

http://www.trbimg.com/img-53edefb6/turbine/chi-captain-ron-johnson-photo-20140815/750/16x9

There were also protests across the US with one in New York shutting down Times Square for 1000's of protesters (source (http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2725535/Times-Square-SHUT-DOWN-thousands-marching-Ferguson-protests-spin-country-fifth-night-tensions-gunned-teen.html)).

http://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2014/08/15/article-2725535-208A513E00000578-422_634x356.jpg

Gives me hope for the next generation. Oh, and do not feed the trolls. :)

-- Pan

[panopticon]

What caused the Ferguson riot exists in so many other cities, too (http://www.washingtonpost.com/posteverything/wp/2014/08/13/what-caused-the-ferguson-riot-exists-in-so-many-other-cities-too/)
By Elijah Anderson, August 13th 2014.

We must change how we're policing poor, black communities.

[Links are available in the original article (http://www.washingtonpost.com/posteverything/wp/2014/08/13/what-caused-the-ferguson-riot-exists-in-so-many-other-cities-too/)]

SWAT teams and angry protesters clashed in a small St. Louis suburb for a third day Tuesday, following the death of unarmed black teenager Michael Brown. The eruption of protests and violence has been a long time coming. While I certainly do not condone rioting, examining the conditions surrounding Brown’s death — and the deaths of several other unarmed black men killed by law enforcement recently — makes clear that community reactions like those in Ferguson, Mo., are bound to happen. America has continued to isolate poor black people in economically depressed neighborhoods under increasingly oppressive police tactics that breed distrust and hostility.

Ferguson has suffered from “white flight” in recent years, leaving pockets of structural poverty and deeply alienated black people. The once predominantly white suburb now is 65 percent black. Poverty afflicts 22 percent of residents, twice as many as in 2000, according to the Census Bureau. Ferguson’s story isn’t uncommon in the United States. Authorities often see fit to heavily police towns with growing black and poor populations, to surveil them, and occasionally to harass them in the name of a “broken windows theory” of policing, banking on such methods to control crime. The broken windows theory, promulgated by James Q. Wilson, holds that where there is urban disarray, there is crime. Wilson argued that cleaning up trash and fixing broken windows — but also quickly policing deviants and miscreants for even small-scale crimes — would lessen crime overall. The thinking was that by taking care of the small stuff, you won’t face as much big stuff. The theory caught on, and authorities began to use it all over the country. For example, Mayor Rudolph Giuliani and police commissioner Bill Bratton employed this theory in New York City, and it seemed to reduce crime. But increased “stop-and-frisk” incidents — which allow officers routinely to stop sometimes law-abiding citizens in search of illegal drugs, firearms or other criminal possessions — resulted in ever greater tension between communities of color and police, and in ever larger numbers of minority men being incarcerated.

The use of “broken windows” policing meant, ​in practice, increasing harassment of young black men. This sort of harassment is doing as much to breed hostility as to prevent crime. For example, the New York Police Department’s use of the controversial stop-and-frisk practice is most commonly exercised against young blacks and Latinos. A recent report by the Center for Constitutional Rights found that black and Latino people are stopped much more frequently than whites under this program, even in mixed and especially in predominantly white communities. Further, the report noted, “Blacks and Latinos are treated more harshly than whites, being more likely to be arrested instead of given a summons when compared to white people accused of the same crimes, and are also more likely to have force used against them by police.” The racial biases underlying this disparity extend to other forms of aggressive policing, causing black people to associate police officers with humiliation and injustice, and stirring distrust for police in black communities around the country.

The intensified police presence in poor black communities fosters this negative association in residents from a young age. As children, they see police officers walk the hallways of their schools like in a prison. When black boys are involved in an altercation or disruption, instead of being sent to the principal’s office, they are too often handcuffed on the spot and given a criminal record. Experience teaches black men that police officers exist not to protect them, but to criminalize and humiliate them. Few black boys get through adolescence without a story of police harassment, and with age, their stories proliferate. Aggressive police tactics turn black males into subjects of suspicion and skeptical scrutiny. This makes them vulnerable to harassment, whether their crime is real or imagined. Black men engaged in innocuous activities — walking home from a corner store, holding a BB gun at Walmart, leaving his bachelor party — become targeted as criminals by authorities. With each negative encounter, black men build up antagonism toward law enforcement. They develop defense mechanisms and toughen up to protect their pride and perceived respectability. With this built-up hostility, interactions over minor offenses, like suspicion of selling loose cigarettes, become quickly charged.

While this is not the first time in history that aggressive police tactics have plagued black communities, this generation of young people have limited tolerance for such experiments in policing at their expense. Compared to their grandparents, the millennial generation — regardless of race — is less inclined to blindly respect and trust authority. A 2011 MTV poll found that 70 percent of millennial respondents believed they could “successfully negotiate anything with authority figures.” Further, a Pew Research poll found that millennials are detached from hierarchal institutions and are distrustful of people in general. This generation isn’t intimidated by authority. On top of that, images of police brutality against black men have proliferated online, turning what might have been isolated local antagonisms into national grievances.

Practices like stop-and-frisk have exacerbated tensions between blacks and police officers. At the same time, police departments are increasingly militarized, applying military-grade weapons to a domestic population — especially to those they see as criminal — and effectively criminalizing the everyday lives of black people. Under authoritarian oversight and normalized police harassment, a generation of young people were bound to get fed up and respond with the defiance and turmoil we are witnessing in Ferguson. Clearly, the relationship between the police and the communities they are charged with “protecting and serving” needs to change.

Elijah Anderson is the William K. Lanman, Jr. Professor of Sociology at Yale University and a leading urban ethnographer. He has authored several books on urban black life, including Code of the Street and The Cosmopolitan Canopy.

Source (http://www.washingtonpost.com/posteverything/wp/2014/08/13/what-caused-the-ferguson-riot-exists-in-so-many-other-cities-too/)

[panopticon]

Ferguson atmosphere 'almost festive' after shift in policing of Michael Brown protests (http://www.abc.net.au/news/2014-08-15/ferguson-changed-atmosphere-after-policing-shift/5673588)
By Cristen Tilley, 15th August 2014

http://www.abc.net.au/news/linkableblob/5673706/data/custom-940-girl-on-fathers-shoulders-at-ferguson-demonstration-data.jpg
[For more images and links visit original article (http://www.abc.net.au/news/2014-08-15/ferguson-changed-atmosphere-after-policing-shift/5673588)]

After four nights of tension between police and protesters in the US town of Ferguson, a change in law enforcement has seen a shift from scenes of hostility to a party-like atmosphere as residents peacefully demonstrate their objection to the killing of a black teenager.

Michael Brown, 18, was shot dead by a police officer in the town last weekend. The circumstances of his death are disputed, with police asserting there was a struggle with the officer, and witnesses saying Mr Brown held up his hands in surrender before being shot several times.

Locals in Ferguson, and now other cities in the US, have started a 'hands up, don't shoot' movement to protest his death and to demand that the officer's name be released. Sporadic looting was reported and a convenience store was burned down on Sunday.

Americans were shocked on Wednesday night local time as the increasingly heavy-handed tactics of the St Louis County Police culminated in mobile sniper nests training their sights on locals in the streets, and the use of gas masks, rubber bullets and wooden pellets on crowds and the media.

Ten people, including two reporters and a local councillor, were arrested.

US president Barack Obama called for peace, saying: "Now is the time for healing. Now is the time for peace and calm on the streets of Ferguson."

But after the Missouri Highway Patrol, led by black police captain Ron Johnson, took over security on Thursday, the demonstrations took a different turn.

"We are going to have a different approach," Mr Johnson said at a news conference, adding that he would go to "ground zero" - the area where Mr Brown was killed and also where the convenience store was burned down.

The resulting scenes stunned onlookers and protesters, as officers hugged residents and walked with them on a largely peaceful march and rally.

Local St Louis reporter Matt Sczesny tweeted that the atmosphere was "almost festive" as police mingled with protesters.

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/BvDDqGxCYAI1YJj.jpg
Capt. Ron Johnson

Source (http://www.abc.net.au/news/2014-08-15/ferguson-changed-atmosphere-after-policing-shift/5673588)

[seeker/reader]

the multi-culti madness of the usa. coming soon...to a city near you. just throw people from all kinds of races and religions into one large melting pot and then watch as it begins to boil.


That is what America is, a melting pot of races and religions. It has been that way from its inception. Unless someone is a descendant of a native American (2% http://www.census.gov/newsroom/releases/archives/facts_for_features_special_editions/cb13-ff26.html), everyone else here is a descendant of an immigrant.

We also have the freedom of speech, which is what people are doing right now across America.

[ulli]

the multi-culti madness of the usa. coming soon...to a city near you. just throw people from all kinds of races and religions into one large melting pot and then watch as it begins to boil.


If anything, the US didn't go far enough with this melting pot scenario.
Too many "neighbourhoods' of segregation in my view; and probably this is something which originated in New York where immigrant ships arrived.

Nor am I in favour of government over-interfering, such as busing laws, to take kids to schools in different neighbourhoods.

I just feel that it was lack of visions by town planners who could have prevented many of these problems by discouraging the uniformity of housing developments.
Allow a more organic process, with different lot sizes, where individuals of all races are actually encouraged to build their own homes.

I have lived in several multi-racial countries, where you can find people of mixed races living on the same street, where there are shacks as well as mansions, and this provides a better opportunity of everyone getting along.
Whereas in the US huge housing corporations designed uniform housing projects, aiming at similar income groups, and even targeting and merchandising towards distinct races. This is why racism is so rampant there.

[seeker/reader]

This is the link to the MSNBC interview of new witness Tiffany Mitchell

http://on.msnbc.com/1oTDpmg


Link to the article below.

http://www.msnbc.com/msnbc/st-louis-official-reporters-arrested-ferguson-michael-brown

In an interview with msnbc’s Lawrence O’Donnell, Tiffany Mitchell described hearing tires squeak and seeing “Michael and the officer wrestling through the [car] window.” Brown, she said, was struggling to get away while the officer continued to try to pull him closer. Concerned, Mitchell pulled out her phone, at which point she said the first shot was fired “through the window.” Mitchell then saw Brown break away from the officer’s grip and run down the street from the police vehicle.
“The officer gets out of his vehicle,” Mitchell said, “and he pursues him,” continuing to shoot at Brown. “Michael’s body jerks as if he was hit,” Mitchell explained, “and then he put his hands up,” and the officer continued to shoot at Brown until the teenager collapsed “all the way down to the ground.”

Related: Eyewitness to Michael Brown shooting recounts his friend’s death

Altogether, Mitchell said, at least five or six shots were fired.

Contradicting an earlier statement by St. Louis County Police Chief Jon Belmar, Mitchell said she did not see Brown or anyone else assault the officer. Brown’s body stayed out of the police vehicle the entire time, Mitchell said. She also contradicted Belmar’s statement that there was a struggle over the officer’s weapon.

An attorney for Johnson, the earlier witness, confirmed to msnbc that Johnson had been interviewed by federal authorities days after local investigators initially declined to speak with him.

Freeman Bosley, the attorney, said federal investigators questioned Johnson Wednesday for about three-and-a-half hours. “It went really well,” he said. “They were very non-combative, which is a good thing.”

Bosley said that Johnson, now a federal witness, has been relocated to a nearby safe house.

After calls for calm from President Barack Obama and Missouri Gov. Jay Nixon, police in Ferguson did not come out in military gear on Thursday, and residents expressed their overwhelming relief.
“It’s freedom. Just to see our people out here, it’s how it should’ve been. There’s no violence here and finally our voices can be heard, ” said Anubis Dey, 32.

“Last night it was an environment of conflict and tension. Tonight people are able to exercise their constitutional rights,” said Pastor Rahson Jordan, 37, adding, “but now we have to do more than stand with these young people; we have to embrace them. Long after the marches are over there will be issues to deal with. They’ve all been traumatized.”

Earlier Thursday, Nixon sought to return peace to Ferguson by placing security and crowd control under the leadership of the Missouri State Highway Patrol. His decision came after a violent night in which law enforcement used tear gas, rubber bullets, and stun grenades to disperse protesters.

“It means a lot to me personally that we break this cycle of violence,” said Nixon, who earlier had appeared at a church in Ferguson after first speaking with the president on Thursday.

Capt. Ron Johnson, who took the lead for the highway patrol, said his crew will implement a different approach, “that we are in this together.”

Congressman John Lewis — a recognized leader of the Civil Rights movement — spoke out on the police violence, during an msnbc interview, saying Obama should use the authority of his office to declare martial law to “federalize the Missouri National Guard to protect people as they protest.”

“People should come together, reasonable elected officials, community leaders, and address what is happening there … If we fail to act, the fires of frustration and discontent will continue to burn not only in Missouri but all across America,” Lewis said on “Andrea Mitchell Reports.”

At least 16 people were arrested by late Wednesday in the suburb, including a St. Louis politician and two reporters, after police fired tear gas and pepperballs on protesters rallying over last weekend’s police killing of the unarmed black teen.

Following a meeting with Obama, Attorney General Eric Holder said the scenes occurring in Ferguson in recent days can’t continue.

“Such conduct is unacceptable and must be unequivocally condemned,” Holder wrote in a statement. “By the same token, the law enforcement response to these demonstrations must seek to reduce tensions, not heighten them.”

A day earlier, Holder’s officer launched a civil rights investigation into the circumstances surrounding Brown’s killing. Nixon said the new operational shift won’t affect the responsibility of the investigation.

It was unclear how many people remained in police custody on Thursday. The Ferguson Police Department did not respond to msnbc’s multiple requests throughout the day and evening for comment about the overnight arrests and detainment of protesters.
Ferguson Police Chief Tom Jackson asked that demonstrators cooperate with authorities, and for “everyone to calm down.”

“I understand that what it looks like is not good. The whole situation is not good at this point,” Jackson said Thursday at a brief press conference. “We don’t want to have any violence on our part. We want this to be peaceful.”

“We have to respond to deadly force,” Jackson continued, adding that police acted Wednesday night after protesters threw rocks, bricks, bottles and a Molotov cocktail at them, and when gunshots were fired. ”What I’m satisfied with is that we haven’t hurt anybody. Nobody’s gotten injured or killed.” Jackson said that two police officers were injured Wednesday night, including one who suffered from a broken ankle after being hit by a brick.

Jackson did not reveal the identify of the officer who shot Brown after reporters questioned him about the accuracy of several names circulating online. He said that various officials have been involved in different meetings to evaluate possible tactics moving forward with the investigation.

Obama also urged “calm” and “peace” on the streets of Ferguson during a brief statement prior to Jackson’s press conference.

“Put simply, we all need to hold ourselves to a high standard, particularly those of us in positions of authority,” he said from Martha’s Vineyard, where he was vacationing.

Ferguson Mayor James Knowles defended the force used by police, saying Thursday that officers endured a “highly stressful situation” the previous night.

“I am confident that all the law enforcement agencies that are participating are professionals. And if there are some videos that show someone losing their temper in a highly stressful situation, I am sure they’re under a great deal of stress,” Knowles told msnbc’s Alex Witt. “It does not make it OK; they are human, and I can understand their frustrations as well.”

“I can’t second-guess these officers. They’re the professionals,” he added. “Right now we’re just going to try our best to maintain order.”

Kentucky Sen. Rand Paul, a Republican, blamed government for the unrest in Missouri. “Anyone who thinks that race does not skew the application of criminal justice in this country is just not paying close enough attention. And the root of the problem is big government,” he wrote in an op-ed for Time.

Missouri Democratic Sen. Claire McCaskill spoke with constituents on Thursday in Ferguson, warning against the adverse effects of police arriving at a scene in riot gear.

“We need to de-militarize this situation. This kind of response by the police has become the problem instead of the solution,” she said in a statement. “I obviously respect law enforcement’s work to provide public safety, but my constituents are allowed to have peaceful protests, and the police need to respect that right and protect that right. Today is going to be a new start, we can and need to do better,” she said.

But, she said, she will not second-guess the information released by law enforcement on the state and local levels.

“I don’t think there’s any questions that this is a wound that is not going to heal overnight. This is going to take patience and this is going to take time,” she said at a press conference.

The harsh police tactics have been on clear display in Ferguson. Wesley Lowery, a reporter for The Washington Post who was detained by officers, told msnbc’s Jose Diaz-Balart that he saw a black man in a police car Wednesday screaming out for medical care, but that officers laughed off the man’s request.

“This story is not about us journalists, but the journalists here in many ways are the eyes and the ears for the nation who need to see what’s going on, need to hear what’s going on,” Lowery said.

Four days after Brown’s death, protesters continued to clash with officers. By 8 p.m. Wednesday, a massive police force, on foot and in armored vehicles, descended on the area demanding the crowd’s dispersal. Police arrested then later released Alderman Antonio French, a St. Louis politician. His wife, Jasenka Benac, wrote on Twitter that French “was ordered out of his car and arrested because he ‘didn’t listen.’”

Lowery, of The Post, and Ryan Reilly, of The Huffington Post, were arrested while covering the events. They were later released, but without further explanation. According to their reports, they were taken into custody when they didn’t pack their bags quickly enough after police ordered them to leave a McDonald’s restaurant. Wesley said the police slammed him into a soda machine and then handcuffed him when he asked to stop to adjust a strap on his bag that had slipped off his shoulder. Both journalists have accused officers of using unnecessary force.

Officers present at the news conference Thursday said the reporters were released at the scene the previous night.

Related: Ferguson police use tear gas on protesters, arrest at least two reporters

Missouri state Sen. Maria Chappelle-Nadal, who said she was tear-gassed Monday night while peacefully protesting over Brown’s death, questioned Jackson during a press conference Wednesday, asking: “Will I get tear-gassed again?” During the peaceful demonstration earlier this week, Chappelle-Nadal led a group to sit in the street, initially refusing officers’ demands to move.

“All we want to do is to peacefully display our right to free speech, that’s all. We were not violent, whatsoever,” she told msnbc’s Andrea Mitchell on Thursday. Chappelle-Nadal represents Ferguson, and Brown was one of her constituents.

The smoke-filled scene Wednesday night erupted just hours after police asked residents to gather and pray peacefully only during daylight hours. Nixon announced late Wednesday that he had canceled his appearance at the state fair for the following day.

During her interview Thursday on msnbc, Chappelle-Nadal called Nixon a “coward” for not immediately visiting the scene of the shooting and protests.

Related: The militarization of Ferguson

Authorities earlier this week declined to release the name of the officer who shot Brown amid social media threats and other public safety concerns. In an exclusive interview Wednesday, Jackson told msnbc he wanted to uncover the truth about the killing and be “part of the solution.” Four days after the shooting, police have yet to reveal many details, including the number of shots the officer fired at Brown. Jackson met with the national president of the NAACP and the local chapter of the NAACP Thursday morning.

As the scene unfolded in Ferguson, Obama attended a party while on vacation. Holder and White House Senior Adviser Valerie Jarrett briefed the president on the situation in Ferguson. White House deputy press secretary Eric Schultz tweeted that at the event on Wednesday night, “a good time was had by all.”

Obama previously called the teen’s death “heartbreaking” and offered condolences to the Brown family.

Authorities released Brown’s body to the Austin A. Layne Mortuary in St. Louis. The Browns haven’t finalized funeral arrangements for the teenager. Officials haven’t revealed details from the autopsy reports.

[CD7]

the multi-culti madness of the usa. coming soon...to a city near you. just throw people from all kinds of races and religions into one large melting pot and then watch as it begins to boil.



Lol no need to throw them in a melting pot....Herrrrooow, Mayhem is going on all over the globe...those poor people in the mountains of Irac. Who says you have to be of different races----Slaughter goes on everywhere in the land of the lost and BLIND

[Dennis Leahy]

...I ... evaluate what is said and interpret underlying messages that are prominent in speeches from persons in positions of power.

Listen to the meter of Obama's voice his emphasis on certain words to carry a point to the listeners subconscious mind, his phraseology, there are so many things to listen/watch for.

Let's briefly examine the "who" & "what" questions in relation to this speech.

Who is it aimed at in general? Citizens of the US who are angered at this attack by police on peaceful protesters and journalists.

Who is it aimed at specifically? The people I mentioned earlier who were locked up in jail with Alderman French. You know: the people running the peaceful protests. By and large the support for Obama comes from these very same people and, as I said earlier, this strategy is well known. When there is civil unrest those trying to disperse that unrest speak to the moderate voices who are sympathetic to the position of the persons in power. The persons trying to disperse a protest try to make these moderates believe that they are doing the right thing in trying stop or limit the protests. If this is unsuccessful then they use other means (bribery, blackmail, threats/intimidation, assassination). As I said earlier in relation to Alderman French's detention:




French said he should never have been locked up, nor should the dozen or so others he shared cell space with overnight.

"Inside that jail is nothing but peacekeepers," he said. "They rounded up the wrong people ... reverends, young people organizing the peace effort."
Source (http://www.stltoday.com/news/local/crime-and-courts/st-louis-alderman-released-from-jail-after-arrest-during-ferguson/article_0806541b-ed48-5d06-9267-323531ad6cf1.html)I say they rounded up exactly who they were aiming to.

Not only did this give the opportunity for angry protesters to attack police over the injustices of these "good people" being arrested but maybe a night in the cells might make those "good people" have second thoughts about protesting again.

It's all about control and power...

So, enough of the "who", time for examining "what" was said...

I'll deconstruct a part of Obama's speech segment because it is a classic example of some well used techniques.

... ... ...

I will always write about how money, control and power is exerted as a means of oppression. Have most of my life and see no reason to stop now.

-- PanPan, your analysis and deconstruction are nothing short of brilliant. Don't. Ever. Stop.

Dennis

[Maia Gabrial]

Why blacks are always targeted baffles me, whether they're here in America or in Africa. What is it about them that threatens TPTW? Anyway....

Whenever we hear arguments in our own neighborhoods or on Lamestream medias, enough of us can defuse it by saying continuously, "There is Divine Peace in the collective consciousness of humanity." We're being hit so hard from every direction, here and abroad and yet, TPTW are not getting their WW3. And the US corporation isn't getting their martial law no matter what despicable things it does.

[seeker/reader]

Name of police officer who shot Michael Brown has been released.

http://on.msnbc.com/1nWeAB3

[Snowflower]

The eventual outcome of Ferguson - and the entire country - will depend on whether or not the cop that killed Michael Brown is charged and convicted of murder. Two unrelated, well publicized, eye witnesses, have clearly described murder. No evidence has come forward at all that says otherwise. The man, so far unknown, has been tried and found guilty by the entire country. If they give him anything less than life in prison, well, this could finally wake up America.

[panopticon]

To those people who say that this case isn't about systemic failures & prejudice I suggest they read the article below.

Is America really "the land of the free"?

###

The Day Ferguson Cops Were Caught in a Bloody Lie (http://www.thedailybeast.com/articles/2014/08/15/the-day-ferguson-cops-were-caught-in-a-bloody-lie.html)
By Michael Daly, August 15th, 2014

http://cdn.thedailybeast.com/content/dailybeast/articles/2014/08/15/the-day-ferguson-cops-were-caught-in-a-bloody-lie/jcr:content/image.crop.800.500.jpg/1408095936423.cached.jpg

The officers got the wrong man, but charged him anyway—with getting his blood on their uniforms. How the Ferguson PD ran the town where Michael Brown was gunned down.

Police in Ferguson, Missouri, once charged a man with destruction of property for bleeding on their uniforms while four of them allegedly beat him.

“On and/or about the 20th day of Sept. 20, 2009 at or near 222 S. Florissant within the corporate limits of Ferguson, Missouri, the above named defendant did then and there unlawfully commit the offense of ‘property damage’ to wit did transfer blood to the uniform,” reads the charge sheet.

The address is the headquarters of the Ferguson Police Department, where a 52-year-old welder named Henry Davis was taken in the predawn hours on that date. He had been arrested for an outstanding warrant that proved to actually be for another man of the same surname, but a different middle name and Social Security number.

“I said, ‘I told you guys it wasn’t me,’” Davis later testified.

He recalled the booking officer saying, “We have a problem.”

The booking officer had no other reason to hold Davis, who ended up in Ferguson only because he missed the exit for St. Charles and then pulled off the highway because the rain was so heavy he could not see to drive. The cop who had pulled up behind him must have run his license plate and assumed he was that other Henry Davis. Davis said the cop approached his vehicle, grabbed his cellphone from his hand, cuffed him and placed him in the back seat of the patrol car, without a word of explanation.

But the booking officer was not ready just to let Davis go, and proceeded to escort him to a one-man cell that already had a man in it asleep on the lone bunk. Davis says that he asked the officer if he could at least have one of the sleeping mats that were stacked nearby.

”He said I wasn’t getting one,” Davis said.

Davis balked at being a second man in a one-man cell.

“Because it’s 3 in the morning,” he later testified. “Who going to sleep on a cement floor?”

The booking officer summoned a number of fellow cops. One opened the cell door while another suddenly charged, propelling Davis inside and slamming him against the back wall.

“I told the police officers there that I didn’t do nothing, ‘Why is you guys doing this to me?’” Davis testified. “They said, ‘OK, just lay on the ground and put your hands behind your back.’”

Davis said he complied and that a female officer straddled and then handcuffed him. Two other officers crowded into the cell.

“They started hitting me,” he testified. “I was getting hit and I just covered up.”

The other two stepped out and the female officer allegedly lifted Davis’ head as the cop who had initially pushed him into the cell reappeared.

“He ran in and kicked me in the head,” Davis recalled. “I almost passed out at that point… Paramedics came… They said it was too much blood, I had to go to the hospital.”

A patrol car took the bleeding Davis to a nearby emergency room. He refused treatment, demanding somebody first take his picture.

“I wanted a witness and proof of what they done to me,” Davis said.

He was driven back to the jail, where he was held for several days before he posted $1,500 bond on four counts of “property damage.” Police Officer John Beaird had signed complaints swearing on pain of perjury that Davis had bled on his uniform and those of three fellow officers.

The remarkable turned inexplicable when Beaird was deposed in a civil case that Davis subsequently brought seeking redress and recompense.

“After Mr. Davis was detained, did you have any blood on you?” asked Davis’ lawyer, James Schottel.

“No, sir,” Beaird replied.

Schottel showed Beaird a copy of the “property damage” complaint.

“Is that your signature as complainant?” the lawyer asked.

“It is, sir,” the cop said.

“And what do you allege that Mr. Davis did unlawfully in this one?” the lawyer asked.

“Transferred blood to my uniform while Davis was resisting,” the cop said.

“And didn’t I ask you earlier in this deposition if Mr. Davis got blood on your uniform?”

“You did, sir.”

“And didn’t you respond no?”

“Correct. I did.”

Beaird seemed to be either admitting perjury or committing it. The depositions of other officers suggested that the “property damage” charges were not just bizarre, but trumped up.

“There was no blood on my uniform,” said Police Officer Christopher Pillarick.

And then there was Officer Michael White, the one accused of kicking Davis in the head, an allegation he denies, as his fellow officers deny striking Davis. White had reported suffering a bloody nose in the mayhem.

“Did you see Mr. Davis bleeding at all?” the lawyer, Schottel, asked.

“I did not,” White replied.

“Did Mr. Davis get any blood on you while you were in the cell?” Schottel asked.

“No,” White said.

The contradictions between the complaint and the depositions apparently are what prompted the prosecutor to drop the “property damage” allegation. The prosecutor also dropped a felony charge of assault on an officer that had been lodged more than a year after the incident and shortly after Davis filed his civil suit.

Davis suggested in his testimony that if the police really thought he had assaulted an officer he would have been charged back when he was jailed.

“They would have filed those charges right then and there, because that’s a major felony,” he noted.

Indisputable evidence of what transpired in the cell might have been provided by a surveillance camera, but it turned out that the VHS video was recorded at 32 times normal speed.

“It was like a blur,” Schottel told The Daily Beast on Wednesday. “You couldn’t see anything.”

The blur proved to be from 12 hours after the incident anyway. The cops had saved the wrong footage after Schottel asked them to preserve it.

Schottel got another unpleasant surprise when he sought the use-of-force history of the officers involved. He learned that before a new chief took over in 2010 the department had a surprising protocol for non-fatal use-of-force reports.

“The officer himself could complete it and give it to the supervisor for his approval,” the prior chief, Thomas Moonier, testified in a deposition. “I would read it. It would be placed in my out basket, and my secretary would probably take it and put it with the case file.”

No copy was made for the officer’s personnel file.

“Everything involved in an incident would generally be with the police report,” Moonier said. “I don’t know what they maintain in personnel files.”

“Who was in charge of personnel files, of maintaining them?” Schottel asked.

“I have no idea,” Moonier said. “I believe City Hall, but I don’t know.”

Schottel focused on the date of the incident.

“On September 20th, 2009, was there any way to identify any officers that were subject of one or more citizens’ complaints?” he asked.

“Not to my knowledge,” Moonier said.

“Was there any way to identify any officers who had completed several use-of-force reports?”

“I don’t recall.”

But however lax the department’s system and however contradictory the officers’ testimony, a federal magistrate ruled that the apparent perjury about the “property damage” charges was too minor to constitute a violation of due process and that Davis’ injuries were de minimis—too minor to warrant a finding of excessive force. Never mind that a CAT scan taken after the incident confirmed that he had suffered a concussion.

Schottel has appealed and expects to argue the case in the early fall. He will contend that perjury is perjury however minor the charge and note that both the NFL and Major League Baseball have learned to consider a concussion a serious injury.

Schottel figures the courts might take the problems of the Ferguson Police Department as more than de minimis as a result of the protests sparked when an officer shot and killed an unarmed 18-year-old named Michael Brown on the afternoon of Aug. 9.

“Your chances on appeal are going up,” a fellow lawyer told him.

At least one witness has said that Brown was shot in the back and then in the chest and head as he turned toward the officer with his hands raised.

“I said, ‘Well, that doesn’t surprise me,’” Schottel told The Daily Beast on Wednesday. “I said I already know about Ferguson, nothing new can faze me about Ferguson.”

Schottel has also deposed the new chief, Thomas Jackson, who took over in 2010. Jackson testified that he has instituted a centralized system whereby all complaints lodged against cops by citizens or supervisors go through him and are assigned a number in an internal affairs log. Schottel views Jackson as “not a bad guy,” someone who has been trying to make positive change.

“He wants to do right, but it was such a mess,” Schottel said Wednesday.

Jackson has seemed less than progressive as he delayed identifying the officer involved in the shooting for fear it would place him and his family in danger. Jackson would only say the officer is white and has been on the job for six years. This means that for his first two and most formative years the officer might have been writing his own force reports and that none of them went into his file.

“It’s hard to get people to clean things up, especially if they’re used to doing things a certain way,” Schottel said.

On Friday, police finally identified the officer as Darren Wilson, who is said to have no disciplinary record, as such records are kept in Ferguson. We already know that he started out at a time when it was accepted for a Ferguson cop to charge somebody with property damage for bleeding on his uniform and later saying there was no blood on him at all.

Source (http://www.thedailybeast.com/articles/2014/08/15/the-day-ferguson-cops-were-caught-in-a-bloody-lie.html)

[Zaya]

Totally agree, Snowflower. This case will be CRITICAL to our future, even more so than the Trayvon Martin case because this is not just about race (though it is a lot about race). This will be a trial that will decide once and for all... is the government for the people by the people? .... Or is it for itself? Those are the only two outcomes possible in terms of the people's relationship with the government/police enforcement from here on out. Are you with us or against us? Pick a side. You can't possibly let this cop off and still maintain the facade that the police are here to protect. Not convicting him will show the people that we do not have anyone backing up our rights.

On another note, here are some images that have sent me reeling:

http://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2014/08/14/article-2724528-208458EB00000578-480_634x380.jpg
Returning fire: A protester throws back a smoke bomb while clashing with police in Ferguson, Missouri, as clashes entered their fourth night running

http://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2014/08/14/article-2724528-2084342400000578-620_634x411.jpg
Flash bang: An explosive device deployed by police goes off in the street as police and protesters clash in Ferguson

http://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2014/08/14/article-2724528-20844BAF00000578-574_634x436.jpg
Cover: A protester takes shelter from smoke billowing around him on Wednesday during another night of chaos in Ferguson

http://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2014/08/14/article-2724528-2084555B00000578-787_634x385.jpg


http://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2014/08/14/article-2724528-208461FE00000578-843_634x437.jpg
An Al Jazeera television crew, covering demonstrators protesting the shooting death of teenager Michael Brown, scramble for cover as police fire tear gas into their reporting position

[panopticon]

First press conference from day after shooting:

zUXqPDT8hr4
Presser from today:

5X_NN9kgwqo
I've seen images of both the suspect during the strong-arm robbery [of 6 cigars] & Mike Brown dead on the road. There appears to be some consistence between the two but other aspects are not so clear.

I am waiting to see if there is a clearer image of the suspect in the theft.

-- Pan

[jagman]

I just watched the video and it appears Michael Brown committed strongarm robbery
of a local convience store right before he was shot. The video shows Brown ruffing up
the clerk and stealing some cigars.

[panopticon]

Here's the police report on the robbery. Evidently the cigars were worth almost $50.

http://bloximages.newyork1.vip.townnews.com/stltoday.com/content/tncms/assets/v3/editorial/b/fe/bfe19192-f3b4-55d8-a372-1b6cdb6d54c2/53ee2a5770a1e.pdf.pdf

-- Pan

[Zaya]

Jagman, do you have the link to this video?

[panopticon]

There are reports that Captain Johnson has just participated in a presser in which all the right words are used (not seen in full excerpt at end of post, from French's Twitter feed (https://twitter.com/AntonioFrench)). "Last night was a great night", "What happened last night is what's going to happen here forward", "You're going to see a bunch of smiles, a bunch of hugs, and a bunch of conversations [tonight in Ferguson]", "In our anger we have to make sure we don't burn down our own house"...

This is after the ground work was laid yesterday with the "moving forward" rhetoric...

Here's the vid footage from the convenience store (the clerk does not look very intimidated):

FHxXGvXQrno
Doesn't seem to be much different to what was said by Dorian Johnson the day after the shooting (if I'm understanding him correctly):

tfy5FiqzWHI
-- Pan

Addendum:

Adding Gov. Jay Nixon's presser the other day when he bought in Johnson:
dTIeRVIWIyk
Full Obama presser that I critiqued a part of is available here (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZKd7tx78fvY).

Oh, and here's an excerpt of the Nixon presser I mentioned at the start of this post with Nixon & Johnson (now ain't that ironic) using all those key words:

VuV8DmjSg1c

[jagman]

Jagman, do you have the link to this video?

No I dont not yet sorry

[778 neighbour of some guy]

2011

United States Marine Corps. Sgt. Shamar Thomas from Roosevelt, NY went toe to toe with the New York Police Department. A gun violence and police brutality activist, Thomas voiced his opinions of the NYPD police brutality that had and has been plaguing the #OWS movement.


Where is Shamar Thomas when you need him?

WmEHcOc0Sys

[Zaya]

Well, dang. The still images being circulated do make this seem much more violent than it appears in action. Yes, the suspect (allegedly Michael Brown) does seem to push the store employee and then intimidate him, but you are right; the employee doesn't seem ALL that afraid. Or else, why would he go out after him and stand in the doorway?

Michael's friend is backing up the story about them taking the cigars, so there is a good chance that that is actually them on the video, but I say allegedly because how could anyone even tell? You certainly can't see a face in that.

This video will be used over and over again to try and justify the officer's actions, which is total BS. You still can't gun an unarmed man down without a fair trail regardless of whether he stole some cigars and shoved a man. Those are not grounds for killing someone on the spot as is explicitly written in the constitution. Even if you literally see someone murder another person you are not legally given the go ahead to murder them on the spot unless you are trying to prevent another immediate death or you are defending yourself. Even then, cops are trained to shoot to maim, not kill.

I hate that this video will probably become a linchpin in arguing for the cop in the case (even though that cop is definitely not present in the video, therefore it should not be used that way.)

[panopticon]

Well, dang. The still images being circulated do make this seem much more violent than it appears in action. Yes, the suspect (allegedly Michael Brown) does seem to push the store employee and then intimidate him, but you are right; the employee doesn't seem ALL that afraid. Or else, why would he go out after him and stand in the doorway?

Michael's friend is backing up the story about them taking the cigars, so there is a good chance that that is actually them on the video, but I say allegedly because how could anyone even tell? You certainly can't see a face in that.

This video will be used over and over again to try and justify the officer's actions, which is total BS. You still can't gun an unarmed man down without a fair trail regardless of whether he stole some cigars and shoved a man. Those are not grounds for killing someone on the spot as is explicitly written in the constitution. Even if you literally see someone murder another person you are not legally given the go ahead to murder them on the spot unless you are trying to prevent another immediate death or you are defending yourself. Even then, cops are trained to shoot to maim, not kill.

I hate that this video will probably become a linchpin in arguing for the cop in the case (even though that cop is definitely not present in the video, therefore it should not be used that way.)

Exactly Zaya.

The video will get endless replay. It shows an alleged robber and "we can't feel sympathy for a robber! They are bad. We are good."

Plus the constant playing of it will numb people so they aren't outraged by the events. Also it will give the talking heads, lobbyists etc a chance to spin the story and reconstruct events so they are more palatable for the average US citizen to digest.

When I looked at this video the first time I wasn't actually sure that it wasn't something the clerk said/did that got it all started. I'm still not sure what exactly happened when something "falls" on the floor and "Brown" picks it up and walks out... Is that "Brown" picking up something that has fallen or something that was pushed off the counter at him?

I'm not saying that there wasn't a theft, just seemed to all be very slow for a theft. It looked a bit more like "Brown" telling the clerk to piss off (which I've done a number of times if they're a smart arse behind the counter)...

Anyway, that aside, there was no justification for an unarmed man to be shot 7 times (which is what some allege occurred -- 2 from behind while he was running away & 5 from the front --[source (https://twitter.com/TheePharoah/status/498167134367645696)], but "authorities" have refused to confirm -- why no preliminary coroners report yet?).

Even if the officer did "fear for his life" during the alleged struggle, the first few shots would have done the trick.

Riddle me this: Why the other 5?

Also they've had this footage all week, why release it after the "active" protests are already over? Wouldn't it have helped calm things down earlier?

Seems like a lot of "poke the bear" going on.

http://static.businessinsider.com/image/4ae9ae530000000000f39b5b-365-274/grizzlybear.jpg

-- Pan

[panopticon]

Well it seems that it makes no difference whether the cigars were stolen or thrown at him as evidently the Ferguson Police Chief just said:


The initial contact between Darren Wilson and Mike Brown was NOT related to the alleged theft of cigars.
Source (https://twitter.com/AntonioFrench/status/500358655834062848)

The release of the information about the robbery was just to harm perceptions of Brown's character.

Stunning lack of foresight releasing that information now though... :tsk:

As an old mate of mine used to say: Fight you bastards fight, I hate peace.

-- Pan

Evidently Brown was stopped because he was walking on the road...

Anyway, here's Ferguson Police Chief Jackson nattering (why does he not have a minder by now?):

SH9ewI5-wgc

[jagman]

Even if Brown was the person who robbed the convience store?The police officer
Should not have used deadly force!!! First of all...The Amount taken was under
$50 dollars "Thats not a felony" Their was also a minor assault "Thats not a felony
either"!Anyone who has ever worked in law enforcement knows about the Use of
Continuum. The police officer should be Fired and shunned but I'm afraid he will not
be prosecuted.And if he is prosecuted it wont be Murder one!

