Who is really surprised at the grand jury decision in Ferguson?
That being said – we will never know the truth because only two people really know what happened between them that fateful day – and one of them is dead.
What still bothers me about this tragedy is how the police allowed that young man’s dead body to lay in the street for 5 hours. This fact was even confirmed by the Police Chief – so there is nothing to dispute here.
In my way of thinking – 5 hours is a long time and perhaps the police that arrived on the scene really did think that one of their white guys shot another young black male – and they were trying to make the scene appear otherwise?
Or – maybe that is not what happened at all – but just the fact that these police allowed 5 hours to pass with the young male black’s dead body in the street raises a lot of questions – and suspicions.
Then – what really fuels the fire is how both sides have used this tragedy to push their political agendas.
Last – but not least – is how some of these right-wing white Republicans almost have this sense of glee when they blog about how the white cop is not a racist…..
What is so damn gleeful about a tragedy of a young black man’s death?
This is why our country will NEVER progress out of the dark ages of our racial past…. Too many people are gleeful when their side appears to be ‘winning’.
I served on a grand jury for 18 months. We heard dozens, perhaps hundreds, of cases ranging the spectrum of laws that might have been broken. Each case we heard what the prosecutor wanted us to hear and each case the only decision required was whether or not this case would go to a trial where ALL evidence from both sides would be presented to a petit jury whose responsibility was to come back with a guilty or innocent verdict. No grand jury makes that guilty or innocent decision! In this case, since no indictment was brought it won’t go to a trial and there will never be an opportunity to present ALL the evidence. The evidence the prosecutor wanted to be heard is all that will ever be heard. Plus, a majority vote is all it took to decide not to indict.
In my opinion this is an affront to justice. But then so is justice being for sale and we see that every day. If you have enough money you can buy your way out of the most egregious situations.
I was amazed and disgusted with the way this grand jury decision was made public. The build up, the release late at night, the opportunity for everyone, including media, to freak out and feed the unrest.
I will, however, heed the calm words of our president and the request made by Mr. Brown’s parents to honor his memory in peace and calmness because the young man is dead and can’t speak for himself and his parents deserve to be treated with the utmost dignity. Law breakers are criminals and should be held accountable by our justice system in a fair way — unlike what was afforded Mr. Brown.
——————————
President Obama delivered the following remarks on November 24 on the Ferguson grand jury decision.
OBAMA: As all of you know, a few minutes ago, the grand jury deliberating the death of Michael Brown issued its decision. It’s now come that either way was going to be subject of intense disagreement, not only in Ferguson but across America. So, I just want to say a few words suggesting how we might move forward.
First and foremost, we are a nation built on the rule of law. And so, we need to accept that this decision was the grand jury’s to make. There are Americans who agree with it, and there are Americans who are deeply disappointed, even angry. It’s an understandable reaction.
But I join Michael’s parents in asking anyone who protests this decision to do so peacefully. Let me repeat Michael’s father’s words, “Hurting others or destroying property is not the answer. No matter what the grand jury decides, I do not want my son’s death to be in vain. I want it to lead to incredible change, positive change, change that makes the St. Louis region better for everyone.”
Michael Brown’s parents have lost more than anyone. We should be honoring their wishes.
I also appeal to the law enforcement officials in Ferguson and the region to show care and restraint in managing peaceful protests that may occur. Understand, our police officers put their lives on the line for us every single day. They’ve got a tough job to do to maintain public safety and hold accountable those who break the law.
As they do their jobs in the coming days, they need to work with the community, not against the community, to distinguish the handful of people who may use the grand jury’s decision as an excuse for violence. Distinguish them from the vast majority who just want their voices heard around legitimate issues in terms of how communities and law enforcement interact.
Finally, we need to recognize that the situation in Ferguson speaks to broader challenges that we still face as a nation. The fact is in too many parts of this country a deep distrust exists between law enforcement and communities of color. Some of this is the result of the legacy of racial discrimination in this country. And this is tragic because nobody needs good policing more than poor communities with higher crime rates.