[Star Tsar]

the multi-culti madness of the usa. coming soon...to a city near you. just throw people from all kinds of races and religions into one large melting pot and then watch as it begins to boil.

I have heard the same line from your Prime Minister a few years back.
Our controllers want us to adopt this attitude, It feeds the divide and conquer.
I can tell you as a multicultral male who lives in a very multicultural town it does work.
We have to ask when problems like these arise, Are the systems that affect a population the problem? or the individuals colour/culture?
I mean come on they are not called the projects by accident now are they?

[panopticon]

There are some myths starting to form because of the shoddy (???) reporting and release of material around not only the alleged theft of cigars but also the identity of the officer who shot Mike Brown.

First off, it appears that some media outlets have been reporting that officer Darren Wilson is an African American.

This is incorrect.

The Darren Wilson whose image has being shown is from a different area in the same region and is Sgt. Darren R. Wilson.

Sgt. Darren R. Wilson is an 18 year veteran and 'president of the Ethical Society of Police (https://www.facebook.com/pages/Ethical-Society-of-Police/436831003071448)' (source (http://www.ibtimes.com/not-darren-wilson-who-shot-killed-michael-brown-1659706)).

Officer Darren Wilson in Ferguson has been an officer for 6 year, four with the Freguson PD.

For those interested, he is also reported as being Caucasian (source 1 (http://www.ibtimes.com/not-darren-wilson-who-shot-killed-michael-brown-1659706), source 2 (http://edition.cnn.com/2014/08/15/justice/ferguson-missouri-wilson/index.html)).

This is a tragedy for the Brown family, for the Wilson family and for the entire Ferguson area. The fact that this shooting is being misreported and so obviously manipulated is upsetting for not only those directly concerned but also for those watching and trying to work out what led up to the protests.

This is not just about the actions of Brown & Wilson but also why there was such a militarised response from the Ferguson PD & why the protests became "active". It takes a lot to get an "active" response from people in a Western society so there must be underlying factors that led to it.

http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/762/2858/200/focus.jpg

3vHHCKDZ0fU
-- Pan

[panopticon]

Surely this level of mayhem is not accidental?

How incompetent are we supposed to be believe this mob are?

###

Officials Battle Over Who's In Charge In Ferguson And Probe (http://news.stlpublicradio.org/post/officials-battle-over-whos-charge-ferguson-and-probe)
By Jo Mannies

Although the Missouri Highway Patrol is overseeing the police presence in Ferguson, it quickly has become apparent that neither the patrol nor Gov. Jay Nixon is in control of all law-enforcement actions.

That lack of control already is leading to unwanted surprises that revolve around a central question: Who is in charge?

That question also applies to St. Louis County Executive Charlie Dooley and County Prosecutor Bob McCulloch, who are battling over who should control a local probe into the police shooting of teenager Michael Brown.

Dooley -- at odds with McCulloch -- has asked Missouri Attorney General Chris Koster to step in or name a special prosecutor. Koster says he legally cannot.

http://mediad.publicbroadcasting.net/p/kwmu/files/201408/SLP2014081501.jpg
Missouri State Highway Patrol captain Ronald Johnson talks to a reporters. Johnson has taken over the command of the law enforcement duties in Missouri. Credit Bill Greenblatt | UPI

The most vivid example of the who’s-in-charge dispute took place Friday morning. That’s when Highway Patrol Capt. Ron Johnson, who now is overseeing police operations in Ferguson, first became aware of video and photos allegedly implicating Brown in a robbery shortly before he was shot.

Johnson says he was stunned when he watched the morning TV news and learned of the video and photos. Johnson hadn’t been alerted beforehand that the video existed or that Ferguson Police Chief Thomas Jackson had decided to give copies to news outlets.

Johnson made clear to reporters that he wasn’t happy about it. “Today, I will meet with the police chief of Ferguson and talk about how that was released,’’ Johnson said tersely during a Friday morning news conference with Nixon.

Johnson later added with an edge in his voice, “It’s not going to be a conversation conducted over the phone.”

A few hours later, the Ferguson police chief held his own news conference and apologized for what he called a “communication breakdown.’’

Referring to Johnson, the chief added, “I should have called him.”

County police question softer tactics

The incident had broader significance that Johnson recognized could affect his standing with protesters and Ferguson residents who are paying close attention to who's in charge. At Friday’s news conference, for example, a man who identified himself as one of the protesters asked Johnson if he was “just a figurehead’’ since he had been out of the loop on the release of the video and photos allegedly of Brown.

Nixon, who has jurisdiction over the Highway Patrol, also acknowledged that he had been unaware that the video and photos had existed or had been released. That also prompted moans and derisive comments at the news conference from the local residents watching the proceedings.

The Ferguson police chief wasn't the only one who seemed to be blind-siding Johnson and Nixon.

http://mediad.publicbroadcasting.net/p/kwmu/files/201408/SLP2014081116.jpg
Protesters are greeted by a wall of police officers after a march to the Ferguson Police department on Aug. 11. Credit Bill Greenblatt | UPI / UPI

The St. Louis County Police Officers Association issued a statement on Friday objecting to the change in command. The association said that "Nixon's decision was motivated by local and national political pressure. His decision not only did not improve public safety but put officers lives in danger."

The association also said its officers had been ordered by the patrol "not to deploy with personal protective equipment such as helmets and shields. Subsequently, last night, an officer was assaulted when a thrown brick struck his person."

Although Johnson said there were no arrests, the police group complained that under the patrol's command Thursday night, "several patrol vehicles were damaged by thrown debris, a news photographer was assaulted, a McDonalds was nearly burglarized, and a person showed up at Christian Northeast Hospital after being shot in the protest area."

Koster says McCulloch can't removed from probe

More may be at stake in the effort of Dooley and some of his allies to remove McCulloch as head of the investigation into the shooting.

Dooley and McCulloch have been at odds for some time, with McCulloch actively campaigning for Dooley’s rival in the Aug. 5 primary, County Councilman Steve Stenger. Stenger went on to handily defeat Dooley and has given McCulloch some of the credit.

http://mediad.publicbroadcasting.net/p/kwmu/files/201408/SLP2014081120_0.jpg
St. Louis County Prosecuting Attorney St. Louis County Prosecuting Attorney Bob McCulloch talks with reporters about the 32 people arrested for looting during a riot in Ferguson. Credit Bill Greenblatt | UPI

Now, McCulloch is under fire from Dooley and others who question his objectivity when it comes to the Brown investigation. The stakes were raised Thursday when McCulloch publicly rebuked Nixon for his decision to put the Highway Patrol in charge, thus ousting county Police Chief Jon Belmar as the commanding officer in Ferguson.

McCulloch even asserted that the governor "had no authority" to make the change.

Nixon declined comment on Friday. A spokesman for McCulloch said only, "We're going to do our duty." Meanwhile, Johnson played down any dispute, telling reporters that he and Belmar have worked well together.

Johnson noted that he and other Highway Patrol officers had been in Ferguson for several days before the change in command occurred, and had become well acquainted with many county officers.

Meanwhile, Koster confirmed that Dooley has asked him to replace McCulloch as head of the local investigation. But Koster says only a judge could do so.

“Prosecutors in our state derive their power directly from the people,” Koster explained, noting that McCulloch holds an elected position. “State law provides no authority for the attorney general or the governor to remove or transfer a criminal case from an elected county prosecutor.”

A judge can name a special prosecutor if the county prosecutor has a conflict of interest, Koster said.

Or, McCulloch could ask assistance from Koster’s office, but that request would need to first be made to the governor. As it stands, McCulloch hasn’t indicated any plans to talk to Nixon.

Nixon did say Friday, however, that he supported the current setup with McCulloch and the county police conducting their own investigation. That's in addition to the federal probe that Nixon and others also support.

In response to Koster's explanation, state Sen. Jamilah Nasheed, D-St. Louis, called Friday for McCulloch to "recuse himself'' and voluntarily step down from overseeing the probe. Among other things, she cited McCulloch's involvement in Stenger's campaign against Dooley.

Other McCulloch's critics have yet to say what their next move will be.

Clay weighs in

U.S. Rep. William Lacy Clay, D-St. Louis, has said he doesn't trust the county police but hasn't said anything specifically about McCulloch. That could change, since Clay has made clear that he wants an expanded federal role in the investigation into Brown's death.

This weekend, Clay is expected to be back in Ferguson and to renew his complaints about the county police. Clay is strongly in favor of the Highway Patrol's heightened role.

A Clay spokesman also noted that the congressman also wants "a completely independent criminal prosecution'' that doesn't involve county officials.

U.S. Rep. Emanuel Cleaver, D-Kansas City, was in Ferguson by Friday evening. He was asserting to reporters that the police missteps had caused more trouble than the protesters.

Source (http://news.stlpublicradio.org/post/officials-battle-over-whos-charge-ferguson-and-probe)

[panopticon]

Well, this should clearly show that when a clear message isn't given then things deteriorate.

Peaceful carnival atmosphere and then police move in on the protesters followed by active civil disobedience and looting of 3 stores (1 a liquor store).

Groups of protesters are now standing in front of looted stores to protest the remaining goods/contents from further theft/damage. Anarchism at work. :)

Live Video Feed (http://new.livestream.com/timcast/events/3295551).

-- Pan

Reports that the looters only appeared when the police bought in the armoured vehicle. They were not known to the protesters. They were dispersed throughout the protesters (ie not in a group).

These protesters might not know what they are seeing.

What they are probably seeing is undercover police sent in to create a reason to disperse the crowd.

Follows a script fairly well these things.

[panopticon]

Police have left the area and now peace has returned.

Very revealing couple of hours.

How classic is the timeline:


"Block party" with everybody celebrating and in good cheer.
Police say protesters must disperse.
Protesters ignore police.
Police officer runs in and throws a tear gas cannister then retreats.
Police say protesters must disperse.
Protesters ignore police.
15 - 20 minutes later Police form a line.
Police say protesters must disperse. Request media leave/stop filming.
Some individuals in crowd start looting.
Police move closer.
Protesters try to stop looters and then form groups to protect the stores that had been vandalised.
Police say protesters must disperse.
Protesters ignore police but ask why the police aren't protecting the stores.
Police form a line.


Typical of this entire "operation".

-- Pan

[Debra]

Well, this should clearly show that when a clear message isn't given then things deteriorate.

Peaceful carnival atmosphere and then police move in on the protesters followed by active civil disobedience and looting of 3 stores (1 a liquor store).

Groups of protesters are now standing in front of looted stores to protest the remaining goods/contents from further theft/damage. Anarchism at work. :)

Live Video Feed (http://new.livestream.com/timcast/events/3295551).

-- Pan

Reports that the looters only appeared when the police bought in the armoured vehicle. They were not known to the protesters. They were dispersed throughout the protesters (ie not in a group).

These protesters might not know what they are seeing.

What they are probably seeing is undercover police sent in to create a reason to disperse the crowd.

Follows a script fairly well these things.


Pan, you are intrepid. Thank you for the unpacking. The modus operandi that has moved into handle and manipulate or rather capitalise on is clear as day. Land of the free- it's quite the opposite, isn't it?

And of course, you could say the same is played out in other countries as well. To this level, I'm not so sure. This is multi levelled, highly organised. I wonder where and when the conversation starts to begin such an operation. Or have they done futures modelling to such an extent that strategies and systems to work them through are ready to go at the click of a mouse. And Obama - the most dutiful drone of them all - is ready to roll with a template speech.

Zeb

[panopticon]

Reports of looting starting again appear to have been the result of a fire having been lit and protesters going into the liquor store to get "soda bottles" to put the fire out with.

See how this will be reported and whether there is evidence that this is what happened (so far this is from feeds).

-- Pan

Evidently St Louis PD are reported saying that they were told to stand down in relation to the latest reports of looting and not protect the stores being looted (source (https://twitter.com/FOX2now/status/500557061327843330)).

[panopticon]

Short video on today's information and protester reaction to police revelations today:
tmG2yR_Zjio
Notice video shows protesters protecting the store that has been looted:

GXbcYrxyFQ4
Painful video to watch (not due to content but reporting!) which shows the story has changed again (I missed that). Now evidently Wilson may have seen cigars and that was possibly the reason he stopped Brown (buggar me, can someone tell these guys to stay to one story!):
NrHCWDEaOhA
-- Pan

[panopticon]

As the police move back and the protesters are starting to celebrate notice the direction that the tear gas comes from (1:50):

dDbRyFIkNII
Just prior to that the cannister is visible being thrown into the crowd (~1:48):

http://apanopticview.drivehq.com/images/FergusonSmokeCannisterResize20140815.jpg (http://apanopticview.drivehq.com/images/Ferguson%20Smoke%20Cannister%20--%2020140815.png)

The cannister being thrown back justifies the use of percussive etc.

-- Pan

[panopticon]

The person said to have calmed the protesters down was Anthony Shahid (source (https://twitter.com/AntonioFrench/status/500638083637710850)).

Evidently Shahid is a well known African American civil rights advocate in St Louis.

I'm sure he will be instantly recognisable to anyone who has seen early footage of the protests.

Here he is in a protest back in 2007 (at least that's when the video was uploaded) in garb similar to what he's worn in Ferguson:

Fngz5WelPvo
Here he is telling a meeting how he feels about youth unemployment:

ut-790agRTw
Not my place to comment on anything he or French say.

Not my area. Not my battle. Not my Story.

Just glad there are people in that area who are making it harder for force to be justified.

-- Pan

[panopticon]

Just a quick reminder. I've posted these before but it's always good to remind people of certain things.

These are 2 really good talks about why you shouldn't talk to the police - ever.

The first presentation is from a professor at Regent Law School (former defence lawyer) while the second is from Officer George Bruch talking about how he got people to confess etc.

They are fairly US specific (though similar things apply in the UK & Oz) so bear that in mind (ie find information specific to your circumstances).

Anyway, for those who haven't seen these before, watch and learn...

i8z7NC5sgik
08fZQWjDVKE
Now here's some updated information for activists from the Electronic Frontier Foundation in relation to mobile phones and protests. As always, for links in the articles visit the original.

-- Pan

###

Cell Phone Guide For US Protesters, Updated 2014 Edition (https://www.eff.org/deeplinks/2014/08/cell-phone-guide-protesters-updated-2014-edition)
By Eva Galperin And Parker Higgins, August 15th, 2014

With major protests in the news again, we decided it's time to update our cell phone guide for protestors. A lot has changed since we last published this report in 2011, for better and for worse. On the one hand, we've learned more about the massive volume of law enforcement requests for cell phone—ranging from location information to actual content—and widespread use of dedicated cell phone surveillance technologies. On the other hand, strong Supreme Court opinions have eliminated any ambiguity about the unconstitutionality of warrantless searches of phones incident to arrest, and a growing national consensus says location data, too, is private.

Protesters want to be able to communicate, to document the protests, and to share photos and video with the world. So they'll be carrying phones, and they'll face a complex set of considerations about the privacy of the data those phones hold. We hope this guide can help answer some questions about how to best protect that data, and what rights protesters have in the face of police demands.

Before The Protest

Think carefully about what's on your phone. When we last visited this question, law enforcement in many states were arguing that they could search the contents of a phone incident to arrest without a warrant. Today, thanks to the unanimous Supreme Court decision in Riley v. California, that's no longer the case. Still, if you can avoid carrying sensitive data, you don't have to worry about it getting pulled off the phone. That can include photos, your address book, application data, and more. If you don't need it for the protest, consider removing it for the duration.

If you have access to a temporary phone with only the essentials, that might be a better option. Modern smartphones record all sorts of data, and there may be overlooked sources of sensitive information.

Password protect your phone. Password protection can guard your phone from casual searches, but it can still be circumvented by law enforcement or other sophisticated adversaries.

Start using encrypted communications channels. Text messages, as a rule, can be read and stored by your phone company or by surveillance equipment in the area. If you and your friends can get comfortable with encrypted communications channels in advance, that can keep prying eyes off your texts while they're in transit.

Direct messages through social media may be encrypted while in transit, but can be subject to subpoenas from law enforcement. You may wish to explore end-to-end encrypted options, like Whisper Systems's TextSecure,1 Guardian Project's mobile IM software ChatSecure, or the mobile version of Cryptocat, which only store the contents of your communications in an encrypted, unreadable form.

End-to-end encryption does not protect your meta-data. In other words, using end-to-end encrypted communications will keep law enforcement from being able to read the contents of your messages, but they will still be able to see who you're talking to and when you're talking to them.

At The Protest

Keep control of your phone. You may wish to keep the phone on you at all times, or hand it over to a trusted friend if you are engaging in action that you think might lead to your arrest. In any case, you can set the lock screen to turn on quickly, so that if you do lose control of your phone, nobody else gets access easily.

Take pictures and video of the scene. As the ACLU says in a recent Know Your Rights guide, "Taking photographs of things that are plainly visible from public spaces is a constitutional right." Unfortunately, that doesn't stop law enforcement officers from occasionally demanding that protesters stop doing exactly that.

If you're planning to document the protest, you should read the whole guide ahead of time. There are special considerations for videotaping, too, so make sure to brush up on that if you plan to be recording video.

Finally, you may wish to explore options that upload directly to another server. Livestreaming sites, and even social media services, can make sure photos and videos get online before law enforcement officers have a chance to delete them.

Help, I'm being arrested!

You have a right to remain silent—about your phone and anything else. If questioned by police, you can politely but firmly decline to answer and ask to speak to your attorney.

If the police ask to see your phone, tell them you do not consent to the search of your device. Again, since the Supreme Court's decision in Riley, there is little question that officers need a warrant to access the contents of your phone incident to arrest, though they may be able to seize the phone and get a warrant later.

As we said in the last guide, if the police ask for the password to your electronic device you can politely refuse to provide it and ask to speak to your lawyer. Every arrest situation is different, and you will need an attorney to help you sort through your particular circumstance. Note that just because the police cannot compel you to give up your password, that doesn’t mean that they can’t pressure you. The police may detain you and you may go to jail rather than being immediately released if they think you’re refusing to be cooperative. You will need to decide whether to comply.

OK, now how do I get my phone back?

If your phone or electronic device was seized, and is not promptly returned when you are released, you can file a motion with the court to have your property returned. If the police believe that evidence of a crime is on your electronic device, including in your photos or videos, the police can keep it as evidence. They may also attempt to make you forfeit your electronic device, but you can challenge that in court.

Increasingly, we keep our most sensitive communications and personal information on our cell phones. We carry in our pockets these devices that can tremendously enhance our ability to exercise our First Amendment rights, but which also carry serious privacy risks. We hope that with these tips in mind, you can take the necessary precautions with your digital technology.

Source (https://www.eff.org/deeplinks/2014/08/cell-phone-guide-protesters-updated-2014-edition)

[jerry]

For those dragging Obama into this, PLEASE ****ING KNOCK IT OFF!

Seriously.

A young, unarmed man was slaughtered by a bunch of white, racist pigs.

And we get threads with people crying about Obama and looting?

To those making such threads/comments: YOU ARE THE PROBLEM

considering your comment what part are you

[panopticon]

Here's a video I hadn't seen from the day/evening of the shooting.

The first 1:30 shows Brown's body on the ground so skip that if you don't want to see it.

Around the 1:35 mark it shows Brown's body being "loaded" into the back of a black SUV. Is that a morgue vehicle? There is a stretcher so I'm thinking it is. If it isn't a morgue vehicle then why no ambulance or appropriate vehicle for transport?

What I also found interesting was the way the police were so aggressive in their efforts to disperse the crowd (starts ~2:15). Notice how the police officer get out of the vehicle with a rifle @3:40 and then it just got even worse. Canine unit? Really?

Buggar trying to work out what happened in the lead-up to the shooting.

I want to know how something didn't happen afterwards with the disregard, incompetence, manipulation, attitude and carry-on I've seen just in the limited videos I've had time to watch?

Seems like something just ain't right with what's being presented (and I'm talking about the "official" persons involved, not the protesters)...

5Wt8yEGacIs
Truly amazing.

-- Pan

[Wind]

I think that Russell has very good points.

uQfORmG9OUA

[panopticon]

I think that Russell has very good points.

uQfORmG9OUA

I agree Wind. Excellent points. There must be pre-existing pressures on individuals for a protest of this kind to start.

The part about a dysfunctional "community" and disenfranchised persons leading to eruptions of violence given an appropriate "spark" fits very well with what I was saying earlier about agent provocateurs.

Of course provocateurs aren't always necessary and a social group can be so oppressed that given the opportunity to claim what they see as rightfully theirs, they will, which is what Russell is getting at. The TV told them if they were "average", "normal" "citizens" then they should have items X, Y Z etc "aren't I an average American trying to just get by, plus the store is insured and that will cover the stock and damages" -- easy for someone to justify these actions in the heat of the moment. Imagine if there is someone there telling them that while they're protesting. Though, it is only really when an oppressor is trying to control the oppressed protests that the provocateur truly comes into their own. Otherwise they are simply an undercover agent.

I think Russell deliberately left out the provocation (I know I would in most cases) because it is difficult to prove without photographic evidence and that's the first thing a group like that destroys ("ya wanna get me busted bro?"). To mention it in passing, as he would have to in this setting, would not do him nor the topic justice.

Anyway, excellent Trews (as always). There's a little bit of an Anarchist in us all :)

-- Pan

[panopticon]

Johnson has just announced a curfew in Ferguson from midnight to 5 am (I think for just the night but it isn't clear -- I don't have any idea how this will work... They aren't saying other than stay at home and sleep).

Him & Nixon trying to spin this as a good thing.

live event ended

There are some very angry people there.

"How do you plan to enforce the curfew?"

"Will you be using tear gas against us?"

Johnson was an excellent choice. He's eloquent and knows how to stay on subject. He doesn't get phased and makes the audience feel that he is working for them. "It's a partnership" "I can't do it by myself" etc.

There are some crowd members who aren't buying it. Saying that the police have manipulated what is said and that they are lying to the press.

Sentiment is turning. "Why are you telling people to calm down?"

Representative from NAN (don't know what NAN is but evidently he is also the head of the New Black Panther Party and other groups) seems to be trying to take control of the conversation around security of businesses tonight. Wants his "100 to 150" members to be in charge of securing business and dispersing the protest ("like we did on Thursday night").

Bureaucrats are trying to take control. Any talk about the Brown case is cut-off with variations of "it's not our area of responsibility". That's just getting part of the crowd more angry.

Press is going to be allowed an area where they can report from a "staging area".

Nixon was mid sentence and the feed ended... Buggar.

Obvious that there were people in the crowd (better term then audience) spaced around to calm the more rowdy people. Was very apparent when there was applause. Not much and it seemed spread all over the place.

Again, I've got no idea how this will be enforced and I'm not sure anyone in Ferguson does either...

-- Pan

[panopticon]

So a Curfew & State of Emergency have been declared in Ferguson (population 15,000) from 12 midnight to 5 am.

This will get written about in text books on how to NOT run this sort of operation.

Everything that could be done wrong has been done wrong.

-- Pan

[panopticon]

Just over 40 minutes until curfew.

Live feed from Ferguson here (http://new.livestream.com/timcast/news).
Alternate here (http://www.livestream.com/activistworldnewsnow).

Riot gear was reported on some officers.

Canine unit on ground.

Much of crowd reported being dispersed by New Black Party members.

less than 10 minutes to curfew.

-- Pan

[panopticon]

Heavy rain in Ferguson.

Media in "green zone" (militarisation of situation othering of protesters).

Protesters were on streets in a line (some went undercover due to rain).

Feeds are variable. County vehicle moved in front of media (to inhibit line of sight?).

Tim from Vice is live again from in amongst the protesters:

WCgSuZQyaTE
Good to see some civil disobedience.

Police are being report as possibly moving around behind protesters (riot gear - shields etc).

Crowd just vocal not violent. Wait for the police to come in and change the situation.

Police have relented and retreated following a female protester spokesperson getting on a loud-hailer and asking the crowd to remain calm (and disperse).

Gradual creep forward by protesters toward police/reporters line.

Better quality feed from "green zone" back up here (http://new.livestream.com/accounts/9035483/events/3271930).

Police reportedly telling reporters they are preparing to move in.

[panopticon]

SWAT are moving in.

Full militarised response preparation visible in "green" feed here (http://new.livestream.com/accounts/9035483/events/3271930).

Final warning from police announced.

Side note: Really interesting being able to see from both perspectives.

Tim from Vice said "It looks like it's mostly journalists in the line" lol -- (60% ???).

"Green" report "journalists who are not in containment area are liable to arrest".

Gas masks haves been ordered in green feed.

So much for Johnson & Nixon.

Smoke cannisters so far (from crowds lack of reaction).

Someone threw a molotov at a building. Protesters put the fire out.

Police coming in from behind.

Percussives being used (no audio dispersion -- strange).

Remaining crowd appears to be gradually dispersing (police evidently not arresting so far).

Please note that there was no violence from the crowd prior to the police use of cannisters etc.

Only violence witnessed so far from crowd area was the molotov that was put out by protesters and the "return to sender" of cannisters.

Seems to have stopped for a moment.

Ah, I think that was the audio dispersal (the 'sonic cannon') (1 hour in).

Police moving back in (said to be going to arrest this time).

Cannisters deployed again (media removed from scene).

This is not an unlawful demonstration under US law.

This a lawful demonstration. Know your rights!

Heavy rain falling. French being "escorted" by riot police away from scene.

Still no evidence of arrests. Percussives used ("flash bang grenade").

Reports that after most of the media left the protesters the police used tear gas (unconfirmed but multiple reports -- Tim's feed reports a police officer said that it probably was "but that was all SWAT stuff", Reilly reports the police spokesperson changed their story [here (https://twitter.com/ryanjreilly/status/500882444187611138), here (https://twitter.com/ryanjreilly/status/500885837345992704) and here (https://twitter.com/ryanjreilly/status/500887532746579968)]).

1 and a half hours in seems protesters are largely dispersed.

Most live feeds dark -- gv still on St Louis police scanner here (http://www.livestream.com/globalrevolution). KMOV here (http://www.kmov.com/home/KMOV-Live-Stream-129813793.html).

Been reports of someone possibly having been shot (unknown if rubber covered metal bullets, pellets or normal bullet).

Timeline here (https://twitter.com/aaltman82/status/500892571078754304/photo/1) show below image of cannister (CTS 37mm Munition (http://192.139.188.71/index.asp?id1=122)):

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/BvOHI24IAAAAi9q.jpg

Cannister is short range smoke (specs here (https://web.archive.org/web/20061104033607/http://www.less-lethal.com/pdf_specs/3230%20&%203231%20Rev%20E%2037%20CS%20Smoke.pdf)).

Apologies the CS dispersal agent is a tear gas:
CS gas (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/CS_gas)

More info on the CS cannisters from CSI and their dangers here:
http://facingteargas.org/tc/22/combined-systems-inc-csi

[panopticon]

This is a moderate response in the US according to Johnson & Nixon?

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/BvOGtsKIIAAAVQk.jpg

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/BvOA-O9IQAAsKXo.jpg

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/BvNiL2zCMAEg8T1.jpg

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/BvNjMifIcAAKjeN.png

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/BvN7GLkCEAApLX5.jpg

Beauty tips anyone?

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/BvNgSTvIcAIb-xx.jpg

Unbelievable.

Photographic evidence shared online seems to have led to the police admitting to using tear gas.

Vivia net neutrality!

-- Pan

[panopticon]

Had to admit it eventually cause they were caught by their own lies.

One of the spokespersons admitted it straight off but then denied it (maybe they were trying to get the official line out -- "we good -- they bad" dichotomy).

We know certain things from footage we've seen and this is the take away from this article:


Johnson on Saturday said police would not enforce the curfew with armored trucks and tear gas but would communicate with protesters and give them ample opportunity to leave. Local officers faced strong criticism earlier in the week for their use of tear gas and rubber bullets against protesters. Johnson said one tear gas canister was deployed Friday night after the group of rioters became unruly and several officers got trapped and injured.
[...]
On Saturday, some residents said it appeared the violent acts were being committed by people who came from other suburbs or states.
Remember the percussive's used during Friday nights demonstration?
Remember "agent provocateur"?

-- Pan :tsk:

###

Police Deploy Tear Gas To Impose Ferguson Curfew (http://hosted.ap.org/dynamic/stories/U/US_POLICE_SHOOTING_MISSOURI)
By David A. Lieb & Jim Salter, August 17th, 2014.

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/BvOQNr4IQAAEk5D.jpg

FERGUSON, Mo. (AP) -- Police said they fired smoke and tear gas canisters into a crowd of defiant protesters who gathered in a St. Louis suburb early Sunday where a black teen had been shot by a white police officer while walking down the street.

Hundreds of other protesters left peacefully before the midnight to 5 a.m. deadline took effect in Ferguson, Missouri, where 18-year-old Michael Brown had been shot Aug. 9.

But remaining protesters - chanting "No justice! No curfew!" - refused to leave the area. As five armored tactical vehicles approached the crowd, officers spoke through a loudspeaker: "You are in violation of a state-imposed curfew. You must disperse immediately. Failure to comply, may result in arrest."

As officers put on gas masks, a chant from the distant crowd emerged: "We have the right to assemble peacefully."

A moment later, police began firing canisters into the crowd of protesters.

Highway Patrol Spokesman Lt. John Hotz initially said police only used smoke, but later told The Associated Press that they also fired tear gas canisters. He said of police efforts: "Obviously, we're trying to give them every opportunity to comply with the curfew."

Jayson Ross, who was leading the protesters toward police before the canisters were fired, said: "They got guns. We got guns. We are ready."

The unrest between police and protesters came after Gov. Jay Nixon on Saturday declared a state of emergency in Ferguson.

Nixon's curfew announcement came after tensions again flared in Ferguson late Friday night. Earlier that day, local police identified the officer who shot Brown as Darren Wilson and released documents and video footage alleging that Brown had robbed a convenience store just before he was shot. Police said Wilson was unaware Brown was a suspect when he encountered him walking in the street with a friend.

As the curfew approached late Saturday night, New Black Panther Party leader Malik Shabazz roamed the street with a bullhorn, encouraging people to leave for their own safety. Many appeared to follow his suggestion.

"C'mon you all, let's roll out," Shabazz said through his bullhorn. "Let's roll out of here, get some rest and come back tomorrow."

Crowds that were in the hundreds prior to the curfew had dwindled significantly in the final hour.

Keyon Watkins, a 26-year-old computer science worker from St. Louis, said on Saturday that if many others stayed in the street, he would join them.

"All of this is just building up - pent-up aggression by being mistreated on a daily basis," Watkins said.

In announcing the curfew, Nixon said that though many protesters were making themselves heard peacefully, the state would not allow looters to endanger the community.

"I am committed to making sure the forces of peace and justice prevail," Nixon said during a press conference at a church that was interrupted repeatedly by people objecting to the curfew and demanding that the officer who shot Brown be charged with murder.

"We must first have and maintain peace. This is a test. The eyes of the world are watching," Nixon said. "We cannot allow the ill will of the few to undermine the good will of the many."

State statute gives the governor broad powers when he declares a state of emergency, but he hasn't indicated that he plans to do anything other than imposing the curfew and empowering the state highway patrol to enforce it.

Meanwhile, Nixon said the U.S. Department of Justice is beefing up its civil rights investigation of the shooting.

Missouri State Highway Patrol Capt. Ron Johnson, who is in charge of security in Ferguson, said 40 FBI agents were going door-to-door in the neighborhood starting Saturday, talking to people who might have seen or have information about the shooting.

Johnson on Saturday said police would not enforce the curfew with armored trucks and tear gas but would communicate with protesters and give them ample opportunity to leave. Local officers faced strong criticism earlier in the week for their use of tear gas and rubber bullets against protesters. Johnson said one tear gas canister was deployed Friday night after the group of rioters became unruly and several officers got trapped and injured.

Brown's death had already ignited several days of clashes with furious protesters. Tensions eased Thursday after Nixon turned oversight of the protests over to the Missouri Highway Patrol. Gone were the police in riot gear and armored vehicles, replaced by the new patrol commander who personally walked through the streets with demonstrators. But Friday night marked a resurgence of unrest.

On Saturday, some residents said it appeared the violent acts were being committed by people who came from other suburbs or states.

"Who would burn down their own backyard?" asked Rebecca McCloud, a local who works with the Sonshine Baptist Church in St. Louis. "These people aren't from here. They came to burn down our city and leave."

Wilson, the officer who shot Brown, is a six-year police veteran who had no previous complaints against him, the local police chief has said.

The Ferguson Police Department has refused to say anything about Wilson's whereabouts, and Associated Press reporters were unable to contact him at any addresses or phone numbers listed under that name in the St. Louis area.

Wilson has been on paid administrative leave since the shooting. St. Louis County prosecutor Bob McCulloch said it could be weeks before the investigation wraps up.

Source (http://hosted.ap.org/dynamic/stories/U/US_POLICE_SHOOTING_MISSOURI)

[panopticon]

Another image of a CSI tear gas cannister found at Ferguson:

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/BvOJKDNIUAAad4Q.jpg
Source: Ben Kesling (https://twitter.com/bkesling/status/500894789517451266) (Wall Street Journal)

Specs for this found here (https://web.archive.org/web/20061104033546/http://www.less-lethal.com/pdf_specs/3235%20Rev%20E%2037%20CS%20Smoke%20Multi-5.pdf)

-- Pan

[panopticon]

So, let me get this straight...

There was no looting in Ferguson on Saturday night.
The operation to clear the street began before the gun shots because people were not looting inside a steak house... (So the gun shots were because the police were advancing then?)
To maintain order the police fired tear gas at peaceful (but vocal) protesters because some people were in a steak house ('Red's Barbecues')?
Not looting, just in the steak house and some may have been on the roof watching the protesters/police...
Then 7 people who were not looting inside Red's Barbecues were arrested (for "failure to disperse"?) none of them had firearms [turns out they weren't arrested in the Red's Barbecues but anyhoo].

Someone was seen by police in the crowd (though binoculars) with what appeared to be a hand gun. [This does not appear to be a big stretch and why they needed binoculars to say that there was someone there with a gun is a bit strange -- isn't there some US amendment or right or something about armed bears which means that everyone can (must?) carry a gun?].

Someone was shot by a person unknown (not found) and is in critical condition...

The police started to advance because of the "situation" in Red's Barbecue and this was the reason they fired the tear gas but also because they were trying to get to the person who had been shot. Now, somehow they did this before shots were fired? Is that right?

We don't know if the person who was shot was part of the protest.
We don't know if the person who did the shooting was part of the protest.

We do know that it was protesters who evacuated the person who was shot to the hospital.
We also know that it was protesters who put out the fire that had been lit (on both Friday & Saturday nights).

A police car was evidently shot at.

The tear gas was nothing to do with the protesters. (?)
It was to protect them then?

Audio here:
https://soundcloud.com/producermatthew/mshp-capt-johnson-holds-press-briefing-on-ferguson-curfew

Oh, and don't forget that 'the operation began because of the intelligence that we had that several subjects had entered Red's Barbecue and that they were armed' (audio 8:20-8:35).

So, it wasn't because of a gun shot victim that the operation began...

'When we responding it was in reference to what was going on at Red's Barbecue. It just corresponded with the curfew time...' (audio 10:15-10:25)

Well that's inconvenient isn't it.

Now, the reporters indicate that this occurred at 12:10. I do not recall any reference to gun shots on any of the videos at this time. [note, there were evidently reports from the police -- coming originally from people in the protest -- that people were in/on/near Red Barbecue at around 12:10]

Vice video timeline of events from ~00:15 to just before 01:00 when reports were made of shots fired, possibly from direction of protesters:

There is a reference in the Vice footage @~1:30:30 (http://youtu.be/WCgSuZQyaTE?t=1h30m00s) [just before 00:15 am] to tweets coming out about police saying that they believed there were armed persons @Red's Barbecue, no gun shots reported then. French has a reference in his timeline to Red's Barbecue: 'A hardcore group has congregated on Red's Barbeque lot. They say they aren't moving. Some are armed.' (source (https://twitter.com/AntonioFrench/status/500868671271862273) with vine video footage here (https://twitter.com/AntonioFrench/status/500870181925957635)).

@~1:38:10 (http://youtu.be/WCgSuZQyaTE?t=1h38m00s) police are said to be moving forward & around behind protesters but this changes into the crowd saying that the police are going to come in from behind.

@1:41:00 Senator Nasheed [cross reference French's timeline (https://twitter.com/AntonioFrench/status/500866999783026688)] gives a stirring "let's go home" speech, some disperse.
Vice video @~1:43:25 (http://youtu.be/WCgSuZQyaTE?t=1h43m15s) possible cross reference to Stone's commentary on a bus (http://projectavalon.net/forum4/showthread.php?73920-Emperical-proof-Ferguson-MO-is-a-STATE-SPONSORED-PSY-OP-) transporting provocateurs. Contrary to Johnson's comments the Vice video commentary says that at 12:30 police were pulling back on all sides.

@~1:49:55 (http://youtu.be/WCgSuZQyaTE?t=1h49m50s) Report that the police appear to be regrouping. No disturbance visible in the crowd.

@~1:50:50 (http://youtu.be/WCgSuZQyaTE?t=1h50m45s): Report from crowd member on megaphone that '50 police officers are around the building'. At this stage there is no disturbance in the crowd. The protesters had gone quiet and this stirred them up again.

@~1:52:05 (http://youtu.be/WCgSuZQyaTE?t=1h52m00s): Report small part of the crowd starts to inch toward the police.

@~1:52:50 (http://youtu.be/WCgSuZQyaTE?t=1h52m45s): Peacekeeper warns crowd to move back because the police are 'gearing up'.

@~1:54:05 (http://youtu.be/WCgSuZQyaTE?t=1h54m00s): Report police appear to be moving forward.

@~1:56:15 (http://youtu.be/WCgSuZQyaTE?t=1h56m10s): Police are reported to be moving in 'they're coming' 'trucks are moving in'. Chants start to get louder of 'hands up'. Police form up. There have been no guns shots audible nor reports in video as of Vice 1:57:00.

@~1:58:10 (http://youtu.be/WCgSuZQyaTE?t=1h58m00s): Police announce that the protesters are violating the curfew. Threaten the protesters with arrest if they don't disperse. 'Failure to comply may result in arrest and/or other actions' [wtf?]. This riles up some protesters while others are reported as leaving.

@~2:01:05 (http://youtu.be/WCgSuZQyaTE?t=2h01m00s): Reference to many of remaining protesters not being from here 'you can clearly see there's a lot of protesters that are not from here, still in the street'.

Photo op taken @2:01:30 by activists [good, well organised publicity move so probably not locals, photo-journalists love this stuff]. Police vehicles are visible and in a line. There has been no gun shots, no disturbances really at all.

By @2:04:00 Tom Pool from Vice has moved to a position between the police and remaining protesters but off to one side.

@~2:04:50 (http://youtu.be/WCgSuZQyaTE?t=2h04m45s): First sound resembling a shot is reported. It is reported as being tear gas. Second tear gas round @2:05:05. Third tear gas @2:05:15 [5 dispenser]. @2:06:15 a single cannister.

Tim Pool has been moving away from police line past protesters and is now clear of fire but down wind from smoke.

~2:06:20: Report molotov cocktail thrown at store [[I]Pan hypothesise non-resident possible ap]. Another single cannister. Loud car heard speeding away and people putting our fire from cocktail. 4 more rounds of single smoke fired.

@~2:07:20 (http://youtu.be/WCgSuZQyaTE?t=2h07m10s): Series of rounds heard. Reported as being rubber bullets. First mention of anything resembling a gun shot.