The good news is, we know there are things we can do to help. And I’ve instructed Attorney General Holder to work with cities across the country to help build better relations between communities and law enforcement. That means working with law enforcement officials to make sure their ranks are representative of the communities they serve. We know that makes a difference. It means working to train officials so that law enforcement conducts itself in a way that is fair to everybody. It means enlisting the community actively on what should be everybody’s goal, and that is to prevent crime.
And there are good people on all sides of this debate as well as in both Republican and Democratic Parties that are interested not only in lifting up best practices with — because we know that there are communities who’ve been able to deal with this in an effective way, but also who are interested in working with this administration and local and state officials to start tackling much-needed criminal justice reform. So, those should be the lessons that we draw from these tragic events. We need to recognize that this is not just an issue for Ferguson. This is an issue for America.
I was amazed and disgusted with the way this grand jury decision was made public. The build up, the release late at night, the opportunity for everyone, including media, to freak out and feed the unrest
————————
I suspect this was done on purpose – to make the protesters look like the evil ones in this entire situation.
Hey – I don’t hear many Right Wingers demonizing the same type of violence of burning stuff and overturning cars after some damn pro-sports team wins their game…
But – I do think there were a lot of outside agitators in Ferguson – and the media was there to whip them all up into a frenzy…
and why? because chaos on the news SELLS…….and brings up the ratings..
Some corporate CEOs are sitting in their big fat lap of luxury smirking because they know they will be still be making money off this Ferguson case long after this week.
Well….until the next tragedy happens – then the Corporate CEOs will turn their attention towards that city to make even more obscene profits.
And let’s not forget – there will always be politicians chomping at the bit and foaming at the mouth to jump in to the middle of the debate to make a name for themselves…
I’ve read several articles that says the white cop Darrel Wilson has been in negotiations to resign from the police force?
WHY the negotiations?
Hey – if I resign my job, I just go in and resign.
What I am afraid of – in this case – is if this Darrel Wilson goes on and becomes the darling of the Right Wingers Conservative Republicans and shows up on Foxxies Hen House Cluck Fest to sit back and show his glee…..that will only inflame this already intense situation.
We’ve seen this happen before – haven’t we?
Trayvon Martin case? The only thing is – George Zimmerman has shown his true colors several times after that court decision – so even these Right Wingers cannot defend him and not be laughed out of the room.
I’ve also read where DArrell Wilson has $500,000 donated to him…
Hey – half a million dollars is a lot of money and can buy a lot of things. I just wonder – will Darrell Wilson also show up as a radio shock jock host?
I am waiting to see what this Darrel Wilson does from this point forward. That will tell me a lot..
Like I said before – in this Ferguson tragedy, what bothers me the most is how that young man’s dead body was allowed to lay there in the street for 5 hours.
As a mother and grandmother – I cannot understand why this was allowed to happen. No parent deserves to know their child was treated with such disrespect.
And the fact this white police officer was reported that he did not even know about the video store footage where this same young black man was seen robbing the guy just a few minutes before – I just have to wonder, during those 5 hours, did someone else find out about that convenience store footage and that is why 5 hours was needed to make things appear ‘just right’?
It just raises a lot of questions and suspicions.
Again – only two people really know what happened between them that fateful day….and one of them is dead and cannot speak for himself.
And our current culture in society does not seem to want to wait to hear all the evidence – or even for the media to stop sensationalizing every little tidbit over and over and over…..
Plus – this damn inequality in our country is killing us……I know the Conservative Republicans do not think this is a big problem – but it is.
There is only so much the people ‘without’ can tolerate. When will the final straw be put on that proverbial camel’s back?
Something else has been bothering me for quite awhile…
These Right Winger Conservative White Republicans always demonize black people for playing the race card when something happens.