~@2:07:45: Tim Pool is talking about the fire having been put out by protesters.

~@2:08:20: Another cannister fired. 1 at least thrown back followed by what is reported as 7 cannisters and then another 3. Then another 5 cannister round.

@~2:10:20 (http://youtu.be/WCgSuZQyaTE?t=2h10m10s): Report of police coming in from behind group.

Crowd has not dispersed by this stage and there has still been no mention of a shooting. In a dynamic crowd like this every single person would have known about a shooting within minutes.

@~2:10:15 (http://youtu.be/WCgSuZQyaTE?t=2h10m15s): It isn't until after police have cornered the entire protest group and saturated the area with tear gas that shots are heard. From commentary it appears reporter knows what a ricochet sounds like and if it was targeted at press that would make sense. Cars can be seen leaving following this and I wonder if this is when the 7 people were "arrested" in their cars.

@~2:15:10 (http://youtu.be/WCgSuZQyaTE?t=2h15m00s): Woman says 'They got guns, we got guns'. So this probably nearer to when the shooting occurred. Way after the police had already used dozens of tear gas cannisters and the crowd had largely dispersed.

@~2:16:30 (http://youtu.be/WCgSuZQyaTE?t=2h16m15s): Mention is made of people still near Red's Barbecue... Notice the disparity between what was officially reported and what is observable in this video???


I'm going off the time of gunshots being fired as reported by Tim Pool from Vice which I think was after the smoke cannisters had been launched (but I'll check that against the raw video (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WCgSuZQyaTE) stored on Youtube in a bit [midnight starts around here (http://youtu.be/WCgSuZQyaTE?t=1h16m36s)] because I'm probably making a mistake [no I wasn't, see above timeline]).

Also Johnson said the police were aware of the gunshot victim: "I don't know how that call came in but we got the call we were in contact with the parties that were there with the victim" (audio 7:30-7:45).

Ok, so the police fired tear gas because people were seen in a steak house who weren't looting and were eventually found to be unarmed and they needed to get to a gun shot victim who hadn't been shot yet...

They did all this to protect the protesters.

Fair enough. :shocked:

With protectors like that who needs enemies!

I'll go back over the audio and the Vice raw footage, maybe I've made a mistake.
If not, then this timeline of events is a bit weird...

-- Pan

I've gone over the Vice raw footage [yes, I made a back up for my own weird purposes] for a comparison against the officially stated time of events. As far as I can work out Johnson's version of events sort of resemble the recorded a bit but there are some glaring problems with it.

The only way it could possibly be accurate is if the shooting happened after the police action occurred and the crowd had dispersed or were not aware of it.

Having been in large dynamic environments like this myself I can't see the second option being the case. I could be wrong, wouldn't be the first time.

This means that the shooting happened after the crowd had mostly dispersed...

So, again I'm trying to understand what the reason was that the police advanced. To protect the protesters? To protect the businesses? To protect the police who said they were not going to use tear gas that night?

Seems this is just very strange (but there again that's what this has been from the beginning so why expect anything less!).

I'll see if more information is available now that I've finished my cross referencing... :nerd:

[giovonni]

the latest ...

Man Shot As Protesters Defy Curfew in Ferguson


Published on Aug 17, 2014

One person was shot and seven people were arrested early Sunday morning as police use tear gas to impose a curfew in Ferguson, Missouri. Last weekend, an unarmed black teen was shot and killed by a white police officer. (Aug. 17)


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dRm9qKKWuks

[panopticon]

MORE (https://twitter.com/organizemo) is reporting that the people arrested were in their vehicles (not in Red's Barbecue) and that police in army fatigues shot rubber bullets into their wind screens.

All 7 of those arrested were in their cars at the time of arrest.

-- Pan

[SilentFeathers]

An event happens in which the sorcerer mind knows they can exploit....the narrative is twisted through the MSM as they send in some paid goons and enticed cut-throats to cause mayhem.....and presto! There you have it, a mini Egypt, Libya, and Ukraine, right at our front door...

Dahboo's connecting a few dots with this....

2thwruo4kt4

hsXHsDb8cRc

[panopticon]

Good quality video that covers the time of the gunshots I mentioned above:

p48wja8z0dA
Notice that the timeline from Tim Pool's video around the 2:04:00 mark (http://youtu.be/WCgSuZQyaTE?t=2h04m45s) fits in with this pretty well.

The reporter says at the end he is near the Red's Barbecue...

-- Pan

[panopticon]

Brown family is having a 3rd autopsy done on their son's body.

What sort of 'extraordinary circumstances' are they talking about here?

He died of gun shot wound/s not poisoning, dehydration, mental distress or an exotic disease!


U.S. Attorney General Eric Holder has asked for the Justice Department to arrange an autopsy on the body of Michael Brown by a federal medical examiner.

Justice Department spokesman Brian Fallon said in a news release on Sunday that Holder asked for the additional autopsy because of the "extraordinary circumstances involved in this case" and at the request of Brown's family.

The 18-year-old Brown was shot and killed by a Ferguson, Missouri, police officer on Aug. 9. Brown was black and unarmed. Officer Darren Wilson is white.

Fallon says the autopsy will take place as soon as possible.

He also said the Justice Department will still take the state's autopsy into account during the investigation.
Source (http://bigstory.ap.org/article/holder-asks-federal-autopsy-missouri-teen)
-- Pan

[panopticon]

Press statement from legal support team representing the people arrested by the police last night.

###

Statement on 7 Arrested Last Night from the Legal Support Team (http://www.organizemo.org/statement_on_7_arrested_last_night_from_the_legal_support_team)
Posted by Arielle Klagsbrun 230sc on August 17, 2014

7 Arrested in Ferguson Were Sitting in Cars, Some Were Dragged Out by Hair

Two different groups totalling seven people, charged with failure to disperse, were arrested in Ferguson this morning at approximately 1:30am. Five out of the seven people were released this morning at 7am. The Legal Support Team picked the arrestees up from the Buzz Westfall Justice Center in Clayton and received the following report of how arrests happened last night.

The first group was comprised of five people who had been at the Justice for Mike Brown march earlier in the evening. After leaving the march, they went to the home of one of their aunt’s on Kirk Drive. They were sitting in their parked car in front of the house smoking a cigarette when a swarm of police officers dressed in fatigues and what the arrestees describe as “military garb” rushed the car, put guns in their faces, and began pulling them out of the car. Two young women were pulled out of the car by their hair, and one was dragged through the dirt. All were told they were resisting arrest.

The second group was comprised of two people who were sitting in a parked car in a parking lot. Police instructed them to pull out of the parking lot and go home. As they pulled out of the parking lot, police pointed a rifle at them and directed them into the street. Police told them to stop the vehicle. After they stopped, an officer shot a rubber or wooden bullet straight into the windshield, cracking it. The two people in the car then stepped out and were arrested.

The Legal Support Team continues to be concerned about the ever escalating militarization of the police and what seems to be indiscriminate targeting of Ferguson residents.

“It feels like I’m not human. It feels like I’m being treated like an animal--being told when I can come, when I can go, what time I can be out in my own community outside of my own house where I pay the mortgage and bills,” said Cieara Delaney, one of the women arrested outside of the house and dragged by her hair.

Missourians Organizing for Reform and Empowerment (MORE) is the community group that is currently hosting the collection of donations for the legal support fund. The legal support line for those who are in jail or who know those needing legal support is 314-862-2249. Donations can be madehttps://bitly.com/fergusonbailfund.

Source (http://www.organizemo.org/statement_on_7_arrested_last_night_from_the_legal_support_team)

[panopticon]

Really good quality images of the protests and related things here:
http://www.stltoday.com/news/multimedia/special/ferguson-in-pictures/html_24b2b105-90e3-5ef0-9c65-769e848c0d31.html

Compare these photos and spot the difference:

http://images.stltoday.com/mds/00003835/content/ferguson158.jpg

http://images.stltoday.com/mds/00003835/content/ferguson160.jpg

http://images.stltoday.com/mds/00003835/content/ferguson162.jpg

http://images.stltoday.com/mds/00003835/content/ferguson163.jpg

http://images.stltoday.com/mds/00003835/content/ferguson164.jpg

Sometimes images just convey what words can't.

-- Pan

[panopticon]

Really good comment on some of the underlying problem that the death of Michael Brown has bought to the surface:

7iZKnMhf0cs
-- Pan

[Hervé]

More data from another witness:

Ferguson Killing: Neighbor Live-Tweeted Brown Shooting; May Be Damning Evidence Against Officer (http://www.globalresearch.ca/ferguson-killing-neighbor-live-tweeted-brown-shooting-may-be-damning-evidence-against-officer/5396273)

By Amanda Shea (http://www.globalresearch.ca/author/amanda-shea), Global Research, August 17, 2014
Infowars (http://www.infowars.com)



http://www.globalresearch.ca/wp-content/uploads/2014/08/micheal-brown-missouri-400x225.jpg


Warning: the following post may contain disturbing photos and language
A Ferguson, MO man live-tweeted the shooting death of Michael Brown last Saturday with a raw account that contradicts what police reported to the media — Brown was shot twice in the back and five times in the front, according to the witness’ tweets.
@TheePharoah (https://twitter.com/TheePharoah) from behind ?
— DIGITAL ERA (@SLIKK_DARKO) August 9, 2014 (https://twitter.com/SLIKK_DARKO/statuses/498166964691292161)
Ferguson police didn’t confirm a specific number of shots fired, but said the officer at the center of the controversy, Darren Wilson, fired four to six times at the unarmed teen, according to NYDailyNews (http://www.nydailynews.com/news/national/neighbor-live-tweeted-michael-brown-shooting-ferguson-mo-article-1.1905189).

Twitter user (https://twitter.com/TheePharoah) “Bruh,” who goes by the handle @TheePharoah posted on August 9, “I JUST SAW SOMEONE DIE OMFG,” followed by a gruesome photo he snapped with his phone of Brown lying face down in the street with two officers standing over his body, just two minutes after his initial tweet.
******** **** pic.twitter.com/UpPNMEzuwf (http://t.co/UpPNMEzuwf)
— Bruh. (@TheePharoah) August 9, 2014 (https://twitter.com/TheePharoah/statuses/498152994014130176)
“Its blood all over the street, n—– protesting ns—,” he wrote next. “There is police tape all over my building. I am stuck in her omg.”


@DeadestPoet (https://twitter.com/DeadestPoet) hella out here pic.twitter.com/vtKig1NKQY (http://t.co/vtKig1NKQY)
— Bruh. (@TheePharoah) August 9, 2014 (https://twitter.com/TheePharoah/statuses/498186923177820160)
Bruh provided a real perspective of the shooting that differs from that of the police as well as friends of Brown’s, noting that he heard at least seven gunshots that hit the teen with the possibility of a couple other other missed shots.

“@taeGawd (https://twitter.com/taeGawd): @TheePharoah (https://twitter.com/TheePharoah) he 17 and got shot 9 times.” BRUH
— Bruh. (@TheePharoah) August 9, 2014 (https://twitter.com/TheePharoah/statuses/498170110968750081)
“Dude was running and the cops just shot.him. i saw him die bruh,” TheePharoah tweeted. “The first two was clear, then it was a barage of them s—-,” he said of the gunshots.

Almost three hours after Bruh’s tweet of shots fired, Brown’s body still remained in the street, “Homie still on the ground tho,” he posted.

In a public statement Ferguson Police Chief Thomas Jackson made to the press Friday, Jackson said Wilson shot the teen after he saw the boy and a friend walking in the middle of the road. Police confirmed that moments before the fatal incident, Brown allegedly stole cigars during a strong-arm robbery at a nearby convenience store, but Wilson was unaware of this altercation at the time he shot the teen.

[Carmody]

Twenty bucks says the problem officers are all Freemasons.

[panopticon]

Curfew in Ferguson again tonight from midnight to 5 am (source (http://www.stltoday.com/news/local/article_03b8ca92-776d-525d-b95e-4387ef63a3e2.html)).

Here's a funny. A quick guide for journalists:

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/BvP8IPTIYAAqxSO.jpg

And good night. :yo:

-- Pan

[panopticon]

There is no control in Ferguson. Tear gas deployed already. Child hit with cannister.

Happened 3 hours before curfew was to be in place.

Reports of guns shots with 1 woman grazed (alleged this was during a fight between protesters -- she may have been by-stander).

Sonics deployed by police.

Police just told reporter "I will shoot you with this -- get the f**k out of here".

http://www.livestream.com/globalrevolution

Vice live feed:
http://new.livestream.com/timcast/events/3295551

Lol:

Apparently if the windows at McDonalds get broken all hell breaks loose, cause that's what they went to protect

This is why the police are scared of "citizen journalists" live feeds, MSM agrees they protect individual rights:

Ferguson’s citizen journalists revealed the value of an undeniable video (http://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2014/aug/16/fergusons-citizen-journalists-video)

But beware the expansion of the surveillance state. That's where this is being pushed.

Individual feeds:

http://new.livestream.com/accounts/9035483/events/3271930
http://www.livestream.com/activistworldnewsnow
http://www.ustream.tv/channel/liberty-news-media

Report via Tim Pool feed that journalist refused assistance by police.

That's the second report I've heard from a feed that their battery is mysteriously discharging.

-- Pan

[panopticon]

Reports police are saying this isn't a peaceful protest.

Feed comment: No sh!t, You're shooting tear gas.

Claims police may be using live ammunition (probably rubber bullets).

Telling journalists to back up (I wonder why?)

Alright, that's it, I'm off. Too much going on to relay.

-- Pan

[Dennis Leahy]

Press statement from legal support team representing the people arrested by the police last night.

###

Statement on 7 Arrested Last Night from the Legal Support Team (http://www.organizemo.org/statement_on_7_arrested_last_night_from_the_legal_support_team)
Posted by Arielle Klagsbrun 230sc on August 17, 2014

7 Arrested in Ferguson Were Sitting in Cars, Some Were Dragged Out by Hair

Two different groups totalling seven people, charged with failure to disperse, were arrested in Ferguson this morning at approximately 1:30am. Five out of the seven people were released this morning at 7am. The Legal Support Team picked the arrestees up from the Buzz Westfall Justice Center in Clayton and received the following report of how arrests happened last night.

The first group was comprised of five people who had been at the Justice for Mike Brown march earlier in the evening. After leaving the march, they went to the home of one of their aunt’s on Kirk Drive. They were sitting in their parked car in front of the house smoking a cigarette when a swarm of police officers dressed in fatigues and what the arrestees describe as “military garb” rushed the car, put guns in their faces, and began pulling them out of the car. Two young women were pulled out of the car by their hair, and one was dragged through the dirt. All were told they were resisting arrest.

The second group was comprised of two people who were sitting in a parked car in a parking lot. Police instructed them to pull out of the parking lot and go home. As they pulled out of the parking lot, police pointed a rifle at them and directed them into the street. Police told them to stop the vehicle. After they stopped, an officer shot a rubber or wooden bullet straight into the windshield, cracking it. The two people in the car then stepped out and were arrested.

The Legal Support Team continues to be concerned about the ever escalating militarization of the police and what seems to be indiscriminate targeting of Ferguson residents.

“It feels like I’m not human. It feels like I’m being treated like an animal--being told when I can come, when I can go, what time I can be out in my own community outside of my own house where I pay the mortgage and bills,” said Cieara Delaney, one of the women arrested outside of the house and dragged by her hair.

Missourians Organizing for Reform and Empowerment (MORE) is the community group that is currently hosting the collection of donations for the legal support fund. The legal support line for those who are in jail or who know those needing legal support is 314-862-2249. Donations can be madehttps://bitly.com/fergusonbailfund.

Source (http://www.organizemo.org/statement_on_7_arrested_last_night_from_the_legal_support_team)

At this late stage of the game, it seems obvious that these cops are being directed to ramp-up the violence. The police are the deliberate 'agents provocateur.' What is the BIG agenda here, since it is obviously not about calming things down and prosecuting the cop (Wilson) who first-degree murdered the kid (Brown.)

Who (specifically, not just generally) is ordering the cops to ramp-up the violence until the community explodes? What is the BIG agenda?

Dennis

[panopticon]

At this late stage of the game, it seems obvious that these cops are being directed to ramp-up the violence. The police are the deliberate 'agents provocateur.' What is the BIG agenda here, since it is obviously not about calming things down and prosecuting the cop (Wilson) who first-degree murdered the kid (Brown.)

Who (specifically, not just generally) is ordering the cops to ramp-up the violence until the community explodes? What is the BIG agenda?

Dennis

This action tonight and every action leading up to it has been because the police in Ferguson and authorities knew what had happened to Michael Brown.

The shoddy attempt to depict Brown as a villain, while trying to make Wilson into the victim of circumstances, has only angered the family, residents and protesters (and rightfully so).

The militarised action tonight at ~9 PM Ferguson local time, despite Johnson & Nixon saying that it would not occur, was because of the imminent release of the details of Brown's shooting.

The details from the first of 3 autopsies was released around 11:00 PM (Ferguson time) and it says he was shot 6 times. Twice in the head.


One of the bullets entered the top of Mr. Brown’s skull, suggesting his head was bent forward when it struck him and caused a fatal injury, according to Dr. Michael M. Baden, the former chief medical examiner for the City of New York, who flew to Missouri on Sunday at the family’s request to conduct the separate autopsy. It was likely the last of bullets to hit him, he said.

Mr. Brown, 18, was also shot four times in the right arm, he said, adding that all the bullets were fired into his front.

The bullets did not appear to have been shot from very close range because no gunpowder was present on his body. However, that determination could change if it turns out that there is gunshot residue on Mr. Brown’s clothing, to which Dr. Baden did not have access.

Source (http://www.nytimes.com/2014/08/18/us/michael-brown-autopsy-shows-he-was-shot-at-least-6-times.html)

http://static01.nyt.com/images/2014/08/18/us/SUB-JP-BROWN-2/SUB-JP-BROWN-2-master495.jpg

This entire operation has been about trying at one level to stop protests and at another level to encourage it.

This is, again, about money, control & power.

Let's view this as a test "in the wild". I doubt that the shooting of Brown was orchestrated but the events since then have definitely been.

As to "who"? I'm not one for that form of analysis as there are too many actors involved in this form of operation, many of which would be compartmentalised and virtually invisible...

The key to it all is how the discourse was carefully constructed almost from the outset. It's like a trail to follow at the beach. Sometimes the trail can be hard to see at any given moment but if you look forward you can normally pick the track back up and have a fairly high degree of certainty that it is the same one.

The shooting and militarised reaction from the Ferguson PD at the very beginning were probably the only unscripted events.

I feel for the Brown family, the Wilson family & all those directly and indirectly affected by this series of events.

-- Pan

[panopticon]

This is a pretty clear statement and indication of an answer to the original "how" questions:



The two medical experts conducted the four-hour examination Sunday at the Austin A. Layne Mortuary in St. Louis. Benjamin L. Crump, a lawyer for Mr. Brown’s family who paid their travel expenses, hired them.

“The sheer number of bullets and the way they were scattered all over his body showed this police officer had a brazen disregard for the very people he was supposed to protect in that community,” Mr. Crump said. “We want to make sure people understand what this case is about: This case is about a police officer executing a young unarmed man in broad daylight.”
[...]
One of the bullets shattered Mr. Brown’s right eye, traveled through his face, exited his jaw and re-entered his collarbone. The last two shots in the head would have stopped him in his tracks and were likely the last fired.

Mr. Brown, he said, would not have survived the shooting even if he had been taken to a hospital right away. The autopsy indicated that he was otherwise healthy.

Dr. Baden said it was unusual for the federal government to conduct a third autopsy, but dueling examinations often occur when there is so much distrust of the authorities. The county of St. Louis has conducted an autopsy, and the results have not yet been released.

Source (http://www.nytimes.com/2014/08/18/us/michael-brown-autopsy-shows-he-was-shot-at-least-6-times.html)
Stuff from reporters that were noteworthy:

One report I heard tonight was that the police were racially profiling which journalists were allowed back into the Ferguson area to report after they had been forcibly "evacuated". Caucasian was evidently alright...

Another was the confusion from journalists when the area they had been "contained" in was tear gassed.

Of course the medal goes to the officer telling the live streaming reported that he was going to shoot him while brandishing his gun.

No IQ test I guess...

-- Pan

[panopticon]

Now the National Guard is being called in by Nixon! Didn't they say they wouldn't bring in the National Guard? The State lies, get used to it.
Missouri governor orders National Guard to help quell Ferguson unrest (http://www.latimes.com/nation/nationnow/la-na-nn-ferguson-protest-curfew-20140817-story.html#page=1)
Executive order here (http://governor.mo.gov/sites/default/files/Executive%20Order%2014-09.pdf).

Amnesty International is calling for an investigation of Ferguson police tactics (they were the ones wearing the green caps in footage, there were 12 of them "watching"...):
Amnesty International Calls For Investigation Of Ferguson Police Tactics (http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2014/08/17/amnesty-international-ferguson-police_n_5685952.html)

Skynews is evidently reporting that Julian Assange is said to be giving himself up to police. If the report is true then he's probably going to try and make use of the public unrest in the US to sway any decision against him I suppose.
Confirmed. Recording of Assange presser here (http://www.livestream.com/cancilleriaecua/video?clipId=pla_9b995237-4705-4f75-bd23-fbdeb09c8b94).

Reports of violent street gangs in Ferguson area:

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/BvTUuEeCQAEBePT.jpg


"I went to police and said, 'I'm media. I'm lost and I'm scared. Can you help me?'

"They said, 'You shouldn't have been out here in the first place.'

"I said, 'I know. Where can I go to be safe?' They told me to go around the staging area. As I went around the Mobil station, police had guns drawn and there was a team by the armored truck with guns drawn.

"I ran with my hands up saying, 'I'm media, I'm media' until I got to another group of journalists. That's when I started crying."
Source (http://news.stlpublicradio.org/post/national-guard-called-after-ferguson-shatters-night-rolling-confrontation)

Officer Darren Wilson receiving commendation in February:

http://l.yimg.com/os/publish-images/news/2014-08-16/7d8c0020-2561-11e4-a310-2daa976de53c_wilsoncommendation1.jpg
Source (http://news.yahoo.com/photos-ferguson-officer-darren-wilson-received-police-award-earlier-this-year-021255893.html)

-- Pan

[panopticon]

Police riot officer telling media person that he will shoot him if he doesn't turn a light off:

6lOuMQ-apd0
I understand why but the aggression is inappropriate.

Community policing? Public relations at its finest...

-- Pan

[Hervé]

A new malady (Freemasonry, according to Carmody) seems to affect police officers accross the States of A and which would explains the dramatic increase in their negative phototropism as evidenced with their shooting preferences:


http://www.sott.net/image/s10/200918/full/Hole_in_One_Two_Three_Etc.jpg


Local police kill at least 400 people a year, mostly minorities (http://rt.com/usa/180648-police-shootings-african-american/)

Published time: August 15, 2014 16:29
Get short URL (http://rt.com/usa/180648-police-shootings-african-american/)


http://cdn.rt.com/files/news/2c/1a/80/00/000_153945233.si.jpg

AFP Photo / Getty Images / Spencer Platt

A white police officer in the United States killed a black person on average of twice per week from 2005 to 2012, according to homicide reports offered to the FBI. But this data is limited, as only about 4 percent of law enforcement agencies contributed.

There was an average of 96 such incidents out of at least 400 police killings each year that local police departments reported to the FBI, according to analysis conducted by USA Today (http://www.usatoday.com/story/news/nation/2014/08/14/police-killings-data/14060357/).

The analysis comes in the wake of the fatal police shooting (http://rt.com/usa/180632-policeman-wilson-brown-ferguson/) by a white officer of unarmed black teenager Michael Brown in Ferguson, Missouri that has set off national outrage over US law enforcement’s aggressive use of deadly force, incongruent targeting of minorities, and a militarized posture that treats citizens as the enemy.

The FBI report shows that 18 percent of African-Americans killed during those seven years were under the age of 21. Whites killed that were under the age of 21 came out to 8.7 percent.

As USA Today noted, only around 750 agencies - out of the 17,000 law enforcement entities across the United States - offered such data to the FBI.

On top of the limited participation, the self-reported contents of the database are considered incomplete. The data are not audited after submission to the FBI, and information on “justifiable” homicides has often been at odds with independent statistics gathered on police fatalities.

''There is no national database for this type of information, and that is so crazy," said Geoff Alpert, a criminologist at the University of South Carolina. "We've been trying for years, but nobody wanted to fund it and the (police) departments didn't want it. They were concerned with their image and liability. They don't want to bother with it.''

Alpert added that the limited FBI data - the most complete record of people killed by US police - can show that a death had occurred, but it is reliable for little else.

"I've looked at records in hundreds of departments, and it is very rare that you find someone saying, 'Oh, gosh, we used excessive force.' In 98.9 percent of the cases, they are stamped as justified and sent along,” Alpert told USA Today.

The International Association of Chiefs of Police, on the other hand, said police use of force is blown out of proportion. Based on data from the Bureau of Justices Statistics in 2008, the group said less than 2 percent of 40 million people who had contact with police passed along complaints that officers used or threatened force.

"In large part, the public perception of police use of force is framed and influenced by the media depictions which present unrealistic and often outlandish representations of law enforcement and the policing profession,'' the group said in a 2012 report.

Nevertheless, many independent studies (http://www.motherjones.com/politics/2014/08/police-shootings-michael-brown-ferguson-black-men) of police shootings in major US cities have come to the conclusion that minorities are disproportionately targeted for police violence.

"We need not look for individual racists to say that we have a culture of policing that is really rubbing salt into longstanding racial wounds," NAACP president Cornell Williams Brooks told Mother Jones (http://www.motherjones.com/politics/2014/08/police-shootings-michael-brown-ferguson-black-men).

Brooks added that in the US, many people suspected of minor crimes are confronted with "overwhelmingly major, often lethal, use of force.”

Meanwhile, officers are rarely convicted or sentenced for killing a suspect.

"Unfortunately, the patterns that we've been seeing recently are consistent: The police don't show as much care when they are handling incidents that involve young black men and women, and so they do shoot and kill," said Delores Jones-Brown, law professor and director of the Center on Race, Crime, and Statistics at the John Jay College of Criminal Justice in New York City, according to Mother Jones.

"And then for whatever reason, juries and prosecutor's offices are much less likely to indict or convict."

The US Justice Department is investigating (http://abcnews.go.com/WNT/story?id=131119) at least 15 police agencies in the US for systemic abuse, including allegations of excessive force, racial profiling or false arrest.

[Maia Gabrial]

What happened after the shooting is what makes the Ferguson cops look bad. I'm pretty sure that many of those protesters have been victimized by those cops at one time or another. People don't just angry for no reason. There's more going on here than anyone knows. Time for the corruption to come to an end....

[Dennis Leahy]

""Captain Johnson and the police force in Ferguson IS LYING, AND I AM BEARING WITNESS.
Two hours before curfew, I was photographing at the front of a peaceful march of all generations, calling for justice and peace in Ferguson. It was controlled and respectful—when someone stepped out the traffic lane they were marching in, they were directed back.

Without provocation, armored cars rolled up on us...yelled unintelligibly for 60 seconds and launched tear gas at us without warning. Women...children...even a woman in a wheelchair.

Captain Johnson is saying that bottles and Molotov cocktails were thrown at the front line. TONIGHT I CAN TESTIFY THAT THIS IS UNTRUE.
We fell back to what had been the line of safety last night AND THEY CONTINUED SHOOTING TEARGAS past this line into the peaceful crowd.

They methodically backed everyone down a mile-long stretch of road that has been an understood safe space of protest with flash grenades, teargas, armored cars, and shooting rubber bullets and blocks of wood at the protestors in very tight proximity.

I have never had 50 guns trained at me before, running with camera gear, hands in the air. The inexcusable and irrational level of violence is terrifying.

Towards the end of the evening, more looting did happen. But there was none before the police attacked us repeatedly.

I am horrified. And angry. And inconsolable that people in power are lying yet again."
"Source: http://sojo.net/blogs/2014/08/18/eyewitness-police-force-ferguson-lying-and-i-am-bearing-witness-photos

Dennis

[seeker/reader]

Interesting arm tatoos here. Counter-protestors http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2014/08/17/darren-wilson-protest_n_5686491.html

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/BvR5Z5aCMAA__nM.jpg

[seeker/reader]

twitter feeds on Ferguson.

https://twitter.com/hashtag/ferguson

https://twitter.com/hashtag/mikebrown

https://twitter.com/hashtag/michaelbrown

Livestream at Ferguson.

http://www.livestream.com/activistworldnewsnow

[panopticon]

Captain Johnson and the police force in Ferguson IS LYING, AND I AM BEARING WITNESS.
Two hours before curfew, I was photographing at the front of a peaceful march of all generations, calling for justice and peace in Ferguson. It was controlled and respectful—when someone stepped out the traffic lane they were marching in, they were directed back.

Without provocation, armored cars rolled up on us...yelled unintelligibly for 60 seconds and launched tear gas at us without warning. Women...children...even a woman in a wheelchair.

Captain Johnson is saying that bottles and Molotov cocktails were thrown at the front line. TONIGHT I CAN TESTIFY THAT THIS IS UNTRUE.
We fell back to what had been the line of safety last night AND THEY CONTINUED SHOOTING TEARGAS past this line into the peaceful crowd.

They methodically backed everyone down a mile-long stretch of road that has been an understood safe space of protest with flash grenades, teargas, armored cars, and shooting rubber bullets and blocks of wood at the protestors in very tight proximity.

I have never had 50 guns trained at me before, running with camera gear, hands in the air. The inexcusable and irrational level of violence is terrifying.

Towards the end of the evening, more looting did happen. But there was none before the police attacked us repeatedly.

I am horrified. And angry. And inconsolable that people in power are lying yet again.


G'day Dennis,

This is exactly what was being repeatedly said yesterday.

There were repeated statements about molotov cocktails from the police (note metal bin was burning at one stage -- containment).

The police would not allow reporters in to report.

The national guard will restrict further the press in an effort at "containment".

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/BvWyRxdIEAEI0gz.jpg
Journo Scott Olson being arrested in Ferguson

It's always a clear sign of "management" when the media has reports from the police of "anarchists".

Yeah, there is a militant element within aspects of anarchism, however they are often blamed for State run dispersal strategies.

If this isn't intimidation I'm not sure what is:

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/BvW2fbRIIAEP91m.jpg

I was reminded last night (on ABC Australia's program QandA) of the quote from Augustine of Hippo:


Hope has two beautiful daughters. Their names are anger and courage; anger at the way things are, and courage to see that they do not remain the way they are.
I wish for the people of Ferguson to continue their courtship of Hope's daughters.

-- Pan

[panopticon]

BTW, maybe this has been missed.

The store owners are reported as not being the ones who called the police.

It is reported in this excerpt by the stores attorney that a customer did.

Wtrl6_qeyW0
Lots of possible reasons for this (day after shooting etc) but worth noting.

-- Pa

[panopticon]

Empty white school buses report in Ferguson:


Remember those two empty white school buses we saw at noon. They are pulling up with soldiers. #Ferguson

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/BvW92F9IAAA5o08.jpg

Source (https://twitter.com/abroaddus/status/501515671742980096/photo/1)

Earlier photo from same journalist:

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/BvW51_LCMAA43z9.jpg
Source (https://twitter.com/abroaddus/status/501511271888740352)

Notice Obama's "middle road" rhetorical strategy. Pure politics.

-- Pan

[panopticon]

Names & badges are where?

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/BvW4TlmIMAELrP0.png

-- Pan

[Carmody]

I'll say it again, so it is absolutely clear:

$20 says that all of the problem officers and points at which the lies are being told, the orders being issued and the lies and orders being supported, they are all, more than likely to a single man ----Freemasons.


One out of every six officers in North America, is known to be a Freemason, and somewhere in the area of 100% of all 'appointed' judges in North America are likely to be Freemasons.

People had better start looking at this from the right direction, otherwise all their efforts will go nowhere and solve nothing.

[marlowe]

Enough time has passed & the real truth is coming out that has been suppressed by the liberal MSM......If you has 10 minutes you can see that the weight of evidence is now with the cop's story ....Even better is to watch 20 minutes...


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9pr1oE34bIM

[Octavusprime]

Enough time has passed & the real truth is coming out that has been suppressed by the liberal MSM......If you has 10 minutes you can see that the weight of evidence is now with the cop's story ....Even better is to watch 20 minutes...


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9pr1oE34bIM
I couldn't get past 10 minutes. This guy completely misses the point IMO. Complete conjecture, racial profiling with a hint of ignorance.

For another perspective on what is driving this and why the police have acted with utter disregard for the people they have sworn to protect....See John Olivers take. In between the jokes are some solid points that truly get to the root cause of the problem.

KUdHIatS36A

[marlowe]

Enough time has passed & the real truth is coming out that has been suppressed by the liberal MSM......If you has 10 minutes you can see that the weight of evidence is now with the cop's story ....Even better is to watch 20 minutes...


I couldn't get past 10 minutes. This guy completely misses the point IMO. Complete conjecture, racial profiling with a hint of ignorance.


You didn't even watch 5 minutes did you ?

The weight of evidence says Mike Brown was running towards the cop

when he was shot....Mike Brown wrote & recorded violent rap lyrics...He did steal the cigars & was walking down the middle of the street with the cigars in plain site when the cop stopped him....Carmody is buying the MSM version of reality which is a lie......& Carmody wants you to believe the lie instead of watching the Stefan Molyneux video I posted...Is Carmody a shill? Probably not...He just does not get it ....

[gripreaper]

Energy Shift...


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q8Cq2kMB7_Y

To the end of the Earth, I'll search for your face

For the one who laid all of our beauty to waste

Threw our hope into Hell and our children into the fire

I am the one who crawled through the wire

I am the one who crawled through the wire

There's a million sad stories on the side of the road

Strange how we all just got used to the blood

Millions of stories that'll never be told

Silent and froze in the mud

Silent and froze in the mud

I know a cold as cold as it gets

I know a darkness that's darker than cold

A wind that blows as cold as it gets

Blew out the light of my soul

Blew out the light of my soul

I dream in my sleep, I dream in my days

Of some sunny street not so far away

Where up in a window a curtain will sway

And you and I'll meet down below

You and I'll meet down below

I know a cold as cold as it gets

I fight a war, I may never see won

I live only to see you live to regret

Everything that you done

Everything that you done

Everything that you done

[Ahnung-quay]

The problem here is that this has gone way beyond the actual shooting and whether or not the police officer took right action.

The first problem is that the local constabulary chose to call in federal DHS forces rather than peaceably try to deal with the protesters. The county could have appointed a task force to meet with protester representatives, etc.

The second problem is that the local law enforcement and DHS personnel are responding to the protest with excessive measures seemingly to foment an extended riot atmosphere.

I do feel for the family and friends of this young man and any unarmed person who is shot and killed or beat up by the police. These are supposed to be civil servants with a duty to serve and protect and who have salaries paid by tax dollars. They get away with criminal behavior every day even if it's just speeding (not obeying the rules of the road) without their lights or sirens on. Why? Because they can.

Every one of us should be marching on our county court houses right now and letting them know that we won't tolerate this behavior out of the local law enforcement agencies in our counties and we won't tolerate the DHS being called in for any reason.

Have we become a nation that is so weak that we can't handle our local disputes without calling in big daddy? When all of our rights are taken from us, will we think of Michael Brown? What a shame!

[Snowflower]

Marlowe, one of the witnesses to the murder of Michael Brown was a woman who did not know either boy. No, he was not running toward the murderer. He was in the process of kneeling with his hands in the air. The murderer is lying.

[marlowe]

Marlowe, one of the witnesses to the murder of Michael Brown was a woman who did not know either boy. No, he was not running toward the murderer. He was in the process of kneeling with his hands in the air. The murderer is lying.

@ snowflower...You are parroting what the friend and fellow robber is saying but there is an actual black witness saying that Brown was running TOWARDS the cop .....WATCH THE VIDEO...IT is an objective look at the event....Johnson, Brown's friend has a criminal record and he has a reason to lie...The black witness has no reason to lie & he did not even know he was being recorded...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9pr1oE34bIM

[Octavusprime]

Enough time has passed & the real truth is coming out that has been suppressed by the liberal MSM......If you has 10 minutes you can see that the weight of evidence is now with the cop's story ....Even better is to watch 20 minutes...


I couldn't get past 10 minutes. This guy completely misses the point IMO. Complete conjecture, racial profiling with a hint of ignorance.


You didn't even watch 5 minutes did you ?

The weight of evidence says Mike Brown was running towards the cop

when he was shot....Mike Brown wrote & recorded violent rap lyrics...He did steal the cigars & was walking down the middle of the street with the cigars in plain site when the cop stopped him....Carmody is buying the MSM version of reality which is a lie......& Carmody wants you to believe the lie instead of watching the Stefan Molyneux video I posted...Is Carmody a shill? Probably not...He just does not get it ....

Violent poetry (rap) and stolen $5 blunts doesn't warrant 6 bullets through an unarmed man. A bullet through the top of the head sounds more like an execution then a struggle. Even if he was a terrible person that resisted arrest the police do not have the right or authority to act as judge, jury and executioner.

[panopticon]

When I get a minute I'll check out the video.

This thread is not about Michael Brown.

It is about the Ikea Containment Strategy that was transplanted from an unknown Think-Tank onto an active situation that suited the strategy.

It is easy to see that this has occurred. The rhetoric used a day after the shooting and everything else is an experiment.

I have no idea whether Wilson shot Brown because he was being charged or whether it was as stated by Dorian.

All the evidence so far available points to Dorian's relation of the story as being accurate but as more becomes available this could change.

The "strong-arm robbery" is iffy (the visual can be interpreted a number of ways it is only the official version that is being accepted as truth at the moment but under cross-examination the clerk may tell a different story, who knows) and as I related earlier was not reported by the shop itself but by a customer.

Again once I get an hour spare (probably about 12 hours from now) I'll have a look at Marlow's video and critique it if it warrants it.

The most important thing at this moment in time (for me) is watching the official response (verbal as well as physical).

I view everything else is a distraction.

-- Pan

[panopticon]

Peaceful protest being told to leave (if they are not "credentialed" media) or they will be subject to arrest (just before midnight ).
"If you are media then move to your designated area".

Yeah, that will work...

-- Pan

http://new.livestream.com/accounts/9035483/events/3271930

Media (in above live feed) is being redirected out of area away from the media's "staging area".

Note lead up to midnight dispersion common tactics:


Saw one Molotov cocktail that fell, impotently, on the road not far from the thrower.
(Source (https://twitter.com/bkesling/status/501598351805415424))
To clarify, the Molotov never was a threat to police. Almost as if the person lit it and tossed it into the street casually.
(Source (https://twitter.com/bkesling/status/501599189516951552) -- Ben Kesling: WSJ reporter & ex-marine)

Media being redirected miles away from the protest site.


The last thing the media saw before being told to leave or face arrest.

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/BvYLcqvIAAAxQ2E.jpg

Source (https://twitter.com/bkesling/status/501600995873681408)

Reminder: Amnesty International Human Rights Observers were removed from the area "for their own protection" (note the time):

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/BvX_59WCIAEP8Yj.jpg

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/BvYDnPxCMAAy6Ca.jpg
Source (https://twitter.com/sdkstl/status/501592381473308672)

[panopticon]

Amnesty International USA Calls for Investigation of Police Tactics in Ferguson (http://www.amnestyusa.org/news/press-releases/amnesty-international-usa-calls-for-investigation-of-police-tactics-in-ferguson)
18th August 2014

(FERGUSON, MO) - As communities across the nation stand witness to the killing of an unarmed African American teenager by a police officer in Ferguson, Missouri, Amnesty International USA was on the ground monitoring events. With the return of its human rights delegation from Ferguson, the organization today called for an investigation into police tactics used during protests.

Amnesty International USA sent a 13-person human rights delegation, which included observers who monitored police and protester activity and sought meetings with officials. Other members of the delegation trained local activists in methods of non-violent protest.

"Amnesty International has a long and tested history of monitoring and investigating police conduct, not just in foreign countries, but right here at home in the United States," said Steven W. Hawkins, executive director of Amnesty International USA. "Our delegation traveled to Missouri to let the authorities in Ferguson know that the world is watching. We want a thorough investigation into Michael Brown's death and the series of events that followed."

Amnesty International USA is calling for:

A prompt, thorough, independent and impartial investigation into the shooting of Michael Brown. Brown's family must be kept informed throughout the investigation. Under international law, police officers suspected of having committed unlawful acts must be held to account through effective investigation, and where warranted, prosecuted.
All police departments involved in policing the ongoing protests in Ferguson in response to Michael Brown's death must act in accordance with international human rights standards. Any human rights abuses in connection with the policing of protests must be independently and impartially investigated, and those responsible held accountable.
A thorough review of all trainings, policies and procedures with regards to the use of force and the policing of protests should be undertaken.


"Moving forward, we must seize this moment to bring about a wide-ranging review of all trainings, policies and procedures with regard to the use of force and the policing of protests in Ferguson and around the country," added Hawkins. "This is a moment for people around the country – and around the world - to join the Ferguson community in raising concerns about race and policing, and about the impact of militarization on our fundamental right to peacefully assemble."

Amnesty International is a Nobel Peace Prize-winning grassroots activist organization with more than 3 million members in more than 150 countries campaigning for human rights worldwide. The organization investigates and exposes abuses, educates and mobilizes the public, and works to protect people wherever justice, freedom, truth and dignity are denied.

Source (http://www.amnestyusa.org/news/press-releases/amnesty-international-usa-calls-for-investigation-of-police-tactics-in-ferguson)

[panopticon]

Wonder why there's no aerial footage from helicopters or something similar @ ferguson?

FAA air restrictions over Ferguson have been extended another week:

###

NOTAM Number: FDC 4/4815

Issue Date: August 18, 2014 at 1945 UTC

Location: FERGUSON, Missouri near ST LOUIS VORTAC (STL)

Beginning Date and Time: August 18, 2014 at 2000 UTC

Ending Date and Time: August 25, 2014 at 2000 UTC

Reason for NOTAM: TO PROVIDE A SAFE ENVIRONMENT FOR LAW ENFORCEMENT ACTIVITIES

Type: Hazards


Affected Areas

Airspace Definition:

Center: On the ST LOUIS VORTAC (STL) 129 degree radial at 11 nautical miles. (Latitude: 38º44'28"N, Longitude: 90º18'12"W)

Radius: 3 nautical miles

Altitude: From the surface up to and including 3000 feet MSL

Operating Restrictions and Requirements

No pilots may operate an aircraft in the areas covered by this NOTAM (except as described).

ONLY RELIEF AIRCRAFT OPERATIONS UNDER DIRECTION OF THE STATE OF MISSOURI ARE AUTHORIZED IN THE AIRSPACE


http://tfr.faa.gov/save_maps/small_4_4815.gif

Source (http://tfr.faa.gov/save_pages/detail_4_4815.html)

[panopticon]

Tear gas being fired in Ferguson earlier:

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/BvYYJu2CYAAh5Pv.jpg
Source (https://twitter.com/manofsteele/status/501614965178916864)

I'm sorry, that is a militarised response.

-- Pan

[panopticon]

News conference, if it ever happens, will probably be best viewed from here (errrr Fox bloody news):
http://fox2now.com/on-air/live-streaming-2/

-- Pan

Johnson is about to tell the new truth for tomorrow

Presser started with a 2 or 3 minute prayer so they must be telling the truth then.


Thanks to police for restoring order.

Officers acted with restraint and calm.

Calm & orderly protests we interacted with during the day.

At 9:40 PM 200 (?) people walked towards police control centre.

Bottles were thrown from middle/back of crowd.

Small amount of agitators.

Protesters don't do this. It is criminals who do this.

In the dark at least 2 people were shot.

SWAT etc were put in violent area to extract gun shot victim.

Tonight that is what they were used for.

Multiple gunshots reported. 2 guns confiscated. Fires were lit.

Not a single bullet fired by officers.

4 officers were hit by bottle and rocks.

Come out during the day and protest, not at night.

As of 2:00 AM 31 people have been arrested.

Some people who have been arrested are from out of town.

Media didn't do as they were told by police for their own safety and to facilitate the operation of police.

Media should concentrate on the peaceful not the violent.

Citizens who were good tried to stop violence. They are good. People here deserve that, businesses deserve that & we (the police) deserve that.

Guns displayed on table from vehicle. Molotov on table.

Now being said that media etc haven't seen molotov etc. but here is the evidence.

Media could have been hurt.

Johnson just said in answer to a question (paraphrase): people who protest at night are criminals. People have a right to protest at night but come during the day, that will make the job easier. Safety was the problem tonight. That's why we dispersed the crowd. It just happened to coincide with midnight.

More worrying he said (paraphrase): "During operations we may accidentally take some journalists into custody until we can work out they are journalists."

The journo's started to turn on Johnson so his minders (?) finished the presser.

If this keeps up they'll shoot a journalist to justify their actions...

[panopticon]

Excellent video piece from the New York Times (as a reminder this is from the 13th):

J2wgGugTZg0
Notice the thrown bottle @ 2:17 and the response just afterwards?

Then at ~2:30 a molotov is thrown at polizia.

See police tell journalist to go away.

Notice the weapons that are being used...

BTW about them innocuous "rubber bullets":

http://972mag.com/wp-content/uploads//2012/05/Dissected-bullet-2-copy-2.jpg
Source (http://972mag.com/from-ofer-to-ramle-impressions-of-protests-across-the-green-line/44541/dissected-bullet-2-copy-2/)

http://blog.ryanrodrickbeiler.com/wp-content/uploads/20130410-rubber-coated-steel-bullets-0001.jpg
Source (http://blog.ryanrodrickbeiler.com/2013/04/15/rubber-coated-steel-bullets/)

http://bontakstravels.files.wordpress.com/2012/05/img_7200rubberbullet1.jpg
http://bontakstravels.com/2012/05/12/belfast-the-europa-hotel-and-titanic-exhibtion/

http://static0.demotix.com/sites/default/files/imagecache/a_scale_large/1100-1/photos/1333068914-protesters-hurt-by-rubber-bullets-during-general-strike--barcelona_1131721.jpg
Source (http://www.demotix.com/news/1131891/protesters-hurt-rubber-bullets-during-general-strike-barcelona#media-1131721)

Gawn, tell me that's "proportional"!

-- Pan

[panopticon]

Now some things are making more sense.

I've been looking at how this "Ikea Containment Strategy" was dropped in as I wasn't sure how it could be implemented in such a quick and efficient manner.

Enter The Revolution Club Chicago, Revolution Now & Gregory “Joey” Lee Johnson (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gregory_Lee_Johnson).

This is a common strategy: Set up a group or groups (maybe just put a plant in a pre-existing group to provoke the others) to make sure everything goes according to plan.

Simple & cost/time effective.

I came across this in my travels on The Revolution Club (Chicago) & Gregory “Joey” Johnson (it's an interesting read):
MEET GREG “JOEY” JOHNSON, AN OPPORTUNISTIC COMMUNIST REVOLUTIONARY AGITATING IN FERGUSON (VIDEO) (http://themissouritorch.com/blog/2014/08/17/meet-greg-joey-johnson-an-opportunistic-communist-revolutionary-agitating-in-ferguson-video/)

-- Pan

[panopticon]

Script:

cymYowGqkgo
VmLoAF8at8U
uY_91rL-VgU
wXjWIA_8xCE
MCaOHK3-Keo
-- Pan

[panopticon]

Compare and contrast the above to this report by Elon James White (website (http://elonjameswhite.com/) & twit (https://twitter.com/elonjames)) from the ground @02:00 AM in Ferguson:

DA4IT-rGNDg
-- Pan

[panopticon]

Reporter twits worthy of remembrance:



Joel D. Anderson:
The pre-press conference prayer is something I've never seen before (source (https://twitter.com/blackink12/status/501630265748647936)).
Not sure if someone actually wrote these remarks for Capt. Johnson. Or if so, why (source (https://twitter.com/blackink12/status/501631146518904833)).

Jacqueline Lee:
Kid sat down "Hands up, dont shoot" Cops: "If youre sitting down it'll make it easier for us to arrest you" (source (https://twitter.com/BNDJLee/status/501607605136261120)).
Police drove into group of protesters, firing tear gas I think (source (https://twitter.com/BNDJLee/status/501608457204940802)).
Police just shot at least three tear gas canisters at me. One hit my leg, one my backpack (source (https://twitter.com/BNDJLee/status/501611423420923904)).
We held up media credentials. They drove into parking lot of private apartment complex and shot tear gas in circle, 10ft from us (source (https://twitter.com/BNDJLee/status/501612533347004416)).
They circled us, shot tear gas. We're in bushes. Street we needed to get to car was blocked off by officers in armed vehicles (source (https://twitter.com/BNDJLee/status/501613187587133440)).
Our photographer @zianizami was hit by canister on arm (source (https://twitter.com/BNDJLee/status/501614129686515712)).

Zerlina Maxwell:
I'm just skeptical b/c it seems like what we are watching on livestreams/cable/twitter doesn't match what they are saying in these pressers (source (https://twitter.com/ZerlinaMaxwell/status/501637237315227648)).

Elon White:
And if I hadnt been broadcasting live and recording a local copy at the same time for later publishing, we'd be considered liars? (source (https://twitter.com/elonjames/status/501658779180474368))

Greg Pinelo:
WHO ARE YOU AIMING AT? WHY? RT @mtracey: Sniper aiming at #Ferguson demonstrators live on CNN (source (https://twitter.com/gregpinelo/status/501568070289485824))
https://pbs.twimg.com/media/BvXrRF0IgAIi5sx.jpg


Unknown:
Milk really does work for tear gas. Thank you #Palestine for the tip #Ferguson (source (https://twitter.com/Nettaaaaaaaa/status/501613887930634240)).

[steveofengland]

According to Germany's Der Spiegel, German police shot only 85 bullets in all of 2011, a stark reminder that not every country is as gun-crazy as the U.S. of A. As Boing Boing translates, most of those shots weren't even aimed anyone: "49 warning shots, 36 shots on suspects. 15 persons were injured, 6 were killed."

Source
http://www.thewire.com/global/2012/05/german-police-used-only-85-bullets-against-people-2011/52162/

[marlowe]

When I get a minute I'll check out the video.

This thread is not about Michael Brown.

It is about the Ikea Containment Strategy that was transplanted from an unknown Think-Tank onto an active situation that suited the strategy.

It is easy to see that this has occurred. The rhetoric used a day after the shooting and everything else is an experiment.

I have no idea whether Wilson shot Brown because he was being charged or whether it was as stated by Dorian.

All the evidence so far available points to Dorian's relation of the story as being accurate but as more becomes available this could change.

The "strong-arm robbery" is iffy (the visual can be interpreted a number of ways it is only the official version that is being accepted as truth at the moment but under cross-examination the clerk may tell a different story, who knows) and as I related earlier was not reported by the shop itself but by a customer.

Again once I get an hour spare (probably about 12 hours from now) I'll have a look at Marlow's video and critique it if it warrants it.

The most important thing at this moment in time (for me) is watching the official response (verbal as well as physical).

I view everything else is a distraction.

-- Pan

@ Pan...The video I posted showing that the evidence points to the policeman's
story being true is relavent here...It is not out of order for me to post this video again on this thread...

Mike Brown was not a "gentle giant" ...He wrote and recorder violent rap lyrics , he was walking down the middle of the street with the stolen cigars in his hand , & the evidence is saying he did charge the policeman.

Lots of policeman are shot and killed with their own weapon . Watch this video if you want the real truth...& keep in mind that the MSM story is often a lie...


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9pr1oE34bIM

Stefan Molyneux is not a shill...He has made an objective video IMHO...

[panopticon]

From a HWR dispatch (18th August 2014) about the Sunday night (17th August 2014) protest and how eye-witness contradicted official statement:


Last night’s police actions took me and many of the protesters I spoke to by surprise, not only because they happened well before the curfew, but because while the crowd I saw was angry, it also seemed peaceful. Yet as I was leaving the barricaded protest area, I saw half a dozen police cars pull up and a group of officers donning gas masks and preparing to enter the protest zone.

Police say that they came under assault from gunfire and Molotov cocktails. I can't say with certainty that they didn't. But that’s not what protesters on the scene told me; four who had been at the front of the protest said that they didn’t see any attacks on the police, but that the police began teargassing them when the protesters simply tried to go past a line police had said they shouldn’t cross. They saw some protesters smash the windows of a McDonald’s as they were retreating, and throw teargas canisters back at the police—but that’s a far cry from the violence the police have described.
Source (http://www.hrw.org/news/2014/08/18/dispatches-ground-ferguson-missouri)
-- Pan

[panopticon]

Protester: 'I was coming back to help people,' later arrested (http://www.kmov.com/news/editors-pick/Protester-talks-to-News-4-after-being-hit-by-tear-gas-271783891.html)
by Adam McDonald, 19th August 2014

[Video not embedded of witness but worth watching - quite eloquent and passive who came from out of area]

FERGUSON, Mo. (KMOV.com)– The atmosphere in Ferguson is growing more tense after shots were fired near where protesters were gathering. News 4 was able to interview a protester from Austin, Texas who was hit by tear gas.

“I wasn’t there when it (tear gas) was initially fired,” Billy, a protester in Ferguson said. “I was coming back to help people.”

Billy said he had been following the events in Ferguson, saw the way protesters were being treated, and decided to travel to Ferguson to help.

“I felt like I needed to come,” he said. During the evening, Billy was hit by tear gas deployed by police. With eyes watering, he continued saying his biggest concern was helping younger citizens deal with their emotions.

“You can see young kids trying to figure out what to do and how to channel their emotions. You might see them about to throw a rock,” Billy said. “Talk to them. Help them.”

He also noted that he never sensed there was an organized group of protesters trying to incite riots, but rather there were “maybe a few individuals.”

News 4 cameras later saw Billy being arrested by police. No further information on his arrest is available at this time.

(Source (http://www.kmov.com/news/editors-pick/Protester-talks-to-News-4-after-being-hit-by-tear-gas-271783891.html))

[panopticon]

@ Pan...The video I posted showing that the evidence points to the policeman's
story being true is relavent here...It is not out of order for me to post this video again on this thread...

Mike Brown was not a "gentle giant" ...He wrote and recorder violent rap lyrics , he was walking down the middle of the street with the stolen cigars in his hand , & the evidence is saying he did charge the policeman.

Lots of policeman are shot and killed with their own weapon . Watch this video if you want the real truth...& keep in mind that the MSM story is often a lie...


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9pr1oE34bIM
Stefan Molyneux is not a shill...He has made an objective video IMHO...

I have not been watching MSM so matters not to me their opinion...

I reference reports from them when it coincides with what has been reported by individuals on the ground.

Almost got a bit of time to watch the video (probably another two hours or so as I'm watching the Gaza/Israel negotiations at the same time).

I didn't realise it was Molyneux (I really have been kept busy following live feeds etc & on the ground reports from various sources).

I know he's not a shill. I'm familiar with some of his work however I am more of a syndicalist than individualist.

I'm sure he's got an interesting hypothesis and look forward to reviewing it.

Even if Brown was shot legally that does not excuse the action of the Ferguson PD, associated bodies etc.

That is what I've been writing about in this thread and what Zebra started the thread about.

-- Pan

[panopticon]

Copy of Johnson's speech I commented on earlier available here:
http://www.kmov.com/video/featured-videos/Mo-Highway-Patrol-holds-late-night-press-conference--271815001.html

-- Pan

[SilentFeathers]

How much more ridiculous can this actually get????????????????????????????



In Preseason Game, Redskins Run Onto Field With Hands Up For Michael Brown
August 19, 2014 7:32 AM
http://washington.cbslocal.com/2014/08/19/in-preseason-game-redskins-run-onto-field-with-hands-up-for-michael-brown/

[panopticon]

Not being an American the subtleties of the US Governments system of control is not my native environ.

Stepping back and looking at a wider framed view, within that context, I'm wondering if this Ikea Containment Strategy was born from a curiosity as to how far civil liberties could be removed under a quasi-martial law system, including journalist restriction, individual harassment, curfews, militarised responses (using well known intimidation strategies) and propaganda testing.

That would certainly explain the "community", "moving forward", "work together" rhetoric that is so obviously being spouted from a pre-scripted template at all levels and layers within the US...

So that could have been one purpose (though there are undoubtedly many, many more than just that because of the plans scope and scale).

Also of interest:

[A] federal judge Monday night denied a motion by the American Civil Liberties Union [ACLU] for a temporary restraining order to stop police from requiring people to keep moving on sidewalks and thoroughfares in Ferguson unless they're gathered in a designated protest area.
Source (http://www.stltoday.com/news/local/metro/the-night-s-tense-tally-shot-fires-arrested/article_f794b446-1ee7-56f1-b4f5-03c5663b596f.html)
Just a "thought bubble"/"post-it" post :)

-- Pan

[marlowe]

IMO TPTB would like to see this rioting go nation wide like what happened after MLK was killed in 1968....
& I doubt the MSM will change their spin that the cop murdered Brown....When

the evidence points to the cop shooting in self defense

[panopticon]

Ferguson officer's account of Michael Brown shooting: 'He just kept coming' (http://www.theguardian.com/world/2014/aug/18/ferguson-darren-wilson-account-michael-brown-shooting)
Chris Campbell in St Louis, 19th August 2014

http://static.guim.co.uk/sys-images/Guardian/Pix/pictures/2014/8/18/1408398531472/57e7c726-9509-47f1-8932-54b8e57b3f95-460x276.jpeg
People look at a memorial erected on the site where teenager Michael Brown was shot in Ferguson, Missouri. Photograph: Lucas

Darren Wilson’s version of events, as told through his girlfriend to a friend, contradicts aspects of other eyewitness accounts

Darren Wilson, the 28-year-old police officer who killed an unarmed Ferguson teenager with a shot to the head, has so far said nothing publicly about the incident.

Wilson and his girlfriend, Barbara Spradling, left their home in Crestwood, a predominantly white neighbourhood some 18 miles from Ferguson, before he was named last week in connection with the shooting of Michael Brown.

But before they left, Spradling gave an account of the shooting to a friend, who says it is markedly different from the narrative espoused by Brown’s family and their supporters.

The friend of Spradling’s, who declined to be named, told the Guardian that Wilson admits that he shot Brown in the head, as confirmed by an independent autopsy performed at the family’s request, the results of which were first reported by the New York Times on Sunday.

However, Wilson’s version of events, as told through Spradling to the friend, contradicts aspects of the accounts given by some other eyewitnesses, including Dorian Johnson, a friend of Brown who was with him when he was stopped, minutes after the pair were allegedly involved in a robbery at a convenience store.

There appears to be little dispute that a struggle took place, though the pathologists who carried out the autopsy for Brown’s family said Monday their preliminary finding was that Brown’s body showed no evidence of one. The account provided by police, given in the hours after the shooting, is that Wilson stopped Brown and Johnson for walking down the middle of the street when they should have been on the sidewalk.

Spradling told the friend who spoke to the Guardian that Brown initiated the altercation by striking Wilson in the face, leading to a struggle for Wilson’s gun that resulted in one shot being fired in the police vehicle.

St Louis County police chief Jon Belmar said at a news conference on Sunday that when Wilson got out of his squad car, Brown pushed him back in, and a struggle ensued. Belmar said at least one shot was fired from the officer’s gun inside the police car. An officer with the St Louis County police, who declined to be named, told the Guardian that Brown sustained an injury to his thumb at this point; the autopsy released on Monday shows that one shot hit Brown’s hand.

Johnson has given several slightly differing accounts of the incident. A week ago he told MSNBC that as a squad car pulled up, Wilson called out at them to “get the **** on the sidewalk”, before the car reversed back alongside them. Johnson claims the officer opened his door onto Brown, and the door bounced off him.

Johnson, in an account supported by other eyewitnesses, maintains that Wilson grabbed Brown through the window of his squad car. Johnson, in a disputed claim, said that Wilson fired a shot while still grabbing on to Brown.

What is not disputed is that Brown then made off. In his MSNBC interview, Johnson said Brown was shot in the back, at which point he turned around and put his hands up. “I don’t have a gun, stop shooting,” Brown said, according to Johnson. (Johnson’s assertion that Brown was shot in the back was not supported by the findings of the independent autopsy.)

But Spradling told the friend that Brown turned around after the officer called on him to stop. In Wilson’s version, Brown was not shot while surrendering, but while moving toward Wilson in a threatening manner. Brown reportedly continued to move toward Wilson even after being shot, and did not stop moving forward until suffering a mortal wound to the head.

“He just kept coming,” the friend said Wilson claimed.

In Wilson’s account, Brown never raised his hands to plead for his life, or said “don’t shoot”, but rather taunted Wilson before moving forward and being shot.

Spradling told the friend the prevailing narrative was “a lie” before going into seclusion.

Friends of the couple have also expressed concern about the racial and institutional politics involved, worrying that the charged environment may unduly influence the case. In addition to concerns for their safety, friends of Spradling and Wilson believe Wilson’s reputation has been unfairly tarnished by a rush to judgment from the media and some members of the public. One friend of Spradling’s believes the legitimacy of any evidence supporting Wilson’s version of events will be questioned by protesters.

Source (http://www.theguardian.com/world/2014/aug/18/ferguson-darren-wilson-account-michael-brown-shooting)

[panopticon]

Image of where the protests are being held:

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/BvZudEBCcAAlKUC.jpg

The allegations of violent confrontations appear to be down Canfield Drive (which I think is where Brown was shot multiple times by Wilson) as opposed to W Florissant Ave where the main protests are and where the media staging are was.

If this detail is incorrect in some way then please say.

-- Pan

[Jake]

the evidence points to the cop shooting in self defense

No, it doesn't! Shoot first, ask questions later. That is the STO. We simply do not know what happened. To claim that the evidence points in only one direction is a bit naïve. IMO...

Cops can't go around killing people in the streets.. Here is the point,,, it does not matter what evidence there is,,,, the defendant was MURDERED IN THE STREETS,, SHOT EFFIN DEAD!!

A proper arrest and filing of charges would have gone a long way in this particular instance, no?? Michael Brown in court instead of in the city morgue MURDERED BY POLICE,,, SHOT DEAD IN THE STREETS.

Some people will just not give a damn, until it happens to them or someone that they know. All of this speculation is BS. We DON'T know what really happened... except that another cop killed another unarmed American citizen..

Have any of you ever been beaten by cops?? Beaten and left in a ****ing ditch??????? I have... :(

I don't believe a damn word a cop says,,, sorry... If a cop dies in the line of duty, every cop in the nation stand and takes notice... Well guess what?? If an innocent person gets gunned down by a cop,,, I think we should all be the same way. The cops are a gang of thugs, if not, they would do something about what is happening with the militarized police state that has risen....

I would trust a criminal on the streets before I would trust a cop.... A cop has made the decision to put themselves in danger... Instead of dealing with the danger,, THIS cop simply started killing.

It amazes me how folks can look and see a black neighborhood in chaos and say,, oh well, just a bunch of criminals...

BTW,,, when I got out of the hospital after being beaten and left for dead by cops,,, NOT A SINGLE PERSON GAVE A SINGLE DAMN!!!! All of you who have a godlike respect for cops have another thing coming... I hope you do not decide to trust them, when the time comes.... They are not there to help you, but to serve a master.

Everyone in Ferguson already knows that....

Jake.

[marlowe]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9pr1oE34bIM

@ Jake///You have made up your mind & don't want to change it so you didn't bother to watch the video...No problem...Go ahead and believe the lying MSM..{.If that is what makes you feel better...}

But the truth will get out eventually ....It always does...

[Snowflower]

Jake, if it is any comfort to you, Marlowe is the only person in this thread in support of the murderer, called "cop" and carrying the only weapon involved. Marlowe also ignored the OTHER eye witness: a woman watching from her window who saw the boy holding his hands in the air and starting to kneel on the ground as the murderer continued shooting. That last shot to the head was only possible when the boy started to fall forward after being shot multiple times in the arm.

I am also a direct victim of cops, although they did not attack me physically. I know there are way too many psychopaths among the ranks of cops. I also know that the ones who are not psychopathic, but let the bastards get away with it, are equally as bad. There is no such thing as a good cop if he does nothing to the bad cop.

[ulli]

the evidence points to the cop shooting in self defense

No, it doesn't! Shoot first, ask questions later. That is the STO. We simply do not know what happened. To claim that the evidence points in only one direction is a bit naïve. IMO...

Cops can't go around killing people in the streets.. Here is the point,,, it does not matter what evidence there is,,,, the defendant was MURDERED IN THE STREETS,, SHOT EFFIN DEAD!!

A proper arrest and filing of charges would have gone a long way in this particular instance, no?? Michael Brown in court instead of in the city morgue MURDERED BY POLICE,,, SHOT DEAD IN THE STREETS.

Some people will just not give a damn, until it happens to them or someone that they know. All of this speculation is BS. We DON'T know what really happened... except that another cop killed another unarmed American citizen..

Have any of you ever been beaten by cops?? Beaten and left in a ****ing ditch??????? I have... :(

I don't believe a damn word a cop says,,, sorry... If a cop dies in the line of duty, every cop in the nation stand and takes notice... Well guess what?? If an innocent person gets gunned down by a cop,,, I think we should all be the same way. The cops are a gang of thugs, if not, they would do something about what is happening with the militarized police state that has risen....

I would trust a criminal on the streets before I would trust a cop.... A cop has made the decision to put themselves in danger... Instead of dealing with the danger,, THIS cop simply started killing.

It amazes me how folks can look and see a black neighborhood in chaos and say,, oh well, just a bunch of criminals...

BTW,,, when I got out of the hospital after being beaten and left for dead by cops,,, NOT A SINGLE PERSON GAVE A SINGLE DAMN!!!! All of you who have a godlike respect for cops have another thing coming... I hope you do not decide to trust them, when the time comes.... They are not there to help you, but to serve a master.

Everyone in Ferguson already knows that....

Jake.

Jake, I know this sounds challenging. But when you choose truth and justice first and foremost, you might even make room in your filing cabinet for good cops.
Here is an example of one good cop.

wXTXeKgIHlY

[panopticon]

Have any of you ever been beaten by cops?? Beaten and left in a ****ing ditch??????? I have... :(


Ditto.

Not something anyone who has wants to dwell on.

-- Pan

[Jake]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9pr1oE34bIM

@ Jake///You have made up your mind & don't want to change it so you didn't bother to watch the video...No problem...Go ahead and believe the lying MSM..{.If that is what makes you feel better...}

But the truth will get out eventually ....It always does...

I haven't watched MSM in over a decade. Thank you for your permission to believe what I want. The truth that I see does not make me feel better... It hurts to see the truth... I hadn't made up my mind until I opened my eyes to the corruption that is in our neighborhoods... Those of us who choose to turn a blind eye to it have done what 'makes them feel better'...

I watched the vid twice,,, damn guys, if you want to take me to task, I have left the door open. please, at least challenge me without assuming things...

Awesome,,, one good cop.. allegedly... Do you guys want to play this game.. I can show you 10 bad cop vids to every good cop vid. That wouldn't get us anywhere. IMHO, this is a symptom of folks not realizing what has happened to their country, and its protectors...

It is easy for a cop to stand in front of a camera and say pretty things. The proof is in the putting.

Ulli, I am sorry... I don't trust them.. I have NO reason to. Have you ever been beaten by cops and left for dead in a ditch?? Have you ever watched them beat your dad?? Have you been terrorized by cops, covering up crimes against you?? These were all respected cops.

You can tell yourselves that I don't KNOW what I am talking about, if that makes you 'feel' better. I am going off of knowledge and personal experience...

For the record,,, OF COURSE THERE ARE AWESOME COPS THAT ARE WORTHY OF RESPECT...

Though,,, I have not met one..

Jake.

P.S. I am not looking to impress anyone with these last two posts. Many times the truth is not impressive...

If only Micheal Brown would have been properly arrested and charges filed, then we would not be dealing with this... Of course that did not happen,,, and every excuse in the world is being used to defend this cop... NOBODY was there to defend Micheal Brown. NOBODYY!!!!!!!! And further more,,, (nobody seems to care...)

[lastlegs]

I am amazed at the selection of responses in this thread. There is lots of relative information about the town of Ferguson that is now out an about.

Facts like most of the revenue of the town comes from tickets like jaywalking to the tune of over two million a year. That the mayor is 31 and former member of the Ferguson police force. That the population is about 67% black and 25% white but all city officials are white. Only 12% of the black population vote because the precincts have cops with arrest warrants on them. etc etc etc.

This looks really bad to the world with even Sri Lanka Daily News noting how odd it is that the US has issue travel warnings for their country while there are race riots in Ferguson. The headlines in major newpapers have all noted the lack of human rights in the country wanting sanctions against other countries for human rights.

No pictures comparing the rallys for the cops versus the police in Ferguson. The KKK have served notice they are coming. I personally think this is all a test to see where the American people are really at in terms of democracy. Don't forget all the reporters arrested including the Getty Museum who will probably get a Pulitzer for his photos.

[ulli]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9pr1oE34bIM

@ Jake///You have made up your mind & don't want to change it so you didn't bother to watch the video...No problem...Go ahead and believe the lying MSM..{.If that is what makes you feel better...}

But the truth will get out eventually ....It always does...

I haven't watched MSM in over a decade. Thank you for your permission to believe what I want. The truth that I see does not make me feel better... It hurts to see the truth... I hadn't made up my mind until I opened my eyes to the corruption that is in our neighborhoods... Those of us who choose to turn a blind eye to it have done what 'makes them feel better'...

I watched the vid twice,,, damn guys, if you want to take me to task, I have left the door open. please, at least challenge me without assuming things...

Awesome,,, one good cop.. allegedly... Do you guys want to play this game.. I can show you 10 bad cop vids to every good cop vid. That wouldn't get us anywhere. IMHO, this is a symptom of folks not realizing what has happened to their country, and its protectors...

It is easy for a cop to stand in front of a camera and say pretty things. The proof is in the putting.

Ulli, I am sorry... I don't trust them.. I have NO reason to. Have you ever been beaten by cops and left for dead in a ditch?? Have you ever watched them beat your dad?? Have you been terrorized by cops, covering up crimes against you?? These were all respected cops.

You can tell yourselves that I don't KNOW what I am talking about, if that makes you 'feel' better. I am going off of knowledge and personal experience...

For the record,,, OF COURSE THERE ARE AWESOME COPS THAT ARE WORTHY OF RESPECT...

Though,,, I have not met one..

Jake.

Jake, if I took your logic I would not even be writing to you, since you are a man,
and I had bad things done to me (in my younger years) by men.
To this day I don't quite trust men. I became known for being a "fag hag" because I felt safer around gay men.
And a male cop would be a Man on steroids.
But society is complex, and there aren't enough monasteries and convents left in which to go and hide,
and even they don't guarantee real security.
So what I'm saying is that we all need healing healing healing....
and when that is complete we can get back on our feet and move on,
ready to face a complex world without grudges, but always vigilant to do the right thing at the right moment.

[spiritguide]

We allow the U.S. government to militarize our police departments with DOD funds through the fusion centers which cause these issues. Is the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) got you feeling more secure or is their new enforcement vs. protection training opened your eyes? Address the government corruption at all levels and leave good law abiding people alone. IMO

Peace!

[marlowe]

I've been beaten by cops & I've lost some hearing in my left ear as a result but it did not stop me from being able to look at an event as objectively as possible...

This forum has a staggering liberal bias so I'm going to give some of you a wake up call....but only the forum members curious enough to read ...The rest of you won't dare step out of your liberal comfort zone ..

http://www.colorofcrime.com/colorofcrime2005.html

http://library.flawlesslogic.com/rape.htm

BTW...I am not saying what is happening now with the national guard & riot police id good....It is not..I'm just trying to get the truth out about the lie the MSM is telling .

Have a nice day,,,,respectfully , Phillip Marlowe

[marlowe]

Army admits to their plan to execute black Americans en mass...


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SrVLHRgm1tc

[Oouthere]

I don't see how people cannot believe this is racial incitement. When a witness states she saw him with his hands in the air, his back to the cop, and on his knees while there are zero bullet wounds to indicate such a scenario had taken place...what else would you call it?

Multiple witnesses say he charged the cop, two witnesses were recorded that were chatting attested to this. I simply believe stereo typing works at times, not in all cases by any means but in this one it does. Aggressive and rebellious of authority. Unless you have lived in the black community, it is hard to see how much hatred is held toward whites. That is not a racist statement, simple facts from someone that has observed and been victimized for decades.

[Jake]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9pr1oE34bIM

@ Jake///You have made up your mind & don't want to change it so you didn't bother to watch the video...No problem...Go ahead and believe the lying MSM..{.If that is what makes you feel better...}

But the truth will get out eventually ....It always does...

I haven't watched MSM in over a decade. Thank you for your permission to believe what I want. The truth that I see does not make me feel better... It hurts to see the truth... I hadn't made up my mind until I opened my eyes to the corruption that is in our neighborhoods... Those of us who choose to turn a blind eye to it have done what 'makes them feel better'...

I watched the vid twice,,, damn guys, if you want to take me to task, I have left the door open. please, at least challenge me without assuming things...

Awesome,,, one good cop.. allegedly... Do you guys want to play this game.. I can show you 10 bad cop vids to every good cop vid. That wouldn't get us anywhere. IMHO, this is a symptom of folks not realizing what has happened to their country, and its protectors...

It is easy for a cop to stand in front of a camera and say pretty things. The proof is in the putting.

Ulli, I am sorry... I don't trust them.. I have NO reason to. Have you ever been beaten by cops and left for dead in a ditch?? Have you ever watched them beat your dad?? Have you been terrorized by cops, covering up crimes against you?? These were all respected cops.

You can tell yourselves that I don't KNOW what I am talking about, if that makes you 'feel' better. I am going off of knowledge and personal experience...

For the record,,, OF COURSE THERE ARE AWESOME COPS THAT ARE WORTHY OF RESPECT...

Though,,, I have not met one..

Jake.

Jake, if I took your logic I would not even be writing to you, since you are a man,
and I had bad things done to me (in my younger years) by men.
To this day I don't quite trust men. I became known for being a "fag hag" because I felt safer around gay men.
And a male cop would be a Man on steroids.
But society is complex, and there aren't enough monasteries and convents left in which to go and hide,
and even they don't guarantee real security.
So what I'm saying is that we all need healing healing healing....
and when that is complete we can get back on our feet and move on,
ready to face a complex world without grudges, but always vigilant to do the right thing at the right moment.

Healing, yes, I agree. Broken bones, stitches etc... I have other experiences with cops,,, Had a cop break out a couple of teeth by smashing my face into the porcelain urinal while I was pissing... (no charges pressed btw... just a ****ty cop)
Had to do some healing then too!!

So you've been hurt by men. I am truly sorry for that.. I would stand to defend you if I had the opportunity. You bet yer ass I would!!

Not an accurate analogy, as police have chosen a path of authority, and a responsibility to protect and serve. A special privilege that has been bestowed upon them...

In my lifetime,, I have never met a cop who, even remotely, gives a **** about people!!! I've met manymany cops. I was in jail once over an unpaid ticket,, I was thrown in with rapists, murderers, and all sorts of thugs... Here is the game,,, if you have only a couple of days in jail,,, those who have years will do whatever they can to make you stay longer,, get into a fight, beat you up,, whatever,,, then you are in for longer,,,, then longer,,,,,,,,, then longer. Cops do that to you on purpose,, have you ever thought about that? There is a system that needs feeding here. It is not about the spirit of the law, it is about the letter of the law, and cops are trained to bypass the law in many/most situations.

'he was coming for my gun'. That is Cop BS 101!!!!


I had another cop stop me when I was on a bicycle because I was not wearing a helmet... He pulled out a couple of baggies of white powder and smiled and said, "Which on of you fellows wants to go to jail for possession of methamphetamine?" My friend who was with me started running,, they chased him down and beat him pretty good. I stood there helpless with this asshole cop grinning at me. My friend was arrested on resisting arrest and possession of methamphetamine. I was 'free' to go... Do you see how that works?

Shall I go on??

Many times, folks can recover from an abusive situation... What if the abuse doesn't stop?? I can get away from someone who is abusive. How do we get away from an abusive system.


I am happy for everyone who has had positive experiences with the police. I assure you,,, that is not the norm.

If I were speaking absurdity, I would have brought race into this... But I have not, because it is not about race. I do see it with open eyes.

Most folks cannot believe that a police officer is capable of this level of corruption... I cannot believe that... I have not been given that choice.. My direct experience is completely contrary...

I've gone down a path of forgiveness with police before,,, then was abused again! And Again,, and again..

Different cops, mind you. You cannot tell me that this behavior is not rampant. It can't be just me, Ulli. It simply can't be. When I see people getting choked out and killed, or shot in the streets, I know damn well that it will be me someday!! I hope you all are having different experiences with cops...

I would love for a police officer to be a part of Avalon,,, maybe I could learn from it... The type of person that has to live life with a badge, a gun, and authority over others, probably isn't the type of person to challenge themselves spiritually...

I will get over my anger/rage of cops as soon as I see the injustices come to and end...

I have jaywalked,, I have shoplifted... I am a criminal, right?? I guess nobody will give a damn if I am shot dead in the streets for it.. I asked for it right?

If I were just being absurd,,, I would have chosen a life of crime.. I have already been beat up and falsely arrested. I have done the time,,, why not do the crime... Fortunately, I do not think like this, and I did not choose a life of crime. :) I have an amazing family and lots of support. What is a young kid on the streets supposed to do??? No family or support,, angry, abused?? The people in Ferguson have every right to be angry...

As for the looting,,, why aren't they being arrested? Because they don't actually care about the crimes.. They are bullying protesters and reporters, creating situations that justify brutality and abuse. That is what they are best at.

I feel sorry for a good cop. He is in grave danger, being surrounded by his peers, as he is a gross minority.

I don't go around wearing this crap on my shirt sleeves. This discussion is about the mayhem in Ferguson. I happen to have experience with corruption and abuse regarding cops. My stance is with the people in Ferguson who are tired of the abuse by authorities.

For christs sake,, I was at hempfest this weekend in Seattle and was meditating in some grass. (no I wasn't stoned) But wouldn't ya know,,, 'what r u doing?' and 'move along', and 'sir? sir?' and 'you can't be here, you have to have a permit'. I was ignoring it because I didn't think he was talking to me,, but a dull/firm poke to my chest from a police baton made me open my eyes.. He was not kidding,,,, I had to move along. I had no idea what he meant by permit...


If you don't see it, then that is fine. I see it. Please don't fault me for it.

I would take a beating for any of you... I have learned how..

Love to you all
Jake.