But yet these same Right Winger Conservative White Republicans have no problem – and will even defend – when these white Evangelical Christians play the persecution card when these folks push their agenda to demonize the homosexuals.
Why are the white folks allowed to play the persecution card and the blacks are not allowed to play the race card?
I also wonder why these same Conservative Christian Republicans are so outraged at the ‘liberal extremists’ (their words in other blogs I’ve seen) audacity to sign a petition to have TLC cancel the 19 Kids and counting television show. (The Duggars)
Again – the hypocrisy of all this is so annoying.
These same Conservative Christian Republicans viciously went after several companies for having equal rights for LGBT employees.
And poor JC Penney went through hell because these same folks – the American Taliban (my name for them) – boycotted and attacked their company because these folks demanded Ellen DeGeneres be removed as JC Penney spokewoman.
WTH…..
This is what grinds my gizzard – – these American Taliban folks are also the ones who are so griping, bitchin’ and moanin’ about how their Constitutional rights are being trampled on….but yet I see these folks exercising those rights to do their boycotting and attacking those companies/people that they don’t like….
So – where is this persecution crap coming from?
Seems to me – if the Right side can boycott and demand action – then so can the Left side do the same exact thing.
You don’t like this arrangement? Then, might I suggest you move to Iran, Syria, Iraq or any other Islamic country where the kissin kousin to the American Taliban is doing what the American Taliban is trying to do.
Look at the color of the majority in those crowds in the above pictures. THIS is why we don’t hear anything from those on the Right side of the political aisle.
Besides – it’s just ‘boys being boys’ – you betcha – wink, wink
That kind of thinking also lends itself to blaming the woman for being raped.
Just a note on the Ferguson Grand Jury. Under applicable Missouri law, it takes 75% of the jurors to agree to hand up an indictment. Thus, in the Ferguson example, with 12 members of the panel, all it took was 4 of the panel to object, and no indictment would issue, the same result as if all 12 members voted that insufficient probable cause existed to believe a crime had been committed. The supermajority requirement is quite common in state grand jury proceedings, BTW.
Hoping all have a Happy Thanksgiving, should I fail to appear here again before Friday.
Plus – if the prosecutor presented even one piece of evidence that suggested Michael Brown’s hand was inside the police car – then how hard would it get to reach the 75% level not to indict?
I am not at all surprised by this grand jury’s decision.
After all – there is a reason why most of the Ferguson police department are whites and that Darren Wilson had less than 3 years service on this particular police force.
I had a thought this morning – what if a black police officer shoots and kills one of these well-connected white kids who think it is so funny to be bad-ass dude? There have been several cases where wealthy white kids
What if Michael Brown was white and in a different suburb of St. Louis (a wealthy white suburb) and the police officer was black.
First of all – we all know that the wealthy white parents would be able to use their influence to get that black police officer charged with murder and prosecuted.
THAT is the difference – and this is also the problem – IMHO
I’ve read several blog comments from white Republicans who seem to take such delight and glee in the fact that Darren Wilson will not be charged. These folks are doing the cock-strutting dance of victory like they are personally involved.
I don’t get that type of thinking.
What is see from the Ferguson tragedy is just that – a tragedy.
A young man’s life was taken and a police officer’s life has been forever changed.
There is not one damn thing gleeful or delightful about this tragedy.
So – we can either learn from this – OR – we can do what we always seem to do, which is to divide into two sides and keep fighting the Civil War all over again.
several cases where wealthy white kids have been in trouble with the law. They have murdered, raped, robbed a convenience store and even bad-mouthed a police officer.
PrairiePopulistsAndProgressives.net 
Who is really surprised at the grand jury decision in Ferguson?
That being said – we will never know the truth because only two people really know what happened between them that fateful day – and one of them is dead.
What still bothers me about this tragedy is how the police allowed that young man’s dead body to lay in the street for 5 hours. This fact was even confirmed by the Police Chief – so there is nothing to dispute here.