PS Not long ago,, I was illegally kicked out of my home,, my stuff burned while I watched,, the police called on me,,, this cop actually unstrapped his gun and dared me to go for it... no charges pressed btw...

Cheers

[ulli]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9pr1oE34bIM

@ Jake///You have made up your mind & don't want to change it so you didn't bother to watch the video...No problem...Go ahead and believe the lying MSM..{.If that is what makes you feel better...}

But the truth will get out eventually ....It always does...

I haven't watched MSM in over a decade. Thank you for your permission to believe what I want. The truth that I see does not make me feel better... It hurts to see the truth... I hadn't made up my mind until I opened my eyes to the corruption that is in our neighborhoods... Those of us who choose to turn a blind eye to it have done what 'makes them feel better'...

I watched the vid twice,,, damn guys, if you want to take me to task, I have left the door open. please, at least challenge me without assuming things...

Awesome,,, one good cop.. allegedly... Do you guys want to play this game.. I can show you 10 bad cop vids to every good cop vid. That wouldn't get us anywhere. IMHO, this is a symptom of folks not realizing what has happened to their country, and its protectors...

It is easy for a cop to stand in front of a camera and say pretty things. The proof is in the putting.

Ulli, I am sorry... I don't trust them.. I have NO reason to. Have you ever been beaten by cops and left for dead in a ditch?? Have you ever watched them beat your dad?? Have you been terrorized by cops, covering up crimes against you?? These were all respected cops.

You can tell yourselves that I don't KNOW what I am talking about, if that makes you 'feel' better. I am going off of knowledge and personal experience...

For the record,,, OF COURSE THERE ARE AWESOME COPS THAT ARE WORTHY OF RESPECT...

Though,,, I have not met one..

Jake.

Jake, if I took your logic I would not even be writing to you, since you are a man,
and I had bad things done to me (in my younger years) by men.
To this day I don't quite trust men. I became known for being a "fag hag" because I felt safer around gay men.
And a male cop would be a Man on steroids.
But society is complex, and there aren't enough monasteries and convents left in which to go and hide,
and even they don't guarantee real security.
So what I'm saying is that we all need healing healing healing....
and when that is complete we can get back on our feet and move on,
ready to face a complex world without grudges, but always vigilant to do the right thing at the right moment.

Healing, yes, I agree. Broken bones, stitches etc... I have other experiences with cops,,, Had a cop break out a couple of teeth by smashing my face into the porcelain urinal while I was pissing... (no charges pressed btw... just a ****ty cop)
Had to do some healing then too!!

So you've been hurt by men. I am truly sorry for that.. I would stand to defend you if I had the opportunity. You bet yer ass I would!!

Not an accurate analogy, as police have chosen a path of authority, and a responsibility to protect and serve. A special privilege that has been bestowed upon them...

In my lifetime,, I have never met a cop who, even remotely, gives a **** about people!!! I've met manymany cops. I was in jail once over an unpaid ticket,, I was thrown in with rapists, murderers, and all sorts of thugs... Here is the game,,, if you have only a couple of days in jail,,, those who have years will do whatever they can to make you stay longer,, get into a fight, beat you up,, whatever,,, then you are in for longer,,,, then longer,,,,,,,,, then longer. Cops do that to you on purpose,, have you ever thought about that? There is a system that needs feeding here. It is not about the spirit of the law, it is about the letter of the law, and cops are trained to bypass the law in many/most situations.

'he was coming for my gun'. That is Cop BS 101!!!!


I had another cop stop me when I was on a bicycle because I was not wearing a helmet... He pulled out a couple of baggies of white powder and smiled and said, "Which on of you fellows wants to go to jail for possession of methamphetamine?" My friend who was with me started running,, they chased him down and beat him pretty good. I stood there helpless with this asshole cop grinning at me. My friend was arrested on resisting arrest and possession of methamphetamine. I was 'free' to go... Do you see how that works?

Shall I go on??

Many times, folks can recover from an abusive situation... What if the abuse doesn't stop?? I can get away from someone who is abusive. How do we get away from an abusive system.


I am happy for everyone who has had positive experiences with the police. I assure you,,, that is not the norm.

If I were speaking absurdity, I would have brought race into this... But I have not, because it is not about race. I do see it with open eyes.

Most folks cannot believe that a police officer is capable of this level of corruption... I cannot believe that... I have not been given that choice.. My direct experience is completely contrary...

I've gone down a path of forgiveness with police before,,, then was abused again! And Again,, and again..

Different cops, mind you. You cannot tell me that this behavior is not rampant. It can't be just me, Ulli. It simply can't be. When I see people getting choked out and killed, or shot in the streets, I know damn well that it will be me someday!! I hope you all are having different experiences with cops...

I would love for a police officer to be a part of Avalon,,, maybe I could learn from it... The type of person that has to live life with a badge, a gun, and authority over others, probably isn't the type of person to challenge themselves spiritually...

I will get over my anger/rage of cops as soon as I see the injustices come to and end...

I have jaywalked,, I have shoplifted... I am a criminal, right?? I guess nobody will give a damn if I am shot dead in the streets for it.. I asked for it right?

If I were just being absurd,,, I would have chosen a life of crime.. I have already been beat up and falsely arrested. I have done the time,,, why not do the crime... Fortunately, I do not think like this, and I did not choose a life of crime. :) I have an amazing family and lots of support. What is a young kid on the streets supposed to do??? No family or support,, angry, abused?? The people in Ferguson have every right to be angry...

As for the looting,,, why aren't they being arrested? Because they don't actually care about the crimes.. They are bullying protesters and reporters, creating situations that justify brutality and abuse. That is what they are best at.

I feel sorry for a good cop. He is in grave danger, being surrounded by his peers, as he is a gross minority.

I don't go around wearing this crap on my shirt sleeves. This discussion is about the mayhem in Ferguson. I happen to have experience with corruption and abuse regarding cops. My stance is with the people in Ferguson who are tired of the abuse by authorities.

For christs sake,, I was at hempfest this weekend in Seattle and was meditating in some grass. (no I wasn't stoned) But wouldn't ya know,,, 'what r u doing?' and 'move along', and 'sir? sir?' and 'you can't be here, you have to have a permit'. I was ignoring it because I didn't think he was talking to me,, but a dull/firm poke to my chest from a police baton made me open my eyes.. He was not kidding,,,, I had to move along. I had no idea what he meant by permit...


If you don't see it, then that is fine. I see it. Please don't fault me for it.

I would take a beating for any of you... I have learned how..

Love to you all
Jake.

PS Not long ago,, I was illegally kicked out of my home,, my stuff burned while I watched,, the police called on me,,, this cop actually unstrapped his gun and dared me to go for it... no charges pressed btw...

Cheers

Wow, what can I say, Jake? My first thought on reading the above was 'No wonder he became a master at OBEs.' Who wants that kind of a life?

Then my second thought was that perhaps your attitude, to take beatings on behalf of other people, was the cause of those events.

Perhaps some innocent people are safe, because of you?

[Jake]

Damnit... I am crying... Thank you. I will go now, and heal...

Love to you,
Jake.

[ulli]

Me too.Crying is healing.

http://the-syrian.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/laugh-cry.jpg

[marlowe]

Police officer Darren Wilson suffered "orbital blowout fracture " during encounter with the "gentile giant" Michael Brown...

http://www.thegatewaypundit.com/2014/08/breaking-report-po-darren-wilson-suffered-orbital-blowout-fracture-to-eye-socket-during-encounter-with-mike-brown/


This is a shocker. I thought he was just cruising around looking for innocent black people to shoot.:confused: [ sarcasm emoticon goes here }

[panopticon]

I have not read any comments above. I don't know if they are about the video Marlow presented in this thread.

This post is going to be simple. I have spent the last 7 hours critiquing the Stefan Molyneux video line by line, inflection by inflection.

The fact that it was said to be something akin to definitive proof of Wilson's innocence and Brown's guilt not just once but repeatedly over the last 24 hours forced me to do a complete analysis. Unfortunately I did not watch it through first as I took Marlow's word that it was as stated and having heard some of Stefan's recordings a number of years ago he seemed a fairly rational anarcho-capitalist (or whatever the new trendy word is for them now).

Unfortunately I have completely wasted 7 hours going on 8 hours.

There is no definitive proof in that video. There is only conjecture and innuendo reliant on hearsay "evidence" and an audio recording that is almost inaudible.

Everything, and I mean everything, that was included in that video I have mentioned in this thread.

Some of it is useful, others not so.

None of it exonerates Wilson and no matter how many times and how many ways Stefan words his statements and changes inflection/emphasis that point remains the same.

Take the video footage of the alleged "robbery" committed by Brown. Stefan sped up the section I talk about so he could get to the pushing of the clerk. That's what he's after. African American thug threatening a poor defenceless shop clerk.

He might as well have done what the MSM did and edit that bit out all together...

From my notes:


I do not believe that there is conclusive evidence that Brown was stealing with intent. What I saw was a man at a counter who was talking to the clerk and got a box of something that he passed to his friend who was standing behind him. Then something may have been said (possibly “have you got some ID” but it could have been anything -- we wont know until/if the clerk is called to testify) that led Brown to reach across and grab another box or two of cigars. Then another verbal conversation occurs and Brown & Dorian both put at least one box each back on the counter. Brown had dropped a box and picked it up. It possible that at this stage the clerk said something “smart” (maybe something innocuous like "are you sure you can reach that" but it maybe something else all together) so Brown picks up the cigar box that had fallen on the floor and just starts to walk out. The clerk rushes around the counter realising he’s been a dick and Brown tells him to piss off. The clerk gets shoved and Brown leaves. Then someone inside the store (presumably a customer because it wasn't a staff member) called the police. The impression I got was that the store clerk wasn't going to bother about it until the police arrived at which time it may have appeared all too late.

Then there's the audio from the video Stefan uses. Luckily I back everything up because the video Stefan used for his analysis is a bit difficult to find now. Here is the audio Stefan is referring to:
http://apanopticview.drivehq.com/misc/EyeWitnessMichaelBrownShootingShort.mp3

From my notes:


So the audio says that Brown ran away from the police vehicle and the officer got out of the vehicle, ran after Brown and started shooting. There is no mention of a warning shout or warning shot(s). Then Brown turned back towards the officer who was chasing him. Now hold on a second here. Imagine you have just been accosted by a police officer. You are running for you life. You stop and turn with your arms raised and the officer continues to fire. What do you do? I don’t know because it’s never happened to me. I also don’t know if the person heard can be trusted as a witness. Is the person speaking saying what they hope others want to hear? I don’t know and I think Stefan is drawing too much from this single hard to hear audio fragment. I thought it before when others mentioned it a few days ago and I still do.

Why, after the shooting, is Wilson allegedly videoed (http://www.mirror.co.uk/news/world-news/michael-brown-shooting-harrowing-video-4072685) walking up and down next to the body? I don’t get the entire police procedure here. It is all very strange.


Stefan spends an incredible amount of time in character assassination in this video. Almost 10% is saying what a bad person Brown is and that: "he was going off the rails"... How does he know that? Oh and: "he seemed to have posted a few days before he died about, [pause for dramatic effect] if I leave this world kind of thing. We have a young man going off the rails and he goes off the rails"...

Poppycock. We've got a teenager who watches videos that others his age in the area probably do and listen/writing music for the same reason.

Notes:

@11:30 we get to learn that Michael Brown had a potential career as a hip-hop artist. Cool. Nothing unusual given his environment. I'm sorry but that does not mean that he was not a gentle giant. It speaks more to Stefan’s problems than “Big Mikes”.

Truthfully, seeing a middle aged white guy vocalise gangster is a little unsettling. One of my step sons would have been rolling around laughing as he loves that style of music, a beer or twenty and used to have the occasional spliff (until they changed the testing). (Un)fortunately he’s off managing the mechanical shop @ a mine site in North West WA so I’ll have to send him an edit just of that part.
It’ll trip him and his mates. :)

Musical interlude to describe how ridiculous this is (it feels very Monty Python but I am sleep deprived):

zAlNrtcPCLw

Notes:

Um, some of the videos I watch would get me classified by Stefan as what exactly? Judging someone on their leisure activities is just a bit pathetic there Stefan and so far nothing actually concrete that says “Wilson acted in self defence” (which is the only reason acceptable for at least 6 bullets being fired -- remember we don’t know how many missed)...

My brother in law (sisters husband) used to do street fighting for money. One of my step son’s (not the one I've already mentioned) does cage fighting for relaxation & exercise. They are both very gentle people out of the ring who are self confident. Neither have ever been in trouble with the law and both have children who they love deeply. My brother in law has never drunk alcohol in his life and rides a kick-arse bike and my step-son is a truck driver and Maori-Nyoongar. They know when it is appropriate to be violent and when it isn't. If attacked they would defend themselves. They would never fight an individual outside of these events unless they were being attacked (which has never happened).

Stefan is profiling from ignorance.


Notes:

“Now what could we say about Michael Brown's... I guess we could say friend... Dorian Johnson”...

"I guess we could say friend"?

I guess we could say, but I actually think that was up to them and all apparent evidence seems to point that way. Why say it like that? It casts aspersion and makes the listener’s subconscious mind think of alternatives to friend (“assistant”, “off-sider” or the classic “accomplice”). I posted Dorian’s original statement from the night of the shooting as soon as I came across it (post 6 in this thread (http://projectavalon.net/forum4/showthread.php?73733-Mayhem-in-Missouri-Breaks-Out&p=863613&viewfull=1#post863613)) so the comments about the police statement hold little water. For those who may not be aware if being interviewed by police any attorney worth their salt will only direct their client to answer questions that directly relate to the event. Anything else is not relevant -- including that the clerk at a store was rude to them and they left without paying for $50 worth of cigars.

For those without a clue please see post 76 in this thread (http://projectavalon.net/forum4/showthread.php?73733-Mayhem-in-Missouri-Breaks-Out&p=865283&viewfull=1#post865283) for information from 2 professionals as to why this is the case.

Notice how Stefan looks really pleased at saying that Dorian had been arrested 3 years prior for theft. He even emphasises the word “theft”. Was Dorian convicted for the theft of a back pack? Did the back pack contain anything? What is the story of the back pack that Stefan is so happy about? Let’s see if we find out… Nope. He was released. What does Stefan say? “So, not a good job Mr Police People” with a giant smug grin on his face…

So after all that preparation we now get a run down of the story again.

Will Stefan tell us our new truth?

Now we hear the story I related in a previous post about the friend of a friends testimony.

This is hearsay at best and inadmissible. To say that it is "supporting evidence" is a bit iffy there Stefan


There are so many other pearls in Stefan's Murdoch worthy tabloid like hatchet job that it starts to get a bit confusing where the information starts and his self promoting rhetoric begins:


He then goes on to say almost exactly what I've said about the “robbery” just without the alternative narrative. I wont draw a conclusion without evidence. Actual evidence. Not a story from someones friend of the neighbours dogs previous owners veterinarians sister… But hard cold facts.

Stefan knows he’s on thin ice which is why he keeps reminding people that he may be wrong…

At the 26:00 minute mark we’re going through the events again!!! Nothing like a bit of reinforcement… I've noticed how every time it gets retold there is more certainty in the telling. Not a huge surprise that the viewer at the end feels comfortable with this being “fact”. So, after Stefan had just finished saying that the robbery was not a violent act, now it is again. Startling. Then Stefan again tells us Brown was probably stoned (but we wont know for 6 weeks). He then says that "it’s hard to understand that his decision making could be that bad if he wasn't [on a substance]." Well I said above how it didn't look that different to any number of instances where a cocky shop assistant gets told to piss off. Why Stefan doesn't see that possibility I don't know. Maybe it just didn't occur to him.

Then Stefan goes on to say that Brown's judgement must have been impaired because only someone who has impaired judgement would be walking down the middle of the road after doing a robbery. Well, if he didn't view he’d done anything wrong he might well have been walking down the middle of the road. So, there are at least 2 options just there. Guess mine doesn't fit Stefan’s narrative though.

Next Stefan says “he assaulted the cop”.

Well according to a few witnesses (including the bloke who shot him) he did…
The story about the injuries needs to be confirmed. We don’t know there were.

Again, Stefan is gambling. He may be right but he is gambling never the less. From this he says “so, he assaulted the cop” he’s ignoring the eyewitnesses who said that Wilson tried to pull Brown into the vehicle. That would not be “assaulting a cop” would it? Defending yourself from assault by an agent of the State is suddenly assault?

What sort of anarchist are you Stefan? Seem like a fairly compliant one to me…


Finally this was the straw that really pissed me off.

I can not tell you how annoyed I was when I heard this rubbish:


He just said @32:00: ‘we can not rush to judgement as yet, innocent until proven guilty is a foundation of anglo-saxon law and blacks have been around Western culture long enough to really understand this’.

Nah, I was being polite, but that’s just plain bigotry.

His opinions mean less than nothing to me.

He is actually entering into a series of misinformed stereotypes that have very little basis in reality. His entire profiling and framing of this makes sense now.

There is a thing called oppression Stefan, obviously you didn't learn about while doing your European History MA. At least you make good use of your acting skills now.
[...]
There are a lot of studies into sub-cultures that include rap music as part of their research. Me thinks Stefan has not looked very hard, or maybe the studies haven’t fitted into his view of the world… Try ‘Rap On Trial’ (Kubrin & Nielsen 2014 DOI: 10.1177/2153368714525411). Because I'm an actual anarchist here's (http://www.researchgate.net/publication/260021352_Rap_on_Trial/file/e0b4952f18c98c4170.docx) a copy to read.

No, rap does not lead to violence. There is no correlation. It is the culture that breeds the lyrics and reinforces the stereotypes that Stefan is spouting. That is why some rappers are trying to reverse that trend by trying to change the lyrics/stereotypes around misogyny (as a start) to alter the culture. Whether they will be successful is anybodies guess. Given the social/cultural capital within their social fields that these individuals have I reckon there is a reasonable chance.

Stefan is simplifying the complex for a sound bite. Running for parliament is he?

Oh look. A white man is now lecturing the black “community” on how to be better citizens. He’s lecturing people to have 2 parent families. He’s saying don’t spank your children. Now he’s saying get married so your kids aren't born out of wedlock.

Nation-State worship, that's all this is.

Now it’s the welfare states fault and that the places that are in decay the most are in the control of the left/progressives. It would be laughable if it wasn't so bloody twisted and nasty.

The decay of society is due to health care reform? Idgit.

Stefan’s rhetoric has changed a lot since I last heard him mumbling away years ago.

He’s lost touch with what an anarchist is and moved into some neoconservative fantasy land.

Happens periodically with some anarcho-capitalists.

It's the negotiation of decentralised organisations within a capitalist ideology. No matter how often it gets pointed out it just gets misunderstood. You can not have decentralised control. It is an oxymoron. To think there can be ignores everything we know about power relations within the social context. To direct people to marry is a travesty. It is their choice, how dare he put his opinions/values onto others. Some of the other points made me audibly groan.

So sad.

Well I'm not glad that I critiqued that "presentation".

Now I shall get some sleep and if it gets posted yet again in this thread or misrepresented as truth then I shall ignore it.

Stefan may be correct but he is gambling big because the podcast market is tight.

The more extravagant his claims the wider his potential audience and from that merchandise etc.

Marlow, if you comment on this please make sense and not a line of text so you can repost that video again.

This thread is about the after effect of the shooting of Brown by Wilson.

It is not about the shooting.

Stefan's hypothesis has nothing to do with this threads content as it is almost exclusively about the shooting itself.

Please read the thread if you want to talk about something, I do enjoy a chat about something I'm researching which is why I've done my usual work in a thread for a change. However, as you well know, simply reposting the same video over and over again is trolling and against the forum guidelines (which I am loathed to point out for obvious reasons however within all loose co-operative groups there are always guidelines of appropriate behaviour as dictated through collaboration by the individuals themselves -- of course the Moderators, Admins and our Host have judicial power which is agreed to by us on our acceptance of participation -- I love a good anarchist co-op me).

Sleep is good. :yawn:

-- Pan

[RunningDeer]

Another Police Shooting Near Ferguson, Mo
iAm7hOcxarg

Published on Aug 19, 2014

St. Louis police shot another African-American not too far from Ferguson, Mo. and there's no doubt police will use this to justify a stronger police state, as Kit Daniels reports.

Reports from a couple of sites:

St. Louis Cop Shooting (http://www.ibtimes.com/st-louis-cop-shooting-1-dead-near-ferguson-missouri-police-involved-incident-1663060): 1 Dead Near Ferguson, Missouri, In Police-Involved Incident

UPDATE 3:42 a.m. EDT: Dotson said more than one officer fired their guns at the suspect. He said the cops were placed on administrative duty "per department policy.”


Man shot and killed by St. Louis police near Ferguson (http://q13fox.com/2014/08/19/another-officer-involved-shooting-in-st-louis-near-ferguson/)

ST. LOUIS — St. Louis police shot and killed a young African-American man Tuesday after authorities say he brandished a knife.
The shooting took place not far from Ferguson, Missouri, where the death of black teenager Michael Brown by a white police officer has touched off violent protests.

“The suspect, who right now is described as a 23-year-old African-American, was acting erratically — walking back and forth up and down the street,” St. Louis Police Chief Sam Dotson told reporters.

“As officers arrived, the suspect turned towards the officers and started to walk towards them clutching his waistband. He then pulled out a knife … and told the officers, ‘Shoot me now. Kill me now,'” the chief said.

Responding officers told the man, repeatedly, to stop and drop his knife, Dotson said. He continued to approach, coming within about four feet of one of the officers, Dotson said, adding that both officers then fired their weapons, striking the suspect.

According to the St. Louis police chief, the suspect was involved in an incident earlier in the day at a convenience store, where he is accused of walking out with two energy drinks and a package of pastries without paying.

Asked about whether he was concerned Tuesday’s shooting could inflame passions further in nearby Ferguson, Dotson talked about the importance of officer safety.

“If you’re the family of a police officer and somebody approaches you within three feet with a knife, I think you have the right to defend yourself and protect yourself. So I think it certainly is reasonable that an officer has an expectation to go home at the end of the night,” he said.

[jagman]

This is such a horrible tradgey. My heart goes out to the Brown family.
It just keeps getting worse by the day. The Race Hustlers are out in force.
The police using heavy handed tactics.Outside influences causing trouble.
IMO The peaceful protesters are caught in the middle!

I can already see where this is all going. Having spent 5 years of my life working
in Law Enforcement, Officer Darren Wilson Broke the rules of the Use of Force Contiuum.
Mike Brown was a big young man but he was not armed when he was shot. He was
actually 35 ft away from Officer Wilson when he began firing. The proper protocol
for this would have been for officer Wilson to use his Oc pepper spray and or baton
to gain control of this situation.
I really dont see a conviction coming in this case,Unless the charges are for manslaughter
because Darren Wilson attorney wil say that Mike Brown was such a large powerful young man
and he already tried to grab for the officers gun once and he had no other choice but to use
deadly force and they will use the Video of the robbery to back up their case.
I'm not saying that this is right.I'm just telling you all where this is going.
Riots from Coast to Coast.This is so sad IMO.

[Ahnung-quay]

On these shootings, whatever happened to shooting a suspect or someone advancing with a weapon, as in this case, in the leg to bring them down?

The second victim appears to have been at the end of his rope for some reason. Perhaps he was being mind-controlled? Jagman is right, it's not hard to see where this is going.

[Mark]

No it is not. All the pretty new toys law-enforcement has received from the military are on display and yes, Jag, the protesters are caught in the middle.

The underlying societal issues, this powder-keg, is the reason for the season, as ever.

When people's lives reach such a state of desperation that all they can do is cry out to others in any way possible, a tipping point has been reached. But it is one that has been coming for a long time.

http://www.truth-out.org/progressivepicks/item/25658-henry-a-giroux-on-the-violence-of-organized-forgetting

Discussing his new book, Henry A. Giroux argues that what unites racist killings, loss of privacy, the surveillance state's rise, the increasing corporatization of US institutions and growing poverty and inequality "is a growing threat of authoritarianism - or what might be otherwise called totalitarianism with elections."

Victoria Harper: Your new book has a very provocative and suggestive title: The Violence of Organized Forgetting. How does the title work as an organizing idea for the book?

Henry A. Giroux: We live in a historical moment when memory, if not critical thought itself, is either under attack or is being devalued and undermined by a number of forces in American society. Historical memory has become dangerous today because it offers the promise of lost legacies of resistance, moments in history when the social contract was taken seriously (however impaired), and when a variety of social movements emerged that called for a rethinking of what democracy meant and how it might be defined in the interest of economic and social justice.

Fear, privatization and depoliticization are the organizing principles of American society at the current moment.

Including violence and organized forgetting in the title was meant to signal how mainstream politics devalues reason, dissent and critique, and the formative culture and institutions that support these crucial moments of thinking, agency and collective struggle necessary for a democracy. It also registers how dominant regimes of power have resorted to a culture of fear, state repression and the militarization of large parts of the society in order to enforce a state of terror, conformity and privatization. Violence signals the state's complicity in creating a culture that is utterly commodified and privatized, one in which the obligations of citizenship are reduced to pursuing narrow individual interests and the demands of consumerism. How we define ourselves as Americans has a deeply historical character and to the degree that this history is impoverished, any viable notion of agency, justice, education and democracy is devalued.

Fear, privatization and depoliticization are the organizing principles of American society at the current moment and as such the defunding of critical public spheres such as schools is matched by forms of state repression that link education to purely instrumental interests, at least for most young people. The social and political cleansing of history, memory and thought itself is in essence a part of a larger attack on dissent, critical thinking, engaged agency and collective struggles. Purging dissent and public memory not only promotes among young people retreat from the public realm, it also empties out politics. As the public collapses into the private, injustices are viewed as a nuisance that interfere with private interests. Believing in a cause gives way to the quest to get ahead, while matters of social and civic responsibility disappear in a self-absorbed culture of narcissism, narrow individualism and privatization.

What we are discovering and what the book attempts to map out in a number of chapters is how the attack on history, witnessing and critique breeds anti-democratic horrors including what my colleague, David L. Clark, terms "the wars against thought, and the flirtations with irrationality that lie at the heart of the triumph of every-day aggression, the withering of political life, and the withdrawal into private obsessions." This may be one reason why we are seeing such an upsurge of violence against black youth, college protesters, and those who have been part of the now quiet Occupy movement. Young people have become the chief object of oppression and punitive social policies because they represent the most promising group for reclaiming memory as a central political issue and using elements of the past to rethink a future very different from the one we now occupy. This may be one reason the state is attempting to depoliticize young people through the onslaught of a consumer culture, the burden of extreme debt, and other social policies and survivalist pedagogies that lower their expectations while keeping them too busy to be able to address the political and social issues that underlie what it means to be young in a suspect society.

Victoria Harper: What do you mean by "Thinking Beyond America's Disimagination Machine," the subtitle of your book?

Henry A. Giroux: Borrowing from and modifying Georges Didi-Huberman's use of the term, "disimagination machine," I argue that the politics of disimagination refers to images, institutions, discourses and other modes of representation, that undermine the capacity of individuals to bear witness to a different and critical sense of remembering, agency, ethics and collective resistance. The "disimagination machine" is both a set of cultural apparatuses extending from schools and mainstream media to the new sites of screen culture and a public pedagogy that functions primarily to weaken the ability of individuals to think critically, imagine the unimaginable, and engage in thoughtful and critical dialogue. Put simply, for them to become critically informed citizens of the world.

At the same time, the cultural apparatuses of the mainstream media disavow critical issues by producing news and modes of popular culture that constitute an echo chamber for dominant class and financial interests along with the production of a celebrity culture and spectacles of violence that trivialize everything they touch.

The concept of the disimagination machine signals a new and powerful moment in how authority depoliticizes, privatizes and infantilizes Americans. It narrows the expanding circle of moral conscience, undercuts the radical imagination and imposes on society the regressive morality of neoliberalism. The machinery of disimagination does not constitute a new form of social control that relies on colonizing subjectivity through the use of education in various sites to shape the identities, desires, values, modes of identification and subjectivities of Americans in the interest of social control as much as it suggests more intensive and reconfigured attempts, aided by the new digital technologies, to generate a culture of mass forgetfulness, obedience and conformity.

As all aspects of American life are transformed into a war zone, the state employs the mechanics and practices of a disimagination machine coupled with state terrorism. For instance, public schools are being privatized and militarized while higher education is being turned into a training ground for all but the elite in order to service corporate interests and power.

At the same time, the cultural apparatuses of the mainstream media disavow critical issues by producing news and modes of popular culture that constitute an echo chamber for dominant class and financial interests along with the production of a celebrity culture and spectacles of violence that trivialize everything they touch.

Moreover, these structural and symbolic mechanisms function increasingly in a digital world in which communication exhibits little respect for contemplation, critical dialogue or informed judgment. Speed and an overabundance of information replace the time to think, just as being alone in privatized orbits of digitized technospheres constitutes a derailed notion of community.

The collective sense of ethical imagination and social responsibility towards those who are vulnerable or in need of care has been increasingly viewed as a scourge or pathology.

In the broader society, entertainment is the new mode of education with its delivery of instant stimulation, excitement, gratification, and escape from the world of social and political responsibility while broader notions of education harness peoples' subjectivities to the narrow values of a market-driven society. In school, pedagogies of repression wage war on the critical and imaginative capacities of students. Under such circumstances, the disimagination machine represents a constellation of symbolic and institutional forces that attempts to shut down the possibility of critical thought and social agency.

The disimagination machine combines Orwell's notion of state terror through a culture of fear, violence and surveillance with, as Bill Moyers put it, Huxley's notion of"people genetically designed to be regimented into total social conformity and subservient to the group think of the one percent [who] could easily have walked right out of Huxley and straight into Roger Ailes' Fox News playbook or Rush Limbaugh's studio." There is more at stake here than limited political horizons, as David Graeber has suggested. What is also put up for grabs is the notion of subjectivity in a neoliberal age along with its deracinated view of agency and struggle.

Victoria Harper: The concept of disposability plays a central role in your book. Can you explain what it means, why it is new, and how it tends to manifest itself?

Henry A. Giroux: Since the late 1970s, American society has been transformed in ways that point to the abandonment of liberal democracy and the welfare state while social policies have been promulgated that egregiously serve the interest of global markets. Within this period during which the liberal market gave way to a punitive form of casino capitalism or, as some call it, neoliberalism, the collective sense of ethical imagination and social responsibility towards those who are vulnerable or in need of care has been increasingly viewed as a scourge or pathology. One consequence is that within this new historical conjuncture, the practice of disposability expands to include more and more individuals and groups who have been considered redundant, consigned to zones of abandonment, surveillance and mass incarceration.

The discourse of disposability points to and makes visible expanding zones of exclusion and invisibility incorporating more and more individuals and groups that were once seen as crucial to sustaining public life.

Disposability is no longer the exception but the norm. As the reach of disposability has broadened to include a range of groups extending from college youth and poor minorities to the unemployed and members of the middle class who have lost their homes in the financial crisis of 2007, a shift in the radicalness and reach of the machinery of disposability constitutes, as I argue in the book, not only a new mode of authoritarian politics, but also demands a new political vocabulary for understanding how the social contract has virtually disappeared while the mechanisms of expulsion, disposability and state violence have become more integrated and menacing.
We live in a new era of neoliberal savagery. Life has become cheap, emptied of its integrity and worth and reduced to the metrics of profit and a ruthless form of market fundamentalism. America occupies a historical moment characterized by market genocide - a time in which entire populations are considered disposable, left on their own to barely survive or die. Refusing Medicaid expansion by right-wing politicians such as Rick Perry is only one example of the death march at the heart of the politics of disposability and the culture of cruelty.

Citizens are now reduced to data, potential terrorists, consumers and commodities and as such inhabit identities in which they become increasingly, as I say in the book, drawing on João Biehl words, "unknowables, with no human rights and with no one accountable for their condition." Within this machinery of social death, not only does moral blindness prevail on the part of the financial elite, but the inner worlds of the oppressed are constantly being remade under the force of economic pressures and a culture of fear, while their lives resemble the walking dead - discarded individuals who remain invisible and unaccounted for in the dominant discourse of politics, rights and civic morality. The discourse of disposability points to and makes visible expanding zones of exclusion and invisibility incorporating more and more individuals and groups that were once seen as crucial to sustaining public life.
What we are witnessing in the United States is the legacy of slavery and the criminalization of people of color reasserting itself in a society in which justice has been willingly and aggressively replaced by racial injustice.

As we have seen with the brutalizing racist killing of black youth, including the most recent death of 18-year-old Michael Brown, disposability targets specific individuals and social spaces as sites of danger, violence, humiliation and terror. This is most evident in the rise of a brutal punishing-incarceration state that imposes its racial and class-based power on the dispossessed, the emergence of a surveillance state that spies on and suppresses dissenters, the emergence of vast cultural apparatuses that colonize subjectivity in the interests of the market, and a political class that is uninterested in political concessions and appears immune from control by nation-states.

The politics of disposability is central to my book because it makes clear the mechanisms of a more brutal form of authoritarianism driven by what psychologist Robert Jay Lifton rightly calls a "death-saturated age" in which matters of violence, survival and trauma infuse everyday life. Discarded by the corporate state, dispossessed of social provisions, and deprived of the economic, political and social conditions that enable viable and critical modes of agency, expanding populations of Americans now find themselves inhabiting zones of abandonment. These zones of hardship and terminal exclusion constitute a hallmark signature and intensification of a neoliberal politics of disposability that is relentless in the material and symbolic violence it wages against the 99 percent for the benefit of the new financial elite. What has become clear is that capitalist expropriation, dispossession and disinvestment have reached a point where life has become completely unbearable for over half of the American public living in or near poverty. As I have said on the pages of Truthout, evidence of such zones can be seen in the war against immigrants, poor minorities, the homeless, young people living in debt, the long term unemployed, workers, the declining middle class, all of whom have been pushed into invisible communities of control, harassment, security, and the governing through punishment complex.

Victoria Harper: The drift toward authoritarianism is a central theme in your book. How would you describe the authoritarianism?

Henry A. Giroux: In my book, I focus on the ways in which the commanding institutions in the United States have been taken over by powerful corporate interests, the financial elite, and right-wing extremists whose strangulating control over politics renders democracy corrupt and dysfunctional - producing what might be called a neoliberal spectacle of misery and a culture of cruelty. Social Darwinism is the value system that drives casino capitalism in the United States. It is an ethic dominated by a war against all ethos which celebrates a radical individualism, extreme forms of competitiveness, engages in a culture of cruelty, and separates actions from moral considerations. It is a poisonous system of power, control and fear that views politics as an extension of war. In essence America has devolved into a society that not only violates civil liberties, wages a war against unions, school teachers, women, youth and social activists, but has inhabited a sphere of militarism that increasingly resembles a form of domestic terrorism. Again, this is amplified in the presence of a giant and wasteful war machine and in the ongoing militarization of local police forces who now assume the mantle of robo-SWAT teams, more willing to reduce policing to forms of high-powered assaults rather than dialogue, negotiation and thoughtful investigations. Not only has society become more militarized, but everyone is now treated as a criminal or potential terrorist. As I point out throughout the book, the contours of the authoritarian state become highly visible in the way in which, as Chase Madar observes, a wide range of behaviors are now criminalized and the way in which "police power has entered the DNA of social policy, turning just about every sphere of American life into a police matter."

The United States has dethroned any viable notion of politics committed to the promise of a sustainable democracy. We have given up on the notion of the common good, social justice and equality that has been replaced by the crude discourses of commerce and militarization.

The militarization of local police forces combined with the larger intensified barbaric expressions of racism, especially the rise of the mass incarceration state and the racist comments so freely uttered by right-wing politicians and right-wing media, fuel a deadly mix for black youth that normalizes the wanton killing of African-Americans and reinforces the impunity with which it is done. Nurtured by what Karen Garcia calls a "lifetime of consumption of violence-as-entertainment," images of expanding war zones come to life vividly in cities such as Ferguson, Missouri where surplus military weaponry is now used by the police against African-American youth and others marginalized by race and class in ways that make visible how the wars abroad have come home and how weapons of war when combined with a hyper-masculinity of brooding, resentful and confused white men leads to violence in the streets. It is hard to disagree with a growing consensus that what we are witnessing in the United States is the legacy of slavery and the criminalization of people of color reasserting itself in a society in which justice has been willingly and aggressively replaced by racial injustice. And it is precisely this militarization that informs my book about the growing dangers of authoritarianism in America. Racist killings, the loss of privacy, the rise of the surveillance state, the growing poverty and inequality, and the increasing corporatization of the commanding institutions of the United States point to something more than civil unrest, spying, racism and other specific anti-democratic issues. What is truly at work here and unites all of these disparate issues is a growing threat of authoritarianism - or what might be otherwise called totalitarianism with elections.

This new mode of authoritarianism mimics a form of terrorism because it abstracts economics from ethics and social costs, makes a mockery of democracy, works to dismantle the welfare state, thrives on violence, undermines any public sphere not governed by market values and transforms people into commodities. American society's rigid emphasis on unfettered individualism, competitiveness and flexibility displaces compassion, sharing and a concern for the welfare of others. In doing so, it dissolves crucial social bonds, weakens public trust and undermines the profound nature of social responsibility and its ensuing concern for others. In removing individuals from broader social obligations, it not only tears up social solidarities, it also promotes a kind of individual and collective psychosis that is pathological in its disdain for public goods, community, social provisions and public values. As Hannah Arendt argued, we live in a time of absolute meaninglessness, which is the foundation of absolute evil, all of which produces a monstrous form of politics. Of course, this monstrous politics is revealed not only in savage social policies and attacks on the poor, public servants, women and young people, but also in the inability of American society to react to the suffering of others. Put differently, the United States has dethroned any viable notion of politics committed to the promise of a sustainable democracy. We have given up on the notion of the common good, social justice and equality that has been replaced by the crude discourses of commerce and militarization.

The new authoritarianism represents a mix of a widespread culture of fear, privatization and consumer fantasies, along with a systemic effort to dismantle the welfare state and increase the power of the corporate and financial elite. Ideologically, the new authoritarianism works hard to instrumentalize knowledge, disparage reason, thoughtfulness, complexity and critical dialogue - and in doing so, contributes to a culture of stupidity and cruelty in which the dominant ethic is organized around the discourse of war and a survival of the fittest mentality. Market sovereignty has replaced political sovereignty as the state is almost entirely corporatized - representing the antithesis of democracy. The consequences of anti-democratic tendencies are everywhere in American society. Deregulation, privatization, atomization and commodification now rule American institutions turning over the commanding heights of power to mega corporations, the defense industry and ideological fundamentalists. America is a hugely rich country marked by massive poverty, inequality in wealth and income, and a political system controlled by big money. Its cultural apparatuses are controlled by mega corporations and its political system is now largely controlled by the apostles of finance and militarism. One consequence is the coupling of a market-induced form of depoliticization with a deep-rooted cynicism. In this instance, the seeds of authoritarianism can be found in the disappearance of politics, that is, in the elimination of the conditions that create civic agents who are thoughtful, critical, ethically responsible and imbued with a spirit of civic courage. The latter are not conditions that are valued in a society in which a war is waged on women's reproductive rights, civil liberties, immigrants, voting rights and health care, along with the gleeful promotion of widening inequalities in wealth and income. As Slavoj Zizek points out, the link between capitalism and democracy is broken and in its place is the emergence of an America that is on the brink of a very dark historical period in which the winds of authoritarianism are posed to destroy all remnants of a claim to equality, justice and democracy.

Victoria Harper: The last chapter of your book deals with hope. Why is hope so central to your writings and the book itself?

Henry A. Giroux: Hope gets a bad rap across diverse ideological lines. This is especially true in an age of crippling cynicism, precarity, uncertainty and mass-produced fear. Yet, educated hope matters because it points to the possibility of rethinking not only politics, but matters of agency, struggle and the future itself. Hope is a crucial element for energizing the radical imagination, one that allows people to repudiate and see through the manufactured cynicism that so well serves the new authoritarianism with its myriad of political, religious and cultural fundamentalisms. Yet, hope must be tempered by the complex reality of the times and viewed as a project and condition for providing a sense of collective agency, opposition, political imagination and engaged participation. It must be rooted in acknowledging the reality and the power of the ideological and structural forces that provide the foundation for authoritarian regimes. Hope, in this instance, breaks through the normalization of common sense as well as those educative dimensions of dominant culture that are used to legitimate an oppressive society and the oppressive forces that shape everyday life.

Power is never completely on the side of domination and resistance is not a luxury, but a necessity.

Without hope, even in the most dire of times, there is no possibility for resistance, dissent and struggle. Furthermore, agency is the condition of struggle, and hope is the prerequisite of all modes of critically engaged agency. Hope expands the space of the possible, and becomes a way of recognizing and naming the incomplete nature of the present while providing the foundation for informed action. Throughout The Violence of Organized Forgetting, I connect the issue of educated hope to the need to imagine the public as a site of possibility, one that harbors a trace of what it means to both defend those public spaces where dissent can be produced, public values asserted, dialogue made meaningful, and opposition can be developed against the view that critical thought is an act of stupidity or irrelevant.As I have argued in my book and in Truthout, one cannot be on the side of democratic ideas, causes and movements and at the same time surrender to the normalization of a dystopian vision. Authoritarianism does not just breed conformity and cynicism; it relies on the death of hope to reproduce its dominant ideologies and practices while depoliticizing young people and others who should care about the fate of democracy. There is no room for romanticizing hope in Disney-like fashion. One has to demand the impossible in order to recognize the limits of what we are told is only possible. Hope as a form of anti-hope is connected not simply to inventing the future as a repeat of the present, but also normalizing the machineries of violence and oppression. This means that there is no room for a kind of romanticized utopianism. Instead, one has to be motivated by a faith in the willingness of young people principally and others to fight for a future in which dignity, equality and justice matter and at the same time recognize the forces that are preventing such a struggle from taking place. More specifically, hope has to be fed by the need for education and collective action.

As I have argued in the book, power is never completely on the side of domination and resistance is not a luxury, but a necessity. In the present historical moment, hope needs to be tied to a politics that takes education seriously - that is, a politics for which matters of consciousness and agency mutually inform each other as part of a broader struggle for justice, freedom and equality. This means that hope moves from an abstraction to creating the foundation for moving people to address the issue of economic inequality, the racist system and mass incarceration state, the sordid gap in equality of wealth and income and the politics of disposability - while building social movements that address the totality of power and oppression. This means taking seriously what it means to change the way people think while developing a comprehensive notion of politics, vision and struggle to match.

[marlowe]

This is such a horrible tradgey. My heart goes out to the Brown family.
It just keeps getting worse by the day. The Race Hustlers are out in force.
The police using heavy handed tactics.Outside influences causing trouble.
IMO The peaceful protesters are caught in the middle!

I can already see where this is all going. Having spent 5 years of my life working
in Law Enforcement, Officer Darren Wilson Broke the rules of the Use of Force Contiuum.
Mike Brown was a big young man but he was not armed when he was shot. He was
actually 35 ft away from Officer Wilson when he began firing. The proper protocol
for this would have been for officer Wilson to use his O2 pepper spray and or baton
to gain control of this situation.
I really dont see a conviction coming in this case,Unless the charges are for manslaughter
because Darren Wilson attorney wil say that Mike Brown was such a large powerful young man
and he already tried to grab for the officers gun once and he had no other choice but to use
deadly force and they will use the Video of the robbery to back up their case.
I'm not saying that this is right.I'm just telling you all where this is going.
Riots from Coast to Coast.This is so sad IMO.

@ Jagman......So you are agreeing with what the MSM is saying?

I don't believe the MSM's story because I know how to weigh evidence....

So do you think Darren Wilson's eye socket fracture injury is fake ?

[jagman]

This is such a horrible tradgey. My heart goes out to the Brown family.
It just keeps getting worse by the day. The Race Hustlers are out in force.
The police using heavy handed tactics.Outside influences causing trouble.
IMO The peaceful protesters are caught in the middle!

I can already see where this is all going. Having spent 5 years of my life working
in Law Enforcement, Officer Darren Wilson Broke the rules of the Use of Force Contiuum.
Mike Brown was a big young man but he was not armed when he was shot. He was
actually 35 ft away from Officer Wilson when he began firing. The proper protocol
for this would have been for officer Wilson to use his O2 pepper spray and or baton
to gain control of this situation.
I really dont see a conviction coming in this case,Unless the charges are for manslaughter
because Darren Wilson attorney wil say that Mike Brown was such a large powerful young man
and he already tried to grab for the officers gun once and he had no other choice but to use
deadly force and they will use the Video of the robbery to back up their case.
I'm not saying that this is right.I'm just telling you all where this is going.
Riots from Coast to Coast.This is so sad IMO.

@ Jagman......So you are agreeing with what the MSM is saying?

I don't believe the MSM's story because I know how to weigh evidence....

So do you think Darren Wilson's eye socket fracture injury is fake ?

I believe he punched officer Wilson but that still doesnt change the fact that
officer Wilson broke the rules in the Use of Force Continuum.
Mike Brown was unarmed. Although he was out matched physically officer
Wilson chose to go directly to Deadly force when he had other tools at his
disposal!Case closed. That has nothing to do with the MSM.All sides agree
with the fact that he chose deadly force when he had pepper spray and he
had a flashlight and probably a pr24 and he also had a radio which he should have used to call for back up. Mike Brown did have some copability but did
he deserve to die? IMO No he didnt! He was a young man that did something
really stupid but most of us have done really stupid things when we were kids.
Atleast I know I did.

Here is a pic of a PR24
It is a very effective weapon when used in trained hands.

[Ahnung-quay]

O.K., explain to me why nine or ten days after the shooting of Michael Brown, we are just being made aware that officer Wilson has an orbital blowout fracture? Would this not have been information that should have been read in an initial statement that should have been given by the county sheriff or the city mayor immediately following the incident?

How are we to know, nine or ten days later, that officer Wilson suffered this injury from this incident? Someone else could have beat him up afterward out of anger for improper use of force. It's not outside the realm of possibility. This thing gets more rotten by the minute.

[Referee]

This is where my thoughts are right now...

tJfvE74UPT0

[Snowflower]

Why does Marlowe continue to refer solely to MSM? It seems odd, given the venue - Avalon readers are certainly not known for watching MSM, eh?

If M. brown had indeed attacked D. Wilson badly enough to fracture an eye bone, that fact would have been headline news on Day 1. It wasn't, so I don't believe it. Manufactured evidence: something cops do quite well.

[Ahnung-quay]

Or, maybe officer Wilson got drunk and fell down his stairs, nine or ten days later....

[Ahnung-quay]

I heard a partial interview of this man today on public radio. He had a similar experience to what has been experienced by Michael Brown's family.

http://www.politico.com/magazine/story/2014/08/what-i-did-after-police-killed-my-son-110038.html


After police in Kenosha, Wis., shot my 21-year-old son to death outside his house ten years ago — and then immediately cleared themselves of all wrongdoing — an African-American man approached me and said: “If they can shoot a white boy like a dog, imagine what we’ve been going through.”

I could imagine it all too easily, just as the rest of the country has been seeing it all too clearly in the terrible images coming from Ferguson, Mo., in the aftermath of the killing of Michael Brown. On Friday, after a week of angry protests, the police in Ferguson finally identified the officer implicated in Brown's shooting, although the circumstances still remain unclear.

I have known the name of the policeman who killed my son, Michael, for ten years. And he is still working on the force in Kenosha.

Yes, there is good reason to think that many of these unjustifiable homicides by police across the country are racially motivated. But there is a lot more than that going on here. Our country is simply not paying enough attention to the terrible lack of accountability of police departments and the way it affects all of us—regardless of race or ethnicity. Because if a blond-haired, blue-eyed boy — that was my son, Michael — can be shot in the head under a street light with his hands cuffed behind his back, in front of five eyewitnesses (including his mother and sister), and his father was a retired Air Force lieutenant colonel who flew in three wars for his country — that’s me — and I still couldn’t get anything done about it, then Joe the plumber and Javier the roofer aren’t going to be able to do anything about it either.

Read more at link above.

[panopticon]

A moment of clarity from the MSM:

ygyjZZTqahA
-- Pan

Here's an interesting article from 18th in the Independent (tweets at bottom reference some of the things I was about police intimidation & racial profiling of media):
Michael Brown shooting: Amnesty International sends team within US for first time as National Guard deployed (http://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/americas/michael-brown-shooting-amnesty-international-sends-team-within-us-for-first-time-as-national-guard-deployed-9675149.html)

[panopticon]

This is such a horrible tradgey. My heart goes out to the Brown family.
It just keeps getting worse by the day. The Race Hustlers are out in force.
The police using heavy handed tactics.Outside influences causing trouble.
IMO The peaceful protesters are caught in the middle!

I can already see where this is all going. Having spent 5 years of my life working
in Law Enforcement, Officer Darren Wilson Broke the rules of the Use of Force Contiuum.
Mike Brown was a big young man but he was not armed when he was shot. He was
actually 35 ft away from Officer Wilson when he began firing. The proper protocol
for this would have been for officer Wilson to use his Oc pepper spray and or baton
to gain control of this situation.
I really dont see a conviction coming in this case,Unless the charges are for manslaughter
because Darren Wilson attorney wil say that Mike Brown was such a large powerful young man
and he already tried to grab for the officers gun once and he had no other choice but to use
deadly force and they will use the Video of the robbery to back up their case.
I'm not saying that this is right.I'm just telling you all where this is going.
Riots from Coast to Coast.This is so sad IMO.

G'day Jagman,

I agree and I think that only in hindsight will we be able to work out some of the reasons (there will be a lot of them) for this containment strategies rationale.

If you don't mind there are a couple of things I might ask you because I don't understand the US system very well.

How often would an officer be the only occupant of a vehicle while on duty?
I notice in the most recent shooting in St Louis with the knife wielding individual that there were 2 officers.

How hard would it be for someone to get an officers gun from them while they are in their vehicle as in this case and in that struggle move the safety (I know this is largely dependent on the situation but I'm interest in your input on that)?

Is there not extensive use of tasers in the US (or am I mistaken on that)?

Is there a legal obligation for police to display their name, badge etc while on duty and give that information upon request?

Just curious as an observer not familiar with the details of the US system.

-- Pan

BTW I just had a random thought about whether this was a prep for war. Don't know where that came from... My thoughts are also for the Foley family on their recent loss.

[Rich]

Friend told me a German policeman he knows fired a warning shot into the air cause there was a fight or something he got into so much trouble for it he had to change his job. This shows the difference in mentality.

[panopticon]

So this is supposed to be calming the situation down?

More like incitement (11:55 PM Tuesday 19th August):

3AFia3Uo0TQ
I'm sensing some strange priorities here...

Protect McDonald's at all cost or is this a game of pass the burger?

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/Bvc8CCcIcAAOMys.jpg

Captain Johnson's press conference after last night:
Capt. Johnson holds early morning press conference in Ferguson (http://www.kmov.com/video/featured-videos/Press-conference-held-early-Wednesday-morning-in-Ferguson-271970251.html)

[avid]

source (http://theconservativetreehouse.com/2014/08/19/breaking-report-dorian-johnson-recants-media-statement-tells-authorities-big-mike-did-try-for-officers-gun-acquittal-probable/)

*UPDATE* St. Louis Media REPORT – Dorian Johnson Recants Media Statement ? – Tells Authorities “Big Mike” Did Try For Officers Gun – Grand Jury Charges “Unlikely”… *UPDATE* – But Special Prosecutor Might Be Assigned Anyway

also

also Michael Brown Broke Cop’s Face (Video) Breaking Report! Officer Darren Wilson Suffered “Orbital Blowout Fracture to Eye Socket” During Mike Brown Attack


Makes all this trouble look completely out of proportion, and wrongly reported. The protesters have now been made to look idiotic....!



Dorian Johnson, Mike Brown's friend, recants statement. Says Mike DID attack Police Officer.
A local Saint Louis radio station is reporting that Dorian Johnson has recanted his prior media espousals and now asserts that he and Mike Brown did indeed engage in a physical confrontation with Officer Darren Wilson. As a consequence the same Radio Station is asserting the local prosecutor essentially advises it’s doubtful charges would be filed. The Radio Station report is screen capped below:
source (http://teapartyorg.ning.com/forum/topics/dorian-johnson-mike-brown-s-friend-recants-statement-says-mike-di)

[panopticon]

So, if this report is accurate, and there is evidence released that backs up this statement, then it appears that the police response was well and truly out of proportion.

If they had reported facts in the beginning then there would not have been the back lash.

This reinforces my hypothesis of an Ikea Containment Strategy being dropped in to see how this particular strategy would play out "in the wild".

Interesting because the press was just starting to side with the protesters and the police charges that were going on couldn't have been sustained without being obvious.

Time shall tell how this play out.

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/Bvdkbz7IMAA3z9W.jpg

-- Pan

[seeker/reader]

source (http://theconservativetreehouse.com/2014/08/19/breaking-report-dorian-johnson-recants-media-statement-tells-authorities-big-mike-did-try-for-officers-gun-acquittal-probable/)

*UPDATE* St. Louis Media REPORT – Dorian Johnson Recants Media Statement ? – Tells Authorities “Big Mike” Did Try For Officers Gun – Grand Jury Charges “Unlikely”… *UPDATE* – But Special Prosecutor Might Be Assigned Anyway

also

also Michael Brown Broke Cop’s Face (Video) Breaking Report! Officer Darren Wilson Suffered “Orbital Blowout Fracture to Eye Socket” During Mike Brown Attack


Makes all this trouble look completely out of proportion, and wrongly reported. The protesters have now been made to look idiotic....!



Dorian Johnson, Mike Brown's friend, recants statement. Says Mike DID attack Police Officer.
A local Saint Louis radio station is reporting that Dorian Johnson has recanted his prior media espousals and now asserts that he and Mike Brown did indeed engage in a physical confrontation with Officer Darren Wilson. As a consequence the same Radio Station is asserting the local prosecutor essentially advises it’s doubtful charges would be filed. The Radio Station report is screen capped below:
source (http://teapartyorg.ning.com/forum/topics/dorian-johnson-mike-brown-s-friend-recants-statement-says-mike-di)

The source of your report shows a link to the Tea Party . Org. The Tea Party is the fringe of the right-wing political party of the US. Anything they would have to say would have a high potential of being biased.

[Snowflower]

I wonder who among Dorian's loved ones they targeted for pain or death unless he changed his story - if he did.

[seeker/reader]

source (http://theconservativetreehouse.com/2014/08/19/breaking-report-dorian-johnson-recants-media-statement-tells-authorities-big-mike-did-try-for-officers-gun-acquittal-probable/)

*UPDATE* St. Louis Media REPORT – Dorian Johnson Recants Media Statement ? – Tells Authorities “Big Mike” Did Try For Officers Gun – Grand Jury Charges “Unlikely”… *UPDATE* – But Special Prosecutor Might Be Assigned Anyway

also

also Michael Brown Broke Cop’s Face (Video) Breaking Report! Officer Darren Wilson Suffered “Orbital Blowout Fracture to Eye Socket” During Mike Brown Attack


Makes all this trouble look completely out of proportion, and wrongly reported. The protesters have now been made to look idiotic....!



Dorian Johnson, Mike Brown's friend, recants statement. Says Mike DID attack Police Officer.
A local Saint Louis radio station is reporting that Dorian Johnson has recanted his prior media espousals and now asserts that he and Mike Brown did indeed engage in a physical confrontation with Officer Darren Wilson. As a consequence the same Radio Station is asserting the local prosecutor essentially advises it’s doubtful charges would be filed. The Radio Station report is screen capped below:
source (http://teapartyorg.ning.com/forum/topics/dorian-johnson-mike-brown-s-friend-recants-statement-says-mike-di)

The source of your report shows a link to the Tea Party . Org. The Tea Party is the fringe of the right-wing political party of the US. Anything they would have to say would have a high potential of being biased.


Who is this "St. Louis Media REPORT" that they are referring to? There is a link that referenced a local radio show called The Viper 100.7. Is this the St. Louis media they refer to? If you go to their webpage there is noting about a recant.
http://viperrocks.com/

The local St. Louis newspaper, The St. Louis Post Dispatch has nothing regarding a recant. Here is their complete coverage webpage. http://www.stltoday.com/news/special-reports/michael-brown/#utm_source=stltoday.com&utm_campaign=hot-topics-2&utm_medium=direct

[marlowe]

Let's get a few things straight.....
[1] Dorian Johnson has a criminal record & is a few years older than Mike Brown.

[2] Dorian was with Brown when they stole the box of cigars from the shop.

[3] Dorian's original statement omitted the theft of the cigars . [ he was covering up from the get go.}
[4] Dorian Johnson was the only witness that was selling the false story that Brown had his hands raised when he was shot by Wilson.

[5] All the other witnesses are saying Brown charged Officer Darren Wilson and Brown was finally stopped dead in his tracks a few feet from Wilson.
[6] 4 of Wilson's bullets hit Brown's arm .Wilson's eye socket fracture could explain why his shots were off center....Or maybe he was hoping Brown would stop if he were only wounded....
[7] Dorian Johnson had every reason to make a false statement but when he realized he was not credible he recanted ......

Do the math ....Connect the dots ......Look at this realistically ....

[panopticon]

Who is this "St. Louis Media REPORT" that they are referring to? There is a link that referenced a local radio show called The Viper 100.7. Is this the St. Louis media they refer to? If you go to their webpage there is noting about a recant.
http://viperrocks.com/

The local St. Louis newspaper, The St. Louis Post Dispatch has nothing regarding a recant. Here is their complete coverage webpage. http://www.stltoday.com/news/special-reports/michael-brown/#utm_source=stltoday.com&utm_campaign=hot-topics-2&utm_medium=direct

Yeah, I saw all that as well.

The only reference I could find was a report on the 100.7 FM Facebook page here (https://www.facebook.com/1007TheViper?hc_location=timeline).

I'm wondering if that makes any difference? Darian wasn't the only eyewitness so even if he changes his story it doesn't make that much difference.

I am a tad confused because of Piaget Crenshaw and Tiffany Mitchell's eye-witness reports. Particularly Crenshaw where she mentions it is Wilson walking around near Brown's body:

advkpZIuq2U
lHIukuLYgls
I'm highly sceptical of any report where an eye witness changes their story and that alteration contradicts other eye-witnesses.

There have also been multiple reports of a "dozen witnesses" who say they saw something different but I've not seen any testimony from these people.

At the moment the story is in flux and I have no idea which way this is going to head.

-- Pan

[Jake]

Realistic?? This is the reality... I'll not make another bloody comment here... Watch this vid,,, THIS IS THE REALITY!!!


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8zbR824FKpU
The other cops had to drag this bastard away before he opened fire on THE PRESS!!!!! This is the reality. This is what I have been talking about... Officer 'go **** yourself' must reaaaaally impress some folks here!!!

Hey,, did Good cops stop reporters from getting murdured??? I believe so!!!! (love to you Ulli.)

And love to all the good folks in law enforcement.

Jake.

[marlowe]

@ pan, jake ,snowflower et al.......The case you are trying to make is crumbling

as I type this...... & in a few more days few will believe your side of the story....

But I'm sure you will keep posting impossible scenarios that "support" your thesis

Dorian Johnson's recant will be confirmed and then what will you come up with ?

The MSM is still saying Oswald shot JFK, Sirhan shot RFK , Ray shot MLK , and 9'11 was done by Muslims with box cutters.....AND Darren Wilson shot Mike Brown

as he was on his knees with his hands in the air.....Good Luck with that....

You cannot believe the initial reports of MSM.....

[seeker/reader]

Let's get a few things straight.....
[1] Dorian Johnson has a criminal record & is a few years older than Mike Brown.

[2] Dorian was with Brown when they stole the box of cigars from the shop.

[3] Dorian's original statement omitted the theft of the cigars . [ he was covering up from the get go.}
[4] Dorian Johnson was the only witness that was selling the false story that Brown had his hands raised when he was shot by Wilson.

[5] All the other witnesses are saying Brown charged Officer Darren Wilson and Brown was finally stopped dead in his tracks a few feet from Wilson.
[6] 4 of Wilson's bullets hit Brown's arm .Wilson's eye socket fracture could explain why his shots were off center....Or maybe he was hoping Brown would stop if he were only wounded....
[7] Dorian Johnson had every reason to make a false statement but when he realized he was not credible he recanted ......

Do the math ....Connect the dots ......Look at this realistically ....

Here is another eyewitness that says Michael's hands were up and he was standing still when he was shot. http://on.msnbc.com/1nUExkx Her interview was given on 8/14, before the autopsy was released.

[panopticon]

Let's get a few things straight.....
[1] Dorian Johnson has a criminal record & is a few years older than Mike Brown.

[2] Dorian was with Brown when they stole the box of cigars from the shop.

[3] Dorian's original statement omitted the theft of the cigars . [ he was covering up from the get go.}
[4] Dorian Johnson was the only witness that was selling the false story that Brown had his hands raised when he was shot by Wilson.

[5] All the other witnesses are saying Brown charged Officer Darren Wilson and Brown was finally stopped dead in his tracks a few feet from Wilson.
[6] 4 of Wilson's bullets hit Brown's arm .Wilson's eye socket fracture could explain why his shots were off center....Or maybe he was hoping Brown would stop if he were only wounded....
[7] Dorian Johnson had every reason to make a false statement but when he realized he was not credible he recanted ......

Do the math ....Connect the dots ......Look at this realistically ....
G'day Marlowe,

Good ta hear from ya again bloke.

Let's get a few things straight.....
Righto then...


[1] Dorian Johnson has a criminal record & is a few years older than Mike Brown.
The criminal record you refer to is for being arrested with a back pack but no criminal charges were laid (there is an outstanding warrant but that is not an indication of guilt). We know nothing about the case involving the back pack nor the reason that he was released without charge.


[2] Dorian was with Brown when they stole the box of cigars from the shop.

Ok. Your point is what? Guilt by association?
In the video you can clearly see Dorian put the cigars he'd been handed back on the counter. No guilt there. He did nothing other than leave the store before his mate.


[3] Dorian's original statement omitted the theft of the cigars . [ he was covering up from the get go.}
Again this tired old "covering up" rhetoric.
If the officers had asked him about the cigars then he would have said something. That is what he and his lawyers both said. It is obvious to me that you are very trusting of persons in power and while I respect your right to do that there is ample evidence that it is possibly not the best approach to take.

From an earlier post of mine in this thread:

Just a quick reminder. I've posted these before but it's always good to remind people of certain things.

These are 2 really good talks about why you shouldn't talk to the police - ever.

The first presentation is from a professor at Regent Law School (former defence lawyer) while the second is from Officer George Bruch talking about how he got people to confess etc.

They are fairly US specific (though similar things apply in the UK & Oz) so bear that in mind (ie find information specific to your circumstances).

Anyway, for those who haven't seen these before, watch and learn...

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08fZQWjDVKE



[4] Dorian Johnson was the only witness that was selling the false story that Brown had his hands raised when he was shot by Wilson.
Please see post above.


[5] All the other witnesses are saying Brown charged Officer Darren Wilson and Brown was finally stopped dead in his tracks a few feet from Wilson.
Please see my post above.


[6] 4 of Wilson's bullets hit Brown's arm .Wilson's eye socket fracture could explain why his shots were off center....Or maybe he was hoping Brown would stop if he were only wounded....
The eye socket damage is not visible in the video above. I don't doubt that he has sustained an injury but there is no way of knowing how that injury was sustained. Conjecture and inference is not usable.


[7] Dorian Johnson had every reason to make a false statement but when he realized he was not credible he recanted .....
I have only seen the one report so far of a recant. It is possible that he has had pressure placed on him by authorities or that something else has led to him altering his report if he has.
In addition what was it that Dorian did wrong exactly that gave him every reason to make a false statement? Please riddle me that.


Do the math ....Connect the dots ......Look at this realistically ....
I believe I have been. It is you who have repeatedly come back with the same video declaring it as truth and then repeated the same allegation that were so amateurish in Stefan's racially vilifying "report" that it was laughable.

I encourage you to "do the maths" Marlowe and crawl out from the shadows into the light.

-- Pan

[panopticon]

@ pan, jake ,snowflower et al.......The case you are trying to make is crumbling

as I type this...... & in a few more days few will believe your side of the story....

But I'm sure you will keep posting impossible scenarios that "support" your thesis

Dorian Johnson's recant will be confirmed and then what will you come up with ?

The MSM is still saying Oswald shot JFK, Sirhan shot RFK , Ray shot MLK , and 9'11 was done by Muslims with box cutters.....AND Darren Wilson shot Mike Brown

as he was on his knees with his hands in the air.....Good Luck with that....

You cannot believe the initial reports of MSM.....

G'day Marlowe again.

You seem to be under the impression that I am wedded to the idea that Brown was on the ground kneeling and was shot execution style by Wilson.

I am not.

I am following the information as it comes to light.

More importantly I am looking into the way the containment strategy was implemented in Ferguson which is what my participation in this thread has been about.

You can spout Stefan's gambit all you like, he could be right who knows (he's the one gambling after all).

I am, and have been since the beginning of this thread, following the data.

That is one thing I do.

Guess that's kind of like "doing the math" ain't it. :)

-- Pan

[Jake]

Phil, I haven't taken sides. I clearly stated that we have no way of knowing what happened,, and to take sides would be a bit naïve... Did ya not pick up on that?? YOU, are the one who is desperately trying to prove a single side of this story... You keep bringing up MSM... Why are you watching that crap. Nobody here does. Your entire thesis is assumption,, so is the other side. You'd be wise to realize it.

This is what we know... M. Brown shot many times, twice in the head, and left dead in the street... crime?? UNKNOWN!!!

This is what we also know,,, You are going to support it, no matter what... Crumbling? Is your goal to win a debate, or to get to the truth??

Awesome to have you here, Phil
Jake.

[panopticon]

Enhanced image of person identified by Piaget Crenshaw as Darren Wilson standing over Michael Brown's body after the shooting:

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/BvfLVKACcAASfNw.jpg

Why is he standing over the body of the person he shot?

Just as a reminder here's a link to the news conference given by Captain Ron Johnson (it has some amazing statements that just contradict the reports of media):
http://www.kmov.com/video/featured-videos/Press-conference-held-early-Wednesday-morning-in-Ferguson-271970251.html

-- Pan

[marlowe]

for the record...I am certain TPTB are glad this shooting happened.....

& they used it to stir up as much antagonism in the black community as possible.

IMO they would like this stuff to happen all over the USA so they can instigate martial law....

Although I do not believe the shooting was murder I would not put it past TPTB

to actually start murdering blacks in other parts of the USA in order to bring in

martial law....
I've have pretty much said what I wanted to say...I read the MSM newspapers every day in order to see what the lies of the day are and how the MSM is spinning the lies....

Have a nice day...... http://library.flawlesslogic.com/rape.htm
http://www.colorofcrime.com/colorofcrime2005.html

marlowe:plane:

[panopticon]

Police to Al Jazeera journalist near Ferguson: 'I'll bust your head' (http://america.aljazeera.com/watch/shows/america-tonight/articles/2014/8/18/police-to-al-jazeerajournalistinfergusonillbustyourass.html)
by Aaron Ernst August 19, 2014

http://america.aljazeera.com/content/dam/ajam/images/shows/AmericaTonight/08/fergcops1.jpg

Producer Aaron Ernst looks back on an encounter with local police near Ferguson that almost led to his arrest

ST. LOUIS – It’s not every day that a police officer tells you he’s going to bust your head open.

The most exasperating thing about almost being arrested near Ferguson, Mo., for doing my job as a journalist – reporting on tensions among citizens and law enforcement here – was my complete inability to fight back against what was an obvious abuse of police authority.

The incident began on Thursday night when Jung Park, America Tonight’s director of photography, anchor Joie Chen and I hopped in a taxi to interview Umar Lee, a cab driver and columnist who knows the racial history of north St. Louis County, which has become the focus of worldwide media attention.

As we drove near Ferguson’s border with the neighboring town of Kinloch, JP was recording Lee, while I was recording Joie. When the interview was over, we got out of the cab to record a shot of it driving by.

Two Kinloch officers in a patrol car stopped and asked what we were doing. I identified JP and myself as a cameraman and producer working for Al Jazeera America for the show America Tonight. The officer who was driving told us to leave the area. When we asked why, he only said that it wasn’t safe to be there and we had to leave. Puzzled, we got in the cab and did as requested. A little further down the road, we saw a sign that JP wanted to shoot for our story, so we stopped and again got out.

The same officers, who had been following our car, pulled up and joined us in the street. Lee got out and asked the officers what was wrong.

To be totally clear, we were on a public street. It was not blocked off and other cars occasionally passed. No curfew was in effect.

[Video included in original article (http://america.aljazeera.com/watch/shows/america-tonight/articles/2014/8/18/police-to-al-jazeerajournalistinfergusonillbustyourass.html)]

Here is a transcript of our most interesting exchanges:

Officer 1: You’ve got your choice: that way or my way.

Lee: We’re in the city of Ferguson, officer.

Officer 1: No, you are not.

Officer 2: You’re still in us. (sic)

Officer 1: You’re still in Kinloch. Don’t feed me no bullsh*t. [Pointing to me] Take it that way.

Lee: What’s the problem, officer?

Officer 1: What’s the problem? What do you think the problem is?

Lee: I don’t know. What’s the problem?

Officer 1: Take them out of here. This is not an area where you’re supposed to be right now.

Lee: Why not? Who cannot be in Kinloch?

Officer 1: I tell you what. Take them out of here.

Lee: What did we do wrong?

Officer 1: I’m not saying you did anything wrong, I’m saying that I don’t want you here at this time of night.

After Lee asked the officer for his name, which he refused to divulge, the officer threatened to tow the cab for illegal parking. And then, he turned to us.

JP: I need to shoot the sign.

Officer 1 [To JP]: You don’t need to shoot nothing. Take a hike.

JP: No, I need to shoot the sign for our story.

Officer 1: [To me] You need to take a hike.

Me: We need to shoot the sign first.

Officer 1: No, you don’t.

Me: Yeah, we do.

Officer 1: No, you don’t. You come back when it’s daylight.

Me: Sir could you …

Officer 1: Did you hear what I said? … You want to go, we’ll go.

At this point, the officer approached me and grabbed my wrist.

Officer 1 [Holding my arm]: Don’t resist. I’ll bust your ass. I’ll bust your head right here.

Me: [To JP] Are you filming this?

Officer 1: Film it! I don’t give a sh*t. Because you’ll go, and I’ll sure confiscate your film for evidence.

JP: No, what I’m saying is …

Officer 1: I’m asking you to leave!

Officer 2: Go now, or you get locked up!

Officer 1: That’s it.


The officer eventually dropped my arm, and we got in the cab and left. I was mostly bemused by the encounter. Why would an officer so blatantly threaten a journalist for doing his job while cameras were rolling?

But the more I thought about it, the more the encounter seemed emblematic, albeit on a vastly smaller and, by comparison, almost insignificant scale, of the dynamics we’re reporting on in Ferguson.

The vast majority of the officers I met around St. Louis were doing the best they could in a difficult and dangerous situation. But the type of officer that we encountered – one who uses his authority to bully the public and press, simply because he is protected by the law and a gun – gives others a bad name. That kind of police impunity seems to be at the root of the anger and protests we witnessed.

In our case, the result was a minor inconvenience. But for many African-Americans living in neighborhoods heavily patrolled by police, the stakes of an encounter with officers who abuse their authority without fear of reprimand have proven to be much more deadly. Until such officers are held to account, the dynamics of the protests in Ferguson and across the country are unlikely to change anytime soon.

Source (http://america.aljazeera.com/watch/shows/america-tonight/articles/2014/8/18/police-to-al-jazeerajournalistinfergusonillbustyourass.html)

[panopticon]

CNN host: Nat. Guard said 'you never know' what 'n*ggers' are going to do

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Original article on Wilson having a fractured eye socket:
BREAKING REPORT: Officer Darren Wilson Suffered “Orbital Blowout Fracture to Eye Socket” During Mike Brown Attack (http://www.thegatewaypundit.com/2014/08/breaking-report-po-darren-wilson-suffered-orbital-blowout-fracture-to-eye-socket-during-encounter-with-mike-brown/) | the Gateway Pundit

Countering analysis of article:
Jim Hoft’s Unsourced Claim That Officer Darren Wilson Had an “Orbital Blowout Fracture of the Eye Socket” (http://littlegreenfootballs.com/article/43751_Jim_Hofts_Unsourced_Claim_That_Officer_Darren_Wilson_Had_an_Orbital_Blowout_Fracture_of_the_Ey e_Socket)

Without an authentic image of Wilson's x-ray/cat-scan it's only hearsay so depends on whether the reader wants to believe the author & sources or not.

As I said previously, I'm not really fluent in the US system of control so some of the things I ask I assume everyone in the US already knows and are rolling their eyes and cringing. Is the National Guard that was called in by Nixon the Army National Guard? It's just I came across the U.S. Army Techniques Publication 3-39.33: Civil Disturbances (https://publicintelligence.net/usarmy-civil-disturbances/) which was released on August 15, 2014 (the day before the National Guard was called in by Nixon).
It says:

ATP 3-39.33 applies to Active Army, Army National Guard/Army National Guard of the United States, and U.S. Army Reserve unless otherwise stated.
I don't know if it's relevant but it certainly covers everything that has been going on in Ferguson (including when force is permissible) and shows how NG formations etc work during 'civil disturbances'. It's pretty comprehensive.


-- Pan

[marlowe]

Some people lock their mind when they think they know the truth...

When this story broke 12 days ago I believed the lie told by Dorian Johnson...

But as more details came out I unlocked my mind and began evaluating the new evidence.....I didn't start bending the laws of logic to make the story conform to

what I originally thought was the truth.....:first:

[avid]

Google this news (https://www.google.com/search?q=dorian+johnson&num=50&source=lnt&tbs=qdr%3Ah&sa=X&ei=OIH0U_rQEtSsyAS8ooHYCw&ved=0CBYQpwU&biw=1536&bih=847#q=%22dorian+johnson%22&tbs=qdr:h) about Dorian Johnson

and make up your own minds - we are being manipulated by the MSM. We are being 'set-up' by the same media. I do believe that the perpetrator was an aggressive, hopefully not on drugs, but had just robbed a store, was a large person challenging a police officer who had to defend himself, was injured, tried to shoot low to defend, and thereafter it's history. The myth of 'hands-up' is a MSM false flag. The 'news' got it before the police??? I really believe this is a huge set-up to provoke unrest in communities, and to disarm the constitution of the USA. If these poor folk who are protesting are so gullible - they need to be made aware asap! Otherwise - they will subject themselves to martial law - which will spread to other areas of the USA, and playing into the hands of the Subjugators.

Praying this won't happen and folk calm down asap!

[Jake]

Some people lock their mind when they think they know the truth...

When this story broke 12 days ago I believed the lie told by Dorian Johnson...

But as more details came out I unlocked my mind and began evaluating the new evidence.....I didn't start bending the laws of logic to make the story conform to

what I originally thought was the truth.....:first:

Thank you for the brave, revealing admission about locking your mind when you think you know the truth. It all started by believing a lie!! Good on ya!

I had a complete breakthrough, regarding much inner anger and rage because of cops.. I humbled myself to great truth,, You cannot make any assumptions about me, brother. I embrace truth as it comes. I don't simply 'google' it,, then pretend I am better for it, unless I am willing to consider ALL sides of the issue. That's what we are trying to do...

Please don't project your reality onto the rest of us,,, by admission, YOU are the one who believed a lie..

Your entire argument is a he said/she said circular trap.. I don't know if you realize it or not.

The entire community of Ferguson did not become unhinged because of a single incident... This was the breaking point of a community who has seen and experienced much abuse from the police and the system they protect. There is a history of abuse that has been completely ignored in America.

Cops in the streets with automatic weapons in the faces of reporters,, telling them, "I'm going to ****ing kill you!!" Brilliant!!

I suppose that is perfectly valid to you, that is fine... If this is the case, you should probably hold off on lecturing folks about bending the rules of logic to support their pre-conclusions, it is a bit hypocritical, imho.

Just a humble opinion
Jake.

[panopticon]

HOLDER HEADS TO FERGUSON AFTER SUBDUED PROTESTS (http://bigstory.ap.org/article/latest-ferguson-protests-are-smaller-more-subdued)
By Jim Suhr, August 20th, 2014

http://binaryapi.ap.org/31e2a87bd39e4c79afb15845c29d543d/460x.jpg

Police begin arresting dozens of protesters on West Florissant Avenue after they refused to leave the area and some began throwing objects at officers in Ferguson, Mo. early Wednesday, Aug. 20, 2014. On Aug. 9, 2014, a white police officer fatally shot Michael Brown, an unarmed black 18-year old, in the St. Louis suburb. (AP Photo/Atlanta Journal-Constitution, Curtis Compton)

CLAYTON, Mo. (AP) — As U.S. Attorney General Eric Holder arrived in Missouri on Wednesday, a small group of protesters gathered outside the building where a grand jury could begin hearing evidence to determine whether a Ferguson police officer who shot 18-year-old Michael Brown should be charged in his death.

Outside the St. Louis County Justice Center in Clayton, where the grand jury was expected to convene, two dozen protesters gathered in a circle for a prayer, chanted, and held signs urging prosecutor Bob McCulloch to step aside. Nearly two dozen officers guarded the building's main entrance, which also was blocked off with yellow police tape.

McCulloch's deep family connections to police have been cited by some black leaders who question his ability to be impartial in the case of Darren Wilson — the white officer who fatally shot the unarmed Brown on Aug. 9. McCulloch's father, mother, brother, uncle and cousin all worked for the St. Louis Police Department, and his father was killed while responding to a call involving a black suspect.

The prosecutor, who is white, has insisted his background will have no bearing on the handling of the Brown case, which has touched off days of rancorous nighttime protests during which authorities used tear gas and rubber bullets to clear the streets of the St. Louis suburb where he was killed.

The protests were more subdued Tuesday night, with smaller crowds, fewer confrontations and no tear gas. Police said they still made 47 arrests, but mainly of people who defied orders to disperse. Tensions rose briefly when someone hurled a bottle at officers, but there were no reports gunfire or the clashes that had marked previous nights.

The slight easing of tensions preceded the visit during which Holder was expected to meet with FBI and other officials carrying out an independent federal investigation into Brown's death, as well as with community leaders. Holder arrived in St. Louis shortly before 11 a.m. CST Wednesday, along with several Justice Department officials including members of its Civil Rights division.

In a letter published late Tuesday on the St. Louis Post-Dispatch website, Holder promised a thorough investigation while calling for an end to the violence in Ferguson. He said the bond of trust between law enforcement and the public is "all-important" but also "fragile."

Arrest patterns "must not lead to disparate treatment under the law, even if such treatment is unintended. And police forces should reflect the diversity of the communities they serve," Holder wrote.