In my way of thinking – 5 hours is a long time and perhaps the police that arrived on the scene really did think that one of their white guys shot another young black male – and they were trying to make the scene appear otherwise?
Or – maybe that is not what happened at all – but just the fact that these police allowed 5 hours to pass with the young male black’s dead body in the street raises a lot of questions – and suspicions.
Then – what really fuels the fire is how both sides have used this tragedy to push their political agendas.
Last – but not least – is how some of these right-wing white Republicans almost have this sense of glee when they blog about how the white cop is not a racist…..
What is so damn gleeful about a tragedy of a young black man’s death?
This is why our country will NEVER progress out of the dark ages of our racial past…. Too many people are gleeful when their side appears to be ‘winning’.
I served on a grand jury for 18 months. We heard dozens, perhaps hundreds, of cases ranging the spectrum of laws that might have been broken. Each case we heard what the prosecutor wanted us to hear and each case the only decision required was whether or not this case would go to a trial where ALL evidence from both sides would be presented to a petit jury whose responsibility was to come back with a guilty or innocent verdict. No grand jury makes that guilty or innocent decision! In this case, since no indictment was brought it won’t go to a trial and there will never be an opportunity to present ALL the evidence. The evidence the prosecutor wanted to be heard is all that will ever be heard. Plus, a majority vote is all it took to decide not to indict.
In my opinion this is an affront to justice. But then so is justice being for sale and we see that every day. If you have enough money you can buy your way out of the most egregious situations.
I was amazed and disgusted with the way this grand jury decision was made public. The build up, the release late at night, the opportunity for everyone, including media, to freak out and feed the unrest.
I will, however, heed the calm words of our president and the request made by Mr. Brown’s parents to honor his memory in peace and calmness because the young man is dead and can’t speak for himself and his parents deserve to be treated with the utmost dignity. Law breakers are criminals and should be held accountable by our justice system in a fair way — unlike what was afforded Mr. Brown.
——————————
President Obama delivered the following remarks on November 24 on the Ferguson grand jury decision.
OBAMA: As all of you know, a few minutes ago, the grand jury deliberating the death of Michael Brown issued its decision. It’s now come that either way was going to be subject of intense disagreement, not only in Ferguson but across America. So, I just want to say a few words suggesting how we might move forward.
First and foremost, we are a nation built on the rule of law. And so, we need to accept that this decision was the grand jury’s to make. There are Americans who agree with it, and there are Americans who are deeply disappointed, even angry. It’s an understandable reaction.
But I join Michael’s parents in asking anyone who protests this decision to do so peacefully. Let me repeat Michael’s father’s words, “Hurting others or destroying property is not the answer. No matter what the grand jury decides, I do not want my son’s death to be in vain. I want it to lead to incredible change, positive change, change that makes the St. Louis region better for everyone.”
Michael Brown’s parents have lost more than anyone. We should be honoring their wishes.
I also appeal to the law enforcement officials in Ferguson and the region to show care and restraint in managing peaceful protests that may occur. Understand, our police officers put their lives on the line for us every single day. They’ve got a tough job to do to maintain public safety and hold accountable those who break the law.
As they do their jobs in the coming days, they need to work with the community, not against the community, to distinguish the handful of people who may use the grand jury’s decision as an excuse for violence. Distinguish them from the vast majority who just want their voices heard around legitimate issues in terms of how communities and law enforcement interact.
Finally, we need to recognize that the situation in Ferguson speaks to broader challenges that we still face as a nation. The fact is in too many parts of this country a deep distrust exists between law enforcement and communities of color. Some of this is the result of the legacy of racial discrimination in this country. And this is tragic because nobody needs good policing more than poor communities with higher crime rates.
The good news is, we know there are things we can do to help. And I’ve instructed Attorney General Holder to work with cities across the country to help build better relations between communities and law enforcement. That means working with law enforcement officials to make sure their ranks are representative of the communities they serve. We know that makes a difference. It means working to train officials so that law enforcement conducts itself in a way that is fair to everybody. It means enlisting the community actively on what should be everybody’s goal, and that is to prevent crime.
And there are good people on all sides of this debate as well as in both Republican and Democratic Parties that are interested not only in lifting up best practices with — because we know that there are communities who’ve been able to deal with this in an effective way, but also who are interested in working with this administration and local and state officials to start tackling much-needed criminal justice reform. So, those should be the lessons that we draw from these tragic events. We need to recognize that this is not just an issue for Ferguson. This is an issue for America.
http://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/transcript-obamas-remarks-on-ferguson-grand-jury-decision/2014/11/24/afc3b38e-744f-11e4-bd1b-03009bd3e984_story.html
I was amazed and disgusted with the way this grand jury decision was made public. The build up, the release late at night, the opportunity for everyone, including media, to freak out and feed the unrest
————————
I suspect this was done on purpose – to make the protesters look like the evil ones in this entire situation.
Hey – I don’t hear many Right Wingers demonizing the same type of violence of burning stuff and overturning cars after some damn pro-sports team wins their game…
But – I do think there were a lot of outside agitators in Ferguson – and the media was there to whip them all up into a frenzy…
and why? because chaos on the news SELLS…….and brings up the ratings..
Some corporate CEOs are sitting in their big fat lap of luxury smirking because they know they will be still be making money off this Ferguson case long after this week.
Well….until the next tragedy happens – then the Corporate CEOs will turn their attention towards that city to make even more obscene profits.
And let’s not forget – there will always be politicians chomping at the bit and foaming at the mouth to jump in to the middle of the debate to make a name for themselves…
I’ve read several articles that says the white cop Darrel Wilson has been in negotiations to resign from the police force?
WHY the negotiations?
Hey – if I resign my job, I just go in and resign.
What I am afraid of – in this case – is if this Darrel Wilson goes on and becomes the darling of the Right Wingers Conservative Republicans and shows up on Foxxies Hen House Cluck Fest to sit back and show his glee…..that will only inflame this already intense situation.
We’ve seen this happen before – haven’t we?
Trayvon Martin case? The only thing is – George Zimmerman has shown his true colors several times after that court decision – so even these Right Wingers cannot defend him and not be laughed out of the room.
I’ve also read where DArrell Wilson has $500,000 donated to him…
Hey – half a million dollars is a lot of money and can buy a lot of things. I just wonder – will Darrell Wilson also show up as a radio shock jock host?
I am waiting to see what this Darrel Wilson does from this point forward. That will tell me a lot..
http://www.msn.com/en-us/news/other/why-police-officers-who-shoot-civilians-almost-never-go-to-jail/ar-BBfMV8Y?ocid=DELLDHP
——
Like I said before – in this Ferguson tragedy, what bothers me the most is how that young man’s dead body was allowed to lay there in the street for 5 hours.
As a mother and grandmother – I cannot understand why this was allowed to happen. No parent deserves to know their child was treated with such disrespect.
And the fact this white police officer was reported that he did not even know about the video store footage where this same young black man was seen robbing the guy just a few minutes before – I just have to wonder, during those 5 hours, did someone else find out about that convenience store footage and that is why 5 hours was needed to make things appear ‘just right’?
It just raises a lot of questions and suspicions.
Again – only two people really know what happened between them that fateful day….and one of them is dead and cannot speak for himself.
And our current culture in society does not seem to want to wait to hear all the evidence – or even for the media to stop sensationalizing every little tidbit over and over and over…..
Plus – this damn inequality in our country is killing us……I know the Conservative Republicans do not think this is a big problem – but it is.