He said the Justice Department would "defend the right of protesters to peacefully demonstrate and for the media to cover a story that must be told."

The department has mounted an unusually swift and aggressive response to Brown's death, from conducting an independent autopsy to sending dozens of FBI agents to Ferguson in search of witnesses to the shooting.

As for the county grand jury, prosecutor's spokesman Ed Magee said Wednesday that there is no timeline for how long the process could take, but it could be weeks.

A day earlier, Missouri Gov. Jay Nixon said he would not seek McCulloch's removal from the case, citing the "well-established process" by which prosecutors can recuse themselves from pending investigations to make way for a special prosecutor.

Departing from that process, Nixon said in a statement, "could unnecessarily inject legal uncertainty into this matter and potentially jeopardize the prosecution."

McCulloch, a Democrat, was elected in 1991 and has earned a reputation for being tough on crime.

Ferguson city leaders said the mayor, the City Council and municipal employees have been exploring ways to increase the number of African-American applicants to the law enforcement academy, develop incentive programs to encourage city residency for police officers and raise money for cameras that would be attached to patrol car dashboards and officers' vests.

"We plan to learn from this tragedy, as we further provide for the safety of our residents and businesses and progress our community through reconciliation and healing," officials said in a public statement.

Meanwhile, Brown's funeral arrangements were set. The Austin A. Layne Mortuary, which is handling arrangements, said the funeral will be at 10 a.m. Monday at Friendly Temple Missionary Baptist Church. Brown's uncle, the Rev. Charles Ewing, will deliver the eulogy, and the Rev. Al Sharpton will also speak.

Brown will be buried at St. Peter's Cemetery in St. Louis County.

Source (http://bigstory.ap.org/article/latest-ferguson-protests-are-smaller-more-subdued)

[panopticon]

Amnesty International observers have just arrived at a Church in Ferguson that police surrounded earlier.

It is alleged that police entered and possibly removed medical supplies [disputed] used in treating persons affected by tear gas etc.

The same Church building is reported to have had armed police with assault rifles enter last night for no apparent reason.

No news on whether a warrant was provided.

Reasons being given is that the police said that people had been sleeping there which violated building codes.

-- Pan

[panopticon]

Tell me this isn't bloody ridiculous "walk in circles" :tsk:

TSaaUewHtjE
Over Militarised Police

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X5J0pk8tISw
TzHjyjdyi-g
y3_o0KSFnxI
Again, that US Army manual on dealing with Civil Disturbances (https://publicintelligence.net/usarmy-civil-disturbances/) I mentioned earlier explains the tactics used quite well.

-- Pan

[marlowe]

Two contrary opinions from black bloggers


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QMbbclEutcs




http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5f0mVn0HH6U

[Bob]

From Fox - all below, reporting on statements released as to WHY the cop shot. (Source (http://www.foxnews.com/us/2014/08/20/missouri-cop-was-badly-beaten-before-shooting-michael-brown-says-source/))

Darren Wilson, the Ferguson, Mo., police officer whose fatal shooting of Michael Brown touched off more than a week of demonstrations, suffered severe facial injuries, including an orbital (eye socket) fracture, and was nearly beaten unconscious by Brown moments before firing his gun, a source close to the department's top brass told FoxNews.com.

“The Assistant (Police) Chief took him to the hospital, his face all swollen on one side,” said the insider. “He was beaten very severely.”

According to the well-placed source, Wilson was coming off another case in the neighborhood on Aug. 9 when he ordered Michael Brown and his friend Dorain Johnson to stop walking in the middle of the road because they were obstructing traffic. However, the confrontation quickly escalated into physical violence, the source said..

“They ignored him and the officer started to get out of the car to tell them to move," the source said. "They shoved him right back in, that’s when Michael Brown leans in and starts beating Officer Wilson in the head and the face.

The source claims that there is "solid proof" that there was a struggle between Brown and Wilson for the policeman’s firearm, resulting in the gun going off – although it still remains unclear at this stage who pulled the trigger. Brown started to walk away according to the account, prompting Wilson to draw his gun and order him to freeze. Brown, the source said, raised his hands in the air, and turned around saying, "What, you're going to shoot me?"

At that point, the source told FoxNews.com, the 6 foot, 4 inch, 300-pound Brown charged Wilson, prompting the officer to fire at least six shots at him, including the fatal bullet that penetrated the top of Brown's skull, according to an independent autopsy conducted at the request of Brown's family.

Wilson suffered a fractured eye socket in the fracas, and was left dazed by the initial confrontation, the source said. He is now "traumatized, scared for his life and his family, injured and terrified" that a grand jury, which began hearing evidence on Wednesday, will "make some kind of example out of him," the source said.

The source also said the dashboard and body cameras, which might have recorded crucial evidence, had been ordered by Ferguson Police Chief Thomas Jackson, but had only recently arrived and had not yet been deployed.

St. Louis County police, who have taken over the investigation, did not return requests for comment about possible injuries suffered by Wilson.

Edward Magee, spokesman for St. Louis County Prosecutor Robert McCullough, said the office will not disclose the nature of the evidence it will reveal to a grand jury.

"We'll present every piece of evidence we have, witness statements, et cetera, to the grand jury, and we do not release any evidence or talk about evidence on the case."

Nabil Khattar, CEO of 7Star Industries – which specializes in firearms training for law enforcement and special operations personnel – confirmed that police are typically instructed to use deadly force if in imminent danger of being killed or suffering great bodily injury.

“You may engage a threat with enough force that is reasonably necessary to defend against that danger,” he said.

Wilson is a six-year veteran of the Ferguson police force department, and has no prior disciplinary infringements.

Massive protests have since taken over the St. Louis community, prompting Missouri Gov. Jay Nixon last Thursday to place Highway Patrol Capt. Ron Johnson at the helm of security operations in an effort to calm ongoing tensions. The federal government is also investigating the death, and Attorney General Eric Holder has taken the lead – calling “the selective release of sensitive information” in the case “troubling.”

On Friday, Ferguson police released surveillance video showing Brown stealing cigars from a convenience store just before his death. Jackson came under intense criticism for disclosing the tape and a related police report as he also insisted that the alleged robbery and the encounter with Wilson were unrelated matters. Brown’s family, through their attorney, suggested the tape’s release was a strategic form of “character assassination.”

However, FoxNews.com’s source insisted that there was absolutely no spin agenda behind the tape’s release and that there were a number of Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) media requests filed by media outlets seeking it. Tom Jackson is said to have waited on publicly releasing it, and did not want it shown until Brown’s grieving mother first had the chance to see it.

“He defied the FOIAs as long as he could,” noted the insider. “A powerful, ugly spin has completely ruined public discourse on this whole situation.”

[Snowflower]

Marlowe, here is a truth that you choose to ignore: cops do bad things to people and do not suffer consequences. That is the beginning, middle, and end of the entire situation in Ferguson, Missouri. The citizens of Ferguson have been the victims of cops doing bad things to people for a very long time now. Those same citizens have decided that this particular cop doing this particular bad thing is the end of their ability to live under the yoke of cop brutality any more at all.

It really makes no difference - at all - if M. Brown is a villain or an innocent bystander. He is dead now because a cop shot him. "Getting away with murder" is a euphemism most of the time, but in Ferguson, it is truth for the cops. Nothing you say about whether or not THIS cop did or did not commit murder matters in the slightest. What matters is that the citizens of Ferguson have been watching cops get away with murder - literally - for their entire lives, and most likely for multiple generations. They have reached the end of accepting the abuse from cops and that is the only thing that matters now.

[marlowe]

Marlowe, here is a truth that you choose to ignore: cops do bad things to people and do not suffer consequences. That is the beginning, middle, and end of the entire situation in Ferguson, Missouri. The citizens of Ferguson have been the victims of cops doing bad things to people for a very long time now. Those same citizens have decided that this particular cop doing this particular bad thing is the end of their ability to live under the yoke of cop brutality any more at all.

It really makes no difference - at all - if M. Brown is a villain or an innocent bystander. He is dead now because a cop shot him. "Getting away with murder" is a euphemism most of the time, but in Ferguson, it is truth for the cops. Nothing you say about whether or not THIS cop did or did not commit murder matters in the slightest. What matters is that the citizens of Ferguson have been watching cops get away with murder - literally - for their entire lives, and most likely for multiple generations. They have reached the end of accepting the abuse from cops and that is the only thing that matters now.

David Carroll talks about the extremely high rate of black on black murder ...Please skip the first 4 minutes as it is unrelated....

Also the second video is about how blacks see themselves as victims way to often..


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ILB4Z3xUa9g


Victims ?...David Carroll does not think so>>>
>>> https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p7OrtI9k12E

[Jake]

Marlowe, here is a truth that you choose to ignore: cops do bad things to people and do not suffer consequences. That is the beginning, middle, and end of the entire situation in Ferguson, Missouri. The citizens of Ferguson have been the victims of cops doing bad things to people for a very long time now. Those same citizens have decided that this particular cop doing this particular bad thing is the end of their ability to live under the yoke of cop brutality any more at all.

It really makes no difference - at all - if M. Brown is a villain or an innocent bystander. He is dead now because a cop shot him. "Getting away with murder" is a euphemism most of the time, but in Ferguson, it is truth for the cops. Nothing you say about whether or not THIS cop did or did not commit murder matters in the slightest. What matters is that the citizens of Ferguson have been watching cops get away with murder - literally - for their entire lives, and most likely for multiple generations. They have reached the end of accepting the abuse from cops and that is the only thing that matters now.

David Carroll talks about the extremely high rate of black on black murder ...Please skip the first 4 minutes as it is unrelated....

Also the second video is about how blacks see themselves as victims way to often..


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ILB4Z3xUa9g


Victims ?...David Carroll does not think so>>>
>>> https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p7OrtI9k12E

Marlowe, you may have tipped your hand a bit... Nobody was talking about black people,,, Sunflower was talking about citizens... Are you making this a race issue?? It seems You will say anything to try and prove yourself right.

We are talking about police brutality, and a cop murdering a citizen,, and you chime in with black-on-black crime??? Face it, brother,, you don't know any better than the rest of us what happened,,, yet you have still convinced yourself,,, AFTER admitting to believing a lie in the first place.

Really,,,, You are going to make this about race??

Phil,, put down the newspaper,, turn off the T.V. and come back to us...

Love to you...
Jake.

[marlowe]

From Fox - all below, reporting on statements released as to WHY the cop shot. (Source (http://www.foxnews.com/us/2014/08/20/missouri-cop-was-badly-beaten-before-shooting-michael-brown-says-source/))

Darren Wilson, the Ferguson, Mo., police officer whose fatal shooting of Michael Brown touched off more than a week of demonstrations, suffered severe facial injuries, including an orbital (eye socket) fracture, and was nearly beaten unconscious by Brown moments before firing his gun, a source close to the department's top brass told FoxNews.com.

“The Assistant (Police) Chief took him to the hospital, his face all swollen on one side,” said the insider. “He was beaten very severely.”

According to the well-placed source, Wilson was coming off another case in the neighborhood on Aug. 9 when he ordered Michael Brown and his friend Dorain Johnson to stop walking in the middle of the road because they were obstructing traffic. However, the confrontation quickly escalated into physical violence, the source said..

“They ignored him and the officer started to get out of the car to tell them to move," the source said. "They shoved him right back in, that’s when Michael Brown leans in and starts beating Officer Wilson in the head and the face.

The source claims that there is "solid proof" that there was a struggle between Brown and Wilson for the policeman’s firearm, resulting in the gun going off – although it still remains unclear at this stage who pulled the trigger. Brown started to walk away according to the account, prompting Wilson to draw his gun and order him to freeze. Brown, the source said, raised his hands in the air, and turned around saying, "What, you're going to shoot me?"

At that point, the source told FoxNews.com, the 6 foot, 4 inch, 300-pound Brown charged Wilson, prompting the officer to fire at least six shots at him, including the fatal bullet that penetrated the top of Brown's skull, according to an independent autopsy conducted at the request of Brown's family.

Wilson suffered a fractured eye socket in the fracas, and was left dazed by the initial confrontation, the source said. He is now "traumatized, scared for his life and his family, injured and terrified" that a grand jury, which began hearing evidence on Wednesday, will "make some kind of example out of him," the source said.

The source also said the dashboard and body cameras, which might have recorded crucial evidence, had been ordered by Ferguson Police Chief Thomas Jackson, but had only recently arrived and had not yet been deployed.

St. Louis County police, who have taken over the investigation, did not return requests for comment about possible injuries suffered by Wilson.

Edward Magee, spokesman for St. Louis County Prosecutor Robert McCullough, said the office will not disclose the nature of the evidence it will reveal to a grand jury.

"We'll present every piece of evidence we have, witness statements, et cetera, to the grand jury, and we do not release any evidence or talk about evidence on the case."

Nabil Khattar, CEO of 7Star Industries – which specializes in firearms training for law enforcement and special operations personnel – confirmed that police are typically instructed to use deadly force if in imminent danger of being killed or suffering great bodily injury.

“You may engage a threat with enough force that is reasonably necessary to defend against that danger,” he said.

Wilson is a six-year veteran of the Ferguson police force department, and has no prior disciplinary infringements.

Massive protests have since taken over the St. Louis community, prompting Missouri Gov. Jay Nixon last Thursday to place Highway Patrol Capt. Ron Johnson at the helm of security operations in an effort to calm ongoing tensions. The federal government is also investigating the death, and Attorney General Eric Holder has taken the lead – calling “the selective release of sensitive information” in the case “troubling.”

On Friday, Ferguson police released surveillance video showing Brown stealing cigars from a convenience store just before his death. Jackson came under intense criticism for disclosing the tape and a related police report as he also insisted that the alleged robbery and the encounter with Wilson were unrelated matters. Brown’s family, through their attorney, suggested the tape’s release was a strategic form of “character assassination.”

However, FoxNews.com’s source insisted that there was absolutely no spin agenda behind the tape’s release and that there were a number of Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) media requests filed by media outlets seeking it. Tom Jackson is said to have waited on publicly releasing it, and did not want it shown until Brown’s grieving mother first had the chance to see it.

“He defied the FOIAs as long as he could,” noted the insider. “A powerful, ugly spin has completely ruined public discourse on this whole situation.”

Jake : I don't know how old you are but I doubt you are over 35 . I am 65 and have had a lot of real world experience . I worked for over 15 years with the same 200 blacks, 200 Hispanics and 200 whites. I got along with the Hispanics better than I did with the whites.
I am looking at the big picture ...IMHO you're focus is too narrow....You said earlier that you never delt with a good policeman..Only bad ones....You did say that didn't you ?...Or have I got that wrong....

Why do you think this isn't a race issue ?...It looks like a race issue to me .......

I refuse to believe there are more bad cops than good cops....
My life experiences are how I form my opinions .....& the I believe the above post by Bob is how it went down...But if you want to believe that a cop with a perfect record of not getting in trouble suddenly lost his mind, got out of his car and shot Mike Brown in front of a whole black

neiborhood of people go right ahead.....But don't try to convince me that is how it happened...Because Bob's post makes a lot more sense...

[seeker/reader]

**Please note there is cursing on the attached videos**
#####################################

Cop In Ferguson To Protestors: 'I Will F*cking Kill You' (VIDEO)

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2014/08/20/ferguson-cop-i-will-kill-you_n_5695748.html


YknrZE0CCYE

UPDATE: The St. Ann Police Department has released a statement saying the officer involved in threatening protestors has been "suspended indefinitely."

http://i.huffpost.com/gen/1976641/thumbs/o-COPSUSPENDED-570.jpg?2

Previously:

Video taken Tuesday night during protests in Ferguson, Missouri, show an officer pointing his weapon at civilians, shouting: "I will f*cking kill you."

Two separate videos uploaded to YouTube on Wednesday show the officer pointing a rifle at protesters.

"Gun raised, gun raised and pointed," a protester shouts out, alerting others as the officer approaches closer.

"My hands are up," another protester says.

"I will f*cking kill you, get back!" the officer shouts.

Another protestor asks for the officer to identify himself.

"What's your name, sir?" he asks.

"Go f*ck yourself," the officer replies.

In another video, protesters can be heard shouting at the officer to lower his weapon. At least one other cop can be seen trying to deescalate the situation by placing his hand on the weapon to lower it.

7jx3WLnt6Q8
The officer, who has not yet been identified, can be seen wearing a St. Ann Police Department badge. Phone calls to the department were not immediately returned.

http://i.huffpost.com/gen/1976499/thumbs/o-OFFICERTHREAT-570.jpg?6

On Twitter, the ACLU of Missouri claimed that the officer has been removed from duty.

http://i.huffpost.com/gen/1976512/thumbs/o-ACLU-570.jpg?5

[Jake]

Love to you Phil. This is not about race,,,, this is about police brutality and the overreach of authority regarding cops and justice... I don't give a damn how many minorities you've worked with over the years.. Even considering black on black crime in a discussion where you are trying to justify murder is very revealing. I don't care what color Mike Brown was,, do you?? It seems that you do,,, not only that,, it seems that you are arguing in support of justifying his murder because he is black.. Why the hell would you bring up black-on-black crime??? Do you folks think that justifies murder????

You simply cannot find the facts to justify your pre conclusion,,, so now you are playing the race card... For someone who claims to hate MSM,, you certainly play from the same playbook....

You have been wrong every time you have made an assumption about me.. Your real world experience has led you to a place where you are judging people by the color of their skin, with regards how they should be treated...

You get along with Hispanics better than whites,,, or blacks,,, what a ridiculous thing to say... Hey phil,,,, I get along with EVERYBODY without regards their race or color...

I don't get along with cops... for the reasons that I already gave. (I don't give a damn what color they are either.)

This was a valid discussion imho before you brought race into it. I won't fall for it.

You have revealed yourself... They are people, Phil.. Not black or white or brown or green or yellow,,, THEY ARE PEOPLE...

Jake.

P.S. I am not trying to convince you of anything.. what you believe is none of my business... :) This is not a debate, though you have made it into one... I only put forward facts and opinions to try and put this puzzle together...

[seeker/reader]

On the video link below, Freeman Bosley Jr., attorney for Dorian Johnson, addresses the rumors that Dorian Johnson recanted his story. Mr. Bosley states that Dorian Johnson has not changed his story or made any comments since becoming a Federal witness last Wednesday, when he was interviewed by the Feds for 3 hours. He then repeated and maintained Dorian's story.

His comments start at 6:40 minute mark

http://on.msnbc.com/1sVJmC3

http://www.msnbc.com/politicsnation/watch/eric-holder-supports-ferguson-from-the-ground-320290371604

[Debra]

:focus::focus:

jITlsJQMybg

Interview I first viewed today on Facebook conducted by Jimmy So Ambitious Wen-Birdboyz in University City, MO, United States
SOURCE (https://m.facebook.com/story.php?story_fbid=776287602391943&id=100000321323537)

Dutchsinse has re-uploaded it onto his site to help circulate what this young guy has to say about how authorities have been recruiting people willing in the neighbourhoods to become paid protestors. His statement seems quite authentic.

Jimmy So Ambitious Wen-Birdboyz writes:

I debated with myself over an hour about whether I should post this or not. Earlier, while on the 2nd shift of our U. City protest, a guy pulled up, called all of us over, and said he worked with the government. He asked if we had a cell phone or something we could record him with. He said he was on his way out of here and wanted this recorded. I shid you not, and between my research on this government, & history, I'm inclined to believe him. Watch, like, share, tag, flood the news fb pages, WE ARE ALMOST OUT OF TIME!!!

NOTE FROM DUTCHSINSE
Published on 20 Aug 2014

LISTEN UP. Get the word out.

I've heard this from several people now here in STL...

Rumor in St. Louis, these 'protests' are staged to cause riots... they're going to branch out across St. Louis over the next few days.

Full military lockdown by next week or sooner.

Agent provocateurs dressed like regular people, causing major violence to bring in full military lockdown

These paid rioting agents are going to hit Clayton and West County, Chesterfield, and Hazelwood (more affluent areas of St. Louis).

Then comes full midwest military lockdown in response. Talk of shooting down crowds going to be done.

St. Louis chosen symbolically as ground zero for martial law.

Again, this is the "rumor". So far, most of the rumors have been proved incorrect.

Although, rumor of the National Guard came just a day before the actual guard was called. Lets hope that was just a fluke.

It all depends on IF WE CITIZENS ALLOW THESE RIOTERS TO CONTINUE.

We need to stand guard at this point, the citizens of st. louis cannot let these late night fake 'protesters' (paid rioters) bring in the nwo.

____

Resharing on my channel to get the word out internationally (link to original post below) .

[Debra]

Hi everyone. Thanks for sharing a diversity of incoming information, however, I am starting to think that media attention about the case itself of Michael Brown is somewhat of a distraction to what is unfurling --- coming down the pipeline.

I believe that the case should be held high with importance. Absolutely. However, it is also being used - from what I am gathering - as a ruse to divide further and make this a racial issue. And I am with Jake on this one: this is about all people who are now vulnerable to the machinations of a government that is clearly no longer acting on behalf of the people and a militarised police force.

This is the development - you would have to be blind not to see this after weeks of reports laid before you (thank you Panoptican for your brilliant deconstruction of this sequence of events, and to others as well for contextual articles and commentary).

I have read all on this thread thus far and from what I can see, lock down, martial law, is sadly being fast tracked and implemented. What a convenient event to happen - the shooting of Michael Brown - to help these monsters push their agenda forward.

Forgive me for saying but continuing with a debate on what happened in the beginning - that is sucking valuable energy. What is happening now is more urgent.

Helping to put everyone's wellbeing and safety in my prayers is all I can do - or is it? Praying also for true leadership on the ground to emerge. The beast is showing itself, that we can plainly now see, surely?

Perhaps another thread needs to be made (unless someone has done so already) to help deal with this more proactively and not just be words on screen.

My heart is with you all.

Zebra

[Debra]

This is war, I thought, when I saw this on a friend's page on FB.

We are informed that she is a Pastor in Ferguson - showing us what happened after she was hit by a rubber bullet, by the police.

How much more proof do people need?

https://scontent-b-sjc.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xfp1/v/t1.0-9/10593187_10152210432126604_5680764271623958729_n.jpg?oh=31975f1e77e4d125bf6275f2db6b64cb&oe=54776794

[Hervé]

Former Israeli Soldier’s Message To Protesters In The US: ‘You’re Next’! (http://countercurrentnews.com/2014/08/former-israeli-soldiers-message-to-protesters-in-the-us-youre-next/)

August 16, 2014 12:33 pm·


http://countercurrentnews.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/08/article-0-0E0545FD00000578-26_634x490.jpg (http://countercurrentnews.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/08/article-0-0E0545FD00000578-26_634x490.jpg)


A former Israeli soldier’s message to the people of the U.S. is a startling one. Eran Efrati says that “if you don’t care about Palestinians… You guys should know: you are next in line.”

Efrati, 28, was born and raised in Jerusalem, serving in the IDF as a combat soldier and company sergeant in Battalion 50 of the Nachal Division. Most of his military service was in Hebron and throughout the West Bank.



In 2009, he was discharged and joined Breaking the Silence, an organization of veteran Israeli soldiers that is working to raise awareness about the daily reality in the Occupied Territories.

Now Efrati is working as the chief investigator of the organization. He collects testimonies from IDF soldiers about their activities and guides political tours in the West Bank.

His message for Americans about Palestine is a poignant one:


“If you don’t care about Palestinians… You guys should know: you are next in line. The next one who will die from a tear gas canister into his chest will be in Zucotti Park, will be in Denver, will be in Oakland, in San Francisco. It is happening here already. It is happening to different people, to people of color, to immigrants in this country, it is already happening. You guys are next in line. The next one will die out of brutality of the police will be one of your sons or your daughters–in a protest. Because they [U.S. police] are training together. Your police – training with our army. Our army is training them how to take care of the enemy. . . . But when they come back, you are their enemy.” Watch the video below and help spread Efrati’s message to anyone who you think needs to hear it:


93hqlmrZKd8

[marlowe]

posted 58 minutes ago....SWAT teams moving in/ Ferguson.....

{ we might see fireworks later tonight ...who knows ?}:mad2:


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qNzVOVCCRDQ

[panopticon]

:focus::focus:

Oh, very well. ;)

Because of the "distractions" I almost missed this:

BzEkQcwp8mA
Goes to what I've been saying about the many reports I've heard/read from people on the ground.

-- Pan

[panopticon]

One of the problems highlighted by the protests in Ferguson is how freedom of speech is being controlled/contained by the State.

Just to be crystal clear. Freedom of speech should not be forcibly ended at midnight. It should not be contained.

This is not appropriate (though it being empty is):

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/Bvh6nN5IQAA1l_7.jpg

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/Bvh_ci-CcAACvaY.jpg

This is something that needs to be mentioned periodically.

-- Pan

[ThePythonicCow]

Several pages back, Marlowe posted a Stefan Molyneux video which came to the speculative conclusion that the cop could well have engaged in justified homicide.

Someone replied to Marlowe that he was missing the point ... that the over the top response of the militarized police state was the problem.

Many blacks moved north to Detroit and surrounding areas in the 1960's, for the jobs in the automobile factories. Now those jobs have moved to Asia, and now a generation of the "Great Society" programs and the "War on Drugs" have destroyed the black culture and left black youth with little hope.

At the same time, the young men who join the military are systematically desensitized to violence, and sent home to become cops, along with all their weapons of street warfare.

In World War II, it was Brits, Yanks and Russians against Germans, Italians and Japanese, each indoctrinated to consider the other to be evil scum, lower than dirt but more dangerous than the plague. Now it's Israelis vs Palestinians, Cops vs Blacks, Christians vs Muslims, American Imperialists vs the World, ...

The war comes to a street near you. The pot is once more being brought to a boil.



His message for Americans about Palestine is a poignant one:


“If you don’t care about Palestinians… You guys should know: you are next in line. The next one who will die from a tear gas canister into his chest will be in Zucotti Park, will be in Denver, will be in Oakland, in San Francisco. It is happening here already. It is happening to different people, to people of color, to immigrants in this country, it is already happening. You guys are next in line. The next one will die out of brutality of the police will be one of your sons or your daughters–in a protest. Because they [U.S. police] are training together. Your police – training with our army. Our army is training them how to take care of the enemy. . . . But when they come back, you are their enemy.”

Yes.

I used to joke to my son, when he turned a teenager, that the most dangerous animals on the planet were young adult human males. I was likely wrong ... the most dangerous animals on this planet are probably old adult human males, who have turned heartless and cruel and who hold tyrannical power over others.

The lives and humanity of many young men, across this planet, have been brutalized. Sides are being formed, violence and distrust are being stirred up, quite effectively.

In World War II and in the preceding centuries, wars were often nation against nation.

Since then, wars have become more often regional and localized, race against race, religion against religion, culture against culture, concept against concept (such as wars on drugs, poverty and terrorism.)

The distrust that many feel, and some have experienced first hand and brutally, of police in America is well justified ... life is becoming increasingly difficult for a "good cop" here. The militarized state reaction to what's going down in Ferguson, Missouri is offensive in the extreme, tyranny in plain sight.

Quite possibly, on the other hand, the cop who killed Mike Brown acted in fully justified self defense. If you allow someone who is bigger and stronger than you, who has (perhaps, I don't know the actual truth) just punched you in the face, and who is (perhaps) charging you again, unfazed by shots to the limbs, to over-power you, then you are at serious risk of being shot and killed, with your own weapon.

We're being setup folks. Neither "side" in the thread above is missing the point. There are two points, being shaped and energized to attack each other.

World War III is coming to the streets of America, brought to you by the same bastards who energized America to bomb, kill and destroy many other parts of the world, and who have been working diligently, for at least most of my life, to weaken America in so many ways -- food, water, air, schools, drugs, pop culture, politically, economically, vaccines, ...

[Daozen]

World War III is coming to the streets of America, brought to you by the same bastards who energized America to bomb, kill and destroy many other parts of the world, and who have been working diligently, for at least most of my life, to weaken America in so many ways -- food, water, air, schools, drugs, pop culture, politically, economically, vaccines, ...

Paul, you make some very astute points. I don't disagree with any of them. But why does the conspiracy world slippery slope every *relatively* minor outbreak all the way to WWIII? The news is unsettling right now, but how many times have actions like this ended up contained? Last year the Zimmerman verdict was supposed to cause mass rioting all over the US.

Just look at Avalon and the number of threads that came to nothing. Cases in point: Elenin, last years DHS Homeland revelations.

[panopticon]

Paul, you make some very astute points. I don't disagree with any of them. But why does the conspiracy world slippery slope every *relatively* minor outbreak all the way to WWIII? The news is unsettling right now, but how many times have actions like this ended up contained? Last year the Zimmerman verdict was supposed to cause mass rioting all over the US.

Just look at Avalon and the number of threads that came to nothing. Cases in point: Elenin, last years DHS Homeland revelations.

I agree.

I have been carefully trying to detail in this thread the containment process that I hypothesis was waiting for a situation to occur that would allow its introduction.

The day before Nixon calling in the National Guard a new guide was publicly released (https://publicintelligence.net/usarmy-civil-disturbances/) (August 15th), on dealing with civil disturbances/disobedience, which has many of the tactics used by the National Guard in this operation carefully described in some detail.

I don't know whether the Ferguson protests are going to evolve into something else and I would view that as speculation.

What has been apparent is the construction of 2 narratives (as Paul presents) that conveniently create an artificial dichotomy that may be used as a control mechanism (an outlet valve if you will) to dissipate/change/end the test if things get out of hand.

There is ample evidence that the media has been lied to, abused and manipulated in this event and I view that as part of the strategy being tested. How much will they take?

The only part of this that I don't view as being a deliberate action was the shooting of Michael Brown and the initial responses of grief and outrage by the local residents and his family.

The use of agent provocateur's in this strategy I have spoken about in some detail in this thread.

Captain Johnson's press conference is about to start [it's finished now but still available at the link, I'll post a link to a better quality recorded version when one becomes available]:
http://new.livestream.com/accounts/9035483/events/3271930

#Update#
Usually prayer to begin ("trust us we tell the truth") followed by stating the obvious, that there had been little if any violence [many are attributing that to the police changing their tactics].

Lots of "community", "small steps", "moving forward" etc.

Didn't seem to want to talk about the arrests from the night before (mostly for 'not dispersing'). Restated the same figure (47 arrests) which was found to be inaccurate (also I don't remember him mentioning the errors in statistics claimed the night before).

Didn't really seem to want to talk about the "keep them moving policy" that was designed and implemented during 'Occupy!'.

Officer GFYS is briefly mentioned at the end and Johnson ("we") takes responsibility for his identification and suspension (I wonder if that would that have happened if it hadn't been streamed live and the officer in question hadn't already been identified by certain persons). Johnson then said that Officer GFYS had disrespected the uniform and everyone who wears it.

Johnson then turned and left.

There was none of his customary "thank you" at the end. He didn't look happy at all but maybe he was just tired.

I get the feeling that he was told that if the press conference questions started to go in the wrong direction that he should end it quickly.

-- Pan

Update:
As promised here's a better quality version of Johnson's presser (notice how the media is removing the prayer at the beginning):
Raw: Capt. Johnson holds early Thurs morning press conference in Ferguson (http://www.kmov.com/video/featured-videos/Capt-Johnson-holds-early-Thurs-morning-press-conference-in-Ferguson-272111361.html)

[marlowe]

Army admits to their plan to execute black Americans en mass...


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SrVLHRgm1tc

There have been rumors and dreams and hints that the electricity is going down nation wide in October
or November ........Webbots is seeing 2.4 million Americans dying when this happens from lack of food, meds ,water.

Here is a site that will tell you what military hardware your county has bought ...

http://www.shtfplan.com/militarization-by-county-via-the-law-enforcement-support-office

When Darren Wilson is found not-guilty of the death of Mike Brown there is very probably going to rioting & looting
in some of the big cities....

As David Carroll implies in one of his videos the police , national guard & the "black water" types are going to shoot the looters......There won't
be any electricity .....Think about it.....TPTB are getting ready for something...... ...Obviously this is only my opinion.....But this buzz about the electric grid going down won't go away.......Take it for what it is worth....

[panopticon]

I quickly mentioned the search of a Church building yesterday and thought I'd just pop an article up (video at originating site) that relates to it.

Me posting the article here and linking serves 2 purposes. It verifies the story (to show I'm not making stuff up) and provides a backup that is accessible within the context of this thread.

These seemingly small actions by the police are important because they are all part of the intimidation processes that have been developed around the world.

It's not what is said that's important, it's what is done that is.

-- Pan

###

'It was an intensive search'; police keeping close tab on Ferguson church (http://www.kmov.com/special-coverage-001/Ferguson-church-helping-volunteers-is-closely-watched-by-police-272055391.html)
by Ruella Rouf, August 20th, 2014

[Video in original article (http://www.kmov.com/special-coverage-001/Ferguson-church-helping-volunteers-is-closely-watched-by-police-272055391.html)]

FERGUSON, Mo. (KMOV.com) – Volunteers of the Greater St. Mark Church in Ferguson said they have been running a safe location for protesters that was recently raided by police.

Volunteers confirmed that several organizations have been using the church as a meeting ground to alleviate the tensions in Ferguson and to help people refocus their energy in a different way. But they said police have been working to intimidate them and stop their efforts.

Marcell Williams said she was waiting in the parking lot to speak to the pastor of the Greater St. Mark Church when she saw 20 to 30 police officers stop by around 12:00 p.m. Wednesday.

“They looked like they were looking for someone in particular, just because of the depth of the search they were doing. No guns were drawn at the time or anything of that nature, but it was an intensive search,” said Williams.

Aaron Burnett said he has an idea why police have been following the building closely. A building inspector or manager said a call was made regarding an occupancy permit for people occupying the space.

The church officials told News 4 nobody has been staying in the building overnight. However, police later said a representative of the church told them that several people had been staying there, but that he was unaware that the building had not been zoned for occupancy.

Police said the church representative said he would advise those who have staying at the church to leave.

Source (http://www.kmov.com/special-coverage-001/Ferguson-church-helping-volunteers-is-closely-watched-by-police-272055391.html)

[ThePythonicCow]

Paul, you make some very astute points. I don't disagree with any of them. But why does the conspiracy world slippery slope every *relatively* minor outbreak all the way to WWIII? The news is unsettling right now, but how many times have actions like this ended up contained? Last year the Zimmerman verdict was supposed to cause mass rioting all over the US.
Yes, the incidents are contained. By "WWIII" I don't mean necessarily a mass outbreak of violence. Rather this war is like chronic illness ... a series of such ... of increasing and varied impact. Just as our personal strengths are eviscerated over time by illness, so are our collective and cultural strengths eviscerated.

Climatic traumas that might risk an awakening or robust resistance are usually avoided, or if used, are applied with such surprise and energy as to provide a crisis of opportunity to dramatically redirect the public drama. Frequent predictions of such crises are made, and the failure of such predictions then used to discredit those warning of the creeping dangers.

[panopticon]

I am trying to find the source for this video and I thought I'd ask if anyone can direct me to it please:

_huuBzkjwNQ
I'm not a fan of the "video of a screen" footage. Also, places in the audio are unintelligible.

Trying to find the original and its date to compare.

-- Pan

[ThePythonicCow]

Trying to find the original and its date to compare.
Looks like this one: XpoQkToJOgQ

[panopticon]

Looks like this one

Thanks Paul. I was starting to get a bit concerned that it was off a live TV feed that hadn't been recorded properly.

Oh, the horror! :sick:

-- Pan

[panopticon]

Here is an excerpt from an interesting article (imaginatively titled 'Cop in Ferguson Tweets Lies to Justify Tear-Gassing Protesters In Their Own Backyard (http://blogs.riverfronttimes.com/dailyrft/2014/08/cop_working_ferguson_protest_falsely_accuses_protesters_of_firing_guns_leading_to_gas_attack.php)') on police behaviour and their justifications for certain actions in Ferguson:


Sergeant Colby Dolly, the chief aide to Police Chief John Belmar, said they used tear gas in the video because the people in their backyard looked like they were up to no good.

"The behavior of the individuals on the video would indicate their intent was something other than peaceful behavior," Dolly wrote in an email last week.

He further explained that because there had been looting the previous night, the police didn't feel comfortable with people being out in their backyard.
Source (http://blogs.riverfronttimes.com/dailyrft/2014/08/cop_working_ferguson_protest_falsely_accuses_protesters_of_firing_guns_leading_to_gas_attack.php)
Yep, next time you come across a wannabe Fox pundit trying to tell you your new truth remember that the police in Ferguson tear gassed innocent people because they didn't feel comfortable with them being in their own yard. Then ask the wannabe Foxite if maybe there had been just a smidgen of excessive force used!

If they so "no", do not engage. Back away slowly if possible or feign a medical condition (aka "swoon") so as to be removed from their presence.

What has been really interesting is the way in which social networks have been utilised during this "operation". From getting personal information on Michael Brown to finding a photo of Darren Wilson, the media & public have made use of this new medium in some interesting ways. The proliferation of video's by pseudo/self professed experts is astounding as is the anger being expressed online by a number of different groups (based on race, gender, class -- you name it I've come across it).

The way the live feed of an Officer being abusive went "viral" and within 2 hours his name was known... Well, it was either incredibly impressive or terrifying depending on your perspective. Someone said "yeah I know him, he choked me until I gave him permission to search my car. His name is xxx" and next thing all his life was bared. It was chilling and personally I think it contributed a bit to last nights calmer tactics from the police, that and by the designated pumpkin hour -- midnight -- there were reportedly only a dozen or so protesters left (it was a rainy thundery Wednesday night after all).

Officer GFYS was then suspended without pay and it was claimed by the police that they'd discovered his identity (wouldn't have been very hard, just open a twitter feed and it was everywhere) and taken appropriate action. "He was a disgrace to the uniform and blah blah blah".

If Officer GFYS hadn't been caught on film he would still be at it and Captain Johnson and his mates wouldn't have cared what an indy journalist said. Unfortunately for them it was a live feed with thousands of viewers and Officer GFYS was reposted within minutes by any half computer literate kid who'd seen it. What was worse for them was the audio and the catchy name that was in it. If the Officer had replied "none of your business" or "mind your own business" it probably wouldn't have trended as fast. But GFYS? Nah, that was going to the top like a rocket!

Another thing that has really stood out is the number of indy media that have been reporting this. "Vultures to a carcass" was an expression I saw used by a commentator to which was responded "just like all the other media then". An interesting short article by Abe Van Dyke talks about how he had been working in Ferguson (photojournalist) but felt he had not only been reporting on the issues but might have become part of the problem:
Embarrassed to photograph Ferguson (http://thevandykecollection.com/embarrassed-to-photograph-ferguson/)

It's refreshing to see that kind of self evaluation.

Of course there are the groups trying to commandeer this moment from the people of Ferguson into their personal little battle based on an ideology that may not be shared by others. I've mentioned some of the notable ones in this thread already so wont go back over old ground. The good thing is the number of residents n Ferguson who are saying "this is my protest, you go protest somewhere else". The number of young people who have taken an active interest in what is going on and said there is something wrong.

Hope for the future is what I have.

There have also been a lot of people who are asking "why" questions. Not "how" did we get here but "why" did we get here. Some very interesting evaluations and rumination out there.

So maybe the experiment is about to end and a release valve will be pulled or maybe the steam hasn't built up enough for the work to be finished.

I don't know, but that's enough from me. Have a good night (or day depending on your position).