There is only so much the people ‘without’ can tolerate. When will the final straw be put on that proverbial camel’s back?
correction: I have been saying Darrel Wilson when it should be Darren Wilson
Something else has been bothering me for quite awhile…
These Right Winger Conservative White Republicans always demonize black people for playing the race card when something happens.
But yet these same Right Winger Conservative White Republicans have no problem – and will even defend – when these white Evangelical Christians play the persecution card when these folks push their agenda to demonize the homosexuals.
Why are the white folks allowed to play the persecution card and the blacks are not allowed to play the race card?
I also wonder why these same Conservative Christian Republicans are so outraged at the ‘liberal extremists’ (their words in other blogs I’ve seen) audacity to sign a petition to have TLC cancel the 19 Kids and counting television show. (The Duggars)
Again – the hypocrisy of all this is so annoying.
These same Conservative Christian Republicans viciously went after several companies for having equal rights for LGBT employees.
And poor JC Penney went through hell because these same folks – the American Taliban (my name for them) – boycotted and attacked their company because these folks demanded Ellen DeGeneres be removed as JC Penney spokewoman.
WTH…..
This is what grinds my gizzard – – these American Taliban folks are also the ones who are so griping, bitchin’ and moanin’ about how their Constitutional rights are being trampled on….but yet I see these folks exercising those rights to do their boycotting and attacking those companies/people that they don’t like….
So – where is this persecution crap coming from?
Seems to me – if the Right side can boycott and demand action – then so can the Left side do the same exact thing.
You don’t like this arrangement? Then, might I suggest you move to Iran, Syria, Iraq or any other Islamic country where the kissin kousin to the American Taliban is doing what the American Taliban is trying to do.
That is exactly what I have been wondering……why aren’t these White Conservative Republicans demonizing these protesters?
Just an observation:
Look at the color of the majority in those crowds in the above pictures. THIS is why we don’t hear anything from those on the Right side of the political aisle.
Besides – it’s just ‘boys being boys’ – you betcha – wink, wink
That kind of thinking also lends itself to blaming the woman for being raped.
Just a note on the Ferguson Grand Jury. Under applicable Missouri law, it takes 75% of the jurors to agree to hand up an indictment. Thus, in the Ferguson example, with 12 members of the panel, all it took was 4 of the panel to object, and no indictment would issue, the same result as if all 12 members voted that insufficient probable cause existed to believe a crime had been committed. The supermajority requirement is quite common in state grand jury proceedings, BTW.
Hoping all have a Happy Thanksgiving, should I fail to appear here again before Friday.
Plus – if the prosecutor presented even one piece of evidence that suggested Michael Brown’s hand was inside the police car – then how hard would it get to reach the 75% level not to indict?
I am not at all surprised by this grand jury’s decision.
After all – there is a reason why most of the Ferguson police department are whites and that Darren Wilson had less than 3 years service on this particular police force.
I had a thought this morning – what if a black police officer shoots and kills one of these well-connected white kids who think it is so funny to be bad-ass dude? There have been several cases where wealthy white kids
What if Michael Brown was white and in a different suburb of St. Louis (a wealthy white suburb) and the police officer was black.
First of all – we all know that the wealthy white parents would be able to use their influence to get that black police officer charged with murder and prosecuted.
THAT is the difference – and this is also the problem – IMHO
I’ve read several blog comments from white Republicans who seem to take such delight and glee in the fact that Darren Wilson will not be charged. These folks are doing the cock-strutting dance of victory like they are personally involved.
I don’t get that type of thinking.
What is see from the Ferguson tragedy is just that – a tragedy.
A young man’s life was taken and a police officer’s life has been forever changed.
There is not one damn thing gleeful or delightful about this tragedy.
So – we can either learn from this – OR – we can do what we always seem to do, which is to divide into two sides and keep fighting the Civil War all over again.
When will this country GROW UP….
correction:
several cases where wealthy white kids have been in trouble with the law. They have murdered, raped, robbed a convenience store and even bad-mouthed a police officer.