-- Pan

[marlowe]

Dorian Johnson , the star witness in the Michael Brown shooting , charged with theft and filing a false police report.....

http://www.ijreview.com/2014/08/170048-star-witness-michael-brown-shooting-charged-theft-filing-false-police-report/

[Ahnung-quay]

From Dennis J. Kucinich

Militarized Police and the Threat to Democracy
Posted: 08/18/2014 11:18 am EDT Updated: 08/18/2014 11:59 am EDT Print ArticleFERGUSON
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As a former big city mayor of a racially diverse city, Cleveland, Ohio, I can understand the cross currents sweeping through Ferguson, Missouri.

We are at a moment of national crisis in the way our domestic law enforcement is being conducted. The killing of an unarmed civilian by a law enforcement officer is, sadly, not unique. But the police response to the protests has provided a powerful cautionary moment for America. The militarization of local police has led to the arrival today in Ferguson of the actual military, the National Guard.

This crisis comes from:

1) The erosion of a principle in federal law, Posse Comitatus, meant to restrict the use of the military in civilian law enforcement;
2) The Pentagon's dispersal of military equipment to domestic police units, which has increased since 9/11;
3) Military-style police training reliant upon weaponry, as opposed to peace keeping, including skills development for de-escalation of violent tensions.

An unarmed, African-American teenager was shot and killed by a policeman. As people protested, the Ferguson police response evoked images of an occupying army come home.

The show of military-style force in an American city has created a huge backlash because the underlying concerns for justice have not been addressed. Moreover, Americans don't want armies patrolling their streets, attempting to stifle public dissent.

There is something deep in the American psyche which resents and resists military-style force in our neighborhoods. The hard-edged military pose of armored vehicles, heavy duty weaponry, and sound cannons, which can permanently damage hearing, may seem like modern crowd control to some law enforcement officials. But to the people in the community who are on the receiving end, it is an escalation of violence, in real terms and by the law.

A quick review of pertinent American history:

The Boston Massacre of March 5, 1770, was a catalyst toward the American Revolution. Five civilians were killed by the British soldiers. The Declaration of Independence, in condemning the offenses against liberty by George III, stated:

He has kept among us, in times of peace, standing armies without the consent of our legislature.
He has affected to render the military independent of and superior to civil power.
He has combined with others to subject us to a jurisdiction foreign to our constitution, and unacknowledged by our laws; giving his assent to their acts of pretended legislation:
For quartering large bodies of armed troops among us
For protecting them, by mock trial, from punishment for any murders which they should commit on the inhabitants of these states
From our earliest beginnings, when John Adams spoke to "the dangers of standing armies," Americans have demanded accountability and rejected military presence in our daily lives.

Yet, for purposes of security, the Framers provided Congress with the power "To provide for calling forth the militia to execute the Laws of the Union, suppress insurrections and repel invasions."

The invocation of that provision has a checkered history: The Army has been involved in enforcing slavery, strike-breaking, and interfering in the 1876 Hayes-Tilden election in the South.

Rutherford B. Hayes, a Republican, became president in a deal, "The Compromise of 1876," which led to federal troops being removed from the former Confederate states in the south, ending Reconstruction and dashing the hopes of African Americans for full civil rights.

Eighty years later the federal government would attempt to acquit itself of that sell-out by using a federalized national guard to challenge segregation, enforcing African-American students' rights to attend public schools in Little Rock, Arkansas.

In 1877 a law was passed which forbade the use of federal military resources in domestic law enforcement in any manner. The proscription, popularly known as Posse Comitatus, held up for more than a century.

In the past two decades the United States Congress began to chip away at the firewall between democratic policing and militarization, passing legislation authorizing the Department of Defense to give local police information on military training, and to provide equipment and facilities.

Local police departments became the recipients of military-grade weaponry, guns, tanks, armor, planes and the like. With the military equipment came the mind-set of police becoming warfighters, in a hostile environment -- in one's own community.

The governor of Missouri did not have to invoke martial law in Ferguson for it to look like martial law.

As Americans become aroused over social, economic and political conditions which speak to the failure of government to protect the civil rights of all people and the failure to address the practical aspirations of the American people, this is the time to demand Congress understand the significance of the Declaration when it comes to protecting our freedoms in the 21st century.

Here are some suggestions:

1. Congress must firmly re-establish the firewall between civilian law enforcement and the military by reinstating the intent of the Posse Comitatus law. As member of Congress I warned in 2007 the dangers of a bill which permitted the government to put troops on the ground in the US.

2. The Department of Defense must stop providing war-fighting equipment to local law enforcement.

3. All equipment provided to local law enforcement by the Department of Defense, must be inventoried and stored, not used except under an executive order from the top civilian authority in a state, the Governor, or under orders of the President of the United States.

4. The General Accounting Office and the Inspector General of the Department of Defense must be asked by Congress to determine the extent to which the training and equipping of local police by the DOD has created a culture in local law enforcement which is adverse to democratic values.

5. The Justice Department needs to fund programs which will train or retrain local law enforcement in racial sensitivity, constitutional protections of suspects, including the right to freedom of speech and right to assemble.

6. The Justice Department must also fund, support and mandate that all local law enforcement receiving any federal funds whatsoever create community programs for dialogue between local police and people in the neighborhood. Local police become an occupying army through emotional distancing, fear and lack of contact with the community. That can change by having police and the community meet regularly to discuss mutual concerns.

Those who serve in local law enforcement are given special trust, special dispensation to serve and protect. Their work is essential. Local police would like to be supported. But we must demand strict adherence to the Constitution and protection of the freedoms given to us by the Bill of Rights.

Let's insist on the following principles:

Well trained, culturally diverse, de-militarized local police forces to protect our neighborhoods.
The military to defend our nation.
And a rule of law which applies to a man with a badge and a gun, just as it applies to an unarmed teenager.
The requirements of freedom demand no less.

Follow Dennis Kucinich on Facebook: www.facebook.com/denniskucinich

http://www.twitter.com/Dennis_Kucinich

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/dennis-j-kucinich/police-militarization_b_5687598.html

[marlowe]

Dorian Johnson , the star witness in the Michael Brown shooting , charged with theft and filing a false police report.....

http://www.ijreview.com/2014/08/170048-star-witness-michael-brown-shooting-charged-theft-filing-false-police-report/

It looks like little Dorian has credibility problems .....

[Jake]

Dorian Johnson , the star witness in the Michael Brown shooting , charged with theft and filing a false police report.....

http://www.ijreview.com/2014/08/170048-star-witness-michael-brown-shooting-charged-theft-filing-false-police-report/

It looks like little Dorian has credibility problems .....

Indeed.. Even though these charges were from 2011,, they are still relevant under the current circumstance. Dorian definitely has credibility issues.. I think he needs some serious professional counseling.. I've seen some things, but I've never seen someone gunned down in front of me... That must create tremendous shock. (sorry about my tendency to support Dorian, n MB.) :)

Jake.

[marlowe]

this ex cop in this video is speaking in 2012 but he is predicting what will happen in 2014....

He is predicting what is happening in Missouri right now...Must watch first 3 minutes...


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cF2zKzXYAwQ

[panopticon]

Just a quick note that hasn't been mentioned widely.

Civilian contractors from Asymmetric Solutions USA (http://www.asymmetricsolutionsusa.com/civilian/) were in Ferguson on the 20th:


We've been to Baghdad, Kabul, KL, Manilla, Peshwar, Bogata. Never guessed we would deploy a high threat team in our own city. #furgeson

To clarify we are not protecting state, law enforcement or those exercising their right to assemble. Escort detail augment for individual.
Source (https://twitter.com/AsymmetricUSA)

On the 21st a telling tweet:


Safe tour - job complete -on direct observation seems media has made protestors out to be more bloodthirsty than they are
Source (https://twitter.com/AsymmetricUSA/status/502235560225042432)

Response to requests for further information Asymmetric Solutions posted on their Facebook account (excerpt):


We were recently contacted by a professional investigative journalist that some of our ranks have previously escorted into highly dangerous combat zones. This individual requested that we escort their small group into Ferguson, Missouri to view the ongoing issues for future commentary. We took this individual in and out of the area safely without incident.

We were not hired to work for the state, for the police, to work as peacekeepers, mercenaries, cops for hire, etc. We have done similar personal bodyguard and high risk logistics work with journalists who are interested in reporting from hostile areas all over the world.

We normally do not comment on this side of our work. At suggestion of our client who felt our position was unique, our public message was one of frustration that someone who would typically call upon us to escort them to Baghdad, Kabul, etc. would feel the need to ask us to take them into a suburb of St. Louis, our own wonderful city. It is tragic that things have degenerated to this point. The metro area is our home and we believe the coverage of St. Louis and this incident by major media is fueling the issue unnecessarily for their own benefit.

In our time inside the Ferguson area, we came into ancillary contact with numerous demonstrators and protestors who did not seem to have any commitment to violence or chaos, but only wanted to peacefully have their opinion heard or report on the matters at hand. It seems a few bad actors are being treated as the whole.
Source (https://www.facebook.com/asymmetricsolutionsusa/posts/629872403795144)
So Asymmetric Solutions USA are reporting that they were on a protection detail (for a number of reporters) and that what is being presented in the media is tosh, rubbish, poppycock.

That marries up with almost ever independent report I've seen or read.

Again, this is appearing more and more like the constructed narrative was starting to fall apart.

Good to see the National Guard has been removed.

Fox2 streaming here (http://fox2now.com/on-air/live-streaming-2/).

Retired Philadelphia police Captain Ray Lewis was arrested at Occupy! and now is in Ferguson:

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/Bvmrt1YIYAAuptD.jpg

-- Pan

[panopticon]

Interesting article on warrants and revenue raising in some US municipalities I came across the other day:


Municipalities’ seeming willigness to profit off of minorities has undoubtedly fueled the flames ignited by Brown’s shooting. One resident quoted in the study said, “It’s ridiculous how these small municipalities make their lifeline off the blood of the people who drive through the area.”

Twenty-two percent of Ferguson residents live below the poverty line, and 21.7 percent receive food stamps. The unemployment rate in the town is 14.3 percent, or more than double that of St. Louis County and Missouri as a whole.

“Despite Ferguson’s relative poverty, fines and court fees comprise the second largest source of revenue for the city, a total of 2,635,400,” according to the ArchCity Defenders report. And in 2013, the Ferguson Municipal Court issued 24,532 arrest warrants and 12,018 cases, “or about 3 warrants and 1.5 cases per household.”

Exacerbating the problem, the report says, are "a number of operational procedures that make it even more difficult for defendants to navigate the courts." A Ferguson court employee reported, for example, that “the bench routinely starts hearing cases 30 minutes before the appointed time and then locks the doors to the building as early as five minutes after the official hour, a practice that could easily lead a defendant arriving even slightly late to receive an additional charge for failure to appear.”

Thomas Harvey, co-founder and executive director of ArchCity Defenders and one of the paper’s authors, says that residents’ perception that the system is unfairly stacked against them gives important context for the depth of the present outrage.

“There are 90 municipalities in St. Louis County that range from 12 people to 50,000 people. Eighty-six of them have their own courts. They have their own police forces,” he explains. “What ends up being the product of all that is just a low-level sense of harassment on a daily basis. The clients that we represent feel that. It’s palpable for them.”

“They resent it because it’s not about public safety,” he adds. “These aren’t violent criminals. These are poor people.”
Source (http://www.newsweek.com/ferguson-profiling-police-courts-shooting-264744)

From the ArchCity Defenders report (https://www.dropbox.com/s/vwptqn3mhq9xvy7/ArchCity%20Defenders%20Municipal%20Courts%20Whitepaper.pdf) the article is based on (the ArchCity Defenders (http://www.archcitydefenders.org/) are a group of lawyers who represent people in St. Louis region that otherwise would "fall through the cracks" of the system -- including Ferguson, which is mentioned in the report):


Because Missouri works on a point system and a certain number of points suspends or revokes your driver’s license, it is crucial to amend a moving violation to a non-moving violation. If you have the money this works. For a simple speeding ticket, an attorney is paid $50-$100, the municipality is paid $150-$200 in fines and court costs, and the defendant avoids points on his or her license as well as a possible increase in insurance costs. For simple cases, neither the attorney nor the defendant must appear in court.

However, if you do not have the ability to hire an attorney or pay fines, you do not get the benefit of the amendment, you are assessed points, your license risks suspension and you still owe the municipality money you cannot afford. While many courts expect payment in full, courts frequently allow payment plans sometimes as low as $50 per month. If you cannot pay the amount in full, you must appear in court on that might to explain why. If you miss court, a warrant will likely be issued for your arrest.

People who are arrested on a warrant for failure to appear in court to pay the fines frequently sit in jail for an extended period. None of the municipalities has court on a daily basis and some courts meet only once per month. If you are arrested on a warrant in one of these jurisdictions and are unable to pay the bond, you may spend as much as three weeks in jail waiting to see a judge.

Yet, in all but a very few, these municipalities fail to provide lawyers for those who cannot afford counsel. As a result, unrepresented defendants often enter pleas of guilty without knowing that they have right to consult with a lawyer, although this information is on many court websites. Defendants are also sentenced to probation and to the payment of unreasonable fines without a knowing, voluntary, and intelligent waiver of defendant’s right to counsel. Despite their poverty, defendants are frequently ordered to pay fines that are frequently triple their monthly income.
Source (https://www.dropbox.com/s/vwptqn3mhq9xvy7/ArchCity%20Defenders%20Municipal%20Courts%20Whitepaper.pdf)

Wait it gets better:

When summoned to one of these courts, defendants may face jail time if they fail to appear. If they lack access to childcare, they bring their children with them. According to local judge Frank Vaterott, 37% of the courts responding to his survey unconstitutionally closed the courts to non-defendants. Defendants are then faced with the choice of leaving their kids on the parking lot or going into court. As Antonio Morgan described after being denied entry to the court with his children, the decision to leave his kids with a friend resulted in a charge of child endangerment.

For communities of color, this harassment is palpable and statistically supported by annual reports on racial disparity in police stops prepared by the Missouri Attorney General’s office. In the state of Missouri in general, African Americans are pulled over “at a rate 63 percent greater than expected based solely on their proportion of the population 16 and older.” The data is similarly problematic in Belridge, Ferguson, and Florissant as will be shown later in the paper.
Source (https://www.dropbox.com/s/vwptqn3mhq9xvy7/ArchCity%20Defenders%20Municipal%20Courts%20Whitepaper.pdf)


But surely that isn't the feeling that people have about Ferguson. After all we've been told that this isn't the case by Johnson, Jackson & Nixon.


Many residents feel that the police and the courts target black residents and try to find something to fine them for. As one defendant said, “They’re searching to find something wrong. If you dig deep enough, you’ll always find dirt.” Another group of defendants waiting outside of a municipal court noted that there were no white individuals waiting with them. In fact, one said, ““You go to all of these damn courts, and there’s no white people,” while another defendant even ticked off specific municipalities that he thinks engage in racial profiling. He said, "In Dellwood, Ferguson, basically in North County, if you’re black, they’re going to stop you.”
Source (https://www.dropbox.com/s/vwptqn3mhq9xvy7/ArchCity%20Defenders%20Municipal%20Courts%20Whitepaper.pdf)
Getting fined for not "subscribing" (ie paying for a county service) to the official municipal rubbish disposal scheme results in a court session.

There's heaps more but just remember that failing to attend, for whatever reason (say a change of address lead to not receiving the notice) leads to a bench warrant being issued...

Also, many poorer resident are aware that if they attend the courts over a fine and are unable to pay the fine they automatically get locked up in jail. As a result they don't attend the court and a warrant is issued. This starts a cycle resulting in a longer sentence.

We have to know what the problems are to understand why things occur...

Why is the number of warrants higher than the number of cases?
Because of the way the system works is to collate offences into warrants for higher revenue raising.

Say you have a hearing over a minor traffic infringement or because you shifted and didn't get the notification about an unpaid rubbish subscription. That hearing is to commence at 2 pm. It is a 30 second plead and walk. No worries. You arrive at the courthouse at 2:06 PM maybe there was a problem getting someone to look after your son because the person who said they would had their car break down. The courthouse doors are locked and you can't get in.

You now have a warrant.

Say you are out driving and make the mistake of being above the speed limit (I've done it, was doing 60 km/hr in a 50 km/hr zone). You get to the court on time but can't afford a lawyer to get the charges changed. You can't afford the higher fine. You go to jail for 4 days over a mistake.

I'm actually surprised that Michael Brown didn't have a warrant.

Maybe he wasn't old enough to be a revenue raising point.

The following video from AP focuses on people not trusting police officers:

xKoV1zxGqXs
I hope after reading this post people realise that the problems are not isolated to the police in Ferguson but is systemic to, at the very least, the municipal "justice" system.

The resentment in this area has causes.

-- Pan

[panopticon]

This is unbelievable.

Wilson didn't write an incident report, nor did anyone else who attended the scene...

Here's the only report (courtesy of the ACLU of Missouri legal action [source (https://twitter.com/aclu_mo/status/502201858098614272)]):

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/BvnqYxmCAAATbMA.jpg

Commentary from MSNBC 'The Last Word' available here:
http://www.msnbc.com/the-last-word

This is truly stunning.

-- Pan :tsk:

[Dennis Leahy]

Interesting article on warrants and revenue raising in some US municipalities I came across the other day:


Municipalities’ seeming willigness to profit off of minorities has undoubtedly fueled the flames ignited by Brown’s shooting. One resident quoted in the study said, “It’s ridiculous how these small municipalities make their lifeline off the blood of the people who drive through the area.”

Twenty-two percent of Ferguson residents live below the poverty line, and 21.7 percent receive food stamps. The unemployment rate in the town is 14.3 percent, or more than double that of St. Louis County and Missouri as a whole.

“Despite Ferguson’s relative poverty, fines and court fees comprise the second largest source of revenue for the city, a total of 2,635,400,” according to the ArchCity Defenders report. And in 2013, the Ferguson Municipal Court issued 24,532 arrest warrants and 12,018 cases, “or about 3 warrants and 1.5 cases per household.”

Exacerbating the problem, the report says, are "a number of operational procedures that make it even more difficult for defendants to navigate the courts." A Ferguson court employee reported, for example, that “the bench routinely starts hearing cases 30 minutes before the appointed time and then locks the doors to the building as early as five minutes after the official hour, a practice that could easily lead a defendant arriving even slightly late to receive an additional charge for failure to appear.”

Thomas Harvey, co-founder and executive director of ArchCity Defenders and one of the paper’s authors, says that residents’ perception that the system is unfairly stacked against them gives important context for the depth of the present outrage.

“There are 90 municipalities in St. Louis County that range from 12 people to 50,000 people. Eighty-six of them have their own courts. They have their own police forces,” he explains. “What ends up being the product of all that is just a low-level sense of harassment on a daily basis. The clients that we represent feel that. It’s palpable for them.”

“They resent it because it’s not about public safety,” he adds. “These aren’t violent criminals. These are poor people.”
Source (http://www.newsweek.com/ferguson-profiling-police-courts-shooting-264744)From the ArchCity Defenders report (https://www.dropbox.com/s/vwptqn3mhq9xvy7/ArchCity%20Defenders%20Municipal%20Courts%20Whitepaper.pdf) the article is based on (the ArchCity Defenders (http://www.archcitydefenders.org/) are a group of lawyers who represent people in St. Louis region that otherwise would "fall through the cracks" of the system -- including Ferguson, which is mentioned in the report):


Because Missouri works on a point system and a certain number of points suspends or revokes your driver’s license, it is crucial to amend a moving violation to a non-moving violation. If you have the money this works. For a simple speeding ticket, an attorney is paid $50-$100, the municipality is paid $150-$200 in fines and court costs, and the defendant avoids points on his or her license as well as a possible increase in insurance costs. For simple cases, neither the attorney nor the defendant must appear in court.

However, if you do not have the ability to hire an attorney or pay fines, you do not get the benefit of the amendment, you are assessed points, your license risks suspension and you still owe the municipality money you cannot afford. While many courts expect payment in full, courts frequently allow payment plans sometimes as low as $50 per month. If you cannot pay the amount in full, you must appear in court on that might to explain why. If you miss court, a warrant will likely be issued for your arrest.

People who are arrested on a warrant for failure to appear in court to pay the fines frequently sit in jail for an extended period. None of the municipalities has court on a daily basis and some courts meet only once per month. If you are arrested on a warrant in one of these jurisdictions and are unable to pay the bond, you may spend as much as three weeks in jail waiting to see a judge.

Yet, in all but a very few, these municipalities fail to provide lawyers for those who cannot afford counsel. As a result, unrepresented defendants often enter pleas of guilty without knowing that they have right to consult with a lawyer, although this information is on many court websites. Defendants are also sentenced to probation and to the payment of unreasonable fines without a knowing, voluntary, and intelligent waiver of defendant’s right to counsel. Despite their poverty, defendants are frequently ordered to pay fines that are frequently triple their monthly income.
Source (https://www.dropbox.com/s/vwptqn3mhq9xvy7/ArchCity%20Defenders%20Municipal%20Courts%20Whitepaper.pdf)Wait it gets better:

When summoned to one of these courts, defendants may face jail time if they fail to appear. If they lack access to childcare, they bring their children with them. According to local judge Frank Vaterott, 37% of the courts responding to his survey unconstitutionally closed the courts to non-defendants. Defendants are then faced with the choice of leaving their kids on the parking lot or going into court. As Antonio Morgan described after being denied entry to the court with his children, the decision to leave his kids with a friend resulted in a charge of child endangerment.

For communities of color, this harassment is palpable and statistically supported by annual reports on racial disparity in police stops prepared by the Missouri Attorney General’s office. In the state of Missouri in general, African Americans are pulled over “at a rate 63 percent greater than expected based solely on their proportion of the population 16 and older.” The data is similarly problematic in Belridge, Ferguson, and Florissant as will be shown later in the paper.
Source (https://www.dropbox.com/s/vwptqn3mhq9xvy7/ArchCity%20Defenders%20Municipal%20Courts%20Whitepaper.pdf)
But surely that isn't the feeling that people have about Ferguson. After all we've been told that this isn't the case by Johnson, Jackson & Nixon.


Many residents feel that the police and the courts target black residents and try to find something to fine them for. As one defendant said, “They’re searching to find something wrong. If you dig deep enough, you’ll always find dirt.” Another group of defendants waiting outside of a municipal court noted that there were no white individuals waiting with them. In fact, one said, ““You go to all of these damn courts, and there’s no white people,” while another defendant even ticked off specific municipalities that he thinks engage in racial profiling. He said, "In Dellwood, Ferguson, basically in North County, if you’re black, they’re going to stop you.”
Source (https://www.dropbox.com/s/vwptqn3mhq9xvy7/ArchCity%20Defenders%20Municipal%20Courts%20Whitepaper.pdf)Getting fined for not "subscribing" (ie paying for a county service) to the official municipal rubbish disposal scheme results in a court session.

There's heaps more but just remember that failing to attend, for whatever reason (say a change of address lead to not receiving the notice) leads to a bench warrant being issued...

Also, many poorer resident are aware that if they attend the courts over a fine and are unable to pay the fine they automatically get locked up in jail. As a result they don't attend the court and a warrant is issued. This starts a cycle resulting in a longer sentence.

We have to know what the problems are to understand why things occur...

Why is the number of warrants higher than the number of cases?
Because of the way the system works is to collate offences into warrants for higher revenue raising.

Say you have a hearing over a minor traffic infringement or because you shifted and didn't get the notification about an unpaid rubbish subscription. That hearing is to commence at 2 pm. It is a 30 second plead and walk. No worries. You arrive at the courthouse at 2:06 PM maybe there was a problem getting someone to look after your son because the person who said they would had their car break down. The courthouse doors are locked and you can't get in.

You now have a warrant.

Say you are out driving and make the mistake of being above the speed limit (I've done it, was doing 60 km/hr in a 50 km/hr zone). You get to the court on time but can't afford a lawyer to get the charges changed. You can't afford the higher fine. You go to jail for 4 days over a mistake.

I'm actually surprised that Michael Brown didn't have a warrant.

Maybe he wasn't old enough to be a revenue raising point.

The following video from AP focuses on people not trusting police officers:

xKoV1zxGqXs
I hope after reading this post people realise that the problems are not isolated to the police in Ferguson but is systemic to, at the very least, the municipal "justice" system.

The resentment in this area has causes.

-- Pan

This is a superb post, and clicking "Thanks" is not powerful enough. Digging deeper. Roots. Causes. Why.

...with the insidious petty BS of municipalities setting up layers of bureaucratic/"judicial" mousetraps, it's not hard to branch from this to a discussion of anarchism. I won't go there (don't want to dilute this topic), but no one in their right mind can possibly think that this official, systematic fleecing/shakedown is right or good or fair or healthy for individuals or society.

Dennis

[panopticon]

Captain Johnson's nightly press conference (available here (http://www.kmov.com/video/featured-videos/Raw-Capt-Johnson-holds-early-Fri-morning-press-conference-272261011.html)) was a bit weird last night. From Parents For Peace to basket ball hoop nets to sock puppets... I really didn't know what to make of it. There were the usual control mechanisms (for example saying how wonderful the Parents For Peace project is and then that all the Kid should be in school just disempowers those professionals and volunteers doing the counselling) but I don't know what his speech writer was smoking...

Colouring books and crayons are not the thing of a midnight press conference in a civil disturbance operation. These sorts of pressers are for stats and information. The daytime ones are for the "community" talk. Maybe he was aiming for the breakfast TV news shows. I don't know how they work in the US. While these weird things might have sounded like a good sound bite I'm doubtful they will get much air play.

Maybe that was the point? Bore the press so their producers tell them to not be their at the late night presser. This removes the press and hopefully ends the protest coverage.

Anyway, evidently the community of Ferguson is a sock puppet.

Remember that, you heard it from ol' Captain RJ first.

-- Pan

[Snowflower]

Pan, I second Dennis' praise. Thank you, deeply, for your intensive investigation and analysis.

Marlowe, you either just plain don't get it, or ...

At this point, it is somewhat wait and see - will the protest die down and life for Ferguson goes back to BAU with endless warrants, theft by criminal fines, and reality of slavery, or is this the start of America's cities running with blood?

===

[ mod-edit: disparaging remark removed. -- Paul. ]

[panopticon]

Pan, I second Dennis' praise. Thank you, deeply, for your intensive investigation and analysis.
[...]
At this point, it is somewhat wait and see - will the protest die down and life for Ferguson goes back to BAU with endless warrants, theft by criminal fines, and reality of slavery, or is this the start of America's cities running with blood?
No worries all. I aims ta please. ;)

I'm of the opinion that an arranged response started on the morning of the 10th of August. Brown's death is secondary to the events that occurred after it in relation to the containment strategy (ie it didn't matter what the circumstances were just that there was civil unrest in a built up urban/residential area).

This was a very specific response to a general disturbance that was managed with top down efficiency.

The only problem was the police chief in Ferguson went off script.

Look at the press conference that was supposed to be announcing Officer Darren Wilson's name. It went all over the shop first and the press were confused as to what was going on. At the very end, after that little bit of character assassination about the "strong arm robbery", someone in the press has enough and asks Jackson for Wilson's name. Jackson gives Wilson's name and we get told what a wonderful bloke Officer Wilson is. Then Jackson goes to leave and the press get upset because he hasn't spelt Wilson's name or given any details about him (which was the purpose of the presser).

When looking at it watch Jackson. He looks very very nervous.

Maybe it's all the press. Maybe it's the pressure of the situation. I don't know.

What we do know, from later comments by Nixon and Johnson, is that he was not supposed to give out anything more than Wilson's name at that presser.

6XJ1Kh1CTB8
It is very hard to show that this is a specific "test in the wild" and not a normal prefab response but I've been documenting key things in this thread that seem to indicate it.

The constant mention by protesters & media of police provocation and individual provocateurs within the crowd all point to this.

The calling in of the Nation Guard on an operation that the civilian contractors from Asymmetric Solutions USA were so confused by only confirmed my opinion:


In our time inside the Ferguson area, we came into ancillary contact with numerous demonstrators and protestors who did not seem to have any commitment to violence or chaos, but only wanted to peacefully have their opinion heard or report on the matters at hand. It seems a few bad actors are being treated as the whole.
Source (https://www.facebook.com/asymmetricsolutionsusa/posts/629872403795144)
There have been numerous instances where police have been identified who participated in aggressive action against protesters and journalists. These officers have all fitted a specific "type" and may have been deliberately chosen for certain aspects of the operation because of this. Social networks might have moved ahead of think-tanks and I'm fairly certain that the identity of come of these people were not supposed to be found.

Remember after Officer GFYS was identified the entire operation changed. The police were no longer aggressive. The National Guard were stood down. Johnson looked a bit annoyed. It all changed very quickly. I don't know whether it was because of Officer GFYS being identified or if that was a coincidence. As I said before it's hard to know while something like this is occurring. All that can be done is gather everything, print/record/save as much as possible and look for trends. I advise print/record/save because edits get done all the time and that one key point that you were looking for might get edited out.

A good site is newsdiffs.org (http://www.newsdiffs.org/) which tracks alterations to articles on the NYT, CNN, WP, BBC & Politico. Comes in handy sometimes. ;)

Remember, data is the key. In a fluid environment look at the way in which things stand out. Not everything can be managed during a test "in the wild".

Anyway, I hope that we can all look back on this one day and say that some good came from it, even if that good was only a temporary sense of belonging within some very diverse groups or maybe a raising of awareness around police brutality, police militarisation and procedural "irregularities".

I must admit I'm a bit nervous about the growing call for increased camera surveillance. Never been a fan of that as it only inhibits personal freedoms through not only the obvious external observation but also greatly increases internal monitoring by the individual.

"We must conform to the norm."

That's not far from an Orwellian nightmare.

My thoughts are with the Brown Family, the Wilson Family and all those who have been directly or indirectly affected by these terrible series of events.

-- Pan

[marlowe]

Let's say you live in a mansion in St Louis and you plan to be away from the city

on weekends for 6 months . Let's say that this is happening a year ago in August of 2013....

Let's say you put an ad in the paper for person to watch over your mansion at night on weekends and Darren Wilson and Dorian Johnson apply for the job.

Darren Wilson has a sterling , unblemished record in 8 years as a police officer. ....... Dorian Johnson has a rap sheet of theft and lying about his name to the police and spending 14 days in jail as a result of these 2 crimes.....
Which one would you hire to look after your house ?...:confused:

In Dorian Johnson's version of events Darren Wilson grabs Michael Johnson's head and tries to pull him into the police car.

In Darren Wilson's version Michael Brown puts his head through the window of the police car , tries to grab Wilson's gun and we know for certain the gun discharged one round.
Which version of the event do you believe happened ?


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HYrcGfWwI_c

[Octavusprime]

I second Dennis' praise. Thank you for bringing up the unjust court system. The court system is now nothing more than a revenue stream with the end goal of charging as many fees as possible to squeeze the most amount of money out of the population.

The courts know they have no power. Either they take money or they throw you in jail that is the only incentive they currently use to "force" people to obey their laws. So if you have the money you pay and walk. If you don't have money you spend time incarcerated. So how does this help?

Say I'm a single parent living off minimum wage and have 3 kids. I am running late to my job because I had to drive 20 miles to drop off my kids at my mothers house and there was an accident on the highway. My boss sucks and I fear losing my job if I'm late. I am racing to work and get pulled over. The speeding ticket is $600 dollars and I can't afford it. At court I set up a $50 a month payment plan knowing that I can't pay all my bills and feed my family on top of the $50 a month. I fall behind on the payments and now a warrant is issued for my arrest. I go to jail for 3 weeks, lose my job, my kids are psychologically scarred, I still can't pay the fines and now I'm worse off than I was before. All over a speeding ticket....

The system is set up in a way to punish the poor and give the upper class a small slap on the wrist.

The outrageous penalties, fees and fines need to be re-evaluated. Perhaps a tiered system based on income? In addition, if you can't pay a fine for a minor non-violent offense than there needs to be systems in place so that people aren't forced into further poverty and desperation... It's just feeding the fire of inequality and injustice. Perhaps donating your time to a charity in your community could be used for "payment" for your crime.

The whole system is a money hungry parasite that is feeding off our country. The court system should not be used as corporation under the local government to fund it's insatiable appetite.

[Octavusprime]

Marlowe, you may be right about the event but that really doesn't matter much now. The protests are really about more than one person being shot. It is about a systemic problem of out of control authoritarian police tactics. I know you would like to prove that the officer was in the right with shooting Michael Brown but at this point the issues go way beyond the actual incident. It was the match that lit the powder keg.

There are many underlying issues that have created the situation of mistrust of the police force in Ferguson. These issues are what need to be focused on. The root cause of the frustrations of the people in the community is what needs to be determined, acknowledged and addressed.

I feel you are beating a dead horse and through your frustrations you are becoming obviously agitated. If you would like to start a new thread on whether or not Wilson was warranted in shooting Brown, please do so with your evidence. This thread is more about the bigger picture and the true source of the current tensions.

Respect and love to you.

Octavusprime

[Jake]

Let's say you live in a mansion in St Louis and you plan to be away from the city

on weekends for 6 months . Let's say that this is happening a year ago in August of 2013....

Let's say you put an ad in the paper for person to watch over your mansion at night on weekends and Darren Wilson and Dorian Johnson apply for the job.

Darren Wilson has a sterling , unblemished record in 8 years as a police officer. ....... Dorian Johnson has a rap sheet of theft and lying about his name to the police and spending 14 days in jail as a result of these 2 crimes.....
Which one would you hire to look after your house ?...:confused:

In Dorian Johnson's version of events Darren Wilson grabs Michael Johnson's head and tries to pull him into the police car.

In Darren Wilson's version Michael Brown puts his head through the window of the police car , tries to grab Wilson's gun and we know for certain the gun discharged one round.
Which version of the event do you believe happened ?


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HYrcGfWwI_c

LMAO... Based on that information alone, I wouldn't let either of them check the oil in my car,, much less watch my house.. A very silly, loaded, question. I have lots of friends and neighbors that can watch my house..

If I got the chance to get to know them,, maybe both of them could watch my house, and get to know each other... :):)

Cheers, Jake.

[panopticon]

Let's say you live in a mansion in St Louis and you plan to be away from the city

on weekends for 6 months . Let's say that this is happening a year ago in August of 2013....

Let's say you put an ad in the paper for person to watch over your mansion at night on weekends and Darren Wilson and Dorian Johnson apply for the job.

Darren Wilson has a sterling , unblemished record in 8 years as a police officer. ....... Dorian Johnson has a rap sheet of theft and lying about his name to the police and spending 14 days in jail as a result of these 2 crimes.....
Which one would you hire to look after your house ?...:confused:

In Dorian Johnson's version of events Darren Wilson grabs Michael Johnson's head and tries to pull him into the police car.

In Darren Wilson's version Michael Brown puts his head through the window of the police car , tries to grab Wilson's gun and we know for certain the gun discharged one round.
Which version of the event do you believe happened ?

Really?

Is that it?

So, you haven't responded to anything I've pointed out as being wrong or misleading in any of your posts and then you post this tosh.

Let's be fair about it. Let's say which of 'em would I put up as a labourer. That's more realistic in my circumstances.

In response would Darren's family be staying in the house with him as well?

What are he and his family like with animals?

Is he able to work with stone? We do a lot of rock work here so that is a priority.

Does he have an interest in peacocks? What is his fowl abilities? Does he know what to do with an egg bound chook?

How about sheep, can he work a kelpie? What's he like on a quad?

What's he like at milking cows? How about a tractor? Does he have any backhoe experience? What about an excavator (sometimes the mine needs some help down the road)? Does he have an articulated truck license? Any tipper experience?

How is he with a chainsaw & wedge? How much gum can he split per hour?

That's just the preliminary questions. The more detailed application would come later.

I suppose if he had a spare fortnight I could run him through the basics and see if he's capable of a bit of hard yakka. If the dogs don't mind him maybe he'd be alright...

Same goes for Dorian. I've got no problems with a young bloke whose trying to get himself out from under. I've worked with young ex-offenders so know how hard it is for them to stay out.

Everybody makes mistakes when they're young and lets face it, allegedly stealing a back pack and giving a false name ain't exactly Al Capone now is it...

3 years without re-offending qualifies as a young fella trying to make a go of it in my book. Especially given the legal system there.

So, doesn't matter to me. If they're willing to work I'd give either of 'em a go (though Darren's family might make it a bit cramped for him).

I'd have to be pretty desperate to put on some yanks though. :photo:

-- Pan

[ThePythonicCow]

Pan, I second Dennis' praise.
And I third Dennis' praise.

I did edit your post a bit however ... for I also praise Marlowe's work on this thread. If I had had a little more spare time earlier today, I would have posted the same story about retired Sergeant Major Dan Page showing up for the Sheriff's department myself. What Page had to say in his speech two years ago, and what is happening now (with his presence even) is very relevant, in my view.

Here are some more variations of this same event - former Sergeant Major, now Sheriff deputy, Dan Page in Ferguson now, along with excerpts of his speech from 2012: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7CM5YzoEslA
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z_YV1vgdXLI
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g5f0CFLR8Rk
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=darUAq5v7xA

I may be dense, but I still do not see a conflict between Marlowe's posts here (prior to his latest above ... see my next post <grin>) and other members posts here. We are intentionally being presented with a conflicting situation, and various posts are noticing various aspects of it.

The bastards want the two conflicting, but compelling, sides of this story to pull us away from, and against, each other. I will continue to do my best to resist their divisive tactics.

[ThePythonicCow]

Let's say you put an ad in the paper for person to watch over your mansion at night on weekends and Darren Wilson and Dorian Johnson apply for the job.
Hopefully this question will not distract us much longer :).

It's a bit loaded, in my view, and both unanswerable from what's given, and not relevant to the deep divisions that have long been laid down and are now being leveraged to justify increased tyranny.

[marlowe]

Marlowe, you may be right about the event but that really doesn't matter much now.

Octavusprime

@ Octavus...Maybe you should put me on ignore ......As long as people keep labeling Darren Wilson a murderer before he has been put on trial I will continue to respond to those people calling Officer Wilson a murderer....

And BTW I have been posting about the bigger picture on this thread but maybe you haven't watched the videos

I've posted about how the shooting has become a way for TPTB to instigate martial law nation wide.....

And I'm absolutely convinced that if more rioting pops up in other cities there will be shoot to kill orders given to the mercenaries that have taken over now that the national guard has left...

If you google "Army training to kill Americans en mass / youtube " you will get 6 or 7 hits....

As I've posted earlier Webbots and the National Dream Center are both predicting that the electric grid will go down this fall ...Webbots sees 2.4 million Americans dying this October as a result of not being able to get their meds , food , water , etc....

Pan labeled my last post as "tosh" when , in fact , it was logical and realistic...

So my advice to you all is put me on ignore ....IMO the reason some here don't like my posts is because they don't want people disagreeing with their agenda to paint all cops as murderers....or maybe just Darren Wilson as a murderer.....And BTW..Wilson will be cleared so all of you need TO GET OVER IT....LOL..

[SilentFeathers]

I've posted about how the shooting has become a way for TPTB to instigate martial law nation wide.....

[U]And I'm absolutely convinced that if more rioting pops up in other cities there will be shoot to kill orders given to the mercenaries that have taken over now that the national guard has left...


All it'll take is a bombing or a beheading in this country and it blamed on ISIS and tanks will be rolling down main street everywhere and martial law will be the theme of the day.....(it's actually all they're talking about right now, that ISIS is gonna attack America)